Therapy that meets you where life has brought you.

LifeSpan Counseling for Older Adults offers telehealth counseling services in Illinois and Indiana specifically designed to support middle-aged and older adults, as well as their caregivers, through the transitions, grief, and emotional challenges of aging.

A Safe Place to Relax and Be Heard

Through personalized telehealth sessions, you can settle into the comfort and privacy of your own home and meet at a pace that works for you. This is a place where you can exhale, feel gently supported, and talk openly, knowing you’re being heard and cared for while we focus on what matters most to you.

Meet Karen Elliott

Welcome! I’m Karen Elliott, since 1987 I have worked alongside middle-aged and older adults in both medical and mental health settings.

My experience spans communities across the South Pacific, East Africa, and the United States, from inner-city neighborhoods to rural townships. These diverse experiences have deepened my understanding of the aging process and a greater respect for the individuals and families I serve. While cultures and languages may differ, I’ve found that the emotional challenges of aging are universal, and no one should have to face this season of life alone.

My connection to this work is also deeply personal. I cared for my father through his journey with Lewy body dementia and later supported my mother until her passing from COVID. These experiences shaped not only my understanding of caregiving, grief, and complex decision-making, but also how I show up for those I work with, grounded, present, and respectful of just how layered and emotional this stage of life can be.

I’ve been married to my husband, Jim, for 44 years, and love being the mom of my two adult children, Josh (married to his wife Jessica) and Jessie (married to her wife Taylor), and a proud grandma to four beautiful granddaughters. I received my master’s degree in clinical social work from the University of Kansas in 2010.

The work I do is where my professional experience, personal values, and lifelong passion come together, supporting adults as they navigate the complexities, transitions, and emotional realities of aging with clarity, support and hope.

If you're caring for a parent, spouse, or another loved one, you don't have to carry the emotional weight alone. Therapy offers a place where you can receive the same compassion and support you so freely give to others.

My Approach

Personalized

Care that honors your story, your values, and where you are right now.

Practical

Simple, meaningful strategies that you can use in your everyday life.

Partnership

A supportive, collaborative relationship where you feel heard and understood.

Progress-oriented

Cultivate hope, sharpen focus, and face life’s challenges with reduced stress.

How You are Supported

Caregiver Counseling

If you’re feeling stretched thin, overwhelmed, or managing difficult family dynamics while caring for a loved one, LifeSpan Counseling for Older Adults is for you. Caregiver counseling helps you reduce stress, set healthy boundaries without guilt, and cope with the emotional weight others often don’t see. You’ll also receive practical guidance, resources, and support, so when unexpected challenges arise, you’re not facing them alone.

Individual Counseling

If you’re struggling with the changes that come with the aging process, loss of independence, uncertainty, or not feeling like yourself anymore, you don’t have to carry that alone. Counseling gives you a safe, steady place to make sense of what’s happening, ease anxiety, and find a way to feel more grounded and at peace. You'll also have access to guidance, personalized resources, and ongoing support, so when something unexpected comes up, you'll know who to turn to.

Client Reviews

“After my wife died, I didn’t think I could make it through another day. My kids are busy, and I didn’t want to burden them, so most days I just sat in my recliner and felt completely alone. Talking with someone outside my family has helped me begin to understand my grief and how it affects me. She also connected me with a grief support group where I have even made some friends. I’m slowly starting to meet people, learn about the grieving process, and feel less alone.”

Current Client
(used with permission)

“Working with Karen made such a difference for me. I understand my father’s Alzheimer’s so much better now and feel more confident communicating in ways that don’t make me so frustrated. She helped me shift my expectations and stop feeling like I was constantly falling short. I also walked away with practical tools I use every day, and a much-needed reminder that taking care of myself matters too.”

Recent Caregiver
(used with permission)

“Learning I had mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was overwhelming, and I found myself feeling scared and anxious all the time. My kids suggested I see a counselor, and so they found LifeSpan Counseling. At first, I thought I would give it a few weeks just to make my kids happy, and besides, counseling was a pretty new idea for me. Well, here it is eight months later, and we are still meeting, sometimes twice a week. Talking with Karen gives me comfort and a safe place to be honest about what I’m going through.”

Current Client
(used with permission)