Holistic Positive Therapy in Chicago

Holistic Positive Therapy is a strengths-based, research-informed approach to therapy that focuses on cultivating happiness, purpose, and whole-person well-being. Rather than only addressing what feels “wrong,” this approach helps you build on what’s already working—your strengths, values, and inner resources—to create a more fulfilling life.

At Balanced Awakening, we use the SPIRE model, developed by positive psychology expert Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, to guide the process. SPIRE stands for Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Relational, and Emotional well-being. We explore all five areas in therapy to help you feel more balanced, connected, and alive.

This type of therapy is ideal for people who want to move beyond symptom management and into flourishing. It’s about growing your capacity for joy, resilience, and meaning—no matter where you’re starting from.

Holistic Positive Therapy can help you feel more fulfilled, more connected to your purpose, and more aligned with who you truly are. If you’ve ever thought, “My life looks fine on the outside, but something’s missing,” this approach may be for you.

Through this work, you can:

• Clarify your personal values and vision for your life

• Increase your capacity for joy, gratitude, and self-compassion

• Build resilience and emotional agility

• Improve your relationships—with others and with yourself

• Reconnect with creativity, curiosity, and meaning

• Feel more energized and grounded, both mentally and physically

Rather than just managing symptoms, Holistic Positive Therapy helps you grow in the direction of wholeness. You’ll leave sessions with tools that support long-term well-being—not just quick fixes.

Holistic Positive Therapy shares many core elements with traditional therapy—like a safe, confidential space, personalized support, and evidence-based tools. What makes it different is the focus.

Rather than only looking at what's going wrong, this approach also explores what’s going right. We work together to strengthen your natural resilience, enhance meaning and joy in your life, and align you with your core values. It's a full-person, forward-moving approach rooted in positive psychology and the SPIRE model of well-being.

Our therapy rate for the first two sessions is $250. After that, 55 minute sessions are $225. Most of our somatic therapists are in network with BCBS PPO and Aetna insurance.

Maximize Your Out-of-Network Benefits with Ease

We’ve partnered with Thrizer to help you get the most out of your out-of-network benefits- especially if you're insured through plans like UnitedHealthcare or Cigna. Thrizer simplifies the reimbursement process by acting as your payment processor and handling claims on your behalf. That means no more super bills, no chasing down insurance companies, and faster reimbursements.

Curious about your coverage if we’re out of network? We can likely provide a personalized estimate of your out-of-network benefits through Thrizer, so you’ll know exactly what to expect before getting started.

In Holistic Positive Therapy, each session is tailored to you—your goals, your pace, and your definition of well-being. Some sessions may feel more reflective and insight-oriented, while others may include tangible tools, practices, or even moments of creativity or mindfulness.

You can expect a space that is compassionate, nonjudgmental, and focused on your whole-person growth. Your therapist may gently guide you to explore areas of meaning, values, relationships, physical self-care, or emotional patterns—all within the context of the SPIRE model.

Rather than focusing only on symptoms, we’ll also highlight what energizes you, what gives your life purpose, and what brings you joy. Over time, sessions often become a space where clients reconnect with parts of themselves they had forgotten or pushed aside—and begin to live more fully and authentically.

Yes! But with some exceptions. There are 3 situations where, legally and ethically (whether we want to or not) we would have to break your confidentiality. These include if we learn of any potential child or elder abuse from you, we determine that you are at risk of harming yourself or someone else, or we receive a court order for your medical records. Also, some of our providers are under supervision and regularly consult with their supervisor about their client sessions. Supervisors have the same obligation to client confidentiality.

Yes! We offer virtual Holistic Positive Therapy sessions as well as in-person. Sometimes it’s easier and more convenient for clients to engage in therapy virtually.

Not at all. In fact, Holistic Positive Therapy is ideal for people who are functioning well but feel like something is missing. You might describe yourself as “fine” on the surface—but inwardly, you may crave more purpose, creativity, connection, or emotional balance.

This approach supports you in building on the good, navigating life transitions with clarity, and reconnecting with what makes you feel most alive. Therapy can be a space for growth, not just healing.

Coaching often focuses on specific goals and action steps, and while it can be powerful, it usually doesn’t address deeper emotional patterns or the full complexity of your inner life.

Holistic Positive Therapy offers both depth and direction. You’ll have the space to explore emotions, process past experiences, and heal on a deeper level—while also gaining tools for resilience, self-awareness, and personal growth. It’s a blend of reflection and action, insight and embodiment.