A man with a mustache and dark hair sitting on a navy blue couch in a cozy room, with a bookshelf filled with colorful books in the background. Available for grief therapy and trauma therapy in illinois.

Seth Gersbach, LSW

Licensed Social Worker

Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) Phase 1 Certified

Licensed in Illinois

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Availability: Virtually Only

Pronouns: He/Him

Populations served: Individuals Ages 16+

Specialties: ADHD, abuse, anxiety, adjustment distress, crisis intervention, coping skills, communication skills, chronic pain, developmental distress, depression, emotional regulation, first responders, grief, gender expression, LGBTQ+, men’s issues, panic attacks, personality disorders, polyamory/ENM, religious trauma, trauma/PTSD, stress, sexual trauma, suicidal ideation, veterans

A man with dark hair, a mustache, and a beard wearing a white T-shirt, sitting indoors with a black dog puppy in front of him. Behind them is a bookshelf with colorful books, and potted plants near a window.

"Every day is a new beginning. Treat it that way. Stay away from what might have been, and look at what can be."

Marsha Petrie Sue

A man with a mustache and beard, wearing a white t-shirt, sits on a dark blue chair in a room with bookshelves in the background.

My Therapeutic Approach

Seth believes that therapy is most effective when it is grounded in safety, curiosity, and a bit of human connection. He takes a flexible, client-centered approach, blending the practical tools of CBT with the deeper self-understanding offered by psychodynamic insights. With a certification in Phase I of the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT), Seth helps clients understand the "why" behind their feelings by looking at how stress, trauma, and early life experiences have shaped their nervous system.

His clinical background is as diverse as his life experience. Seth has a specialized focus on grief and crisis intervention, including unique experience as a Veterinary Social Work Intern helping people navigate the complex, often disenfranchised pain of losing a companion animal. His clinical focus includes supporting individuals through anxiety, depression, and the intricate process of healing from religious trauma or histories of abuse.

Seth’s practice is a dedicated safe haven for queer, gender-fluid, and neurodivergent (AuDHD) individuals. He also provides a sex-positive, non-judgmental space for those navigating sexual distress or consensual non-monogamy. By combining somatic, body-based approaches with a natural sense of humor, Seth strives to make the therapeutic process feel less intimidating, helping you feel at ease from the very first session.

Learn more

  • The Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) isn’t a treatment itself. It’s a way I understand how life experiences, namely stress or trauma, can affect how the brain and body respond over time. It helps me choose approaches that fit where you are right now, rather than using a one-size-fits-all method. The goal is to shift the focus from “What’s wrong with me?” to “What happened to me?”

  • After a successful first career in marketing and comedy, Seth decided to pivot toward a more mission-driven path, earning his Master’s in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago in 2025.

    Originally hailing from a small town in upstate New York, Seth moved to Chicago for work and quickly fell in love with the city’s energy and community. As a second-career therapist, he brings a unique blend of creative communication and relatability to his practice, helping clients navigate their own transitions with empathy and insight.

  • I’m someone who finds my rhythm through movement. Whether I’m climbing, running, or bikepacking across the backroads of Illinois, I’m happiest when I’m exploring the outdoors. When I’m not hiking or camping, you can usually find me immersed in a different kind of world—whether that’s through the pages of a Stephen King novel, a high-stakes match in Overwatch, or a deep dive into Baldur’s Gate. I’m a lifelong animal lover who grew up in a house full of everything from birds to rabbits, and I’m always down for a board game night with friends.