
Dr. Pamela Vernon Stewart
Hello, I am pleased to introduce myself to you. My name is Dr. Pamela Vernon Stewart. I hold a doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a minor in Health Psychology. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) in the State of Illinois. I am well experienced in individual therapy with adults 18 years and older. I earned my degrees (B.S., M.A. and Psy.D.) at Loyola University and the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. Some of my experience includes hospital practice, residential facilities and outpatient clinics. I have five years of intensive experience covering a wide range of concerns. These include trauma (emotional and physical), grief, depression, anxiety, alcohol and substance abuse, stress, neglect, discrimination, cultural identity difficulty, personality disorders, eating disorders, OCD, ADHD, college issues, and health issues including chronic pain, AIDS, Lupus and Diabetes across genders and age groups. In addition, I have experience working with individuals for anger management, communication problems, and relaxation and meditation for stress reduction. I enjoy working with people of all cultures. I believe in a holistic biopsychosocial approach to assessment and treatment that attends to the client’s mind, body and spirit. My therapy style is integrative (motivational interviewing, psycho-dynamic, behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, DBT, EFT, and so on) collaborative and client-centered at the core. I also have clinical training and experience in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprogramming (EMDR). My therapeutic style is interactive and driven by warmth, sensitivity and empathy. Stalwart ethical principles guide me. Together we will develop your unique treatment plan, one that will meet your specific needs. I applaud you for seeking help. This takes strength and courage. If you are ready to take the first step, I am here to empower you and help you reach the fulfillment of a happier life. I look forward to a rich clinical therapeutic experience with you. With great enthusiasm, Pamela Vernon Stewart, Psy.D., CADC, LCPC

Dr. Athena Porter
Welcome! I am a person, who like many other human beings, has skills and talents. As a qualified mental health care provider with a doctorate in Clinical/Community Psychology, I have been using my talents to help people afflicted with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and other psychological disorders. While I appreciate the wide-range benefits of an eclectic approach, I prefer and tend to apply cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, and sociocultural models in counseling and therapy sessions. I view life as a journey in which we, as human beings, use our mind, body, and spirit to solve problems, overcome adversity, and enjoy life. Besides helping people alleviate symptoms derived from mental illness, I provide support for personal growth within the context life coaching and wellness sessions. The span of my career is more than twenty years. The local and global scopes of my vision as a healer, have led me to provide community psychology services in Chicagoland, numerous cities in other parts of the United States, and Ghana (Africa). These community-wide services entail conducting presentations at community health fairs, disseminating information for various type of awareness campaigns (examples: suicide prevention, domestic violence, PTSD, HIV/AIDS, smoking cessation, substance abuse, and Covid19). Moreover, I have imparted information about mental health through the media. I love providing psychological services! I am grateful to be gifted as a healer! Furthermore, I look forward to serving you! Enjoy balance in body, mind, and spirit, Dr. Athena Porter

Dr. Gurpreet Paul
Clients who come to me tend to experience a profound transformation into becoming the person they want to be by experiencing a therapeutic relationship with me where I am my true and empathic self free of judgement. I am a client centered therapist who likes to empower my clients to become free from their symptoms. This approach involves me offering you a therapeutic relationship where I am my genuine, empathic self where I offer no judgement. Through that environment you are able to work through your pain, gain insight, and find the answers to what is troubling you. This is a very healing and empowering experience. This way you reach your fullest potential. I am warm, supportive, accepting, and understanding. I have been working in private practice for 10 years. And it has been my passion. I have much experience working with those suffering from depression, anxiety, and trauma. I also have worked with those struggling with addiction, bipolar disorder, and other life troubles. My clients tend to start feeling better and experience change within a few weeks. It would be an honor to be a part of your healing journey.

Rita ODonnell
Reaching out for help is a big first step in your recovery. My name is Rita O’Donnell. I work with older adults as a clinical counselor and social worker in Illinois. With over thirteen years of experience, I use several therapeutic techniques to help you identify and achieve treatment goals to reduce your symptoms. Whether it is depression, anxiety, trauma stress, substance misuse, or anger, you will learn and practice coping skills to start to feel better and happier. Using the audio or written communication that you prefer, I start treatment where you are in life and with the issues where you want to start. During the pandemic, issues of everyday stress were amplified and caused increased problems with thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Starting a new process is difficult but very important. I focus on helping people to start this process to improve symptoms. There is no one right formula, so we will look for the way that helps you. The more you are willing to share and open your heart, the further we will be able to get. But we will do this at your pace. How does that sound?

