Forward-thinking Talk Therapy for Women in Illinois
Telehealth psychotherapy for women in mid-life who are stressed out and seeking a sense of balance and peace.
Come as You Are.
No Pressure.
Mid-life is a lot. It’s full of joy, but let’s be honest—it’s also overwhelming,
messy, and complicated. If you’re feeling the weight of it, you’re not alone.
I help women cultivate mindfulness, connection, and insight
while developing practical skills to bring more peace into their lives.
If asking for help feels uncomfortable, I see you. Together, we’ll figure out
what works for you and what doesn’t.
Therapy is about helping you reconnect with yourself
and create the life you actually want.
M E E T J O L E N E A L T M A N , L C S W
I’m Jolene—a married, working mom of two, navigating the beautiful chaos of mid-life right alongside you.
I intimately understand the stressors, responsibilities, and self-doubt that can creep in, but I also believe in embracing the joy, peace, and meaning we all deserve. I know how hard it can be to ask for help—sometimes our struggles feel “stupid” or embarrassing—but I promise you, they’re not.
Whatever you’re carrying, you don’t have to carry it alone.
Are you…
Resentful
Lonely
Disconnected
Overwhelmed
Lost
Distracted
Stressed
Anxious
Overextended
Low Mood
Feeling Stuck
Irritable
My clients struggle as you do, despite being capable and caring. You’re taking care of everyone—partners, kids, colleagues, parents, friends—but who’s taking care of you? In therapy, we focus on balance, grounding, and breaking patterns that keep you stuck (hello, sleep deprivation and chronic overwhelm). This is your time to explore who you are now and what truly matters to you. In therapy, you don’t have to have it all figured out.
You get to show up as you are—messy, exhausted, and real.
Many of my clients feel lonely because they feel disconnected.
With constant responsibilities and endless to-do lists—like picking up your son at 4, but having a doctor's appointment at 4:15, needing soap and tissues, making dentist appointments, buying a birthday gift for your niece, ordering a yearbook, and dealing with a child’s earache—it’s hard to keep up. After managing all of this, there’s little energy left to give. Does this sound familiar? You're not alone, but the loneliness can feel overwhelming.
You may not remember the last time you had coffee with a friend because organizing it feels exhausting. Resentment, irritability, and isolation creep in, and you may not even notice. Maybe it shows up as spending too much time in bed or being short with your family. This adds to the worry that you're not enough. For many of my clients, this fear of not being enough is a major source of stress. They worry about not being a good enough parent, partner, employee, or friend. This might look like withdrawing from spending time with others, or doing too much because you are overcompensating for feelings of incompetency.
Many of my clients often feel like everyone else has it figured out while they struggle to find success.
This leaves them feeling disoriented and disconnected. They may battle feelings of inadequacy, guilt, or resentment, which can manifest in avoiding family, taking on too much, or having trouble sleeping. Though they are used to being successful and managing many responsibilities, it has become unsustainable. As a result, they judge themselves harshly and fear that if they express these struggles, others will judge them too. This fear can lead to isolation and loneliness, making it difficult to share how they truly feel.
I see you, and I want to help you reconnect with the parts of yourself that matter most, so you can align with the things in your life that bring fulfillment.
Together, we will define your core values and align your responsibilities with them, while accepting that no one has it "perfectly figured out." We will work on having tangible skills to help manage it all.
This is a process—messy and imperfect!
In mid-life, it's easy to get lost in the constant cycle of caring for others (especially for women who often feel the pressure to be everything to everyone). We forget what it feels like to truly connect with our inner selves in meaningful ways. My goal is to help you rebuild trust in yourself, which is essential for managing life's uncertainties and stressors.If you're scared that you’ll never feel like yourself again, I’m here for you. I understand that uncertainty and fear, and I can help you.
