Next Step Counseling

Specialties

We exclusively specializes in relationship and life transitions including relationship uncertainty, breakup/​divorce recovery, and dating/​online dating through individual counseling. We’ll help you manage and get through the entities that come with these life experiences including sadness, anxiety and self-​esteem issues.

*Multilingual counseling is also offered in Hindi and Bengali.

History

Established in 2012.

Ilene Kastel, the founder of Next Step Counseling in Chicago, IL., wanted to specialize her practice in what she was passionate about, work with those she could relate to and who could relate to her. Thanks to clients referring their friends and family members, Next Step Counseling has grown rapidly and expanded to include 3 additional licensed clinicians, Corey, Alexis and Karishma, all trained to focus on our life transition specialties.

Meet the Business Owner

Ilene K.

Business Owner

«My years of professional training and clinical experience as well as my life experience led me to focus Next Step Counseling, specifically on working with those I can relate to and have a passion for working with, adults going through life and relationship transitions.»

Ilene has 16 years combined of academic, professional training, providing counseling, teaching undergrad psychology courses, and supervising emerging clinicians in the field. Her expertise is in working with adults struggling with various life and relationship challenges including sadness, anxiety, self-​esteem, grief and loss, relationship uncertainties, life transitions, and dating.

Ilene’s greatest strengths are «being easy to talk to», creating a comfortable environment, helping clients gain insight and make change.

Outside of Ilene’s career she loves live music, meditation and working out. Ilene also spends time volunteering for animal/​environmental issues and is lucky enough to work with elephants.