Tamela Polanin, LCPC
Trauma-focused, client-centered counselor for all ages
- Trauma-focused therapy
- Client-centered care
- 20 years experience
About Tamela Polanin
Tamela Polanin brings two decades of experience in mental health to her therapeutic work and approaches each client with empathy and practical support. She is a mother of three boys - one adult who is a father himself, and two teenagers aged 16 and 15 - and has been married to her second husband for 17 years. Living in the country, she and her family raise registered pygmy goats, a detail she shares to convey a grounded, relatable perspective on everyday life.
Trauma treatment is a central focus of her practice, shaped by both professional experience and personal understanding of trauma. She practices from a client-centered stance, viewing each person as the expert on their own life while serving as a guide and collaborator in the healing process. Her work is trauma-focused and intended for people of all ages and backgrounds, with an emphasis on empowering clients to navigate their challenges and find greater resilience.
She is well versed in EMDR - a therapeutic method for processing traumatic memories - and in TF-CBT, as well as reproductive loss counseling. Tamela holds the LCPC credential, which stands for Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, signaling her professional training and authorization to provide counseling services. Her goal is to walk beside clients through their unique journeys and support meaningful progress over time.
Trauma treatment is a central focus of her practice, shaped by both professional experience and personal understanding of trauma. She practices from a client-centered stance, viewing each person as the expert on their own life while serving as a guide and collaborator in the healing process. Her work is trauma-focused and intended for people of all ages and backgrounds, with an emphasis on empowering clients to navigate their challenges and find greater resilience.
She is well versed in EMDR - a therapeutic method for processing traumatic memories - and in TF-CBT, as well as reproductive loss counseling. Tamela holds the LCPC credential, which stands for Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, signaling her professional training and authorization to provide counseling services. Her goal is to walk beside clients through their unique journeys and support meaningful progress over time.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
AddictionsGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAttachment issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues
Therapeutic Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Mindfulness Therapy Narrative Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Tamela Polanin have?
Tamela Polanin has 20 years of experience in the mental health field.
Is Tamela Polanin a licensed therapist?
Yes, she holds the credential LCPC. License details: IL LCPC 180.012372.
In which languages does Tamela Polanin provide therapy?
Tamela Polanin provides therapy in English.
Where is Tamela Polanin located?
She is located in Illinois.
How can I work with Tamela Polanin as my therapist?
You can work with Tamela Polanin through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Tamela Polanin work with international clients?
Yes, Tamela Polanin works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Tamela Polanin cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic approaches adapted for online care
Tamela Polanin integrates several evidence-informed approaches to meet different needs and goals. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental stance in which the client leads the work and the therapist provides empathy and support - this approach helps with broad concerns like self-esteem, relationship issues, and life transitions.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the links between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and offers practical strategies to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress through skill-building and structured interventions. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is used to help people process distressing memories and lessen their emotional impact, making it useful for many forms of trauma recovery.
Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process rather than a one-time decision. Tamela collaborates with clients to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds. Online therapy with Tamela is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, providing flexibility for scheduling, continuity of care across locations, and options that match different communication styles and daily routines.