Mr. Richard Rodgers LICSW, LCSW

When considering working with me, here are some key points that might be important for you to know: Holistic Approach: My therapy is grounded in a holistic perspective, integrating mind, body, and spirit. I employ methods like EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), iREST Yoga Nidra, and somatic practices to address healing from multiple angles. Empowerment Over Diagnosis: While I understand and work with diagnoses, my primary focus is on empowering you to see your struggles as opportunities for growth and resilience, rather than just labels. Personalized Journey: Therapy with me is not one-size-fits-all. I tailor each session to your unique needs, background, and goals, ensuring a path that resonates with you personally. Veteran Perspective: Having served as an Afghanistan veteran, I bring a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those with military experience, particularly around trauma and reintegration. Safe Space for Vulnerability: I create an environment where you can feel safe to explore your vulnerabilities. Here, these vulnerabilities are seen as strengths, leading to profound personal transformation. Collaborative Partnership: I view our relationship as a partnership. You're not just receiving therapy; you're actively participating in your healing process, with guidance from me. Emphasis on Self-Discovery: My work encourages self-discovery, helping you understand and reconcile with your past to unlock your future potential. Community Support: Beyond individual sessions, I offer monthly recovery and meditation groups to provide additional support, fostering a sense of community and shared growth. Flexibility and Pace: Healing is not a race; it's a journey. I respect your pace, allowing you to heal at a speed that feels right for you. Ongoing Support: Even after individual sessions might conclude, the tools and practices you learn here are meant to support you lifelong, with the option to rejoin therapy or groups as needed. Commitment to Growth: I am committed to my own professional development, continuously learning and integrating new, effective holistic practices to better serve you. Empathy and Understanding: I bring a level of empathy shaped by my experiences, ensuring that you feel understood and validated in your feelings and experiences. Working with me means embarking on a journey where your narrative is one of empowerment, where you're not just healing but also rediscovering your strength and potential.

My life philosophy and treatment philosophy overlap in several profound ways, reflecting a cohesive approach to both living and helping others heal: Holistic Living and Healing: Life Philosophy: I believe in living a life where mind, body, and spirit are in harmony. For me, well-being is about integrating all aspects of oneself, recognizing that each influences the other. Treatment Philosophy: My therapy embraces this by incorporating practices like iREST Yoga Nidra, EMDR, and IFS, which address healing on multiple levels, not just mentally but physically and spiritually. Empowerment as a Core Value: Life Philosophy: I've learned through personal experience, especially from my military service, that empowerment comes from within, from recognizing and harnessing one's own strengths and resilience. Treatment Philosophy: In therapy, I aim to empower clients by helping them see their challenges as opportunities for growth, guiding them to find their inner resources for recovery and change. Community and Connection: Life Philosophy: I value the power of community and the connections we share with others, understanding that we're not meant to navigate life alone. Treatment Philosophy: This translates into offering group sessions where clients can find support, share experiences, and grow together, emphasizing that healing is also about connection. Self-Discovery and Continuous Growth: Life Philosophy: I view life as an ongoing journey of self-discovery, where learning and growing are perpetual processes. Treatment Philosophy: Therapy is similarly viewed as a journey of self-discovery, where each session is a step towards understanding oneself better, with tools provided for continuous personal development. Resilience Through Adversity: Life Philosophy: My experiences, particularly from serving in Afghanistan, have taught me that adversity can be a catalyst for profound personal transformation. Treatment Philosophy: I help clients navigate their traumas or struggles by framing these experiences as part of their resilience story, encouraging them to move beyond survival to thriving. Compassion and Empathy: Life Philosophy: I strive to live compassionately, understanding that everyone has their own battles. Treatment Philosophy: This is mirrored in my therapeutic approach, where I meet clients with deep empathy, ensuring they feel seen and understood, which is foundational to healing. Mindfulness and Presence: Life Philosophy: I practice mindfulness to stay grounded and present, appreciating the now while learning from the past and planning for the future. Treatment Philosophy: I introduce mindfulness techniques in therapy to help clients live more fully in the present moment, reducing anxiety about the past or future. This overlap ensures that my approach to therapy isn't just theoretical but deeply personal, bringing authenticity and genuine care into each session. It's about living out the principles I advocate for in therapy in my own life, creating a consistent message of healing, growth, and empowerment.

