Sheila Adamo

Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, MSW, CADC
(she / her)

In-Person & Virtual Sessions
Therapy for Adults 21+ Partners & Families

Finding your voice and building your confidence is both a challenging and enriching process - and I’d feel honored to participate in that journey with you. I enjoy empowering clients and accentuating their strengths, while providing support and space to address obstacles in your path. Investing in yourself through therapy, self-care, and introspection can lead to a much happier and authentic life.

I work with adults, partners and families dealing with substance abuse, parenting and family issues, depression, anxiety, mental illness and much more. My approach utilizes humor, respect, and support as we improve  your coping skills for different life stressors.

I also have an extensive history of helping families with special needs, providing each family member with support and guidance to work through complicated issues, create boundaries, maintain a self-care program and support one another. My own personal experiences have deepened my commitment to helping parents navigate difficult situations, manage stress, and build stronger connections with their children while also caring for themselves.

Areas of Focus

Top Specialties:

  • Parenting

  • Mood Disorders

  • Family Conflict

Areas of Expertise:

  • Addiction

  • ADHD

  • Alcohol Use

  • Anger Management

  • Anxiety

  • Behavioral Issues

  • Bipolar Disorder

  • Chronic Impulsivity

  • Chronic Relapse

  • Codependency

  • Coping Skills

  • Depression

  • Drug Abuse

  • Dual Diagnosis

  • Eating Disorders

  • Education and Learning Disabilities

  • Emotional Disturbance

  • Gambling

  • Grief

  • Impulse Control Disorders

  • Intellectual Disability

  • Internet Addiction

  • Life Transitions

  • Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)

  • Oppositional Defiance (ODD)

  • Peer Relationships

  • Relationship Issues

  • School Issues

  • Self Esteem

  • Self-Harming

  • Sexual Addiction

  • Stress

  • Substance Use

  • Suicidal Ideation

  • Thinking Disorders

  • Video Game Addiction

  • Women's Issues

Works With
Adults 21+, Partners and Families with Adult Children

Schedule
Mondays (Mornings - Evenings)

Tuesdays (Mornings - Evenings)
Wednesdays (Afternoons - Evenings)
Thursdays Virtual (Mornings - Evenings)

In Network With
BCBS PPO
Aetna PPO
Anthem Blue Cross PPO
Cigna/Evernorth PPO
United/Optum PPO

Education
Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Family Social Services, Northern Illinois University (1991)
Master of Social Work (MSW), University of Illinois at Chicago (1995)
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) Training Program, Grant Hospital, Chicago (1997)

Personal Interests
I’m a mother of four, so I enjoy connecting with my children, traveling, spending quality time with large extended family and friends, reading, taking care of my dogs and streaming miniseries programs.

Therapy with Sheila

My approach to therapy is honest, authentic, and flexible. I believe that every person is unique and deserves a space where they feel safe to be themselves, explore their experiences, and discover what works best for them. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, I tailor therapy to each individual's needs, strengths, values, and goals.

I also believe that being an effective therapist requires a commitment to ongoing self-reflection and personal growth. I think it is important for therapists to do their own work, continue learning, and remain aware of their own experiences so they can show up fully present for the people they serve.

Therapy works best when it helps you understand yourself more deeply while also giving you practical tools you can use in everyday life. The approaches I use almost always involve appropriate use of humor and share a common goal of helping you feel more connected to yourself, more regulated, and more empowered to make meaningful changes.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
I love CBT because it provides practical strategies that can create real change. Together, we'll explore the thoughts and beliefs that may be keeping you stuck and learn how to challenge negative thinking patterns. I utilize true empowering statements throughout each session to provide validation and clarity.

Polyvagal-Informed Therapy:
Gaining a deeper understanding of our autonomic nervous system plays a huge role in how we experience the world, our relationships, and ourselves. Using a Polyvagal-informed approach, I will help you understand the connection between your emotional experiences and your nervous system responses. I love the practical tools this framework provides for helping people feel more present, regulated, and able to navigate life's challenges with greater confidence and resilience.

Internal Family Systems (IFS):
I believe that IFS offers a compassionate and non-pathologizing way to understand ourselves. Rather than seeing our struggles as something "wrong" with us, we learn to approach them with curiosity and self-compassion. This approach will help you connect with the different parts of yourselves, understand their purpose, and build a stronger relationship with your core Self. I love the language of IFS because it helps people move away from self-judgment and toward greater understanding, healing, and acceptance.

Schedule a Session or Consult

Interested in working together? Fill out the form, call (630) 940-6828 or email scheduling@paderatherapy.com. We also offer a 15-minute free phone consultation.

Insurance or Self Pay

Learn more about using your insurance. If we are an out-of-network provider or you do not have insurance, our rate is currently $135 for a 50-53 minute session. However, we also offer reduced rates in special circumstances. Finances should never be a deterrent for seeking help.