Thomas Kalapurakal
LPC, NCC
Pronouns: He/Him
Offering in-person sessions in Chicago and telehealth for clients across Illinois
Therapy for Adults Ready to Break Old Patterns and Find Their Footing.
Warm, collaborative support to help you understand yourself more deeply — and move forward with clarity and confidence.
Let’s Start Here
You've been keeping it together — showing up, pushing through, doing what you're supposed to do. But underneath it all, something feels off. Maybe you're stuck in the same cycles, wrestling with self-doubt, or navigating a life that looks fine on the outside but feels unsettled within. You might be questioning who you are, where you're headed, or why things feel harder than they should. You don't have to keep carrying that alone. Whether you're dealing with shifts in mood, a major life change, or a quiet but persistent sense of being lost, you deserve space to slow down, be honest, and start building a path that actually fits who you are.
What would you say to someone who’s nervous or unsure about starting therapy?
Hi, I'm Thomas, a therapist at Tides Mental Health. Starting therapy can bring up a lot of questions — and that's completely normal. You don't need to have everything figured out before you reach out. My goal is to meet you where you are, move at your pace, and create a space where you feel genuinely heard. I'd love to connect.
What would you say to someone who’s nervous or unsure about starting therapy?
Hi, I'm Thomas, a therapist at Tides Mental Health. Starting therapy can bring up a lot of questions — and that's completely normal. You don't need to have everything figured out before you reach out. My goal is to meet you where you are, move at your pace, and create a space where you feel genuinely heard. I'd love to connect.
What It’s Like to Work Together
Sessions with Thomas feel like a real conversation — warm, honest, and unhurried. Together, we'll slow down and look at the patterns that may be shaping how you think, feel, and relate to others. You'll have space to explore what's been weighing on you without pressure to have the answers already. We'll work on two levels at once: understanding the deeper "why" behind what you're experiencing, and building practical tools you can actually use in your day-to-day life. That might look like noticing how past relationships show up in present-day stress, shifting thought patterns that keep you stuck, or developing clearer ways of communicating and setting boundaries. You set the pace. We'll adjust as you go — following what matters most to you and making sure every session feels useful.
What can clients expect it to feel like in a session with you?
Sessions with me tend to feel like an open conversation — no rigid agenda, no pressure to perform. We'll talk about what's actually going on for you, and I'll help you start to connect the dots between your experiences, your patterns, and the way you want to show up in your life. You get to go at whatever pace feels right.
What’s one reason you’re passionate about the work you do?
I got into this work because I believe everyone deserves a space where they feel truly seen — not just heard, but understood. I've seen what it looks like when someone starts to trust themselves again, and that's what keeps me here. For me, this work is about helping you feel more aligned with who you actually are.
Clinical Specialties
- Anxiety and persistent worry
- Low mood and depression
- ADHD and attention challenges
- Life transitions and major change
- Identity exploration and self-understanding
- Relationship difficulties and communication patterns
- Stress and feeling overwhelmed
- Grief and adjustment to loss
- Self-esteem and confidence
- Cultural identity and navigating multiple worlds
Treatment Modalities
- Psychodynamic Therapy – explore how your past experiences and relationship patterns are shaping how you think, feel, and connect today
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – identify and shift the thought patterns and behaviors that may be keeping you stuck
- Eclectic / Integrative Approach-a flexible combination of tools tailored to what you actually need, not a one-size-fits-all method
- Culturally Responsive Care – therapy that honors your identity, cultural background, and the unique pressures that come with navigating multiple worlds
Populations Served
- Emerging adults and adults (18+)
- Culturally diverse individuals and immigrant communities
- Men and male-identifying individuals
- Adults navigating major life transitions
- Adults exploring identity and self-actualization
- Individuals new to therapy
Training & Credentials
- Education:MA in Counseling, The Family Institute at Northwestern University , BA in Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Licensure: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Illinois — License expires March 2027
- Certification:National Certified Counselor (NCC), Clinical experience with collegiate student-athletes and adults across diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds
- Languages Spoken: English
- Availability: Offering in-person sessions in Chicago and telehealth for clients across Illinois
You don't need to have it all figured out before you reach out. Taking this step — just asking the question — is already meaningful. Thomas is here to help you make sense of what you're carrying and build something more grounded from here. If you're ready to explore whether working together might be a good fit, we'd be honored to connect with you.
Insurance We Accept
We accept most major insurance providers and offer several convenient payment methods to ensure accessibility for your care. We also offer various payment methods, including credit cards, bank transfers, and electronic payments.
