

Mathew Diedrich—LCSW, CADC
Evanston, IL & virtual | Licensed in IL & MI
Before we begin, I invite you to take a deep breath. Breathe in fully, hold for a moment, and let it go, slowly and completely. Try this a few more times. As you pause, gently notice what is happening in your body. Notice your thoughts, emotions, and any shifts that may arise from simply giving yourself a moment to slow down and reconnect with yourself.
Why “One Breath at a Time”?
I believe the importance of our breath is often overlooked in today’s culture. Like many people, I can find myself moving quickly through the day—prioritizing, multitasking, rushing from one obligation to the next, focusing on productivity—while feeling pulled into the past or fearful about the future. Then it dawns on me: what about my breath? How am I breathing? What about this moment, right now?
When I choose to slow down and focus on my breath, I’m able to reconnect to myself and experience a greater sense of balance and peace as I continue through my day. This is not a one-time fix, but an affirming and grounding practice I return to over and over again, as often as I need to.
Our breath, which can only occur one at a time, is what connects our mind and body. If we choose to slow down and focus on it, incredible things can occur: we can begin to heal, whether from addiction, complex trauma, negative self-talk and judgement, physical ailments—the list goes on ad infinitum. Here, at my practice, I offer you a space to process and work through these issues while slowing things down, staying in the present moment, and breathing. Sure, talking is important—but I like to focus on action. What steps can you take today so that you can lead a healthier and more connected life with a greater sense of peace and contentment? With compassionate curiosity, non-judgement, and humor, I help you focus on action, which leads to change—the changes that you want for yourself today.
If this approach aligns with what you’re looking for in a therapeutic space, feel free to complete the contact form below and I will follow up with you to schedule a consultation.
Specialties & Expertise
Specialties
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Addiction (alcohol & substance use disorders)
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Complex Trauma
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Co-occurring Disorders
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Expertise​​​
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Anxiety
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Behavioral Issues
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Career Counseling
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Chronic Relapse
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Codependency
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Coping Skills
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Depression
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Meditation
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Men's Issues
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Mindfulness
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
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Self-esteem
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Sleep/Insomnia
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Spirituality
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Stress
In addition to individual therapy, I offer group therapy; supervision and consultation services; as well as speaking engagements, professional trainings, and workshops. Read more about the breadth of my services here.
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I am in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna (all PPO plans), and I work with clients who are out of network or uninsured through private, self-pay, and (limited, with income verification) sliding scale options. For more information on rates and insurance, click here.
Contact Me
For those seeking therapy:
Please reach out with any questions or concerns—I would love to hear from you! I offer a free consultation so that I can learn more about you and what you would like for yourself, give you the opportunity to ask any questions you have, and determine if we’re a good therapeutic fit for one another. In the meantime, you can get to know a little about me here.
For those inquiring about other professional services:
Please fill out the contact form below or email me, and I will follow up with you shortly.
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One Breath at a Time Counseling
636 Church St, Ste 520
Evanston, IL 60201
(Google Maps)
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Phone: (312) 833-0655
If you feel that you are in crisis or experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 immediately or go to your nearest emergency room.

