Jared Pulley, LPC

Children, Adolescents, College, Young Adult, Adults, Couples, Parents

Anxiety, Depression, Chronic Illness, Career Counseling, Infertility, Life Transitions, Couples, Men’s Issues, Relationship Issues, Self Esteem, Spirituality, Stress, Substance Use, Trauma informed care, LGBTQIA+ affirming

Hi! My name is Jared. As a father, husband and mental health professional for nearly 15 years, I have seen the power of counseling through safety, curiosity, and compassion for healing and growth.

I grew up in a small city in Indiana and moved to the northwest suburbs and have enjoyed making it our home for our family. I have always had an appreciation for art and initially went to school for graphic design. I found that doing art for a living took the joy out of it and out of a desire to do something meaningful and to give back, I went into the field of mental health getting my Masters from Trinity International University. I have been in the field for over a decade and have come to see therapy as both the art and science of helping others.

I invite you to read through my experiences and approach to see if anything resonates with you. Finding a therapist you relate to and trust can be difficult. My goal is to honor your experience and meet you where you are by creating a safe and welcoming space.

My Approach

At the heart of my work is a stance of compassion. Often, compassion feels foreign to us or is confused with societal messages of weakness. I learned its importance as I entered the helping field and realized that I treated others with more compassion than I treated myself. To truly help others, I had to learn to approach myself with the same compassion I extended to others. I aim to create a non-judgmental and receptive space for each person to explore their reality while honoring and validating that experience.

Anxiety & Depression

I personally understand the restrictive force of anxiety and the debilitating effect of depression. I have found that each of these, despite their disruptive effects, are the body’s way of trying to get our attention. Many of us are conditioned to ignore our needs or learned that our feelings aren’t valid. These experiences can leave us out of touch with the state of our body and our emotional responses. By learning to listen closely to what the message is and offering compassionate presence, we can begin to reconnect and heal parts of us that got pushed away in order to simply get through life.

ADHD

In my junior year of college, I struggled to complete assignments on time and spent a lot of time on work that seemed easy for others. With a friend’s support, I got tested for ADHD. Learning about ADHD was helpful, but it didn’t make the symptoms disappear. Through my experience, I have learned to reduce its impact on my life and even harness its strengths. I recognize that every person’s experience with ADHD is different, and I tailor my approach to each person’s unique needs.

College

College is an exciting yet challenging time for many young adults, and I think back to how much I could have benefited from having a consistent, caring person to talk to. These transformative years are often packed with highs and lows, and having the right support can make all the difference. Whether you are struggling with life changing events, or just need someone to talk to, my welcome mat is in place.

Marriage / Divorce

When going well, relationships can be life-giving and a source of happiness, but they can also become complicated and fraught with conflict. I have experienced both ends of the spectrum and have compassion for couples struggling to connect. In couples therapy, I find that there are three stories to pay attention to: the story of each spouse and the story of the relationship. I help each party understand their story separately and within the context of the relationship, while facilitating listening skills and compassion within the partnership.

Infertility / Chronic Illness / Grief

Receiving a diagnosis and living with a chronic illness or infertility are life-altering experiences that often involve grieving for what we hoped for or expected life to be like. My wife and I experienced infertility and loss before having our son, so I know the pain and grief that comes with that experience. As a male, I often felt like just a number at the clinic, not a patient going through this experience alongside my wife. Infertility and loss can be particularly stigmatizing due to the turbulent political culture we find ourselves in.

Through my experience with infertility, we discovered that I have a condition called Hemochromatosis, which causes too much iron to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Over time, this can damage the heart, liver, and even the brain. I struggled with the uncertainty of what this diagnosis would mean for my life and experienced medical trauma as a result of some complications related to treatment.

As a therapist, I walk with my clients during these difficult and life altering experiences, helping them to be grounded in the moment, grieve the losses, find their own meaning, and address life and other concerns along the way.

For Fun…

I try to find joy in the small things of life, like watching my son learn a new skill and seeing the delight on his face when he gets it. I also enjoy walks with my wife and our two poodle mix dogs as well as reading and being out in nature.

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