Tamela Polanin, LCPC

Tamela Polanin is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) based in Illinois with 20 years of experience. She speaks plainly and listens closely to help people facing midlife shifts and other major life challenges. Tamela aims to create a calm space where people can name what feels hard and take small steps toward feeling steadier.

She draws on a client-centered stance that puts the person’s goals first. That means Tamela helps clients set priorities and decide what change looks like for them. She also uses approaches such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address trauma, difficult memories, and patterns that keep returning.

Tamela has focused on trauma work for many years and describes trauma recovery as a journey that looks different for everyone. Her background includes work with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addiction concerns, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting and family challenges, ADHD, and coping with life changes. She also lists topics such as abandonment, adoption and foster care, attachment struggles, and blended family issues.

Clients can expect straightforward conversation, practical coping tools, and attention to everyday needs like managing anger, work stress, and relationship strain. Tamela values collaboration and helps people build skills they can use outside sessions. She accepts international clients and conducts work in English.

To begin, people are invited to use the site Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

How her approaches translate to online work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person's priorities and values. Online sessions using this approach let the client set goals and pace, with the therapist following their lead and offering reflective support. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and behaviors and teaches practical skills for managing anxiety, mood, and stress; online CBT can include worksheets, short exercises, and between-session practice. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is used for trauma processing and involves guided bilateral stimulation alongside memory work; elements of EMDR can be adapted to remote sessions when appropriate.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and any practical limits, then suggest a path to try. That plan can change over time as needs evolve, and decisions are made collaboratively rather than imposed.

The original profile does not specify which remote formats are offered, so confirm current session options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit care into busy days, allow brief check-ins when schedules are tight, reduce travel time, and let people use written or visual tools between meetings. Many clients find remote sessions helpful for keeping momentum during life changes and managing ongoing symptoms without major schedule disruption.