Meet Gail Zarbin
Clinical Experience & Compassionate Care
Hello! First, I know the journey of finding someone to talk to can feel overwhelming. I’m glad you want to reach out to me. I want to be responsive to your questions and concerns.
I provide a safe and supportive space where you can explore your feelings, find clarity, and begin to heal. Together, we’ll identify triggers and patterns that may be keeping you stuck and together we will develop a plan that teaches you daily tools to manage stress, strengthen resilience, and create more balance in your life. I can help you heal from past experiences and wounds that continue to affect you. I can help you work through relationship issues, life transitions, parenting and co-parenting challenges, chronic medical struggles, grief and loss, the impact of infertility, and family building choices and decisions.
I am a licensed clinical social worker with more than thirty years of experience working with individuals and couples in hospitals, schools, community agencies, and private practice. Whether you prefer in-person or telehealth sessions, my goal is to help you feel supported, understood, and ready to move forward.
You don’t have to face these challenges by yourself. With support and guidance, healing and change are possible.
Services
Children, Adolescents, and Adults Counseling
I work with children, teens, adults (individuals & couples), and parents. My goal is to create a safe and supportive space where you feel understood and where real change is possible.
Areas of Support
I have experience helping clients with:
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Life transitions and adjustment challenges (blended families, divorce, relationship challenges, workplace challenges)
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Depression and anxiety
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Support for aging parents and adult children
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Illness & diagnosis support
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Gender identity and LGBTQ+ support
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Autism spectrum/Asperger’s and ADHD
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Social anxiety and peer relationship struggles
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Body image and self-esteem concerns
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Addictions and recovery
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Grief and loss
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Relationship challenges
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Parenting Support
Parenting Support
Every parent faces unique challenges. Whether you are adjusting to life with a newborn, or guiding a teenager, or anywhere in-between, I offer practical strategies and support to make daily parenting feel less overwhelming. I help parents learn tools for emotional and behavioral challenges with children who:
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Have big emotions and tantrums
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Have screen-time & technology conflicts
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Are neurodivergent
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Are transgender or questioning their gender identity
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Struggle with frustration tolerance
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Have difficulties with peers or social skills
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Are uncooperative at home or with teachers
I also collaborate with teachers and schools to create consistent, supportive plans that help children thrive both at home and in the classroom.
Infertility, Family Building Support, and Psychological Evaluations
Support for Individuals and Couples on Every Path to Parenthood
Infertility and family building challenges can create distress for anyone, whether you are single, partnered, LGBTQ+, or straight. I provide compassionate support for individuals and couples as they navigate reproductive decisions and the emotions that accompany them. My role is to help you feel prepared and supported in the choices ahead, including the use of a sperm donor, egg donor, surrogate, embryo adoption, or domestic and international adoption.
Psychological Evaluations for Intended Parents, Surrogates, and Donors
Most fertility clinics require a psychological evaluation before moving forward. I administer these evaluations for intended parents (LGBTQ+ and heterosexual couples, single individuals, and trans people), as well as for surrogates, egg donors, sperm donors, and embryo adoption. These assessments ensure readiness for the family-building process and provide a foundation for making informed, thoughtful decisions.
Emotional Readiness and Ongoing Guidance
Family building is rarely a straight path. I provide ongoing support through every stage of the journey; from preparing emotionally for decisions, to coping with failed transfers, miscarriages, or loss, to addressing postpartum depression. I also help intended parents navigate the unique relationship with a surrogate and make the transition into their new role as parent and family.
About Gail
Gail is an adoptive mother of two children and has the personal experience related to reproductive medicine and family building choices. She is a post-partum transition coach, has donor conceived competancy training, experience in perinatal mental health and maternal mental health. She has worked at major corporations, implemented employee assistance programs, and trained managers to improve relationships with employees and their job performance. She has also worked at mental health clinics, an in-patient hospital for adults and adolescents, and as a school social worker in a grade school. She has collaborated with teachers at public schools and Montessori schools. She is contracted to work with employees of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and she is trained to do Fitness for Duty Psychological Evaluations.
She is a member of NASW (National Association of Social Workers), ASRM (The American Society of Reproductive Medicine), RESOLVE (The National Infertility Association), Postpartum Support International, Path2Parenthood, and LGBTQ and ALL.
Events
The Emotional Impace of Infertility, IVF, Loss and New Beginnings
A therapist-led supportive 5-week in person workshops
Thursdays 12pm - 1:30pm
Location: Elmwood Park, IL 60707
October 23: The Emotional Rollercoaster of Infertility
October 30: Managing External Stressors: IVF, Relationships & Social Pressure
November 6: The Grief of Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss
November 13: Coping, Healing and Resilience
November 20: New Beginnings and Redefining Hope
$200 for five workshops. Payment due by October 21. Zelle to hefei9@aol.com
Breezer Counseling and Wellness in Collaboration with Gail Zarbin L.C.S.W.
Gail accepts insurance and patients on a sliding scale.