James Veltman

I'm Jim Veltman, and I've been doing this work for over 30 years — not because it was the safe career choice, but because I believe people can genuinely heal. I'm a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) based in Grayslake, Illinois, and I work with clients across the state through telehealth. I see adults, teens, older adults, 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've walked through their own pain rather than around it. I bring that to every session. I'm not a blank wall. 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 isn't rigid — I pull from different frameworks depending on what each person actually needs. I take grief seriously. I take trauma seriously. 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 to 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.