Adam Ratner, MA, LCSW, MBA, SPC

Adam is the Co-Founder of Grow Wellness Group & Grow Sports Psychology and Performance Improvement, and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a sports specialty.

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He grew up playing soccer, baseball, tennis and running track in Dallas, TX.  These activities were all consuming. At age 16, Adam fractured his knee playing soccer and never returned back to his original playing condition. His mind-set had to change and so did his expectations of himself and what he had to offer if he were no longer an athlete capable of playing at a high-level. Since that time. Adam has made every attempt to take care of young athletes and their mental well-being – so they can be their best on AND off the field as life will not exist in isolation on the field, the mat, the pitch, the court, you name it!

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In addition to sports psychology and performance improvement services, Adam provides Naperville-based therapy to individuals ages 12+ as well as with families to help them grow from a variety of life challenges; major life transitions, anxiety, depression, job loss and career counseling, identity and existential, relationship struggles, blended family hurdles, grief and loss, parenting and co-parenting.

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Every individual and their life challenges are unique. Consequently, there is not a distinct psychological approach which works for everyone. Accordingly, Adam caters his style to fit with clients’ personalities, life circumstances and goals. He utilizes a variety of therapeutic methods including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, ACT, Psychodynamic Approaches and DBT, which are employed based on the client and their own growth desires. For Adam, an often recurrent objective in 1:1 sessions is to explore his clients’ challenges to help them develop an awareness of conscious and unconscious thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that become drivers of actions that negatively impact them in a myriad of ways. Once there is an understanding of these factors, real growth can occur by recognizing new ways of thinking, acting, and exploring options that can lead to a more fulfilling life.

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Adam recognizes the strength of his relationship and underlying trust with his clients is paramount to therapeutic growth. Accordingly, he creates a very supportive environment for the client that allows clients to feel at ease and comfortable. He is not shy to insert humor when appropriate, while also keeping clients accountable to their own goals. Clients consistently find Adam to be very down to earth, accepting and tremendously easy to talk to. Each quickly learns that Adam always strives to over deliver on the care and services he provides.

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Adam is the father of three active boys. He most enjoys traveling the world, sports – watching and playing (all of them…except golf), fishing, biking, and being in the outdoors with his family and German Shephard, Bodhi.