MISSION
As an optimistic psychotherapist with over thirty years experience, I remain convinced in the human capacity for tapping into a deep source of inner wisdom. Each individual can develop the self-knowledge and self-acceptance they need to confront their challenges and to restore a compassionate perspective to their lives.
Working with both systemic and experiential approaches, we will tackle the process using a lively sense of curiosity, open hearts and regular doses of humor.
about
Cece saw her first client, a thirteen-year old sexually abused runaway foster child, at a community-based family services agency in 1978. Initially trained as a structural-strategic family therapist, Cece spent the next twelve years working in Chicago with families affected by abuse, neglect and addiction. Her focus included treating adult trauma survivors and eating disordered clients, providing individual, couples and group treatment.
During this time Cece provided workshops and training on family therapy and trauma treatment at the Institute for Juvenile Research, the Department of Children and Family Services, The Family Institute at Northwestern and many other mental health agencies. She co-authored a chapter on family treatment with incest-impacted families in the late 1980's.
In 1992 Cece opened her private practice, treating adults, couples and families. She also taught experiential psychology seminars for women at Governors State University for five years and for three years was adjunct faculty at the Jane Addams School of Social Work at the University of Illinois in Chicago.
Cece expanded her clinical focus to include the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model of psychotherapy in the late 1990's. She is a Senior Trainer for the Internal Family Systems Institute and beginning in 2004 led level one, two and three IFS training programs across the country and internationally. Cece contributed a chapter on IFS approaches to treating addictive processes, titled “An IFS Lens on Addiction: Compassion for Extreme Parts,” in the 2016 book Innovations and Elaborations in Internal Family Systems Therapy.
In 2023, Internal Family Systems Therapy for Addictions was published, a best-selling manual co-authored by Cece, IFS author Martha Sweezy, and IFS founder Richard Schwartz on how to use the IFS model to understand and treat addictive processes.
Another component of Cece's work is the intersection of psychotherapy with spirituality. She has worked with a wide range of spiritual practices, from Zen communities to groups with traditional religious beliefs and also twelve-step followers on how to fold their vision of the inner spirit into the practice of psychotherapy.
After decades spent in the field, Cece developed an interest in the impact of psychotherapy upon the life story of the clinician. She created and leads the Heart Lessons of the Journey workshops, exploring the personal narratives of psychotherapists across the globe.
SERVICES
UPCOMING EVENTS
Loving Our Firefighters - Easier Said than Done!!
In-Person Workshop with Senior Trainer Cece Sykes, LCSW
Join us for a One Day Experiential Workshop on Protectors, Polarities, and Therapist Trailheads… Lecture, Discussion, Q&A, Experiential Exercise, Demo, Integration.
This is Cece’s first in-person workshop in Chicago since 2018.
Open to IFS Level 1 grads or IFS informed participants.
Friday December 13, 2024 ~ 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
9:30-10am Meet and Greet
10:00-4:30 Workshop
12:30 Lunch (on your own) 1.25 hours
Oak Park Spiritual and Family Center
405 North Euclid Avenue Oak Park IL
Our Building & History | Unity Oak Park (This is not Unity Temple)
Cost: $195 by November 13 / $225 after November 14
To register:
Zelle Cece Sykes cecesykes427@gmail.com or Venmo @Cece-Sykes
Please include your name and email address.
Recorded Seminars & Webinars for purchase:
Use discount code “CECE" for 20% off
until the end of 2024!
A series of 3 IFS online workshops focusing on identifying and working with extreme managers
8 IFS CEs available to be applied for IFS certification for those who have completed Level 1 training
Mission Empowerment
ON DEMAND WEBINAR
Education Hours: 11
In this workshop, we will re-envision addictive processes through an IFS lens, and apply the model to intervene effectively with both high and low-risk addictive processes including substance abuse, screen addiction, disordered eating, anger, sexual preoccupation and others.
Cost: $419 CAD + GST/HST (if applicable)
**All prices are in CAD$. American Patrons - your dollar goes further!
Check online for the current exchange rate
More…
IFS Continuity Program; IFS and the Voices of Addiction, a 4-module Seminar with Cece Sykes LCSW, ACSW, Mary Kruger, MS LCPC Richard Schwartz, PhD
Life Architects: Compassion for Addictive Process, a 3-module seminar
Internal Family Systems: A Compassionate Approach to Trauma and Addictive Processes, a PESI webinar with Cece Sykes LCSW, Frank Anderson MD, and Richard Schwartz, PhD
Past Events
Cece has taught IFS trainings, hosted Heart Lessons of the Journey workshops, and spoken on IFS at conferences across the globe both in person and online, including Spain, Australia, the UK, Russia, Ireland, France, and throughout the United States.
