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I understand life can be challenging at times, and pursuing therapy can be a tough decision for some, but the goal is for you to r...
About
I understand life can be challenging at times, and pursuing therapy can be a tough decision for some, but the goal is for you to receive the help that you deserve.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 29 years of experience helping adolescents and adults navigate anxiety, depression, and mood disorders such as bipolar disorder. My goal is to provide a supportive and collaborative space where clients feel understood and empowered to make meaningful changes in their lives. I approach each session with empathy, insight, and a focus on practical strategies that build emotional awareness, strengthen coping skills, and promote lasting personal growth.
I earned my Master’s in Social Work from Aurora University. My therapeutic style integrates cognitive behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, and behavior modification to help clients manage emotions, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and achieve goals aligned with their personal values and life aspirations.
I bring warmth, humor, and authenticity to each session, fostering a safe and supportive space where clients can feel comfortable being themselves. My goal is to make therapy both productive and enjoyable while empowering clients to overcome obstacles and rediscover hope. I believe that with the right support, anything is possible.
Education and training
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As a clinical counselor, I utilize a holistic approach to therapy....
As a clinical counselor, I utilize a holistic approach to therapy.
Ralph Pollaro is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with 17 years of experience. He specializes in working with adolescents and adults with mental health issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, relationship issues, effective communication, and existential processing. With Ralph, clients will learn steps to manage their mental health needs and increase adaptive behaviors. They will examine their progress and discern what goals they would like to achieve.
Ralph has a Master of Arts in Counseling from Saint Xavier University Chicago. He uses cognitive behavioral, person-centered, existential, and Adlerian therapies to assist clients in understanding their behaviors and how they can change to be their best selves. Clients will explore the whole self: body, mind, and emotional well-being.
Quality of care is the basis for successful healing. Using several theoretical systems, Ralph will help you problem-solve issues and work through past experiences. Ralph is looking forward to empowering you to manage life’s challenges!
As one who has experienced personal trauma and loss, I have an authentic understanding of how we are impacted by painful life circ...
As one who has experienced personal trauma and loss, I have an authentic understanding of how we are impacted by painful life circumstances and how building new life skills can empower us once again.
With two years of experience in the mental health field and a foundational five years of intensive CNA experience, I bring a unique blend of deep clinical expertise and hands-on, compassionate care to my practice. I specialize in helping individuals navigate the heavy weight of trauma, anxiety, and depression, creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where healing begins.
Holding a Master of Social Work from Indiana Wesleyan University, I combine evidence-based methods- including trauma-informed care, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing- with a profound understanding of the human need for empathy. My goal is to empower you to build resilience, discover healthier coping strategies, and move forward with confidence.
Taking the first step is overwhelming, but you don't have to walk it alone. Together, we can work toward true healing and lasting change.
As a Black woman, I have an authentic understanding of how trauma and life experiences can shape our lives as we work to build ski...
As a Black woman, I have an authentic understanding of how trauma and life experiences can shape our lives as we work to build skills to reshape our futures.
I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with 2 years of experience supporting adults and college students as they navigate life’s challenges. My background includes work in private practice, medical settings, and higher education, where I have provided therapy, crisis support, case management, and teaching services. I help clients work through concerns related to anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, divorce, spirituality, identity development, and adjustment issues. I strive to create a compassionate, collaborative space where you can explore your emotions, feel understood, and begin building meaningful change.
I earned my master’s degree in counseling from Northern Illinois University. I draw from empowerment practices, solution-focused strategies, and trauma-informed, mindfulness-based approaches to support whole-person wellness.
I believe everyone is working toward purpose, and during life’s hardest moments, we all deserve compassion and care. You have the power to choose how you show up in the world, and I am honored to support you as you define what healing looks like for you. I look forward to helping you align your mind, body, and spirit as we navigate this journey together.
As one who can identify with my own personal trauma, I am here to offer support. I know that life can get tough. I have experience...
As one who can identify with my own personal trauma, I am here to offer support. I know that life can get tough. I have experience working with clients that have dealt with mental health disorders, substance abuse, domestic violence, grief and anger management. I offer CBT therapy, trauma informed therapy and use tools such as meditation, journaling and play therapy as well as others. With support, we can begin to feel better one day at a time.
I am a dedicated licensed clinical social worker/therapist who truly believes in offering quality mental health support. I typically work with adults experiencing depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, grief, and stress management, and I also enjoy working with couples. The clients I support are seeking coping skills and tools to guide them through their mental health challenges, as well as a safe space where they can learn the root of their symptoms and ways to address them.
My approach is gentle and caring, using CBT, narrative therapy, and trauma-focused solutions to help guide my clients to self-efficacy. I like to infuse journaling, meditation, and workbooks/resources to support my clients. I also have a 40-hour Domestic Violence Certificate and use Gottman training for couples.
As you are on your journey, you deserve support and a safe space to help you face your mental health challenges. Life can become better once you learn the coping skills, tools, and support systems to help you navigate through challenging times. Take the next step and schedule an appointment with me. We can take this journey together. You are not alone.
As a clinician, I have an authentic, unique approach centered on each client and their unique needs....
As a clinician, I have an authentic, unique approach centered on each client and their unique needs.
