Joel Muller

There’s a kind of burnout that doesn’t just come from work—it comes from surviving. From pushing through chronic symptoms, masking pain, or carrying the invisible weight of trauma, illness, systemic inequities, or identity strain. On the outside, you may appear steady and capable. But inside, you might feel exhausted, disconnected from your body, or unsure how to keep going. Survival mode once protected you—but now it may be holding you back from fully living. Therapy with me isn’t about “fixing” you—it’s about creating space for your whole self, with all the complexity of your story. Many of the people I work with are thoughtful, capable adults who’ve learned to override their own needs in order to function—sometimes at great personal cost. Together, we’ll explore not only your present challenges but also the cultural, historical, and environmental contexts that shape your life. My approach is depth-oriented, integrative, and trauma-informed. I draw from psychodynamic and relational therapies, somatic awareness, mindfulness, and evidence-based frameworks like ACT and CBT. Sessions are paced with care, collaboration, and cultural humility. The work often involves tracing the roots of long-held patterns, building embodied awareness, and opening up new ways of relating to yourself and others with more steadiness, clarity, and connection. As the founder of Lumara Integrative Health, I bring a commitment to mind–body healing and systemic awareness. I specialize in supporting adults navigating chronic illness, trauma, environmental sensitivities, emotional burnout, health anxiety, shame, and life transitions. Through secure telehealth for clients across Illinois, I provide a grounded and respectful space for healing. If you’re ready to move beyond survival mode and toward a more sustainable, authentic way of living, I invite you to reach out. Together, we’ll create space for your healing, and growth.