Tamela Polanin, LCPC
Trauma-focused, client-centered support for lasting change
- Trauma focused care
- Client centered guidance
- EMDR informed approach
About Tamela Polanin
Tamela Polanin is an LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor) in Illinois with 20 years of experience in mental health. She approaches therapy with the belief that emotional wellbeing matters and that meaningful change can begin with a single step. Drawing from both professional experience and personal insight, she brings a steady, grounded presence to the work and aims to support clients as they move toward better living.
Trauma treatment is a central focus of her practice, and she views healing as a personal journey that looks different for every individual. Her work is rooted in a client-centered approach, emphasizing that the client is the expert on their own life while she serves as a supportive guide. She offers trauma-focused, client-centered therapy to people of all ages and backgrounds and is well versed in EMDR, TF-CBT, and reproductive loss counseling, with the goal of empowering clients to face trauma and life challenges with greater confidence and support.
Outside of her clinical work, Tamela is a mother of three boys and has been married for 17 years. She lives in the country where her family raises registered pygmy goats.
Trauma treatment is a central focus of her practice, and she views healing as a personal journey that looks different for every individual. Her work is rooted in a client-centered approach, emphasizing that the client is the expert on their own life while she serves as a supportive guide. She offers trauma-focused, client-centered therapy to people of all ages and backgrounds and is well versed in EMDR, TF-CBT, and reproductive loss counseling, with the goal of empowering clients to face trauma and life challenges with greater confidence and support.
Outside of her clinical work, Tamela is a mother of three boys and has been married for 17 years. She lives in the country where her family raises registered pygmy goats.
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 working in mental health.
Is Tamela Polanin a licensed therapist?
Yes. Tamela Polanin is an LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor). License details: IL LCPC 180.012372.
In which languages does Tamela Polanin provide therapy?
She provides therapy in English.
Where is Tamela Polanin located?
Tamela Polanin 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, depending on what works best for your needs and schedule.
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 is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire to help 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 That Translate Well to Online Care
Tamela Polanin draws from approaches that help clients make sense of their experiences, strengthen coping skills, and move forward in a way that fits their lives.Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes respect, empathy, and collaboration. It helps clients explore what matters most to them and build on their own strengths, which can be especially useful when working through life transitions, relationship concerns, or the aftereffects of difficult experiences.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It can support people who want practical tools for stress, anxiety, depression, and other day-to-day challenges by identifying patterns and testing new ways of responding.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured approach often used in trauma work. It supports clients in processing distressing memories and reducing how strongly those experiences show up in the present.
Finding the right approach is part of the process. Tamela works collaboratively with clients to understand goals, preferences, and current needs, and then adjusts the work over time as those needs change.
Online therapy can make it easier to get consistent support. Sessions may take place through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for busy schedules, parenting demands, and clients who prefer different ways of communicating.