Meet John

John Hughes

Hi, I’m John and I’m a therapist, coach and mediator. I started my career working in the field of government and policy in Washington D.C. and later worked in higher education and the corporate sector. In these jobs I realized that many of us lacked basic interpersonal communication skills for engaging in healthy and satisfying relationships. That awareness, coupled with my curiosity about how people change and grow, led me to a career change so I returned to graduate school to become a Psychotherapist.

For the first five years of my clinical career I saw clients at a trauma focused practice in Chicago before co-founding a group practice, the Chicago Center for Relational Health(CCRH), where I worked with and supervised a team of clinicians supporting individuals, couples and families. After five years as the Director of CCRH I made the decision to go into private practice and focus on my expertise, helping people have more attached and fulfilling personal and professional relationships. I am trained in evidence based modalities such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman model.

Because of my particular interest in working with couples I completed a multi-year training program with Dr. Stan Tatkin who created the Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT). I am currently the only Level 2 PACT clinician in Chicago. You can read more about PACT on here.

While utilizing a more traditional psychotherapy approach I started to see that some clients didn’t quite meet the criteria for traditional “therapy” and instead benefited from work that was more directive and time limited which many call “coaching”. To learn more about the Coaching work I offer click here.

I am also a trained Mediator who helps couples navigate divorce and conscious uncoupling. Mediation can also be utilized to resolve disputes between any two parties in a legally biding way without the trauma and hassle of traditional litigation. To learn more about Mediation click here.

I love this work and it’s my passion so I am continually incorporating the latest research and literature to ensure we are using science and evidence to help you change and grow. My advice and insight have been featured in the Washington Post, the Psychotherapy Networker Magazine and on NPR and WBEZ. If it sounds like I could be a good fit or you want to know more go ahead and send me an email here.

Education and Training

  • B.A. Interpersonal and Organizational Communication

  • M.P.A. Master of Public Administration and Management

  • M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling

  • Alternative Dispute Resolution Certificate - University of Arizona

  • Mediation Certificate - Northwestern University

  • Level 2 PACT Certified Clinician

Licensure

  • Illinois - Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor - 180012662

  • California - Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor - 11727

  • Board Certified Clinical Counselor - National Board of Certified Counselors

Memberships and Affiliations