Get to Know Megan
Therapist in Chicago, IL

Megan Bryk, LCSW
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Hello, my name is Megan and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Illinois.

I believe that everyone deserves to feel in control of their lives.

Whether you're seeking work-life balance, coping with a breakup, feeling directionless, figuring out how to adapt to change, or managing symptoms of a chronic condition, or navigating neurodivergence, I am here to help. I know the stresses that come along with demanding work or when your brain and body seem to work against you. You are not alone.

I specialize in helping high school teens, young adults, and adults. I incorporate a mixture of therapeutic techniques including CBT, mindfulness and coping skills. In everyday terms this means that we will learn to recognize and change unhelpful thought patterns, learn to be present in the moment, and develop practical strategies to handle life's challenges. My trauma informed approach recognizes and acknowledges that we each have unique experiences and respond differently to those experiences.

You deserve to feel better and to live the life you have always wanted. I offer a calm and supportive space where we can work toward your goals together. I believe that change is possible and you deserve to feel your best. I will be your partner along the way.

I provide online counseling for residents of Illinois and

in office counseling in Chicago, IL

Chronic Illness・ Neurodiversity・ ADHD・ Autism・ Anxiety ・ Relational Issues ・Life Stress

High School Teens ・College Students ・ Young Adults ・ Adults

How I Help

I am a strong believer in the power of relationships. Having someone to talk to can increase our sense of happiness and positivity, and most importantly let us know that we are not alone. Life has many ups and downs, but it's what you do with them that matters. I am here to help you transform the tough moments into growth. Therapy with me looks like an open dialogue, where we both respect each other's point of view and collaborate to find solutions that help you overcome what’s been holding you back. We can talk about anything, no matter how hard it is to share. Whether it’s the good things or the bad, I am ready to hold space for even the strongest emotions that come up, because I know we can work through it together. I believe in a holistic approach to therapy that not only looks at thoughts and feelings, but also how your environment, your cultural experiences, close relationships, and health, affect your mental wellbeing. In looking at you as a whole person, my practice is LGBTQIA+ affirming and Trauma-Informed.

We’ll use a variety of therapeutic techniques to best fit what you need, because therapy is not a one size fits all approach. We’ll make sure that those techniques are really working for you. It might be practicing mindfulness or trying out different coping skills to help things feel less overwhelming. Our approach will continue to grow as our therapeutic relationship develops. I know that therapy is not always easy, but I am here to support you each step of the way and I will always accept you for how you are in that moment, even the hard ones.

Areas of Focus

Beginning therapy is a courageous step, and I'm here to guide you through the process. Here's what you can expect as we embark on this journey together. Our first few sessions will focus on getting to know each other and on creating a strong, trusting relationship. I'll ask thoughtful questions to understand: what brought you to therapy, your current challenges and concerns, and your background and family dynamics. Together, we'll craft personalized goals that align with your needs and aspirations. This collaborative process ensures that our work together is meaningful and impactful for you. As our therapeutic relationship deepens, I'll introduce various strategies and techniques. We'll explore different approaches to find what resonates with you, always honoring your unique values and beliefs. Therapy is a dynamic process. We'll continually reassess and adjust our approach to ensure you're getting the most out of our sessions and moving towards your goals. Remember, this is your journey. My role is to provide support, insight, and tools as we work together towards your personal growth and well-being.

Therapy for ADHD and Autism

Were you the kid who was always getting in trouble at school for talking too much or not being able to control your emotions? Are you now struggling to function in college or your career?

Do everyday tasks seem daunting to you?

You keep saying that you’ll get to that pile of papers, but it keeps growing, and you just can’t seem to do it. The bigger it gets, the messier it gets. Soon, even you can’t find what you’re looking for.

Life won’t slow down for you to get it all done. I know you have been begging and pleading for more time in the day, because if there was just more time, you would get it all done. You might even ask for extensions at school or work.

Speaking of time - what about friendships! Making friendships - and keeping friends - is not as easy it looks. Especially as you grow up, it gets more complicated. Sometimes you might share too much or not share enough. Knowing when to speak up or hold back is tricky.

It’s not your fault! We can work together to understand how your unique brain works, and work on strategies and tools to help you be successful in whatever your goals may be.

We can work on slowly implementing daily routines, making or maintaining friendships, romantic relationships, and talk through any stressors that come up along the way.

Oftentimes, being neurodivergent can also present challenges such as perfectionism, self-doubt, and anger, which are often overlooked. Coming from a place of self-compassion, we will also explore your strengths and build upon them to help you find success and improve your self-esteem. You deserve to feel in control of your life, and together, we will help you get there.

woman with chronic illness Hugging a Pillow

Therapy for Chronic Illness

Do you have a chronic illness or condition that causes you pain and distress? Do you feel like you are doing everything right, but your body still works against you? Have you missed out on fun events because you can’t seem to manage your symptoms and you feel scared to go out and risk having a symptom flare-up?

Relationships feel hard to navigate because you feel like you are a burden because you are sick all the time or you have no energy or you just can't do what other people can. You are done with feeling like you’ve tried every strategy and medication to manage your condition. It seems like everything you are doing is not helping you live the life you want. You are still scared to venture out, travel, and live your life to the fullest. It’s overwhelming, both physically and mentally, but I am here to help you face this adversity and develop strategies to live the life you want while managing your chronic illness. I know intimately the toll that autoimmune diseases take, mentally and physically.

I offer a calm and supportive space where we can partner together to work out the stress your condition is causing you or anything else that may come up along the way while making a new path forward. I believe it is important to take a holistic approach in therapy, especially when we are navigating chronic illnesses and conditions. I do this by partnering with you to explore how your health, environment, relationships, thoughts, and feelings all interact and impact your day to day living.

We can work on strategies for handling symptom flare ups, while finding balance in your life, so you can enjoy the good moments while still respecting your body’s needs. Together, we can help you create the tools you need to handle your condition effectively, feel confident in yourself and your body, and give you the chance to live well, in spite of the obstacles in your way.

Image by SEO Galaxy person with their head in their hands, stressed

Life Transitions Therapy

Change is a part of life, but it can make everything feel out of control. You probably ask yourself several times a day, how will I get through it? Is this really what I should be doing?

Everything feels like too much.

You want to enjoy life, be fully present in the great moments without feeling stress weighing you down everyday.

Whether you’re experiencing a "quarter-life crisis", questioning your life's direction, or feeling stuck in an unfulfilling job or relationship, you are not alone. You do not have to go through the motions trying to navigate these challenges by yourself.

It’s time to feel a sense of relief and confidence in your decisions and direction in life. Together, we will explore your feelings, clarify your values, and work towards creating a life that feels authentic and meaningful to you.

Together, we will help your life feel lighter. As complicated as everything gets, there is a way through.

We will build on the tools that you already have in order to help you find direction in your life. We will figure out what is holding you back and find ways to move through it.

To help you get there, I will challenge you to implement small changes in your life in a way that feels comfortable to you (sometimes it is going to feel uncomfortable too, and that is ok). I will help you incorporate mindfulness techniques so that you are more present in your day to day life and learn coping skills to get through challenging thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Through our work together, you will be able to feel confident in your decisions and in back control of your life.

A Bit About Me

Before working in private practice, I started my career as an elementary school social worker. I learned so much and am very grateful for that experience. I have lived in the Chicago area for most of my life and love the city! You can find me by the lake or exploring all the city has to offer. My hobbies are all over the place and include a mixture of baking, triathlons, knitting, going on long walks and finding the best matcha. I also love traveling (but hate flying) and have an ever growing list of places I want to visit.

Beyond the Clinical: Megan