I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC.) I have been certified in Alcohol and Other Drug Addiction counseling and have extensive experience in helping individuals and their families navigate the oftentimes tough terrain of addiction. I specialize in the treatment of addictive disorders and trauma, however treat many other disorders. I work from a Family Systems perspective and am Polyvagal-Informed. I believe many disorders are based in a dysregulated ANS (autonomic nervous system.) 

I completed the three year Somatic Experiencing Professional Training Program based on Peter Levine's ground-breaking research on the treatment of trauma. My work is informed by Polyvagal Therapy. Polyvagal Theory was developed by Stephen Porges, Ph.D., a theory that links the evolution of the mammalian autonomic nervous system to social behavior and emphasizes the importance of physiological state in the expression of behavioral problems and psychiatric disorders. In short, it is the science of safety. Polyvagal Theory reduces the "shame and blame" components of most disorders by helping both clinicians and clients to understand that behaviors are autonomic actions in the service of survival, i.e., adaptive responses rooted in a survival narrative that is entered into automatically.

 I have studied with Pia Mellody and am certified as a PIT Therapist (Post InductionTherapy). The premise of PIT is that childhood trauma is the origin of developmental immaturity also known as codependency. I am also a NLP Master's level Clinician (Neuro Linguistic Programming is an approach to communication, personal development, and psychotherapy ~ the basis of which asserts a connection between the neurological processes, language, and the behavioral patterns learned through experience that can be changed to achieve goals).

I treat adolescents and adults in individual, group, couples, and family therapy. I have been in private practice for thirty years. I am based out of Evanston, Illinois. I have extensive clinical experience with diverse populations and have worked with multidisciplinary staffs. My clinical work includes a history of working at some of Chicago's premier treatment programs. Drawing from my education, my own journey, my spirituality practices, and the wisdom of the mentors I have studied with (and continue to study with), I work with each individual to help them identify and build on their own strengths in order to achieve their personal goals. In addition to my clinical work, I work with family businesses and I conduct clinical trainings.

Link to presentation on an Introduction to Polyvagal Theory:

https://catalog.pesi.co.uk/speaker/peggy-hough-1689821

Education
MA in Counseling Psychology, Illinois School of Professional Psychology

License & Certifications
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Certified Addictions Counselor

Master Level NLP Practioner

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Post Induction Therapy (PIT) Certified by Pia Mellody

My work is informed by Polyvagal Theory

Somatic Experiencing