My style and approach to therapy can be described as: Holistic and Integrative: I blend various therapeutic techniques, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Internal Family Systems (IFS), iREST Yoga Nidra, and somatic practices, to address the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. This integration aims to heal from multiple angles, recognizing that mental health is not segmented but a part of a larger whole. Empowerment-Focused: Therapy with me is about empowering clients to see their challenges as opportunities for growth. I guide clients to discover their inner strengths, promoting a narrative where they are the architects of their healing process, not just passive recipients of treatment. Collaborative and Partnership-Oriented: I view the therapist-client relationship as a partnership. We work together to co-create your healing journey, with me as a guide rather than a director. This collaboration ensures that therapy is tailored to your unique needs, experiences, and goals. Trauma-Informed: With my background as an Afghanistan veteran, I bring a deep understanding of trauma. My approach is sensitive to the effects of trauma, focusing on creating a safe space where healing can occur at your pace, respecting the complexity of traumatic experiences. Narrative Transformation: I encourage clients to reframe their personal stories. Instead of being defined by past events, we work to rewrite these narratives into ones of resilience, empowerment, and potential, emphasizing what can be learned and how one can move forward. Mindfulness and Presence: Incorporating mindfulness practices helps clients stay grounded in the present, which is crucial for emotional regulation and reducing the impact of past traumas or future anxieties. Techniques like comeditation and iREST Yoga Nidra are used to foster this connection with the present moment. Community and Support: Beyond individual sessions, I offer group experiences through monthly recovery and meditation groups, recognizing the therapeutic value of community. This communal support can be vital for sustained recovery and personal growth. Pace and Process-Oriented: Healing is a journey, not a destination. I respect each individual's pace, focusing on the process rather than rushing towards outcomes. This approach allows for a natural unfolding of healing, where insights and changes are integrated into life in a meaningful way. Compassionate and Empathetic: My style is imbued with empathy, informed by my life experiences and professional journey. I strive to meet clients where they are, offering compassion and understanding without judgment, creating a therapeutic environment that feels nurturing and supportive. In essence, my therapy style is about meeting you with where you are, using a diverse toolkit to facilitate healing, growth, and self-discovery, all while fostering an environment where you feel empowered to take control of your narrative and life.

• Indiana, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, 34008256A
• Arizona, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, 21892
• New Hampshire, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, 3904
• Illinois, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, 149.020534

Veteran Health Administration Readjustment Counseling ServicesSocial Worker (GS 11)Indianapolis, IN10/2018 - 04/2019 Provided individual and group counseling for veterans dealing with PTSD, substance abuse, military sexual trauma, and other readjustment issues. Facilitated workshops and support groups aimed at successful civilian reintegration. United States Bureau of PrisonsDrug Treatment Specialist (GS 9/11)Terre Haute, IN06/2016 - 10/2018 Managed the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) for inmates, including screening, treatment planning, and aftercare. Conducted psycho-social assessments, developed treatment plans, and supported inmates in setting personal recovery goals. Stonybrook CenterSubstance Abuse CounselorWheaton, IL10/2015 - 05/2016 Provided individual and group therapy in an Intensive Outpatient (IOP) setting, focusing on addiction, trauma recovery, and life planning. Developed and implemented psycho-educational programs and tailored treatment plans based on patient progress. Illinois Department of CorrectionsClinical Social Work InternAurora, IL08/2015 - 02/2016 Coordinated and led group therapy sessions for criminal offenders in a work release program. Worked closely with residents to establish parole-compliant plans and served as an advocate, resolving conflicts. Linden Oaks, Chemical Dependency Intensive Outpatient GroupCADC/Social Work InternNaperville, IL08/2014 - 04/2015 Developed strategic treatment plans for clients in a high-volume outpatient setting, involving families in the recovery process. Provided community resource referrals and used motivational interviewing to meet client goals. Linden Oaks, Adult InpatientBehavioral Health Associate, Adult Inpatient UnitNaperville, IL01/2012 - 10/2015 Facilitated crisis intervention, conceptualized treatment strategies, and maintained detailed patient records. Designed and launched an orientation binder for new patients to enhance their understanding of the treatment process. Military Service: United States Army National GuardMental Health SpecialistNorth Riverside, IL2010 - 2014 Managed mental health operations for over 300 soldiers, developing SOPs for mental health programs. Conducted morale assessments and played a key role in motivational and morale-building activities. United States Army National GuardInfantry Non-Commissioned OfficerNorth Riverside, IL2000 - 2010 Ensured combat readiness of soldiers, led small combat teams, and managed military equipment.