Couples therapists in Joliet, IL

Hi, I’m Cherie. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and EMDR-trained therapist. I work with teens and adults who are feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck in patterns that no longer serve them. Maybe you're constantly on edge, overthinking everything, or finding it hard to slow down. Or maybe you’ve been feeling flat, unmotivated, or like you're just going through the motions. These experiences often trace back to things your nervous system picked up on — ways it learned to protect you in stressful or painful situations.

I help people work through painful memories, low self-esteem, and the weight of depression—like feeling numb, exhausted, stuck, or hard on yourself. We'll explore the parts of you carrying that pain and move at a pace that feels right, whether you're ready for deep healing or just need a safe place to land.

If you’re feeling ready—or just curious—I’d be honored to support you on your healing path.

Outside of therapy, I love curling up with a good book, finding design inspiration (I have a soft spot for cozy interiors), caring for my houseplants, and spending time with my dog, Magnolia Grace—who may occasionally drop in for a virtual session cameo.

You don't have to have it figured out before our first conversation. I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, identity, and the quiet weight that stress, grief, and anger can carry over time. I have a particular focus on men's mental health and the challenges that come with asking for support when you've always been expected to handle it. I've spent over a decade in non-profit work with young adults and families, college counseling, and private practice, meeting people at a wide range of starting points. My goal is to help you build a life that actually fits. If any of this resonates, I'd love to connect.

Often, struggles can become gateways to transformation. Many of the clients I work with are navigating low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, chronic stress, trauma, grief, or major life transitions that leave them feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected. You may be experiencing racing thoughts, emotional exhaustion, relationship difficulties, loss, or uncertainty about your direction in life. When we begin to explore these experiences with compassion and curiosity, new perspectives and meaningful change can emerge.

I believe telling your story in a safe, supportive space can be deeply healing. I want to hear about your hopes, dreams, challenges, and losses. My goal is to help you better understand your experiences, develop emotional resilience, and move toward greater clarity and self-acceptance. You are not alone, and I am here to walk alongside you as you move forward on your journey toward healing and growth.

I approach therapy in a collaborative and compassionate way, creating a safe space where clients can feel supported as they explore their inner world. I believe that each client is the expert of their own life, and my role is to guide, support, and provide tools to help you connect with your strengths and insights. My work is trauma-informed and integrates a variety of techniques, including internal family systems, somatic methods, inner child work, strengths-based narratives, CBT, experiential approaches, and clinical hypnosis.

Education: Masters of Science in Counseling

Number of years practicing: 6 years

Specialties: Trauma, Anxiety, Relationship Conflict, Grief, Crisis, Depression, Adjustment Disorder, and Career Counseling.

Starting therapy can feel intimidating, but you don’t have to figure things out alone. I’m Tamara Whittleton, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works with adults navigating stress, anxiety, depression, and major life changes. I focus on creating a supportive environment where clients feel comfortable talking openly while developing practical strategies for growth and healing

Hello! I've been practicing since 2017. I've worked in community based organizations and private practice. I've worked closely with the BIPOC communities with a particular emphasis on the Latinx community. I am Latinx and cis-genderd female. I focus on intergenerational trauma and healing. I specialize in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, Maternal Mental Health, Family Mental Health, Interpersonal Violence, Complex Trauma and Traumatic Stress. I've seen couples since 2024.

My clients seek to understand and accept themselves and their life experiences. Together we will explore how your past is impacting your present, so you can ultimately move toward a better future.

I work with individuals, couples and families from an attachment and systems perspective, knowing we experience many wounds through relationships but through the right relationships we can also experience healing.

It is important in my work that I allow the client's cultural context inform my treatment.

If you've been carrying the weight of trauma, grief, or anxiety for longer than you can remember, you're not alone.

I've spent 12 years as a licensed counselor in Chicago working with people of all ages, from young children to seniors. What keeps me in this work is the moment a client realizes they've been surviving something hard, and that there's a different way forward.

I have a particular passion for working with mothers navigating postpartum struggles, families dealing with grief and loss, and adults working through trauma and PTSD. Many of my clients were looking for someone who would be real with them, not just professional. That's what you'll find here.

I believe people deserve to feel understood before they’re asked to change. My approach to therapy is direct and collaborative. I work primarily with men and couples who feel stuck in patterns of conflict, disconnection, defensiveness, or shutting down, and want to better understand themselves and the people they care about.

I am passionate about helping clients recognize their strengths and achieve goals. I work with children, adolescents, adults, and families struggling with ADHD, anxiety, depression, anger management, parenting and more.I received my undergraduate degree from Northern Illinois University and a graduate degree from National Louis University. Throughout my mental health career, I have worked in non-profit, youth development, crisis intervention, case management, and more.