Our Story
Our Story | Chicago Therapy Practice | Modern Therapy Alliance
Who we are
Modern Therapy Alliance was founded to provide direct, conversational therapy in Chicago. Erik Giles, our Chicago male therapist, started Modern Therapy as a place where people can find the answers they need to move forward in their life,
a place where being happy and satisfied in your life either as an individual or a couple in Chicago is a goal worth working towards. We are therapists dedicated to a direct and interactive style of therapy, grounded in a deep understanding of the work. Modern Therapy Alliance was built in response to a gap in how therapy is often delivered to adults who are capable, thoughtful, and navigating complex lives. Our story is shaped by a belief that therapy should be direct, human, and grounded in real-world concerns.
Too often, therapy becomes either overly clinical or overly abstract, losing sight of the lived experiences that bring people in. Our approach developed as an alternative to that split, integrating psychological depth with practical relevance.
We believe therapy works best when it respects clients as intelligent adults while still taking emotional pain seriously. That balance guides how we train, how we work with clients, and how we think about growth over time.
Our story continues to evolve as we work with people navigating careers, relationships, transitions, and identity. What remains constant is a commitment to thoughtful, accountable therapy that meets people where they are and helps them move forward with clarity.
Ready to Work on Emotional Accountability with a Chicago Therapist?
What we Do
Information and Context
We know how the human brain and body work. From understanding how sleep, diet, and exercise can impact you, to how dysregulation can wreak havoc on your relationships. We aren’t going to make you guess or “figure it out.” We don’t ask “And does that make you feel?” You tell us what doesn’t work for you, and we’ll try and help you understand what is going on “under the hood.”
Resilience
There are plenty of practices that will validate all the challenges you have faced. They can detail how trauma works and the damage it can do. At our Chicago therapy practice, we take the position that bad things happen (some clearly much worse than others) but what most of us really want are the skills to deal with the challenges and move forward. We can help you find strength and reserves you may not know you had.
Perspective
Half of the therapeutic process is deepening your understanding of your life and the lives of those around us. Whether you are facing a difficult decision or fighting with your partner all the time, what is often needed is an understanding of situation and how it fits into your values. There is no single or universal definition of happiness, but with time and commitment we can help you find yours.
Behavior
The other side of perspective is behavior. Sometimes we find that our behavior falls outside the values we hold for ourselves. We may have struggled to change that behavior, but nothing seems to work. We understand how behaviors manifest and how to move towards the changes you want and need. We are committed to helping you become the person you want to be.Â
Why Clients Choose Our Chicago Practice
Clients choose Modern Therapy Alliance and our Chicago therapists for:
✓ Direct, conversational approach instead of just nodding
✓ Evidence-based therapy with practical feedback
✓ Male therapist perspective for those who prefer it
✓ Evening and weekend appointments in Chicago
✓ Insurance accepted (BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, UHC)
✓ Free 15-minute consultation to ensure good fit
✓ Individual therapy and couples counseling expertise
Ready to Work with Our Chicago Therapists?
Learn more about our Chicago therapists, or schedule your free 15-minute consultation to get started with individual therapy or couples counseling today.