W H O I W O R K W I T H
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New Moms (Pregnancy Through the First Two Years):
Becoming a mom is overwhelming, and we all deserve the space to process the changes and fears that come with it. From not knowing what's happening with your mood and your body to navigating how your relationships shift with your new role, the transition into motherhood is filled with complex experiences. I'll help you identify, understand, and even embrace these complexitites. As a mom myself, I truly understand the need for a safe space to express questions, fears, and even the darkest thoughts. Want to show me pictures of your little one? I love that! Every new aspect of motherhood deserves support, and I’m here to guide you through it.Maybe you're used to having everything figured out, but motherhood is unlike anything you expected. Perhaps you’re struggling to find joy and are feeling low or guilty. It’s okay. Whatever you're feeling, I provide a non-judgmental space to explore it honestly. Sometimes, we don’t even know what we're feeling because we’re so overwhelmed, but we know something doesn’t feel quite right. Together, we can work through that uncertainty and give you tools to make this time more manageable.
Mid-Life Moms:
You want to be the best mom possible, but the demands of modern-day motherhood leave you feeling irritable and resentful. You might catch yourself saying things you never thought you would, or you just can't seem to slow down enough to be the parent you want to be. I specialize in supporting moms because, as a mom myself, I know how challenging it can be.
Throughout the different stages of your child's development, we often respond to situations based on our formative experiences and what’s happening in our bodies and minds. Raising children can stir up feelings from the past that we may not even realize are still affecting us (yes, I’m looking at you, middle school trauma). Whether you’re a new mom or a seasoned one, we all need space to understand who we are within our motherhood journey. Therapy is a dedicated space to unpack how you were raised, how society shapes our expectations of motherhood, and how you feel about being a mom. Let’s dig into the things you have been afraid to say out loud, because we all have them!
I’ll help you process how hormones and mood impact you and work with you to tend to these parts of yourself. Even with the best intentions, motherhood can feel overwhelming, and I understand how high the stakes are when it comes to showing up as the mom you envision. Mid-life motherhood often brings challenges like loneliness, exhaustion, a sense of time slipping away, difficulties in long-term relationships, and dealing with the gap between who you thought your children would be and who they are. If any of this resonates with you, I’m here to help.
Will You Work With Me If I’m Not a Mom Yet?
Absolutely! I also work with women who are contemplating motherhood, trying to conceive, experiencing pregnancy losses, or newly pregnant.
I hold a certificate as a Women’s Mental Health Specialist, with a focus on perinatal loss and Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).
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It’s becoming a buzzword, but let's face it—women still don’t have enough space to talk about the multitude of symptoms we experience during mid-life and how they affect our daily lives. We deserve to understand, process, and integrate these changes in ways that make sense for us. Together, we’ll work on identifying, naming, and processing the symptoms of this season of life. I’ll help you problem-solve (including navigating who to follow up with and how) and integrate these new changes into your life.
I hold a certificate as a Women’s Mental Health Specialist, with a focus on Perimenopause.
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I love therapists! You’re insightful, eager, and ready to dive in, but asking for help can be difficult. Many therapists tell me they feel imposter syndrome or struggle to reconcile their own humanity with their role as a therapist. I’m here to remind you that it's okay to be human and allow yourself to not be the therapist in your own therapy. I understand this because I've been there! I welcome your imperfect, sometimes nervous self to reach out.
New Therapists:
If you're new to the field, I’d love to work with you. It’s like professional development and therapy all in one! New therapists are some of my favorite people to work with. I love nurturing insight and helping you make those powerful connections that can lead to growth. Mentoring is one of my all-time favorite aspects of this work. I’ve had amazing mentors along the way, and I want to pay it forward.
W H Y I ’ M D I F F E R E N T
Many of my clients say therapy gives them a sense of relief—
like they can finally slow down and breathe.
They describe me as warm and approachable, yet I gently challenge them to dig deep and do the work.
We’ll explore the hard stuff together, and through it all, you’ll feel supported and encouraged.
I love laughing with my clients, swapping book and podcast recommendations,
and showing up as my full, authentic self—because I ask you to do the same.
