James M Veltman

I'm Jim Veltman, and I've been doing this work for over 40 years. I love helping people grow and I believe deep healing from inner wounds is possible. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) based in Grayslake, Illinois. I see clients in person, and I work with clients across the state through telehealth. I see adults, teens, and couples dealing with depression, anxiety, grief, PTSD, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and the complicated weight of struggling relationships. My background is grounded in both psychological training and a belief that healing isn't just clinical — it's deeply human, and often spiritual. If faith is part of your life, that's welcome here. If it's not, that's completely fine too. What matters is that we do honest, real work together.

I was shaped early on by the concept of the Wounded Healer — the idea, articulated by Henri Nouwen, that the most effective healers are those who have walked their own healing path. I bring that to every session. I'm not a blank wall as a therapist. I'm a real person who has worked hard on my own growth, and I use that experience to connect more authentically with the people I work with. My approach is not rigid, and I pull from different frameworks depending on what each person actually needs. I think grief recovery is universal. We are all brothers and sisters in things of grief. I also know that traumas can trigger chaos in a person's life. I take the slow erosion of a relationship seriously. And I take the intersection of emotional health and spiritual life seriously when that's meaningful for you. Sessions are collaborative — I'll challenge you when it's useful, sit with you when that's what's needed, and always tell you the truth.

The first session is mostly about you talking and me listening — really listening, not just collecting intake data. I want to understand what's brought you here, what you've already tried, and what you're hoping for. I'll ask questions, but I won't pepper you with a clinical questionnaire. By the end, we'll have a sense of whether we're a good fit, and I'll share my initial thoughts on what I'm hearing and where I think we might go together. There's no pressure. I offer a free 15-minute consultation before we even schedule that first full session, so you can get a feel for how I work before making any commitment.