Wendy Van Keulen

Wendy Van Keulen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Illinois with over 15 years of professional experience. She offers calm, respectful support for people facing relationship struggles, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting difficulties, and major life changes. Wendy speaks both English and Spanish and aims to meet clients where they are in an approachable way.

Wendy focuses on practical conversations that help clients manage immediate concerns. She listens for what matters most and tailors sessions to each person’s needs. That can mean working through recent losses, clarifying communication in strained relationships, or creating manageable steps after a life change.

Her background includes long-term clinical experience helping people cope with aging and geriatric issues, caregiver stress, attachment and family-of-origin problems, and the complex effects of divorce, separation, and domestic violence. She also supports those dealing with fertility challenges, immigration-related stress, dissociation, and feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Wendy approaches work with sensitivity and respect. She and the client build a plan that fits individual goals and life circumstances. Therapy is described plainly and without jargon, so clients understand what to expect and can make steady progress.

Many people find the first step the hardest. Wendy frames that step as an act of courage and aims to provide steady, compassionate guidance throughout the process.

How therapeutic approaches inform online work

Wendy uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on clear goals and manageable steps. One common approach she applies emphasizes practical problem solving and communication skills to help with relationship strain and caregiving stress. This approach teaches concrete tools for clearer conversations and setting boundaries. Another frequently used way of working centers on processing grief and trauma by moving at a pace that feels safe and tolerable; this helps people make sense of loss and reduce its daily impact.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Wendy works together with each person to figure out which techniques match their goals, history, and preferences. She checks in regularly and adjusts the plan when something isn’t helping or when priorities change.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the session formats offered before booking. Many people find online sessions help fit therapy into busy schedules, reduce travel time, and make it easier to attend during a work break or between caregiving tasks. Online work can also allow brief check-ins when less time is available or sessions that don’t require being on camera. Ask about specific session options when you complete the matching questionnaire so scheduling and format can be arranged to suit everyday life.