Rebecca Wolf is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and also has a Problem and Compulsive Gambling Certification; she works from UB’s downtown Chicago counseling office. Rebecca has comprehensive clinical experience working with adults, couples, and families, her practice focuses on gambling addiction, anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, adjustment issues, and relationship issues.
What made you become a therapist?
It seems that people in my life have always sought out advice and counsel from me because I am very rational and level-headed. Early on, I realized how much I enjoyed giving feedback and helping people resolve their struggles. Becoming a therapist just seemed like the natural career path for me.
What are your specialties?
I have extensive training working with problem gambling and other addictions. My true passion is helping clients resolve communication and relationship issues since these are areas which I believe people can see positive results rather quickly. I also really enjoy working with military populations because I think this is a group that inherently has many stressors and challenges, yet tends to be under served.
Did you have a career before becoming a therapist?
I worked as a social worker in a residential psychiatric facility and then at an Employee Assistance Program before landing my dream job as a therapist in private practice.
Why do you believe that counseling can help?
Having a third, non bias, non judgmental person as a sounding board can be truly amazing. Counseling can help anyone, whether it is simply having someone listen to you to help validate your life, or to have someone help you make progress and healthy changes.
Why is it important to seek counseling?
Just about anyone open to making positive changes in their life can benefit from therapy. Not everybody needs counseling all the time, but I certainly think that most of us can benefit from therapy intermittently throughout our lives to help normalize our stressors and allow us to feel supported when life gets a bit bumpy. We can all benefit from some unbiased feedback once in a while. The demands and stresses of daily life can wear on us and sometimes we just need some support. It can also be very beneficial to get an outsider’s perspective on occasion.
Favorite Self Care Activities:
I love to take long walks with my family to unwind and be active. I also love to cook and bake because I think it is so rewarding to create something from scratch. I strongly feel an important part of my self-care regimen includes always having something on my calendar to look forward to – an upcoming trip, trying a new restaurant, or a night out with friends. I think it is very important to have things to look forward to in order to keep you trending forward and not feel stuck.