Adam Maughan (he/him): Hi there! I am a queer, neurodivergent, trauma-informed psychologist who is passionate about supporting young and emerging adults, LGBTQ+ individuals, trauma survivors, and people navigating complex questions related to identity, relationships, and belonging. I also enjoy working with anxiety, depression, stress, life-transitions, OCD, emotional overwhelm, men’s issues and more. I have worked in university and community college counseling centers, as well as an inpatient facility for alcohol and substance use disorders.
My approach to therapy is collaborative, relational, and grounded in curiosity, authenticity, and growth. I draw from Narrative Therapy, Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, and multicultural and feminist frameworks. What does that mean for you in the therapy room? It means we will spend time exploring your story, the experiences that shaped you, the messages you received about yourself, and the ways you learned to survive, connect, protect yourself, or make meaning in the world. I see you as the writer and main character of your life, honoring the important social identities, relationships, strengths, and experiences you bring with you.
I believe that even our most distressing thoughts, emotions, and behaviors often began as attempts to create safety, protection, or connection. Maybe you learned that in order to be loved, you needed to hide important parts of yourself. Perhaps you felt like you had to overperform, overwork, or overextend yourself, just to feel seen and heard by others. Or maybe surviving the day-to-day has meant numbing yourself from something painful underneath. Often, these stories helped us survive difficult moments or relationships. But eventually, they may begin to leave us feeling disconnected from ourselves, overwhelmed, or stuck in patterns that no longer serve us. You may feel afraid to turn the next page. Maybe parts of your story feel unfinished, hijacked, or filled with chapters you wish you could rewrite altogether. If any of this feels familiar, you do not have to navigate it alone.
As a therapist, my role is not to write your story for you, but to walk alongside you as we explore it together, even the scary parts. Together, we can honor the meaning these stories hold, re-write stories that are no longer serving you, and empower you towards authorship of a life that feels more aligned with your values, identity, and hopes for the future.
Education and Credentials
What do you do for self-care?
My favorite forms of self-care involve reconnecting with myself, the world around me, and the people I love. Some days that looks like cooking dinner alongside my loved ones, going for a walk through my neighborhood and noticing all the sights, sounds, and smells around me, or playing board games with friends. Other days, it’s a slow morning curled up on the couch with a cup of coffee, a good book, and more cat cuddles than I know what to do with.
Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy – the experiences that makes us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.
What do you like to do when you are not working? What do you do for fun?
As someone who is new to the Chicago area, I love exploring and finding hidden gems in different parts of the city. I am a big foodie, love spending time in the outdoors, and am a theme-park and movie enthusiast. I enjoy playing video and board games, piano improv, and challenging myself to make a new recipe.
What are you excited about? What is your passion? What do you want to learn more about?
I am especially passionate about working with LGBTQ+ individuals, survivors of trauma, and people navigating complex questions related to identity, relationships, and belonging. I am always interested in broadening and developing my skillsets in supporting these individuals as a clinician. Because I approach my work through a multicultural and feminist lens, I care deeply about educating myself on the ways systems of power, privilege, and oppression shape the lived experiences and stories of those with whom I work. I am conscious of how my clients’ intersecting identities influence their relationships with themselves, others, and the world around them. As a white, cisgender, queer, neurodivergent man, I am thoughtful about how my own identities and lived experiences show up in the therapeutic relationship and the world around me, and strive to approach my work with humility and self-reflection. I consider myself a lifelong learner and love to continually expand my understanding of the human experience.
