About Pamela

Whatever your current struggle, I’m here to help you connect with and find more of what you want for yourself.

Hi, I'm Pamela Kraus

I’m passionate about helping my clients address unresolved complex (developmental, relational, and attachment) trauma. These challenges may be contributing to a negative sense of self, relationship struggles, or other difficulties in their lives. We all have had some degree of trauma in our lives, but we may not realize it. Trauma comes in many shapes and sizes, and it may not be what you think. I believe that all of us, with the right support, possess the ability to overcome trauma’s impact. My passion is to help my clients experience themselves, their relationships, and their lives in a more authentic and satisfying way.

I am a NARM Master Therapist (NeuroAffective Relational Model of treating complex and developmental trauma) and an EMDR Certified Therapist (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).

NARM

NARM™ is a cutting-edge approach to healing yourself and opening to the possibility of more fulfilling relationships and greater internal ease in meeting life’s events and challenges. By addressing the impact of “environmental failure” during our years of development, (in caregiver and other significant relationships, lack of secure attachments, neglect which led to core needs not being met, and more), NARM is a uniquely powerful approach for achieving healing.

I use the NARM modality or apply and incorporate NARM–informed principles in my work with clients. I also may incorporate other modalities based on the unique needs of clients. For example, when I work with families, I often utilize concepts from family systems therapy. I employ a range of interventions to support couples in achieving healthier communication, conflict resolution, and self–regulation. Often, the members of couples and families are being challenged by the adaptive strategies still at play that stem from each one’s earlier relational trauma. We explore how these individual survival dynamics are at play as patterns and obstacles to what the couple or family wants for their relationship(s).

EMDR

I am an EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Certified Therapist. EMDR is an approach for helping you process “shock trauma” that may be holding you back from living your healthiest and most fulfilled life. EMDR focuses on changing the way that your brain stores memories of a traumatic event, so that its impact on your life is reduced and your relationship to yourself and the event no longer hold the same power inside of you and in your life.

I use EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) where it might be appropriate for and desired by a client. While my use of EMDR has typically been for helping clients to process “shock trauma” (events, like a sudden medical trauma, a car crash, an assault, etc.), more recent research supports the use of EMDR to help the processing of complex trauma. My use of EMDR is increasingly NARM- informed.

Addiction, Substance Use, and Recovery

I work with clients, and often collaborate with other professionals, to support people challenged by substance use and/or engaged in the journey of recovery. I support clients in addressing issues around boundaries, co–dependency, sobriety, harm–reduction, and recovery. In my experience, where there is addiction (or disordered behavior, like gambling or an unhealthy relationship to food), there is often a legacy of trauma that continues to show up in clients‘ lives today.

Are We a “Good Fit” for Therapy?

I am an Out-of-network provider; I am not paneled with any health insurance plans. Superbills are available if you want to file for any out-of-network mental health benefits that might be available to you with your insurance plan.
I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation for potential new clients.
NARM Master Therapist (Participated and Completed 3 years of therapist training with NARM Founder, Lawrence Heller and Faculty /Lead Trainer, Brad Kammer. Engaged in Post-Masters Immersion study, ongoing consultations, and clinical practice experiences.)
EMDR Certified Therapist (Participate in advanced trainings each year.)

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
My main office (3 days a week) is in downtown Chicago, and I see some clients one day a week in Evanston. I do engage in telehealth sessions, depending on client’s needs and my schedule/availability.
Good Faith Estimates of therapy fees are provided to each client before any therapy work is agreed to and scheduled.
Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling, DePaul University
MBA and Over 25+ years consulting, executive and strategic leadership, and insights for corporate teams