Tim Mauery, MHP, Clinical Intern

Parents, Caregivers, College, Young Adults, Adults, Men, Families

Parenting Difficulties, Anxiety, Depression, Stressful Life Transitions, Men’s Issues, Relationship Stress, OCD, Faith-based, Chronic Illness, Self-Esteem, Bullying, Disordered Eating, Executive Functioning

Hello! I’m a husband, father of three daughters, and exasperated owner of two mal-adapted female dogs. I’m the only male in my household, and I love it! I need to practice patience sometimes as I wait for everyone to get ready, but I’d never trade this family – I’m one lucky guy.

But, I’ll be the first to admit — it hasn’t always been easy. My family and I have endured challenges I’d never have imagined possible. Through counseling, we not only survived but became stronger and closer. That is the sole reason I’ve changed my professional path and dedicated my career to helping others through life’s challenges.

So, how exactly did I get into counseling? A mentor once told me that therapists don’t find counseling; counseling finds them – and that’s true for me. It’s always been in my DNA…

Before becoming a therapist, I spent the last four decades understanding what makes people “tick. I began my early career as an actor. I studied each character and their unique relationship to the world. Emotions, insights and motivation are critical to truthfully embody a persona and tell a story.

After that, I was an advertising executive. My job was to study consumer insights, what motivates people and why they make decisions. I conducted hundreds of focus groups and interviews across the globe to identify individuals’ wants, needs, and motivations. I’ve worked with almost every population imaginable. My respect for—and awe of—each person I’ve spoken with continues today. Everyone has a story—and I want to hear it!

I took the first step toward a counseling career by training as a Stephen Minister at our community church. Stephen Ministers are lay congregation members trained to provide one-to-one care to those experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or relocation.

As I participated in the training, I knew I was “home” and wanted to help people even more. So, I took the plunge. I returned to Northwestern for a second master’s degree and never looked back.

Parenting & Families

If you looking for someone who really gets it, I’m happy to share that my experience in parenting is not only clinical, but very personal. I know (all too well) how lost and discouraged you can feel when your kids or family are struggling.

My “hands-on” experience began in 2016. Our youngest daughter was an elite athlete who experienced a traumatic brain injury at the age of thirteen. Mental challenges accompanied her physical injury.

Over the past eight years, I experienced a variety of treatment milieus and modalities as we sought to lessen her physical and emotional pain. Individual counseling and family counseling were a cornerstone for her treatment (and my own).

We supported our daughter through residential programs, therapeutic boarding schools, inpatient psychiatric units, wilderness programs, substance abuse programming, executive functioning training, transitional and sober living programming, Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP).

Through this challenging journey, I encountered a variety of treatment protocols—Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma Therapy, Eating Disorder Therapy, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Biofeedback, Art Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Mindfulness, Yoga, Acupuncture, Nutrition, and Exercise. This experience made me a big supporter and practitioner of holistic solutions—bringing the mind and body together for total health.

I also gained experience dealing with (aka arguing with) school boards and insurance companies. Engaging with those entities is the last thing a parent wants to do when a child is in crisis. Based on my success in both arenas, I continue advising parents on navigating red tape and so-called “policies.”

As my daughter’s condition improved (she’s thriving today!), I became a passionate advocate for other families going through similar ordeals. Many parents are “lost” when their child faces challenges.

On the other side of this challenge, my family is not only stronger but closer. I am now dedicating my career to helping others through challenging times like these.

While I’d never wish challenges like this for my own family, or yours, I do see that beautiful things can come through the struggle.

Men & Men’s Issues

Being a man in today’s world is no easy feat–especially when your relationships or family are struggling. As a father and husband who has endured many of life’s challenges, I understand.

Far too often, men are not given the tools or permission to express their fears, frustration or need for affirmation, love and support.

Second-guessing decisions, communicating in non-productive ways, fear of the future, and feeling pulled in a million different directions are just the tip of the iceberg.

Children, marriages, aging parents, and careers all need your attention. Feelings of guilt, embarrassment, resentfulness, exhaustion, shame, and anger abound.

With the expertise I gain from Northwestern’s elite counseling curriculum, I combine my life experience with the newest cutting-edge counseling theories and practices.

Of utmost importance is the relationship my clients and I build together. Studies show that the quality of a therapeutic relationship is the most critical factor in achieving positive outcomes, regardless of specific counseling modalities. So, I work hard at establishing a safe, comforting, and collaborative environment. Our time together is essential and precious.

If you work with me, I will help empower you with lessons and tools I’ve learned, mistakes and pitfalls to avoid. The work we’ll use is based on evidence-based skills that I’ve seen work personally and clinically to improve your daily life and family life.

For Fun…

I enjoy escaping to our family Lake House in Michigan whenever I can. I spend time working on our newest family member – Delores (a 1964 Plymouth Fury). I’ve also been called a bird nerd due to the aviary neighborhood I’ve built. My tendency to stop and read each historical marker I encounter makes my family cranky. But, of course, my family is my favorite source of fun!

To book an appointment, 847-919-9096 x.1, [email protected]