Welcome to
Wicker Park Therapy Group
Mental health therapists in Wicker Park, Chicago
Psychoanalytic treatment for individuals, couples, families and groups
In-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO
Why Choose a Psychoanalytic Group Practice?
Our goal is to provide a space where you can do more than just cope with problems. We help you understand and transform the psychological frameworks that shape your emotions and relationships. By going beneath the surface, Wicker Park Therapy Group empowers you to move forward in your life with self-knowledge, resilience, and a renewed sense of possibility. If you are seeking a therapy experience that explores the ‘why’ behind your thoughts and behaviors rather than simply addressing ‘what’ or ‘how’ to change them, our practice may be a good fit for you.
Welcome from John & Laura
We founded our therapy practice in Wicker Park with a shared commitment to providing compassionate and effective care. Both of us feel connected to our roots here, where we grew up, built our home and started a family. Our love for Chicago and its people inspired us to invest in our city and offer support to those seeking more from life. We strive to create a supportive environment where clients can find clarity, healing, and transformation.
John Fiene, LCSW focuses on men's issues, personal development and relational trauma. He provides therapy to individuals, groups, couples and families using the psychoanalytic model.
Laura Fiene, LCPC is experienced in helping adults navigate anxiety, depression, family of origin issues, and relationship concerns. She incorporates the Neuroaffective Relational Model (NARM) in her work.
About Wicker Park Therapy Group
Wicker Park Therapy Group is grounded in a psychoanalytic tradition that seeks to uncover and understand the deeper layers of our clients’ experiences. While many therapy practices focus on present-day problems or rapid symptom relief, our orientation goes a step further—focusing on the underlying emotional patterns, relationship dynamics, and unconscious motives that often fuel everyday challenges. This depth-oriented approach sets us apart from more suggestive or skills-based models of therapy. Here are some of the key ways our theoretical perspective differs:
Emphasis on the Unconscious
Our therapists operate on the principle that many of our behaviors, emotions, and beliefs are shaped by unconscious factors—early life experiences, learned relational patterns, or unacknowledged feelings. Instead of merely managing symptoms, we aim to bring these hidden influences into awareness, creating space for meaningful and lasting change.
Patterns & Relational History
A psychoanalytic perspective views each client’s present challenges through the lens of their past. We look for repeated relationship patterns, core conflicts, and long-standing emotional themes that may be influencing your current life. Talking through how, where and why these patterns developed, we can help you break free.
Depth & Lasting Transformation
Because psychoanalytic treatment addresses the root causes of emotional suffering, it can lead to more enduring change. Clients often report that by working at this level—unraveling old assumptions and longstanding patterns—they gain a profound sense of relief, personal agency, and richer, more fulfilling relationships.
Transference: a Therapeutic Tool
Transference—when feelings toward significant people in your past are unconsciously redirected toward your therapist or group members—is not just an obstacle to be managed in our work. Instead, we invite curiosity about these emotional reactions. They provide a real-time window into your relational history and can help us pinpoint areas that need deeper exploration and healing.
Interpretative, Exploratory Stance
Rather than offering standardized “tools” or step-by-step interventions, psychoanalytic therapy involves an ongoing process of exploration and interpretation. Our therapists strive to create an environment where you can safely investigate the roots of your struggles, giving you the space to develop insight, self-awareness, and new emotional capacities.
Group as a Microcosm of Your Life
In group therapy settings, the psychoanalytic approach sees the group itself as a small-scale version of everyday relational experiences. This unique “living laboratory” allows you to see how you relate to others, uncover blind spots, and practice new ways of being. With skilled facilitation, group dynamics can illuminate core issues, offering deeper insights and opportunities for growth in a supportive environment.
Becoming a Client
At the beginning, we schedule 2-3 appointments for a comprehensive initial evaluation. This in-depth assessment ensures we understand your concerns, symptoms, and challenges. We'll delve into your psychological history, family and cultural influences, and any past attempts at change. Together, we will outline your goals and identify any external or internal obstacles that could hinder your progress. The treatment plan we propose will be tailored to match your unique cognitive, emotional, and psychological needs, aspirations and capacity for imagination. We will explain the rationale behind the suggested approach, ensuring we set clear, mutual expectations about the type of therapy, frequency of sessions, and the overall timeline before proceeding.
Frequency and Duration of Sessions
Psychotherapy sessions occur once or twice a week, while psychoanalysis is a more intensive experience of 3-4 sessions a week. These sessions offer a profound exploration of your inner experiences, such as fantasies, dreams, and emotional patterns, and how you integrate these insights into your daily life. Each session lasts 55 minutes. The length of time you engage in psychotherapy varies and is collaboratively determined based on your personal goals, progress, and evolving needs.
Building a Therapeutic Relationship
A strong therapeutic relationship is the cornerstone of effective therapy. Engaging in this inward journey requires time, trust, and a comfortable rapport between you and your therapist. It's important to assess the fit by considering your level of comfort, trust, and whether you feel genuinely heard and understood. Your active participation, openness, and honesty are essential for achieving the best outcomes. Our practice is committed to providing a safe, non-judgmental space for you to explore and grow within your relationships.
We are located in the Flatiron Arts Building at 1579 N Milwaukee on the third floor at the intersection of Damen, North and Milwaukee near the Damen Blue Line CTA.
Built in 1918, this unique art deco terra cotta three-story professional office building is a defining landmark of the neighborhood. The winding hallways display work from the artists in the building. Studios are open to the public on the first Friday of the month.