Emma MacDougall, MA, LCPC, Therapist in Evanston, Illinois

Emma MacDougall, LCPC, helps teens, adults, and older adults build practical skills to navigate life’s challenges, strengthen emotional well-being, and move toward meaningful change. As a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor at LifeStance Health, she provides individual therapy for patients throughout Illinois. Emma creates a supportive, collaborative environment where clients can explore concerns openly while developing strategies that promote resilience, confidence, and lasting growth. She frequently works with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, and PTSD/trauma, while also offering support for a variety of other mental health concerns. Emma is especially passionate about helping clients manage anxiety, depression, and trauma-related challenges. She understands that these experiences can affect relationships, work, school, and everyday functioning, and she tailors treatment to each person’s unique goals and circumstances. Whether someone is coping with overwhelming stress, difficult emotions, or the lingering impact of past experiences, Emma focuses on helping clients gain insight, improve coping skills, and create positive momentum in their lives. Her therapeutic approach incorporates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and mindfulness-based techniques to help clients build emotional regulation skills, increase self-awareness, and stay grounded during difficult moments. Emma works with teens and adults across many stages of life, including young adulthood, midlife transitions, and older adulthood. In addition to her primary areas of practice, she has experience supporting individuals with ADHD, bipolar disorder, gender identity concerns, psychosis/schizophrenia, school avoidance, women’s issues, and other mental health needs. Emma earned her education from Adler University and Springfield College. She believes that effective therapy combines evidence-based treatment with genuine human connection, creating a space where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered throughout the therapeutic process. Outside of her clinical work, Emma enjoys spending time with friends and family, making art, reading, snuggling with her cats, and keeping her plants healthy and thriving.