What patients are saying
Overall rating
5.00
Average wait time
5.00
Bedside manner
5.00
“My experience with Erik was great and I would highly recommend anyone to work with him. Erik provides clear and effective communication when dealing with any situation or conversation. He was able to help me talk through difficult situations in my life and paved a way to a better future.”
GGLess than 1 month ago
“Erik is an excellent therapist and human! He is both compassionate and understanding, as well as insightful, and I find myself thinking about what we discuss long after a session has ended. He is willing to push back when it's helpful, but never in a way that feels judgmental. I feel safe discussing embarrassing or emotionally difficult moments and thoughts with him, and through that I have found ways to treat myself with more self-compassion. My life, and the those of the people around me, have improved measurably since working with him! ”
BTLess than 3 months ago
About Erik Lees
Focus areas
Addiction / Substance Abuse
Depression
Relationship Struggles
Anxiety
Peer Relationship Struggles
Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Psychological Trauma
Clientele seen
Teenagers (13-17)
Seniors (65+)
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Adults (25-64)
Treatment approaches
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Psychodynamic
Interpersonal
Motivational Interviewing
Identity
Gender
MaleEthnicity
White
Languages spoken
English
Getting to know Erik Lees
It's hard to read a paragraph, look at a photo, and then decide who is worth trusting with the most intimate and difficult parts of your life. To help make things easier, I offer a free 30-minute consult. As you read on, I hope my method and experience will be a good match for you.
Therapy can play a crucial role in helping with problems in relationships, at home, and at work. During my seven years in mental health, I've helped young adults find meaning in their lives, supported traumatized people as they talk about their issues for the first time, and guided anxious clients to communicate more openly with their friends and partners.
I feel equally comfortable helping clients process emotions, create actionable plans, or talk shop about how the brain and body work. My areas of expertise include addiction, trauma, anxiety, depression, sexual issues, transitions to adulthood, and ADHD. I particularly enjoy working with artists, students, first responders, healthcare providers, older adults, and queer folks.
I earned my Master's in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago, which has equipped me with a strong foundation to support diverse clients effectively.
I am not the window-gazing type and engaging in session is important to me. Engaging means throwing in a joke at the right time, collaborating when things feel stuck, and providing honest feedback.
As to how I could best help you, we would need to talk one-on-one about specifics.
What should a new client know about working with you?
I understand that therapy requires trust. Nothing else can happen without it. Going to a first therapy session can be really anxiety provoking, and I respect that a client has the right to share with me whatever feels comfortable.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
When working with clients, I most frequently use CBT and Psychodynamic Therapy.
CBT is good for:
-Creating actionable plans with skills and ideas to address symptoms.
-Finding connections between thoughts feelings and behaviors.
-Accountability that helps jumpstart things after trying things alone hasn't worked.
-Providing tangible help quickly.
Psychodynamic Therapy is useful for:
-Exploring meaning, values, patterns, relationships, and desires to help a client understand their self and emotions.
-Allowing for experiencing and managing of difficult emotions in a safe place.
-Assisting with understanding of unconscious behaviors and patterns that play a role in keeping problems going.
-Helping to get to the root of problems over the long term.
Both of these approaches have decades worth of research supporting their effectiveness. These studies span different cultures and parts of the world.
Is this doctor in your insurance network?
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In-network insurances
Aetna
BlueCross BlueShield
Cigna
Don’t see your insurance?
It’s common for mental health providers to be out-of-network. Many insurance plans offer out-of-network coverage, so you may get partially reimbursed. Learn more
Out-of-pocket fees and assistance
- Sliding scale: Offers lower out-of-pocket fees on an individual basis, typically based on your ability to pay
- Files your insurance claim: You pay the session fee upfront and the provider files the claim for you, so you can get reimbursed directly without worrying about the paperwork
Office location
Erik Lees, LCSW, CADC also offers online video visits for patients
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- Loyola University Chicago, Master's in Social Work
Professional memberships
- Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis
- National Association of Social Workers
Awards and publications
- Physical and Emotional Sibling Violence in Childhood & Attachment in Close Relationships in Adulthood Co-Authored with Dr. Nathan Perkins, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Volume 38, 19-20, 2023
- Perkins, N. H., Dressman, K. A., Kelly, B. L., & Lees, E. R. (2024). Experiences With Physical and Emotional Sibling Violence in Childhood and Adult Attachment in a Sample of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals. Families in Society, 0(0).
