Parish Counseling

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Sarah Thompson, Parish Counselor
​Integrating client values and spiritual beliefs into the counseling process, Sarah works with individuals and couples as they seek to understand and grow through various challenges life brings. Sarah’s therapeutic process is rooted in the values of openness, acceptance, and collaboration. She believes that accessing what genuinely exists inside ourselves helps us to know who we really are. She draws from various therapeutic approaches, focusing on the mind-body-spirit connection, to illuminate underlying issues, free up blocks, and heal old wounds. Sarah began her professional life in the corporate world and has an MBA from Northwestern Kellogg School of Management. She transitioned to entrepreneurial and non-profit work before starting her journey to become a therapist. 

Sarah is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, with a Masters in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She began practicing in 2015 and, along with years of work/life experience, has additional training in grief, trauma, Gottman couples counseling, is a certified Prepare-Enrich relationship facilitator, and an Illinois certified domestic abuse advocate. Sarah and her husband have been married for 35+ years and have four children. Her enjoyment as a recreational triathlete and endurance sports participant has drawn her focus towards the biopsychosocial approach to one’s overall health and wellbeing.

People seek counseling for a variety of reasons, including…

• anxiety and/or depression
• premarital counseling
• difficulties in relationships
• recent or unexpected life changes
• feelings of loss, sadness, or grief
• feelings of isolation, emptiness or meaninglessness
• difficulties in achieving goals
• LGBTQ+ affirmative counseling​

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If you think you could benefit from Sarah’s services please contact her at 773-234-9630 or at saraht@oldstpats.org to set up an appointment. She offers in person counseling at 711 W. Monroe as well as virtually and hybrid. Sarah accepts most Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO insurance plans.

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 Michael Olan, Therapist Intern
Michael Olan is pursuing his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and will be with Old St. Pat’s through June 2023 through The Claret Center’s Psychotherapy Practicum program. Michael will be working with our Parish Counselor, Sarah Thompson as part of our Pastoral Care Ministry. Michael describes his therapeutic approach as person-centered and meaning-oriented. He believes his role is to start with a client from where they are, to discover where they have been, and ultimately, where they would like to be in life. Michael believes therapy is a process, which provides a safe space for one to begin self-reflection to develop clarity and self-understanding.

Michael graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2015. He worked as a volunteer social worker's assistant in Costa Rica and as a counselor treating obsessive-compulsive and anxiety-related disorders at The McLean OCD Institute in Houston. While in graduate school in Chicago, he has worked in a variety of settings including an in-patient mental health hospital and a forensics-based private practice working with underserved populations in Chicago.  
Michael Olan is available to meet by Zoom or in person on Fridays at his office at the Jack Wall Mission Center, 711 W. Monroe. Michael can accept most BlueCross BlueShield PPO insurance plans through The Claret Center and also offers a sliding scale, so do not let finances be a deterrent.  Contact Michael directly at michaelo@oldst.pats.org or at 872-212-6101.  ​