Marge Epstein, PhD

As a man, I found it really difficult to seek help with the relationships in my life. I’m busy and the last thing I wanted to do was take time out my busy schedule for this. That was how my old self thought. In the process of developing success in my business life, I left a trail of destruction in my romantic and personal life. I came to realize that us super achieving men are usually the ones who need help the most. And the least likely to admit we need help and seek it out.
I tried therapy before and found it futile. Most therapists will tell you about all of the credentials they have and I still have no idea what most of it means. The result is I wasted a lot of time with therapists who used the same cookie cutter text book approach without any human element. In some cases, I felt like I had more life experience than the therapist did. It didn’t help me and even worse, left me with a sour taste in my mouth about the entire process. It seemed like a lost cause to me. Lesson learned: a bunch of plaques on the wall have nothing to do with how effective a therapist is.
At rock bottom, I decided to try Dr. Epstein. It was the genesis of a life changing relationship. I immediately felt unguarded around her. She also asked much different questions and would quickly know where to start digging into my life. In hindsight, that was key in helping me move forward quickly. Her vast life experience is amazing. She is like the Wikipedia of life.
I was kind of blown away by how different of an experience working with her is. She is compassionate, deeply insightful and non-​judgemental. I don’t think she has ever used an acronym. I feel completely comfortable talking with her about anything. At times, I felt like she had a crystal ball into my life because she can quickly tell me what’s going on with me and the people close to me. More importantly, she’s compassionate at giving me tough love and helping me address the behaviors that hold me back. And bringing awareness to things that I don’t see in my own life.
I’ve had a long relationship with Dr. Epstein. In the beginning, we spent a lot of time working on the core things that held me back, which is pretty much so the adult child of an alcoholic laundry list. I was an uptight mess. She gently convinced me to try things that I never thought possible. Because of it, my personal life and business life fulfillment is exponentially higher. She helped me cultivate the positive behaviors in my life while letting go of the self limiting paradigms and behaviors.
I didn’t realize how profoundly the self-​defeating behaviors that affected my personal life also affected my business life. Addressing these behaviors helped me move my business life forward by exponential levels. I went from working 70 hours a week when I met her to working 30 – 35 hours a week now with a team of great employees. My income has also increased by multiples. Getting off the work treadmill has allowed me to pursue some other muse business opportunities and passions that are on my bucket list.
Over the years, I’ve dropped in to see her when I’ve hit rough patches in relationships. She never fails to amaze me. She is without question the best Oak Park therapist and likely the best Chicago therapist. Possibly the best therapist bar none. Most importantly, no other human being has had such a positive impact on my adult life as she has. I am forever grateful.