- Perkins, N. H., Dressman, K. A., Kelly, B. L. & Lees, E. (2026). Comparisons of physical and emotional sibling violence in childhood and adult attachment in close relationships between lesbian, gay, bisexual, and heterosexual individuals. Journal of Family Violence. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-025-01027-4
NPI number
1376239350
Patient reviews
All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
5.00
Wait time
5.00
Bedside manner
5.00
Your trust is our top concern, so providers can't pay to alter or remove reviews. We also don't publish reviews that contain any private patient health information. Learn more here
17 reviews
Most relevant
Erik is very kind and patient. He made me feel comfortable right away. Would definitely recommend
More than 1 year agoLF
My experience with Erik was great and I would highly recommend anyone to work with him. Erik provides clear and effective communication when dealing with any situation or conversation. He was able to help me talk through difficult situations in my life and paved a way to a better future.
Less than 1 month agoGG
Erik is an excellent therapist and human! He is both compassionate and understanding, as well as insightful, and I find myself thinking about what we discuss long after a session has ended. He is willing to push back when it's helpful, but never in a way that feels judgmental. I feel safe discussing embarrassing or emotionally difficult moments and thoughts with him, and through that I have found ways to treat myself with more self-compassion. My life, and the those of the people around me, have improved measurably since working with him!
Less than 3 months agoBT
Erik really is a great person. He is patient and really understands where I am going when even I myself do not know how to express myself. I’ve gone thru a few therapists to find him and I’m beyond lucky. He has helped me set boundaries, shown me how to interact with people I don’t like, and most importantly set good habits.
Less than 3 months agoAV
I've had a very positive experience working with Erik. He is approachable, consistent, and creates space where I can steer the conversation when that's what I need, while still offering thoughtful perspective and structure. I would recommend Erik to others looking for a straightforward, collaborative approach.
Less than 3 months agoAP
I began seeing Erik for a variety of concerns. Anxiety, rage, stress, past and current traumatic events, and ADHD are some of the topics he and I cover. Erik listens and his approach is to gradually and methodically expose and then discuss current and past stressors in my life. While doing this listening his approachability, candor, and compassionate observations make my time with him feel authentic because I can be myself. His honesty when he doesn't know an answer is also refreshing. Finding a therapist that's right for me, in the past, has taken some time but with Erik I felt like we were both on the same page and ready to work together from day one.
Less than 3 months agoJB
Highly recommend! Erik has been incredibly supportive and attentive throughout our sessions. He creates a safe and comfortable space, making it easy to open up and work through challenges. Truly grateful for his guidance!
More than 1 year agoCN
Erik possesses a remarkable ability to create a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere, ensuring that you feel both seen and heard. His insightful wisdom and unique perspectives challenge and expand your own views, often prompting a more positive and refreshing outlook on life. Each session with Erik is genuinely looked forward to, as he consistently fosters an environment where you feel equally valued and understood. His professional approach not only enriches the therapeutic experience but also profoundly impacts personal growth.
More than 1 year agoGD
Erik has been very compassionate throughout our time in therapy and the pacing of our sessions helps put me in a calmer state of mind. It’s been a positive experience and I feel lucky to be working with him!
More than 1 year agoOA
Ive felt really great about working with Erik. He is attentive and made it easy to open up and feel comfortable. It feels like he actually cares.
More than 1 year agoTT
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How soon can I make an appointment with Erik Lees?
Generally, Erik Lees has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Erik Lees's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Erik Lees accepting new patients?
Erik Lees generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Erik Lees's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Erik Lees accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Erik Lees is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Erik Lees online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Erik Lees using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Erik Lees work with?
Erik Lees works with Erik Lees Counseling.
Where is Erik Lees's office located?
Erik Lees has 2 office locations in Chicago, view full addresses on Erik Lees's profile.
What are common reasons for patients to see Erik Lees?
Erik Lees frequently sees patients for Depression, New Patient Visit, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Erik Lees on their profile.
What languages does Erik Lees speak?
Erik Lees speaks English.
How do patients rate Erik Lees in reviews?
17 patients have reviewed Erik Lees. The overall rating for this doctor is 5/5. They have a 5/5 rating for bedside manner and a 5/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.