Antonio J. Wheeler Jr. is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC). Antonio’s focus is to understand your specific needs and to empower you to be your best self.
Antonio started his professional career in 2009 as a substance abuse counselor. Antonio graduated from Chicago State University with his undergraduate’s degree in Criminal Justice. He later received his master’s degree in social work from The University of Chicago. In addition to being a Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor, Antonio has also provided counseling to perpetrators of domestic violence & anger management. Antonio has provided over 10,000 hours of direct therapy with individuals to master his craft of being a master therapist who has the experience to implement the right modality in relation to what works best for the client. His areas of expertise include, but are not limited to, individual therapy, substance abuse, domestic violence, self-actualization, anxiety, depression, adolescents, couples, and trauma therapy.
Therapy is not just for trauma, therapy is used to facilitate the safe space for clients to objectively strategize on how to optimize their purpose and how they show up in relation to their family, career, and purpose. Antonio uses resilience focused therapy in identifying how we use our life experiences as a source of empowerment and strength. He utilizes a variety of different approaches to treatment including, Cognitive-Behavioral therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused therapy (EFT), solution-focused therapy (SFT), family systems, structural family therapy and Gottman’s approach to couples treatment. Antonio believes that it is the job of the therapist to implement the right modality to match the client’s unique circumstances and learning styles.
Antonio believes that the things that have happened to you in life don’t define you, and do not represent the totality of who you are. Therapy is about understanding how certain circumstances or life events may have impacted you, and how they might be in direct conflict with your sense of purpose or with the person you want to be.
Antonio is an avid reader, and his suggested readings are integrated into his approach to treatment!
What people are saying about Antonio:
“Antonio Wheeler has been transformative in my continued growth. He’s been very successful in talking me down off the ledge and surrendering to a power that was greater than myself. Antonio has forever remained a solid therapist in assisting me along my journey in recovery. To anyone that is suffering from the disease of addiction, depression, anxiety, or mood swings – seek Therapy because mental illness is real people! The good news is, that there is always help and tools available.”
Antonio’s Recommended Readings:
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom – Don Miguel Ruiz
The 5am Club: Own your Morning. Elevate your Life – Robin Sharma
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment – Eckhart Tolle
Designing the Mind: The Principles of Psychitecture – Ryan A. Bush
Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience – Brene Brown
What Happened to you? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing – Bruce D. Perry & Oprah Winfrey
The Feeling Good Handbook – David D. Burns
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body and the Healing of Trauma – Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.
The Seven Principles of Making a Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country’s Foremost Relationship Counselor – John M. Gottman, PhD & Nan Silver.
Emotional Intelligence? Why it can Matter More than IQ – Daniel Goleman.