Richard Heller
It takes courage to take this first step in seeking help with an issue in your life that is troubling you and into looking into counseling. I admire you for this and welcome the opportunity to meet you and help you with the life concern you are facing. My approach is through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I will focus on your needs and we will learn together how best to help you. I will treat you with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I have been a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor since 1998 and am licensed in the state of Illinois. My vocation includes 38 years of pastoral ministry, being a Board Certified Chaplain since 1995, and continue to work as an on-call chaplain for over 21 years. Through my wide range of experiences, I have helped people with depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, and loss. I look forward in supporting and empowering you through your journey in life.

Diane Fuhs
My Approach to Counseling WHEN LIFE CHANGES OR NEEDS TO CHANGE, you want to figure out what this means for you on a personal level and for others in your life. This is true whether you merely feel stuck, you are maybe overwhelmed by various problems, or you feel your life is in crisis. I work very effectively with adults of all ages to overcome tough problems - especially life transitions and all types of relationship issues, including personal, partner, professional, or parent/teen - and help enable you to move through your deeply felt emotions of disappointment, upset, loss, or frustration. I can also effectively help you get through periods of depression, sadness, or stress - as well as unhelpful, or sometimes, seemingly paralyzing anxiety. Your progress will help you experience improved personal functioning and well-being. Based on goals conveyed as important by you, the client, I prioritize your near-term relief from the most serious symptoms and help you gain insight regarding your emotions, physical symptoms, and behaviors. I encourage exploration of alternative thoughts and brainstorm new options available to improve overall quality of life; and we work together to help activate new skills that build on personal strengths by generalizing those current strengths and skills to new areas. We will focus primarily on present-day related issues and problems, yet consider how past experiences might influence your perceptions, expectations, and/or behavioral patterns that are no longer helpful - and try out fresh coping strategies. *** My primary counseling mode via BetterHelp is through phone sessions because I strongly believe talking voice-voice allows us to collaborate more quickly regarding what will likely help you based on interactive feedback about the issues and the strategies we explore. I use messaging primarily for sharing information and maintaining contact (background information, or about what is happening currently - to provide information to support the next session). If you prefer counseling via messaging (written therapy), a BetterHelp therapist focusing on that method is another option for you. Therapy will be provided in most circumstances within our voice-to-voice sessions. [Some therapists at BetterHelp do focus on messaging as a primary counseling tool and choosing one of them is always an option (or perhaps you need a therapist offering evening session times as my available times are during the day). For me to focus on therapy via messaging would require reducing the available voice-to-voice session times (which I believe helps you meet your needs more quickly)]. *** WHEN YOU ARE READY TO FEEL BETTER, I am here ready to work with you. Therapy is provided within a safe, kind, supportive and non-judgmental environment wherein you always have the option to make choices. My personal goal is to create an experience where you can find healing and encouragement. I am committed to helping you feel better, realize your best self, and achieve goals meaningful to you.

Kassandra Freeman
I am licensed in Illinois with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, coping with grief and loss, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Deborah "Debbie" Aimone
I am licensed in Illinois and North Carolina with 30 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem and confidence, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Alan Deibel
I am licensed in Illinois with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, substance abuse & anger management. I know how difficult it can be to bring personal issues to this setting which is why I take great care in creating a relaxed environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Wendy Van Keulen
I am licensed in Illinois with more than 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, trauma, abuse, coping with grief and loss, & parenting issues. I also have experience supporting people managing life changes. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seek a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. It's an honor to support you in that process.
Find a therapist serving clients in Illinois
What types of therapists are available to clients in Lakewood?
Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist. Be sure to narrow your search for therapists in Lakewood that can offer psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), therapeutic talk therapy, group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy depending on your needs.
Licensed therapists & mental health professionals available through BetterHelp's online platform
Mental health therapists in Lakewood available through BetterHelp are accredited as psychologists to help individuals and couples. Lakewood therapists' credentials can include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinician or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, Lakewood therapists are trained in any type of therapy in the Lakewood region and in the state of Illinois.
How can a therapist help you destress, manage your emotions, and guide you towards the life you want?
Therapists in Lakewood can help clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, couples challenges, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, self help tips, offer life coaching, family life, or change in negative thinking patterns. A therapist in Lakewood may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain, or that simply want a psychological assessment.
Is it better to find a mental health counselor or therapist in Lakewood offering online therapy or in person?
Studies show online therapy can be just as effective as in-person counseling. Online therapy with licensed counselors is often more affordable, with BetterHelp pricing ranging from $65-$100 weekly, while in person therapy can cost up to $200 per session.