About Eric Vicens
Financial Therapist for Oak Park, Chicago, & Virtual Across Illinois
“Emotional presence, healthy relationships, and peace around money are meaningful gifts parents can give their children. I help parents get there.”
Hi! I’m Eric.
I'm a financial therapist and licensed clinical social worker but more importantly I am a father to twins and triplets, a husband, and a son to a parent who faced Alzheimer's. I've navigated the complex emotional and financial responsibilities of being a Power of Attorney, trustee, executor, and sole provider for my family. I know firsthand how financial worries can weigh heavily on your heart and relationships.
If you're a parent feeling overwhelmed by balancing money, mental health, and family needs, please know you are not alone. I believe the best gift you can give to your family is a happy, secure and emotionally present parent. I'm passionate about helping parents just like you find peace and embody the leadership a family needs.
-
Growing up, I saw how financial stress can ripple through a family–causing anxiety, tension, and strained relationships. These early experiences sparked my commitment to break those negative cycles.
Before age 40, I became financially responsible for five children, my wife, and a mother with Alzheimer's. This journey taught me the importance of setting healthy financial boundaries and understanding the emotions behind my money decisions. I've experienced anxiety, grief, and frustration firsthand which allows me to help my fellow parents with empathy and compassion.
Today, I feel secure and hopeful about the future. I'm dedicated to guiding parents to do the same, helping them break harmful cycles, build secure futures, and enjoy the present with their families.
-
As a Certified Financial Therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I bring a unique blend of psychotherapy expertise and financial knowledge. With over 15 years of experience in the mental health field, I have extensive training in evidence-based therapeutic approaches, and I collaborate closely with other financial professionals to provide parents the support they need.
I am grounded in my profession's strict ethical codes that prioritize your best interests, creating a safe, judgment-free space to explore your money beliefs, improve financial literacy, and repair or preserve your most important relationships.
-
I provide individual, group, and couples therapy. I specialize in individualized financial therapy to help parents explore the emotional and financial challenges holding them back from feeling assured and secure. Comprehensive financial wellness assessments are an integral part of treatment that allows me to best serve you and collaborate with your wealth building team.
Together, we can:Improve your understanding of financial habits and literacy
Break negative generational cycles around money
Foster healthier family and partner relationships
Build emotional and financial peace for you and your children
Simple 3-Step Process:Schedule a free, no-pressure call to share your story
We'll create an individualized plan addressing your specific struggles
Begin your journey towards lasting change
Parents I work with often report improvements in relationships, increased financial confidence, and a stronger sense of calm and control.
Outside of therapy, I love finding moments to connect with my wife, wrestling with my kiddos, exploring nature through long walks and bike rides, and savoring the simple joy of a warm caramel brownie with vanilla ice cream. These moments ground me and remind me why balancing financial responsibility with emotional presence is so important.
Why Parents Choose Eric
“Many of our patients arrive in urgent need of basic services and often feel overwhelmed and distressed. Eric remains calm, rational, and compassionate, even in the most chaotic situations. I’ve seen numerous patients come to us feeling lost and anxious, only to leave feeling supported and empowered thanks to Eric’s levelheadedness and warmth. He meets patients where they are, provides unconditional support, and develops personalized treatment plans and resources that help them achieve their goals and significantly improve their quality of life.”
- Dr. Jill Ottum
“I used to be in a controlling relationship where my fiancé belittled my financial management skills. Although I paid my bills on time and had no debt, I felt anxious about money and lacked confidence in my instincts. I struggled to achieve my savings goals and felt insecure when discussing finances.
When I met Eric, we reviewed my income, goals, and my history with money. Together, we unpacked the impact of my previous relationship on my self-confidence and communication. Eric helped me create a plan to achieve my savings goals and navigate money conversations healthily.
Now, I’m married to someone wonderful and feel confident discussing money. I have a daughter, and it feels great to model that our voices are just as important as anyone else’s. I would absolutely recommend working with Eric. His calming demeanor helped me open up about past financial traumas and create a life better than I could have imagined”
- Chicago Mom
“Eric is an amazing communicator; he is able to see the big picture and provide feedback on the issue at hand in a manner that is supportive and educational. I have seen Eric work through very challenging situations with a calm, steady hand. He is exceptionally well organized and can make something seemingly very complex easy to understand. Eric is a smart, compassionate clinician who has a wide range of knowledge at his disposal which he can then utilize depending on the situation or problem brought to his attention.”
- Dr. Virgilio Arenas-Bribiesca
Let’s Connect
If you're ready to stop letting money negatively impact your relationships and mental health, financial therapy might be right for you.
Schedule a free, no-obligation call and let's see if we're a good fit.