I invest deeply in this work because life is short, and you deserve to feel at peace with yours.
Whether you’re new to therapy or have been before, my clients often say I’m different
because I value the relationship as a vehicle for growth.
I ask you to truly connect with yourself—because when you do,
it’s easier to connect with others and fully participate in your life.
H O W I S H O W U P I N T H E R A P Y
I bring my full, unapologetically real (and sometimes hilariously imperfect) self to every session. That means we’ll laugh, we’ll vent about how aging is a b*tch, and we’ll get your shit sorted—because we all need support and guidance at times. If swearing is part of your emotional processing, go for it. I believe therapy should feel human, relatable, and grounded in real connection.
I show up with compassion, humor, and honesty because that’s what helps us move through the hard stuff. My values—authenticity, connection, growth, and honesty—shape every session. I regularly consult with colleagues, take courses, and attend trainings to ensure I’m always growing as a therapist. Being highly trained, skilled, and intuitive is at the heart of my practice.
W H Y I D O T H I S W O R K
I get it—balancing work, family, and the relentless demands of life can be overwhelming. As a mom, I know how hard it is to ever fully switch out of "mom mode"—even when we’re on vacation or doing “self-care.” Self-care that helps us actualize change goes beyond a yoga class or a girls’ trip. It’s about understanding how we store emotions, unpacking the stories we tell ourselves, and learning to truly care for our minds and bodies in a way that creates lasting change.
I work with my clients to explore their emotions, behaviors, and the deeper patterns that shape their lives. We’ll make space for the discomfort that comes with growth while ensuring you feel held, heard, and supported every step of the way.
C R E D E N T I A L S & E X P E R I E N C E
I hold a Master’s in Social Work from Loyola University (2006) and a BA from Augustana College (2000) and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Since 2000, I’ve worked in various roles, including supervising and managing therapists. With over two decades in this field, I bring both expertise and lived experience to my practice. I hold a certificate as a Women's Mental Health Specialist.
W H A T I L O V E
Eucalyptus candles
Walks
Mind-numbing TV like “Singles Inferno” and “Southern Charm”
Jigsaw puzzles
Travel
Cats
Most Historical Fiction books and All Fours by Miranda July
Billie Eilish & The Cure
Watching ballet
Yoga
The right therapist can make
all the difference.
I fully support my clients in finding someone they feel truly comfortable with—even if that’s not me.
If we work together, I want you to feel at ease, even when sitting in the discomfort of growth.
You deserve a space where you can show up as your full self, without judgment—
because that’s where real transformation happens.
If this resonates with you, let’s connect.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I accept BCBS, Aetna or Medicare. If you don’t have one of these insurance providers, my fee is $200 for 50 minute sessions. I am happy to provide you with a super bill that you can send to your insurance to get partial reimbursement at the percentage rate that is set by your particular plan. You can call your insurance provider to find this out-of-network provider reimbursement rate. Insurance requires a diagnosis for treatment.
Extended sessions are also offered for self-pay clients:
$300 for 90 minutes
$400 for 2 hours
If you are interested in an intensive day or two of therapy (4 or more hours over one or two days), we can discuss my fees based on your needs.
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Per the 2022 No Surprises Act, clients have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining how much healthcare services will cost if not utilizing health insurance to assist in payment. If applicable to you, once we are establishing services a Good Faith Estimate with be emailed to you outlining the estimated cost of therapy weekly, biweekly, monthly and so on for your informed consent.
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I don’t. Initial consultation is done via email or phone before the first session. I find it works best if we use the first session to get to know one another to see if I am the right fit for you.
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I offer day time sessions Monday-Thursday. I try to be flexible within that time-frame as I know we are all busy!
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We can meet weekly, bi-weekly or once a month. The frequency is up to you and your needs.
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Fill out this contact form and I will email you to get our first session scheduled.
“Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.”
— Pema Chodron
