Pete Marlow

Locations: Virtual Illinois, In-Office Chicago

Pronouns: He / Him / His

Nobody has a life free from pain.

No matter how many times you give yourself the pep talk that everyone struggles, you may still have the nagging sense that others have things “figured out” and you don’t. The narrative of “my struggles make me less of a person than others who seem to have it all together” is a lie. This thought has the power to make you feel lonely, weak, hopeless and rob you of your sense of self-worth. The truth is life presents all of us with challenges that can come out of nowhere and are often unwarranted.

Trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, interpersonal conflict, loss of direction in life, a broken relationship, or something unidentifiable that maybe can’t be named right now can all be effects manifested from these types of beliefs.

In therapy, we work together to offer space to feel accepted, in control, and valued as we work toward turning your pain into meaning and purpose. You are the world’s foremost expert on yourself, and through a collaborative process, we combine your expertise with my therapy toolbox and knowledge of helping people examine and create the lives they want. When you feel seen and heard, mostly by your own self, powerful things can happen! This process will look different for every person based on your specific needs and interests. I’m here to show empathy, ask questions, encourage, challenge when needed, and listen intently as you go through the process of healing. Vulnerability is hard, especially for those culturally conditioned that vulnerability is weakness, but experiencing the discomfort of having a person join you in your pain is a way to grow.

I’m a person who has struggled with being truly vulnerable with people in my life. I thought I could protect myself if I kept everyone out. The change that occurred for me personally when I accepted the love and support from those I trust, allowing myself to be vulnerable with them, has been invaluable. I no longer feel isolated and hopeless. Knowing firsthand that change is possible is why making sure a client feels safe and in control is always at the forefront of mind. I want my clients to feel the freedom to be vulnerable, which allows true change to happen.

Reaching out for help from a counselor can feel daunting. Sharing your story with someone for the first or even the fourth time brings a level of exposure and vulnerability we naturally want to avoid. As difficult as it seems, the benefit is freeing. If you feel the desire to start meeting with a therapist, I would be privileged to combine our efforts and work towards meaningful change. Schedule a session and we can examine the past so we can look forward towards your future.”