About Sean Cox Counseling
My name is Sean Patrick Cox. I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Chicago, Illinois, where I have my private counseling practice.
My focus is working with men, for a variety of issues, such as:
- stress
- anxiety
- depression
- relationships
- anger
- burnout
- life transition
- grief
- performance
- conflict management
- job stress
Or, maybe you’re not sure WHAT your issue is, you just feel STUCK.
That’s ok. We’ll figure it out together.
New to Counseling?
A lot of men are uncomfortable calling someone like me.
Hey, I understand. To some degree, we all are!
I would encourage you to take a small risk and call me, if you’re tired and frustrated with the way your life has been.
Let’s have a conversation. It’s nothing weird or spooky. Just 2 guys talking. We don’t even need to talk about your feelings! . . . unless, of course, you WANT to, in which case we’ll dive as deeply into that “ocean” as necessary.
And, it’s confidential.
Even though it’s a different kind of thing for a lot of men to do, most end up finding it very helpful to have a private place to “air it out,” have someone actually paying attention and invested in their success, and creating workable solutions.
What's a Session Like?
Starting out, I’m interested in what brings you in to see me.
EVERYONE has a story–I want to hear yours. Tell me as little or as much as you’re comfortable disclosing. More of the story comes out as we go.
And by “story,” I’m at least talking about what brings you in to see me. What’s the situation? Maybe that’s as far as we need to get. For some clients, we need to go beyond that.
My first goal is always to understand you and your situation as best I can.
In our first session, I listen, and I ask normal questions–questions anybody would ask who was wanting to understand.
It’s a CONVERSATION, 2 guys sitting in chairs, talking. Straightforward.
For some men, they need a place to “uncoil” and take a breath, to reflect, to make sense of things, and think honestly about their lives.
Other men are less interested in that, and want to jump straight into “action” and problem-solving mode.
Eventually we put together the following pieces, to:
- accurately identify “the problem”
- develop your goal(s) for this problem
- develop an action plan to achieve these goals
Along the way, we develop various strategies and tactics to address your concerns.
Of course, this is very general. Every session is a “blank canvas” and its own thing.
If you come in for your session and you recently had some big issue pop up, then we put our agenda aside, and that’s what we talk about.
Sometimes we all need a place to just “process life,” to think out loud, with no agenda. I’m happy to provide that space.
What's My Style Like?
I come from a strengths-based perspective, always keeping an eye out for the strengths of clients to show up. EVERYONE has strengths, though some strengths are asleep. If so, I’m here to help wake them up if that’s what’s needed!
Of course, we also have challenges and dilemmas. These are the things that typically bring us to counseling.
But I never want you to lose sight of your strengths, and where you’re already doing well. Plus, research has shown that we’re happiest when we’re our strengths are regularly activated and used in our daily lives.
Regarding my style, it’s:
- nonjudgmental
- conversational
- friendly
- collaborative
- strengths-based
- solution-focused
- results-oriented
- practical and pragmatic
- warm and relaxed
- honest
- action-based–nothing changes without action
My Background, etc
I have a Masters in Counseling Psychology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. And, as I said, my license is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with the State of Illinois.
I have several decades worth of high quality experience, in a variety of settings. with diverse populations.
I also have a lot of valuable “lived experience” in the real world. I’ve been on the planet awhile, and have seen some things, and have been through some things, with a few battle scars to remind me.
Most of my clients never discuss anything religious or spiritual. And that’s perfectly fine. I follow your lead.
However, some clients are Christians, and looking for a counselor who is sensitive to their faith, as well as open to discussing biblical principles in relation to their issues.
I am a Christian myself, and am happy to openly work from this perspective for those who want that.
I even have specific training in this, having gone to a seminary that had a professional counseling program.
BUT like I said, most of my clients are NOT Christians, and that’s never been a barrier for either my clients or myself. I work with people from a wide variety of belief systems (I live in Chicago–there’s a ton of diversity).
Personally, as I said, I’m married, living with my wife on the Southside of Chicago (don’t forget, my office is on the Northside), and have adult kids who are out there in the world, cutting their own paths.
When I’m not meeting with clients, I enjoy hard physical training, reading, playing guitar and harmonica, and going for long walks.
Oh yeah, and hanging out with my wife! (I’ll get in trouble if I don’t put that in, but it’s true lol).
But Why Work with ME?
There are a lot of great counselors out there for you to choose from.
One thing I bring to my clients is a lot of counseling experience, and a ton of life experience.
There absolutely is no substitute for experience.
Looking back, when I was a “whiz kid” counselor at age 30, I think I was a pretty darn good counselor, even at that young age. I had plenty of innate, God-given talent, some good training, and some helpful life experience.
And, I believe I really did help a lot of people. I felt privileged to witness clients making progress from our work together. Often this came about simply by being a kind, supportive presence.
I knew I was doing what I was designed to do.
But at the same time, as I look back, I realize that this 30-year-old version of me only “knew” so much! I had only lived so much life.
Since those younger counselor years, I’ve lived an entire other lifetime. I’ve experienced things and been through things that I wouldn’t have been able to deeply relate to when I was younger, even if I could demonstrate empathy.
I’ve experienced profound heartbreak and loss, have felt buried alive in fear, I’ve seen devastating tragedy, have witnessed violence and death up close, have experienced painful abandonment, and have seen my own life nearly destroyed, while at the same time I’ve experienced sublime joy, unimaginable blessing, and deep peace that has made life worth living.
I bring this experience to our sessions–this experience that has shaped who I am by giving me much greater depth, perspective, and insight than I had (or could have had) when I was a younger counselor.
Next Step?
If interested, or would like to learn more, click the button below. We can schedule a quick 10-minute chat so I can answer any questions, and learn about the general reason you’d like to meet–I want to make sure I work with your concern.