LGBT therapists in Orland Park, IL

With more than 30 years of experience, I've helped individuals navigate anxiety, ADHD, trauma, and life's many transitions with compassion, understanding, and practical support.

I know reaching out for help isn't always easy. My goal is to create a safe, welcoming space where you feel heard, supported, and empowered to move toward greater confidence, healing, and peace of mind.

I offer support and skills to those exploring identity, intimacy, or relational complexity—whether in gender, sexuality, kink, or deocolonized relationships. They may be sitting with grief, unraveling the impact of trauma, or feeling the weight of past experiences in their body. They long for connection but struggle with vulnerability, trust, or belonging. Some feel stuck in cycles of overwhelm, while others are questioning the stories they’ve been told about who they are. They seek a space where they can be seen without judgment, process their experiences, and make sense of the systems shaping their lives.

"If your problem is like a mountain, I can't carry you up it. But I can walk with you every step of the journey."

Hi, I’m Dan. I’m a licensed psychotherapist with experience working with children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples. I have also worked as a school counselor and as a behavior therapist for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I focus on issues such as anxiety, depression, men's mental health issues, behavioral issues, stress, coping skills, life transitions, mood disorders, relationship issues, school issues, self esteem, self-harm, spirituality, trauma and thought disorders.

Dr. Opelt earned his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at New Mexico State University after completing his Master’s of Science in Educational Psychology: Community Counseling from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. During his graduate training, he earned certifications in Trauma Counseling and Multicultural Knowledge Basis in Mental Health Practices, and a graduate minor in Integrated Behavioral Health. Dr. Opelt has completed postdoctoral fellowships in research in Rehabilitation Psychology, with an emphasis on Multiple Sclerosis, at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and in clinical Rehabilitation and Pain Psychology at MedStar Health National Rehabilitation Hospital. He has focused his clinical work on adults who have concerns about insomnia, cognitive impairment, addiction, LGBT+ concerns, caregiver support, transplants, burn survivors, cancer, musculoskeletal diseases like MS and Parkinson’s disease, and those who have amputations. He is a licensed psychologist in Maryland and Illinois.

I believe healing happens when you feel truly seen, heard, and accepted exactly as you are. Therapy doesn’t have to feel cold or clinical—it can be genuine, collaborative, and even include moments of laughter along the way.

I earned my Bachelor of Social Work from Western Illinois University and my Master of Social Work from Arizona State University. I’ve been practicing as a master’s-level social worker since 2010 and have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) for the past three years. I’m also certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a highly effective, evidence-based therapy that helps people heal from trauma and distressing life experiences.

Clients often describe me as approachable, practical, and easy to talk to. Therapy should be a collaborative process, and I strive to create a space where you feel comfortable being yourself without fear of judgment. My style balances support with practical problem-solving, helping clients gain insight while also developing strategies they can use in everyday life. Above all, I want you to feel heard, understood, and supported as we work toward your goals together.