Noel Widholm, LCSW

Noel is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who utilizes an eclectic approach in treatment. He’s excited by the many therapeutic modalities and the potential each has for healing and growth. He’s worked with clients in all stages of life and a broad range of issues—remaining particularly drawn to issues of aging, anxiety, and trauma … as well as how people learn to cope with serious illness. His belief about talk therapy is that through self-awareness, we can develop our personalities more thoroughly.

Noel believes that the benefits of therapy unfold over time and he approaches treatment in a slow and patient manner. We live in a fast-paced world where we often don’t get a chance to reflect and may feel alienated from ourselves and our environment. We sometimes don’t even realize the degree to our alienation. Looking inward, however, is necessary if we are to truly thrive. Individuals are complex and our personalities are layered with experiences and unique understandings.

Noel believes that our experiences and the effects of the environment are different for all of us, and result in different needs. Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all process. When working with Noel, expect a collaborative approach that addresses your specific needs. He believes the knowledge that you bring to therapy is crucial for your success.

Noel has extensive experience working with the older adult population and appreciates the wisdom that many older clients bring to therapy. He also enjoys working with the unique issues of younger adults and men in particular. He has raised his own children and sees that his children have raised him at the same time.

Noel received his Master of Social Work from Salem State College in Salem, Massachusetts. He’s completed coursework in psychoanalysis as well as beginning training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a technique that can be useful for people who’ve experienced some kind of trauma. Prior to focusing on clinical work, he worked in nursing homes, community mental health agencies and hospitals.

Noel is in network with Aetna, BCBSIL PPO/Blue Choice PPO, GuideHealth (BCBSIL HMO/APP), and Medicare. He sees people in the office and over telehealth.