Welcome to
Wicker Park Therapy Group
Mental health therapists in Chicago, IL
Treatment for individuals, couples, and families
In-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO
Welcome from John & Laura
We founded Wicker Park Therapy Group with a shared commitment to providing compassionate and effective care. We strive to create a supportive environment where our clients can find clarity and authenticity.
John Fiene, LCSW provides assessment, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis and clinical supervision. He works with adults, couples and families to identify the origin of unsatisfying relational patterns to expand flexibility and creativity in daily life.
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.
Why reach out to us?
At Wicker Park Therapy Group, our goal is to provide a space where you can do more than just cope with problems. Together we can work through the psychological patterns that shape your relationships with yourself and others.
If you are seeking to move forward in your life with greater self-knowledge and renewed sense of creative possibility, our practice may be a good fit for you.
About Wicker Park Therapy Group
Anchored in psychoanalytic theory, we look beyond quick symptom relief to the forces that create distress—recurring emotions, relational patterns, and unconscious motives. While many therapies pause once symptoms ease, we work at the roots so change can take hold. The sections below show how it comes to life in practice.
Depth of Exploration
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.
Relational Patterns
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, is freeing.
Interpretation
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.
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.
Transference
Feelings toward significant people in your past are unconsciously redirected toward your therapist. This is not an obstacle to 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.
Self-Integration
Our therapists help you draw together the fragmented or disowned parts of your inner life, weaving them into a more coherent whole. As these pieces come into dialogue, many clients discover a steadier sense of identity, greater emotional flexibility, and renewed energy for purposeful living.
Becoming a Client
At the beginning, we schedule 2-3 appointments for a comprehensive initial evaluation. This period of 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. 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.