Dr. Thomas Kadela, LCSW
Seasoned LCSW focusing on trauma and life change
- Trauma and anxiety
- Sleep and addictions
- Coaching and families
About Dr. Thomas Kadela
Dr. Thomas Kadela is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 30 years of assessment and treatment experience. He brings extensive clinical training and a broad background in both direct care and program leadership, including university teaching, published work in professional journals, and board certification in his discipline.
He balances a career that includes full-time work with the Department of Veterans Affairs and service as a United States Army National Guard Behavioral Health Officer, though he does not represent those organizations here. Earlier in his career he specialized in children and families and has worked in inpatient, outpatient, and residential treatment settings, as well as supervising and directing specialty programs.
Dr. Kadela approaches therapy as a partnership in which the person seeking help is an expert on their own life and he contributes clinical expertise. He offers flexible roles within that partnership - from executive coaching to acting as a sounding board - and can focus on target issues such as depression, trauma, anxiety, sleep, communication, anger, addictions, and relationship or family concerns. He is formally trained in a range of evidence-based methods, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for depression, insomnia, and chronic pain, Social Skills Therapy, Anger Management, Solution Focused Brief Psychotherapy, and Problem Solving.
Adopting a holistic view, Dr. Kadela seeks to attend to body, mind, and spirit in treatment and to match therapeutic tools to each person’s needs and goals. He is a US Army combat veteran and has held leadership roles such as chief clinical officer, state director, and training director, reflecting a long history of clinical, administrative, and educational work.
He balances a career that includes full-time work with the Department of Veterans Affairs and service as a United States Army National Guard Behavioral Health Officer, though he does not represent those organizations here. Earlier in his career he specialized in children and families and has worked in inpatient, outpatient, and residential treatment settings, as well as supervising and directing specialty programs.
Dr. Kadela approaches therapy as a partnership in which the person seeking help is an expert on their own life and he contributes clinical expertise. He offers flexible roles within that partnership - from executive coaching to acting as a sounding board - and can focus on target issues such as depression, trauma, anxiety, sleep, communication, anger, addictions, and relationship or family concerns. He is formally trained in a range of evidence-based methods, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for depression, insomnia, and chronic pain, Social Skills Therapy, Anger Management, Solution Focused Brief Psychotherapy, and Problem Solving.
Adopting a holistic view, Dr. Kadela seeks to attend to body, mind, and spirit in treatment and to match therapeutic tools to each person’s needs and goals. He is a US Army combat veteran and has held leadership roles such as chief clinical officer, state director, and training director, reflecting a long history of clinical, administrative, and educational work.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
Autism and Asperger SyndromeBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersNarcissismPanic disorder and panic attacksPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Sexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Dr. Thomas Kadela have?
Dr. Thomas Kadela has 30 years of experience in assessment and treatment.
Is Dr. Thomas Kadela a licensed therapist?
Yes. He is an LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. License details: IL LCSW 149007447.
In which languages does Dr. Thomas Kadela provide therapy?
He provides therapy in English.
Where is Dr. Thomas Kadela located?
He is located in Illinois.
How can I work with Dr. Thomas Kadela as my therapist?
You can work with Dr. Thomas Kadela through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Dr. Thomas Kadela work with international clients?
Dr. Thomas Kadela does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Dr. Thomas Kadela 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.
Evidence-based approaches for online care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and take committed action toward what matters most, even when difficult thoughts or feelings arise. It can be useful for stress, anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes.Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental partnership in which the therapist listens deeply and supports a person’s self-directed growth. This approach can help with self-esteem, relationship and family concerns, grief, and navigating transitions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Variants of CBT are effective for anxiety, depression, insomnia, chronic pain, and many stress-related problems.
Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process, and Dr. Kadela works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. He tailors treatment plans and can blend techniques so that therapy aligns with what the individual wants to accomplish.
Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging - which makes it easier to schedule care around work, family, or mobility needs. These options support continuity of care and make it simpler to maintain momentum between sessions while working with licensed professionals and therapists.