I am a licensed social worker (LSW) with 5 years of experience in the mental health field. I work with children, adolescents, and adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, behavioral concerns, and family-related stressors. I have experience supporting individuals and families as they manage challenges at home, school, and within their communities.
I earned my master’s degree in social work from Aurora University and a Bachelor of Science in human services from Quincy University. My clinical approach is person-centered and incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help clients identify goals, build coping skills, and work toward stability and success in daily life.
I enjoy working with individuals from all backgrounds and strive to create a space where clients feel safe, supported, and truly heard. My goal is to ensure you leave each session feeling validated, empowered, and confident in your ability to navigate life’s challenges.
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), I see the connections we have with ourselves and the world—I believe in workin...
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), I see the connections we have with ourselves and the world—I believe in working toward finding balance between the two.
Chelsea Webb is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with over 5 years of experience. She specializes in helping clients of all ages to manage depression, anxiety, grief, major life transitions, relationship issues, and more.
Chelsea completed her Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy at Valdosta State University. Chelsea utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), narrative therapy, and solution-focused therapy (SFT).
Chelsea hopes to be the first step in moving toward the life you desire. If you are ready to make changes, schedule an appointment with her today.
I bring the knowledge from my own encounters with trauma and loss, along with years of professional experience, to ensure that I p...
I bring the knowledge from my own encounters with trauma and loss, along with years of professional experience, to ensure that I provide an individualized, personal, and real perspective to my clients and their needs.
I am a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) with 1 year of experience and over 20 years in health care. I specialize in providing compassionate, individualized psychiatric care to clients across the lifespan. As a dual-certified nurse practitioner in family and psychiatric care, I am dedicated to advocating for my clients and supporting diverse backgrounds with thoughtful, patient-centered treatment.
I earned my Master of Science in nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University. My background includes advanced practice experience and a strong foundation in holistic care. I meet clients where they are, using evidence-based approaches to guide treatment and promote improved mental health outcomes.
I understand that asking for help is not always easy. My goal is to walk alongside you, offering support, guidance, and practical strategies as you move toward brighter days. When you’re ready, I’m here to help you take that first step toward feeling better.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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My go-to approach for helping kids in child therapy is teaching children mindfulness, thinking about consequences, and impulse control through fun activities. I believe the best benefit of play therapy is that they can learn at any age of development.
I teach the following tools in child therapy: time management, transitioning skills, communicating needs, self-soothing, skill building to increase confidence, and encouragement of independence to take personal responsibility.
I know a client is making meaningful progress in child therapy when they are no longer presenting symptoms, are able to complete tasks patiently and thoroughly, and can communicate needs to support and manage emotions independently.
Parents/guardians can supplement their child's time in therapy by being involved with mindful activities as a family and modeling good communication and listening, emotional regulation and self-acceptance, time management, and completion of responsibilities, as well as following through with boundary limits and expectations at home.
To prepare for their first child therapy session, a child can write a list of three things that would make them happier.
Child therapy, also known as counseling for kids, helps young individuals better understand and manage the challenges that affect their mental health. Common challenges amongst kids include behavioral issues, trauma, bullying, depression, and anxiety. All ages of children can attend and benefit from child therapy at Thriveworks Joliet.
Child therapy works by using multiple techniques tailored to fit the child’s needs based on their age group, their challenges, and the severity of their challenges. It might involve play therapy for younger kids or cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, art therapy, and others for varying ages. In any case, Thriveworks child therapists in Joliet, IL have the expertise and experience to help kids at their level.
Child therapy is a type of therapy meant for clients within a specific age group, while play therapy is an approach to therapy that helps children with self-expression and stress relief, among others. Play therapy is a technique that is often used in child therapy to help children express what’s running through their minds when they do not have the words to express their thoughts and emotions. It can get children to express what’s wrong, what might be causing unwanted behaviors, or what they might need in a way that is accessible to them so that therapists can then work to treat the issue.
It’s not always obvious when a child should see a therapist for their behavior, though in the midst of challenges like divorce, loss, bullying, and other mental health conditions, it’s often a good idea to seek it out. Common behaviors that can indicate a need for child therapy include separation anxiety, bedwetting (at inappropriate ages), and agitation/excessive irritability — especially if it reaches a point of physical violence.
Cognitive behavioral therapy at Thriveworks in Joliet, IL is one of the best types of therapy for children. However, it can be administered in child therapy sessions in a variety of ways that are more accessible to young minds, such as play therapy.
Child therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
The length of child therapy depends on your child’s needs as well as the goals that you and their therapist might have for them. Generally, child therapy sessions will last for several months.
At Thriveworks, we accept most major insurance plans, allowing many clients to pay as little as $0–$50 per session with their co-pay. We also offer self-pay options for those out-of-network or without insurance. Self-pay rates for talk therapy range from $160 to $240 for intake sessions and $135 to $195 for follow-ups, depending on your state. For psychiatry services, self-pay intake sessions are $255–$375, with follow-ups ranging from $175–$300, also varying by state. More information on current self-pay costs is available on our pricing page.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Joliet is located near Essington Rd and Rock Run Preserve - Black Road Access, off Black Rd. It is close to Illinois Orthopedic Institute and Inwood Park.
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