Pauline Mainou, LPC

Pronouns - she/her

Pauline accepts BCBS PPO, Aetna PPO and is currently accepting new clients.

Beginning therapy for the first time (or starting with a new counselor) can feel intimidating, so I strive to provide a nonjudgmental environment where clients feel safe, heard, and emotionally supported.
— Pauline Mainou

Approach to Therapy:

I approach therapy with a style that is direct, encouraging, and compassionate. As a culturally sensitive therapist, I am committed to creating a space that is inclusive, respectful, and affirming. Beginning therapy for the first time (or starting with a new counselor) can feel intimidating, so I strive to provide a nonjudgmental environment where clients feel safe, heard, and emotionally supported. I believe in meeting each individual where they are and tailoring the therapeutic process to their unique needs and experiences. I also value the role of humor in therapy and thoughtfully incorporate it into sessions to help strengthen the therapeutic relationship and foster connection.

I take an integrative approach to therapy, drawing from my background in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and psychoanalytic therapy. These approaches allow me to help clients build practical coping skills while also exploring deeper emotional patterns, relationships, and life experiences that may influence their current challenges. My goal is to support clients in developing greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and healthier ways of relating to themselves and others.

Clinical Interests:

I am bilingual and provide therapy services in both English and Spanish. I am especially passionate about working with Hispanic and diverse populations, including individuals and families with immigration backgrounds. I value understanding the cultural, familial, and personal experiences that shape each client’s identity and strive to provide culturally responsive care that honors those experiences.

I enjoy working with diverse populations experiencing depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), relationship OCD, identity development concerns, immigration-related difficulties, and interpersonal challenges. I also enjoy supporting clients navigating interpersonal and relationship issues, helping them strengthen communication, boundaries, and emotional connection. Additionally, I have a strong background working with pre-teens, adolescents, and young adults, supporting them through emotional, social, and developmental transitions.

Education and Training:

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Multidisciplinary Studies from San Diego State University and later completed my Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Counseling Practice at Roosevelt University. Throughout my academic training, I participated in research studies focused on the relationship between parenting and child development. I also completed my clinical practicum at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, where I worked as an adolescent school counselor. This experience deepened my passion for supporting teens and adolescents through the unique emotional and developmental challenges they face.

3 Things I love:

In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, watching international films, and trying new restaurants in Chicago.

Pauline can be contacted at: pauline@amandaatkinschicago.com.