Joshua Brisman, M.A., MFT

Virtual Sessions Only|Telehealth Throughout Illinois

Specialties:

• Couples & Relationship Therapy
• Communication, Conflict & Connection
• Men’s Mental Health & Emotional Wellness
• Teens, Young Adults & Adolescent Development
• Family of Origin & Intergenerational Patterns
• Family Conflict, Parenting & Boundaries
• Trauma-Informed Relationship Care
• Identity, Self-Worth & Personal Growth
• Life Transitions & Relationship Stress
• Emotional Regulation, Coping & Accountabili

Relationships can be one of the most meaningful parts of our lives—and also some of the most challenging. When communication breaks down, conflict becomes repetitive, or you no longer feel as connected to your partner as you once did, it can be difficult to know how to move forward.

I work with couples who want to better understand each other, strengthen communication, rebuild connection, and change the patterns that keep creating distance in their relationship. Whether you are navigating recurring conflict, emotional disconnection, trust concerns, intimacy, or a major life transition, I help couples slow things down, understand what is happening beneath the surface, and begin relating to one another differently.

As a husband and father of two, I understand that relationships do not exist in a vacuum. Couples are often trying to maintain their connection while raising children, building careers, managing responsibilities, and finding space for themselves. I bring an appreciation for those realities into the therapy room while recognizing that every couple and family has its own story.

In addition to my work with couples and families, I enjoy working with individuals, particularly teen boys and young men navigating identity, relationships, emotional expression, confidence, family expectations, and the transition into adulthood. I aim to provide a space where young men can speak openly, better understand themselves, and develop healthier ways of navigating emotions, relationships, and the pressures they encounter.

My approach is relational, systemic, and trauma-informed. Rather than focusing only on the problem that brings you to therapy, I want to understand the experiences, relationships, environments, and stories that have shaped you. Together, we can identify patterns that keep showing up, understand where they come from, and create new ways of relating to yourself and the people who matter most.

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Pitzer College and my Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Syracuse University. My clinical training includes Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1, trauma-informed care, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), crisis intervention, cultural humility, and systemic approaches to individual and relational wellness.

My own path to becoming a therapist was not traditional, which has shaped my belief that where you have been does not have to determine where you are going. In therapy, you can expect warmth, curiosity, authenticity, and accountability as we work toward greater understanding, connection, and meaningful change.

“You don’t have to deny where you’ve been to become who you’re capable of becoming.”