About Jolene Altman, LCSW
I’m a married, working mom of two, navigating the beautiful, messy chaos of mid-life right alongside you. Whatever you’re carrying, you don’t have to carry it alone.
The mom behind the practice
I intimately understand the stressors, responsibilities, and self-doubt that creep in and I also believe in the joy, peace, and meaning we all deserve. Maybe you’re asking, “if I’m high-functioning, will therapy even help me?” The answer is yes. I know how hard it can be to ask for help. Sometimes our struggles feel “stupid” or embarrassing. They’re not. The people-pleasing, high-achieving, chronically busy mom often quietly struggles with feelings of failure. Whatever you’re carrying, you don’t have to carry it alone.
How I show up in therapy
I bring my full, unapologetically real (and sometimes hilariously imperfect) self to every session. We’ll laugh, we’ll vent about how aging is a b*tch, and we’ll get your sh*t sorted because we all need support sometimes. If swearing is part of how you process, 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. Real self-care 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 care for our minds and bodies in a way that creates lasting change.
My approach
I work from a relational, trauma-informed foundation. I’m not the “nod and smile” therapist. I’m an active partner in your growth. My work draws on:
Internal Family Systems (IFS) & Somatic Therapy to help you regulate your nervous system and understand the parts of you working overtime.
Relational Therapy & EFT to navigate the complexities of your family life and connections.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you pivot from obligation to living by your core values.
Direct, human guidance: seasoned, warm, and honest, swearing welcome.
Credentials & experience
Master of Social Work (MSW), Loyola University Chicago (2006)
BA, Augustana College (2000)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Women’s Mental Health Specialist certificate (focus: perinatal loss, PMDD, and perimenopause)
20+ years in the field, including supervisory and management roles
What I love
Bergamot candles, walks, period-piece TV, Scrabble, travel, time with my husband and two kids, cats, historical fiction (and What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo), Billie Eilish & The Cure, watching ballet, and yoga.
The right therapist can make all the difference.
I fully support you finding someone you feel truly comfortable with even if that’s not me. If this resonates, let’s connect.