About Betty Burrows, PhD

Are you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or just plain dissatisfied with aspects of your life?

Each person has characteristic ways of managing their emotional reactions to their unique life challenges. The focus of my psychotherapy work is on identifying, strengthening, and, when necessary, modifying these coping methods to optimize your satisfaction in work and relationships. One of the most important parts of our collaborative counseling work will be to create a safe space for the exploration of feelings and behaviors. My style as a therapist is interactive, supportive and nurturing, while also being honest and direct.

I conceptualize human development from a psychodynamic, self-psychological perspective, (that is, understanding how one's perceptions of childhood events and feelings affect current functioning), yet my therapy approach is eclectic and flexible, informed by your needs and our mutually agreed upon goals for counseling. I have a strong background in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and teach a variety of techniques in therapy to manage feelings and stressors (for example, relaxation and guided imagery training, assertiveness training, mindfulness, systematic desensitization and stress inoculation training).

I specialize in treating anxiety disorders, eating disorders (bulimia and compulsive overeating), stress-management, bereavement and grief, and relationship issues. Women's health and developmental issues are also a special interest of mine as a psychologist, including coping with infertility, post-partum depression, and menopause.

I worked as the Coordinator of the DePaul University Counseling Program for many years where I conducted therapy with college and graduate students, faculty, and staff, and conducted workshops and training on test anxiety, stress-management and relaxation, transition and loss, eating disorders, and self-esteem. My doctoral research concerned self-awareness and emotion regulation in women with eating disorders, and I have had specialized training and experience as a psychologist in the treatment of bulimia, body dissatisfaction, and compulsive overeating. My Therapy Internship specialty at Rush University Medical Center was in health psychology and focused on weight management, headache and pain management, sleep disorders, and adjusting to medical illnesses such as Multiple Sclerosis and cancer. I have completed Level 2 therapist training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and use Gottman Method Couples Therapy in my counseling work with couples.


Locations: Chicago and Northbrook (Glencoe, Highland Park, Wilmette, Glenview, Deerfield, Wheeling, Arlington Heights, and Evanston).

QUALIFICATIONS

Education
Undergraduate: Univ. of Illinois
(Phi Beta Kappa)
Graduate: Depaul University
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology granted in 1987

Residency Training
Rush University Medical Center

Years in Practice as a Clinical Psychologist: 25+

Professional Affiliations
Member:
American Psychological Association
Illinois Psychological Association
National Eating Disorders Association

TREATMENT FOCUS

Ages Treated: 16+

Modalities
Individual Therapy
Couples Counseling

Treatment Approaches Used
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Interpersonal Therapy

Specialties
Anxiety/Fears
Relationship Issues
Eating Disorders
Depression
Health/Medical Issues
Infertility/Adoption
Loss or Grief
Stress Management
Parenting

Therapist Locations
Chicago and Northbrook (Glencoe,
Highland Park, Wilmette, Glenview,
Deerfield, Wheeling, Arlington
Heights, and Evanston).