Carolyn Cole, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Carolyn Cole, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Providing psychotherapy services via telehealth to adults and couples living in Illinois.

My specialties include self-esteem, self love, self discovery, journey back to Self, spirituality, and dating & relationships.

Dating can stir up strong emotions that create pressure to respond immediately. Taking a pause allows communication to c...
01/21/2026

Dating can stir up strong emotions that create pressure to respond immediately. Taking a pause allows communication to come from feeling grounded and steady rather than from anxiety. This protects both self-connection and the relationship.

If you notice yourself feeling that sense of urgency, you can ask: Am I responding from urgency or from intention?

If dating has started to feel confusing, discouraging, or draining, you’re not doing it wrong, you may just be missing t...
01/19/2026

If dating has started to feel confusing, discouraging, or draining, you’re not doing it wrong, you may just be missing the right framework.

I’m offering a therapist-led virtual workshop for singles who want to date with clarity, intention, and emotional insight, grounded in Gottman research.

Note: This workshop is educational and not psychotherapy and it does not establish a therapist-client relationship.

If this workshop resonates for you or somebody you care about, Id love to have you join. You can learn more and register here: https://peoplepsych.com/the-gottman-seven-principles-for-singles-workshop/

In dating, connection isn’t built through big moments alone.It’s built in the small ways we notice, respond, and repair....
01/19/2026

In dating, connection isn’t built through big moments alone.
It’s built in the small ways we notice, respond, and repair.
Those moments add up more than we think. ❤️

As you think about dating or your current relationship, what are some ways you can practice turning towards this week?

Intentional dating asks different questions: Who supports you when things are hard? Who helps your best self come forwar...
01/18/2026

Intentional dating asks different questions: Who supports you when things are hard? Who helps your best self come forward?

If you’re looking to start a new chapter in dating this year, you may enjoy my virtual workshop for singles on intentional dating. The link can be found in my bio.

We don’t need to abandon ourselves to be chosen.Intentional dating is about staying honest, grounded, and curious and le...
01/15/2026

We don’t need to abandon ourselves to be chosen.
Intentional dating is about staying honest, grounded, and curious and letting alignment reveal itself over time. ❤️

If this resonates, you may enjoy my upcoming workshop for singles. Link is in my bio.

Healthy relationships and healthy dating support the emergence of your best self, not the quiet fading of it.This questi...
01/14/2026

Healthy relationships and healthy dating support the emergence of your best self, not the quiet fading of it.

This question matters whether you’re getting to know someone new or navigating a long-term partnership.

🦋I explore this more deeply in my upcoming dating with intention virtual workshop for singles, where we talk about intentional dating, emotional safety, and building connections that allow you to stay true to yourself. The link can be found in my bio and I will share it here, too: https://peoplepsych.com/the-gottman-seven-principles-for-singles-workshop/

Intentional dating and secure dating work together.One asks, “What am I dating for?” The other asks, “Can I stay grounde...
01/12/2026

Intentional dating and secure dating work together.

One asks, “What am I dating for?” The other asks, “Can I stay grounded enough to observe this connection clearly?”

Intentional dating sets direction. Secure dating creates steadiness.

When both are present, we’re better able to see what feels aligned — and what doesn’t — without rushing clarity, minimizing red flags, or abandoning ourselves for connection.

❤️ If you’re wanting to explore this more deeply, I’m offering a virtual workshop for singles focused on intentional, secure dating and building healthy, lasting relationships, incorporating science and research on what makes relationships last.

Details can be found here: https://peoplepsych.com/the-gottman-seven-principles-for-singles-workshop/

Intentional dating doesn’t mean knowing right away.It means giving yourself permission to slow down, ask meaningful ques...
01/11/2026

Intentional dating doesn’t mean knowing right away.
It means giving yourself permission to slow down, ask meaningful questions, and move at a secure pace.

It’s not about pressure or performance; it’s about noticing whether a connection can hold friendship, emotional safety, and mutual respect over time.

When we date intentionally, we stop asking, “Do they like me?” and start asking, “Is this aligned with who I am and where I’m going?”

❤️ Reflection:
Are you choosing dating that supports the relationship you want to build?

If you’re wanting support around dating with more clarity, self-trust, and intention, I’ll be offering an intentional dating workshop for singles focused on building healthy, lasting relationships, which incorporates the science and research on what makes relationships last.

🌼 Details are in the link in my bio.

relationships

So many of us live by habit, expectation, or survival.Intentional living begins with the question: does this choice move...
01/10/2026

So many of us live by habit, expectation, or survival.

Intentional living begins with the question: does this choice move me closer to what matters most to me?

Live in a way that reflects your values. Let your choices nourish your soul. 🩷

Questions for reflection:
📝Where in my life am I choosing from habit instead of intention?
📝What matters most to me and does my life reflect that?
📝What choice would be most supportive to my nervous system right now?

01/10/2026

You’re not lost, you’re just living on autopilot.
Intentional living begins when we pause long enough to choose. ❤️

Self care isn't selfish - it's relational. When we tend to ourselves with compassion and intention, we strengthen that c...
01/08/2026

Self care isn't selfish - it's relational. When we tend to ourselves with compassion and intention, we strengthen that capacity for emotional regulation, presence, attunement, and kindness in our relationships. How we feel inside shapes how we show up with others.

Self care is a gift for yourself and for those in your life.

What's one small way you're taking care of yourself today? 💖

What if your dating history isn’t evidence of missteps—but proof that you’ve been learning and preparing yourself for la...
01/04/2026

What if your dating history isn’t evidence of missteps—
but proof that you’ve been learning and preparing yourself for lasting love and the right relationship for you? ❤️

If you’re ready, I’d love to have you at my upcoming Lessons in Love workshop for singles. Link to learn more and register can be found in my bio.

Address

111 N Wabash Avenue, Suite 1203
Chicago, IL
60602

Website

https://peoplepsych.com/the-gottman-seven-principles-for-singles-workshop

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Carolyn Cole, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category

Our Story

Hi! I am a relationship therapist located in Chicago. My credentials include: I am a licensed psychotherapist in Chicago with a Masters Degree in Family Counseling and specialized training in Marriage and Family Therapy. I currently work as a psychotherapist in a private practice setting, working with individuals, couples, and families, and I also provide supervision to masters level therapists who are working towards their license. I am dually licensed with the LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist license) and the LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor license). I also have the National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification. This page is designed to share interesting articles and thoughts related to counseling, self-growth, families, and relationships. I also have some blog articles located at: https://carolyncolelcpc.blog/ Thanks so much for viewing my page and I hope you enjoy the posts!