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Headshot of Tamela Polanin, LCPC

Tamela Polanin

Therapist
16 years of experience
  • Virtual
  • Anxiety, Trauma
  • Individual therapy, Family therapy, Couples therapy, Child or adolescent therapy

Great to meet you!

We all want to live our best life. I know trauma on a personal level & treating trauma has become my passion. I use a client-centered approach where you are the master of your own life; I am here to walk beside you as a guide. My hope is to empower you to work through your trauma, relationship difficulties and life’s challenges. I provide trauma-focused, client-centered, & couples counseling to all ages & backgrounds. I am well versed in EMDR, TF-CBT, & reproductive loss counseling. I believe that trauma is a journey and not one person’s journey will be the same. You are not alone.

My name is Tamela, and I’m so glad you've reached out for support. Reaching out for support is a vulnerable and brave step. It's common to feel anxious, uncomfortable, or hesitant starting therapy. I want to let you know that I'm here to support you as we get to know each other. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and I have experience working with a diverse range of clients. My approach is client-centered, and I am dedicated to tailoring our sessions to meet your unique needs and goals.

My approach to therapy

In my approach to therapy, I want to create a space where you can feel heard and supported every step of the way. Together, we’ll explore ways to move forward that feel right for you.

This is a safe, non-judgmental, and confidential space. We will go at your pace and timing. I look forward to getting to know you and working together. If you have any questions before our first session, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

What you can expect from me

In our first counseling session, my goal is to create a welcoming, supportive, and judgment-free space where you can begin sharing your story at a pace that feels comfortable for you. We’ll spend time getting to know one another, discussing what brought you to counseling, and exploring the concerns, experiences, or goals you would like to work on. I’ll also explain what you can expect from the counseling process, answer any questions you may have, and talk with you about confidentiality and how we can work together moving forward. You do not have to have everything figured out before you come in. Our first session is simply a starting point—a chance for us to begin building trust, identify what support would be most helpful, and create a plan that feels meaningful and realistic for you.

About me

  • I identify as
    Caucasian, Woman
  • My style is
    Affirming, Warm, Open Minded

Qualification and insurance

  • Years of experience
    16 years of experience
  • Training
    MS (Master of Science) at Walden University, Other at Indiana State University
  • License type
    LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor) (Illinois)
  • Licensed in
  • Insurance accepted
    Aetna, Carelon Behavioral Health, Cigna

Cost

Care details

  • Top specialties
  • More specialties
    Bipolar disorder, Depression, Eating disorders, OCD, Family issues, Stress management, Anger management, Panic disorders, End of life care, Grief or loss, Maternal mental health, Men's issues, Relationship issues, Women's issues, PTSD, Infertility
  • Therapy methods
    Cognitive Processing (CPT), Strength-Based, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Positive Psychology, Trauma Focused CBT, Structural Family, Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), Narrative Therapy, Exposure Response Prevention, Parent Management Training (PMT), Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Strategic Family Therapy, Behavior Modification, Psychoeducational Family Therapy, Solution Focused Couples Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Family Focused Therapy (FFT), Play, Gottman Method / Gottman Couples, Behavioral Couples Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD, Attachment Based, Cognitive Behavioral Family Therapy, Behavioral
  • Care types
    Individual therapy, Family therapy, Couples therapy, Child or adolescent therapy
  • Ages served
    Adults, Adolescents, Seniors
  • Languages
    English
  • Location
    1703 West Fletcher Street
    Vandalia, IL 62471