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Diana Gelfand, MSW, LCSW, provides online therapy throughout Illinois for parents of children with special needs, medical conditions, and behavioral or developmental challenges. At DLG Therapy, LLC, she also supports foster and adoptive families navigating caregiver burnout, medical trauma, anxiety, and grief. Sessions are held by secure telehealth.
- Now accepting Illinois clients
- IL LCSW #149.031258
You spend so much time advocating for your child. Who is supporting you?
When you’re raising a child with special needs, chronic illness, medical complexities, or behavioral challenges, the responsibilities can feel endless. Between appointments, school meetings, therapies, and everyday parenting, there’s often very little time left for yourself.
I’m Diana Gelfand, MSW, LCSW, founder of DLG Therapy, LLC. I provide telehealth therapy throughout Illinois for parents and caregivers navigating special needs parenting, medical complexity, caregiver burnout, grief, foster care, and adoption.
Illinois is where my roots are. I grew up in Skokie, in Chicago’s northern suburbs, and earned my Master of Social Work at Loyola University Chicago. Although I now live in Florida, Illinois will always be “home”.
Before opening my private practice, I spent more than 14 years in pediatric medical social work. I’m also an adoptive mother raising three children with complex needs. I understand these challenges from both sides—as a therapist and as a parent.
You shouldn’t have to explain your world to your therapist.
Therapy for Illinois Parents Raising Children With Special Needs
When your child has autism, ADHD, a neurological condition, chronic illness, or significant developmental or behavioral needs, the responsibilities can feel nonstop. You may be anticipating the next challenge, advocating for services, or trying to balance your child’s needs with work, relationships, and the rest of your family.
Over time, that pressure can lead to anxiety, emotional exhaustion, irritability, parenting guilt, relationship strain, and a sense of losing yourself in caregiving. Stress around IEP meetings, school calls, and access to services can add another layer.
Therapy offers a space to focus on how all of this affects you. Together, we can explore anxiety, strengthen boundaries, develop realistic coping strategies, and identify ways to care for your own emotional well-being.
You don’t need another person telling you to practice self-care without understanding how little time you have. You need support that fits the reality of your life.
A Therapist Who Understands Pediatric Medical Complexity
Before opening DLG Therapy, I spent more than 14 years working in early intervention, pediatric neurology and medical social work including at Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. I supported children and families navigating serious diagnoses, chronic conditions, hospitalizations, medical uncertainty, and grief.
As a parent raising children with complex medical and developmental needs myself, I understand that the stress of medical parenting does not end when you leave the hospital or finish an appointment.
My approach draws on trauma-informed care, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), emotional support, and practical problem-solving. We focus on what is meaningful and manageable for you.
Foster and Adoptive Parent Therapy in Illinois
Adoption is not the finish line.
I spent 10 years as a foster parent through the National Youth Advocate Program, a journey that led to the adoption of my three children in South Florida, and of course a celebration back in Illinois surrounding my family and friends.
My children and I have experienced the complexities of the child welfare system firsthand. I believe every child deserves permanency, stability, and belonging. But permanency does not erase trauma, grief, behavioral challenges, or the need for continued support.
As a 2026 Angels in Adoption honoree, I advocated on Capitol Hill for stronger post-adoption services because families need meaningful support long after adoption is finalized. In therapy, you can talk openly about the realities of foster and adoptive parenting—both the joy and the difficult parts—without fear of judgment.
Caregiver Burnout and Medical Trauma
Sometimes the hardest part of caregiving is feeling that you are never truly off duty. You may struggle to relax, feel guilty when you are not productive, or experience sadness about the ways your family’s life has changed.
Grief, Loss, and Anticipatory Grief
Grief isn’t always connected to a death. Parents may grieve the loss of expectations, the uncertainty of a child’s medical future, or the changes a diagnosis brings to family life.
As a Certified Grief Educator, I support parents navigating anticipatory grief, loss, anxiety, and the emotional impact of chronic caregiving. You can be grateful for your child and still grieve what has been difficult. Both feelings can exist together.
Telehealth Therapy Throughout Illinois
DLG Therapy provides online therapy to clients physically located throughout Illinois, including Chicago, Skokie, Evanston, the North Shore, Naperville, Rockford, Peoria, Springfield, and communities across the state.
Secure video sessions can make specialized support easier to access without adding another commute to an already full schedule. I am licensed in Illinois, as well as Florida, California, Arizona, and Utah.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you licensed to provide online therapy in Illinois?
Yes. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker licensed in Illinois and offer telehealth therapy to eligible clients physically located in the state at the time of their session.
Do you specialize in therapy for parents of children with special needs?
Yes. Supporting parents raising children with medical, neurological, developmental, and behavioral needs is a central focus of my practice.
Can therapy help with caregiver burnout?
Yes. Therapy can help you address anxiety, emotional exhaustion, guilt, boundaries, and realistic ways to cope with ongoing caregiving stress.
Do you work with foster and adoptive parents?
Yes. I support foster and adoptive parents navigating parenting stress, trauma-related challenges, grief, and family transitions.
Do you accept insurance or private pay in Illinois?
Private-pay therapy is available. Please contact DLG Therapy to confirm current rates, openings, and whether any insurance arrangements apply to your situation.
Do I need to live in Skokie or Chicago to see you?
No. I grew up in Skokie, but I provide telehealth therapy to clients throughout Illinois.
You Deserve Support, Too
You shouldn’t have to explain your world to your therapist.
If you are an Illinois parent or caregiver looking for a therapist who understands special needs parenting, medical complexity, or adoption, contact DLG Therapy to discuss whether we are a good fit and ask about current openings.
You don't have to keep carrying this alone.
Start with a free 15-minute consultation. No pressure, just a conversation.
Book your free callOr call 561-903-0096 · Diana@DLGtherapy.com
