Photo of Susan Pagels, LCPC

Illinois

Susan Pagels, LCPC

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Tinley Park, ILOnline Therapy
License #180014639Ages 8+

Life isn't always easy, and you don't have to face it alone. Reaching out for therapy takes courage, and finding the right therapist is an important first step. My goal is to provide a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where you can feel heard, understood, and empowered to create meaningful change.

With more than 25 years of counseling experience, I work with adults, adolescents, and children experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, ADHD, mood disorders, relationship concerns, life transitions, and self-esteem challenges. While my professional background includes school counseling, my primary focus is individual therapy, helping clients develop practical coping skills, increase self-awareness, and build healthier, more fulfilling lives.

My clients often tell me they appreciate how easy I am to talk to and how comfortable they feel sharing their thoughts and concerns. I believe every person has unique strengths, and I tailor therapy to the individual using evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), person-centered therapy, and other techniques that best fit each client's needs and goals.

My lifelong background in the performing arts has also shaped my work as a therapist. Creativity, music, storytelling, and expressive techniques can be powerful tools for healing, communication, and growth, especially when working with children and adolescents.

Whether you're facing a difficult time or simply looking for a place to grow and heal, I would be honored to work alongside you. Together, we'll build on your strengths, develop practical tools, and help you move toward a life that feels more balanced, confident, and fulfilling.

I work with

IndividualsChildrenTeens

Accepted insurances

  • 6 Degrees
  • 90 Degree Benefits
  • Aegis LLC
  • Aetna/ First Health
  • Aetna
  • Aetna Affordable Health Choices/ Aetna Voluntary
  • Aetna EAP
  • Allstate Benefits (through Allied Benefit Systems)
  • American Continental (Aetna Senior Supplemental)
  • Assured Benefit Administrators
  • Boon-Chapman Administrators/ Wellnet Healthcare
  • Christian Brothers Services

I specialize in

  • Behavior Therapy/Behavior Modification
  • Cognitive Therapy
  • Panic Attacks
  • Financial Stress
  • ADHD/ADD
  • Hospital Discharge - Depression
  • Hospital Discharge - Anxiety
  • Hospital Discharge - Self-Harm (Cutting, etc.)
  • Trauma-Related
  • C-PTSD (Complex PTSD)
  • Paranoia
  • Dependent Personality

Treatment approaches

  • Behavior Therapy/Behavior Modification
  • Cognitive Therapy
  • Career Counseling
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Music Therapy
  • Person-Centered
  • Play Therapy
  • Trauma Focused
  • Brief Psychotherapy

Communities I work with

  • Currently/Recently Incarcerated
  • Gay Allied
  • Healthcare Professionals
  • Lesbian Allied
  • Bisexual/Pansexual Allied
  • Non-Binary Allied
  • Queer Allied
  • Transgender Allied
  • Victim/Survivor of Abuse or Other Interpersonal Crime

Education

Masters of Counseling

Illinois State University

PEL (Professional Educator License) Illinois Masters of Arts in Administrative Education 30 hours post graduate Clinical Psychology from Governor State University