Teletherapy for Illinois

Hi, I’m Katherine Wheeler, Are you a high achiever or a perfectionist who has experienced childhood trauma? Do you feel stuck in a cycle of stress, pressure, and self-criticism? Do you want to break free from the past and create a life of balance, fulfillment, and authentic success? I understand how trauma and stress can fuel your drive for excellence and also create immense pressure and self-criticism. I help you break free from the past, balance your expectations, and redefine success on your terms.

Feeling stuck, anxious, overwhelmed or depressed? Would you like to improve your relationships, increase intimacy, and improve your overall quality of life? Let us help. We provide a supportive environment to assist you in taking risks and creating new ways of thinking which will bring healing and growth. We treat issues with adults, young adults and adolescents. We specialize in helping couples improve their marital satisfaction/sex life, infertility, trauma, LGBTQ+ issues, college/grad student concerns, immigration evaluations, neurodivergence/ADHD, anxiety, and medical crises. We love our work and can't wait to meet you!

Accepting new clients! I help clients with their journey to become one's ideal self. I am an experienced Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing psychotherapy. My expertise is treating adults who struggle with anxiety/depression and are seeking to find a more meaningful life. I also enjoy working with new moms (as I too am a newer mom to a little one) and college students, faced with anxiety due to their life transition(s) which can bring on stress, depression, and/or anxiety with the many questions centering around, “What am I going to do next in my life?" "How do I navigate my new identity as a mother?"

My ideal client comes from many walks of life. They are children, teenagers, and adults and present with anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, relationship and family problems, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), school problems, and oppositional-defiant disorder. They all share a common need to be heard, empowered, and guided on the path of recovery. I provide evidence-based treatments tailored to the needs of my clients. I focus on strengths and capabilities rather than "illness."

I specialize in treating men/women from dysfunctional families who have anxiety/depression as a result of their upbringing. Treatment interests include Adult Children of Alcoholics, family dysfunction, anxiety disorders, depression, trauma. I utilize a direct interactive style contingent on the clients' needs. I help clients understand their emotional "blue-print" and create new learning and choices. I work with emotionally distant individuals, building communication skills and a positive sense of self. I have a special interest in men's issues, including difficulties expressing and understanding emotions and anger management skills

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with specialized training and experience in development across the lifespan. I enjoy working with individuals on a wide range of issues, but specialize in ADHD diagnosis and treatment. We will work together to support your growth and healing.

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist, writer, and parent instructor working with individuals, families, and couples strengthening relationships through some of life's challenges and transitions. My areas of expertise include couples and marriage counseling including infidelity and sex and intimacy therapy, parenting, life transitions and challenges, postpartum, depression and anxiety, and personal growth and wellness. I have a special interest and extensive research working with couples and individuals experiencing the transition into parenthood, and/or dealing with postpartum and baby blues.

25 years of experience in private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist has given me the ability to create a warm and safe environment for change. Would you like to make changes in your marriage, family, children or work environment? Sometimes it is helpful to ask what the problem is, rather than why it is a problem. If you know what the problem is, it can be more helpful to solve. We use that philosophy in Brief Therapy, which can be effective for busy, active families and marriages in crises.

Are you tired of feeling stuck, anxious, and overwhelmed? Tired of wearing a "mask" and pretending to be happy? Maybe your brain "knows" what you're supposed to do, but you just can't seem to do it. You really don't want to feel this way, but haven't been able to change it. And you're exhausted! I get it. Long story short: Been there. Done that. Not there anymore. I now help my clients heal the ROOT causes of their symptoms, not just "cope" with them. Imagine being able to respond to stressful situations calmly & effortlessly. Imagine being your authentic self without having to "pretend." It's possible. Let me help!

We all need help at times - someone to talk to and/or someone to help us learn better ways to achieve the life we want, whether it's to cope with depression, anxiety or past traumas, or learn better ways to communicate. I will provide a safe, supportive environment in which you can talk about your thoughts and feelings, and also learn healthy skills to better manage your emotions and have better relationships. I will provide you with caring feedback and perspective. I will provide a non-judgmental, compassionate, caring relationship because I know that the relationship between the therapist and the client is an important one.

Do you want help feeling better about yourself and your life? Are you looking for a counselor with an open mind and a compassionate heart who accepts you as you are, someone who recognizes your basic humanity and worth? We’re living in unstable times when life may feel as if it has slipped sideways into unfamiliar territory. You are not alone. I can act as an honest and gentle guide to listen and to teach you the skills and techniques that can improve your life. There are many benefits to counseling; improved self-esteem, more control over obsessive thoughts, and a clearer sense of life direction.

I work best with clients who are experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma or life stress. I prefer to work with clients who are interested in exploring together the root of the problem that impacts your life. We will explore together the goals you hope to achieve in therapy. I am here to partner with you to work through the issues that are causing you disruption in your life, and to help you meet your goals. This may include worksheets (outside of session), exploring cognitive stuck points (errors) that keep someone stuck in unhealthy patterns, and other interventions that can be useful in daily life.

I am a caring, highly qualified, and spiritually conscious therapist. My goal is to help you live in a state of internal harmony that results from leading from the spiritual core of your Self. In practice for over 30 years, I began my clinical work in addiction in the early 1980's, graduated from Loyola University in 1991, completed an Advanced Psychodynamic Clinical Practice Certification at the University of Chicago and am trained in Internal Family Systems through the Center for Self-Leadership. I was also trained by the EMDR Institute to treat trauma and highly charged memories, experiences, and relationships.

I believe that life is a journey with moments including lessons, hardships, and celebrations. All can lead us towards personal growth- especially with some help along the way. We are all equipped with the ability to make choices that redefine our lives and, in the process, find peace in the midst of suffering. We are not defined by our weaknesses, strengths, past traumas, choices, or diagnoses. Rather, we are all equipped with the inner strength to change our destiny. Together, we can work together to help achieve your goals so we can live a richer life and learn to play in the rain.

Are you feeling sad, anxious and overwhelmed? Do you need someone that can listen and work with you to process any challenges you are having?

The journey called life can be very painful. It has been one of the greatest rewards of my life to see people who have been negatively impacted by relationship issues, depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns turn their situation around . The power to change our life course, habits, and perceptions sometimes appears to be a never ending struggle. I indeed applaud you for reaching out because it reaffirms that people are not giving up and giving in to their situations.

Many parents feel helpless when their kids are acting out of control or regressing in their development. And, an increasing number of kids are struggling with their mental health and parents feel frustrated because they don’t always know how to help. But it doesn't have to stay that way. I provide transformative child counseling so kids can find relief from mental struggles and I work to equip parents with tools to make meaningful connections with the kiddos for a lifetime.

Most of us humans have experienced trauma or simply too much stress. Thoughts, body sensations, and images/memories/dreams can cause more emotional and physical pain--and vice versa. To get rid of these unwanted things completely may be expected goals; but to diminish and manage them with less pain or tension is more realistic. To be understood by others, to feel more safe, to feel supported, to receive usable feedback and new ideas--these are goals I will surely help any client experience. Somatic Experiencing facilitates clients in moving forward, at their own pace, building more resilience self-acceptance and confidence.

I am thrilled to work with adults and adolescents 14+ (in particular adults 40+) who are looking to improve their mental health by building deep understanding of their holistic wellbeing. My ideal clients look into their past with me and explore the events that made them who they are in the present. They thrive in a relaxed and unstructured environment and welcome the non-linear progress of therapy. I love clients who are trying therapy for the first time or have had poor experiences with prior therapists. For adolescents, I offer the same client-driven work, mirroring the process of adult therapy.