Empowering Options

Chicago, United States

3.9

Open now

13 reviews

By Appointment Only

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 773-338-2889
Website:
www.EmpoweringOptions.com
Address:
3748 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60613
b/t Waveland Ave & Grace St
Lakeview
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.4 miIrving Park
0.4 miAddison
0.5 miClark & Irving Park SB
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Bussiness info

By Appointment Only
Yes

Today

Today 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Open now
Local time (Chicago) 12:52 PM Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Business hours

Monday 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tuesday 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday –
Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Empowering Options Counseling Innovations is remarkably effective because our philosophy is to be on the side of the client. We concentrate on helping you learn, explore & create your options. The adventure is in the perspective — the beliefs that you view yourself & the world through. That’s what our individual, couple’s & group sessions & workshops are all about — being on the side of the client & giving you more accurate observation, insights & effective, innovative options. There is no assumption that what you are doing or feeling is wrong. We don’t presume that you need to be fixed. Our goal is for you to feel empowered, esteemed & effective in your own life. We bring an original & distinctively refreshing approach to the counseling experience. We focus on empowering you & teaching you how to empower yourself. Using a unique combination of insight, perspective, & objective observation you’re given the information, tools & self-​belief to create permanent change.

History

Established in 1989.

We provide unique feedback, concrete options, clarity & increased self esteem. Sessions are filled with interactive conversations not empty stares, silence or rhetorical questions. If you ask a question you can expect a direct & straightforward answer. We don’t believe you should spend your valuable time & money with a therapist that responds «What do YOU think?» or «How does that make YOU feel?» when you ask for their input. Our innovative style, along with a fun & thought-​provoking manner is distinctively client positive & client empowering. We present new ways to look at old beliefs & behaviors that will enhance your life & give you extremely effective tools to help you with the changes you want to make.

We help you create life innovations, insights, esteem & options. Get more information about our approach, services & download our newsletters at www​.Empow​eringOp​tions​.com.

Meet the Business Owner

Cheri D.

Business Owner

Cheri DeMoss is founder & owner of Empowering Options Counseling Innovations. She has been in private practice for 22 yrs & specializes in an innovative counseling approach by creating a shame-​free, interactive & emotionally safe environment where clients can learn & practice new and effective skills. Cheri’s combines an innovative & insightful approach with a energetic & stimulating presentation manner to provide clients with clear information & effective techniques they can impliment immediately.

In addition to providing individual, group & couple counseling, Cheri has designed & presented training seminars for both National & State wide conferences as well as corporate & small businesses. Her extensive experience has given her exceptional skills combined with an extremely unique ability to engage audiences & clients alike with a manner that enables them to feel & experience an increase in esteem and motivation.

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13 reviews of Empowering Options

No registration required
Place rating: 1
Chicago, IL
She is great at putting together groups but Cheri defintely has her own agenda and it doesn’t necessarily help her clients. She claims almost all of her clients and their family and friends, coincidentally, all have the same disorder.
She is fond of writing shaming group emails to all clients displaying her anger and impatience with the few clients who do not comply with her requests (for information, or decisions) quickly.
Many times I was surprised by her lack of professionalism. I think Cheri and her clients would benefit from her reassessing her boundaries and the way she deals with certain situations.
Place rating: 2
Chicago, IL
After many years I can’t help but wonder, did she do more harm than good.
She is a good listener but not as helpful as I would hope. She also seems to get angry if she disagrees with you.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
My wife and I see Cheri to work out some issues and stress caused by the arrival of our baby (believe it or not, its not all fun and games). She teaches effective communication strategies and has a direct no nonsense approach that we appreciate. It is easy to schedule sessions online and convenient location for us.
The icing on the cake is my insurance covers it but rates are reasonable regardless.
Place rating: 1
Chicago, IL
Horrible! Not supportive nor listening.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
The name of Cheri’s business says it all — Empowering Options. Going to Cheri has enabled me to empower myself in how i communicate with those around me. I thought i had it all together (don’t we all!) yet i never felt fully confident in my interactions and actions. Her branded technique of listening, validating and basically supporting you has made life less complicated and taken away the anxiety i have endured throughout.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Cheri is an outstanding therapist. When I first started working with her I was taken aback, because few people are so confident and direct, but she is also very empathic, always on your side, and willing to own it when she gets things wrong. If you have a tendency to get ruminative or too much in your own head, or to see red flags and tell yourself they’re green, she is excellent at helping you to clarify and trust your own intuition. She also does groups, couples work, and some really fun and stimulating educational seminars.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Cheri has been a great help to me. I started with individual weekly sessions and have added group therapy to help develop interpersonal skills. Her approach with me has been cognitive behavior therapy oriented. I had previously worked with a therapist who was very cerebral, and avoided talking about emotions. Very stimulating, but not what I needed. Cheri is direct, honest, and compassionate. You get the sense that you are «in it together» with her. She is incredibly insightful, and has had many, many years of successful experience with individuals and couples.
Nothing like having friends and family say «you seem different, better» to validate that therapy is working. You have to understand the nature of your issues to best match a therapist’s practice.
If you truly want to make change, she most certainly can offer help.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
My husband and I have been going here for a little over a year. We go because we get something out of it every week. Her methods DO work. We have made real changes within ourselves so that we are able to communicate efficiently and effectively.
First of all, Cheri is on YOUR side. You are real so your feelings are real. She is very direct and honest. She can give you real feedback based on concrete behaviors and observations. She will teach you the skills necessary to raise your self-​esteem and communicate in a clear manner. The goal is to talk about anything with each other without feeling shame, anger, «guilt» and defensive. And if you are feeling these things, Cheri will give you esteeming options to think about.
Secondly, when «Greg J» talks about a contract, you are NOT signing your life over. Obviously, you would talk to Cheri one on one to see if everyone is a good fit. Besides, first session with her is complimentary and if you don’t like what she has to say, you don’t HAVE to see her again. This «contract» is ONLY for joining a Group Class, either an Individual Group session or a Couple’s Group Session which works like a 16-​week class. You are committing yourself for 16 weeks at a time if you decide to join a Group. THIS IS YOUR CHOICE. No one, especially Cheri, will make/​push you to do something you don’t want to do. Like I said, my husband and I have been going here for a year. Why would we go to her for a year to get screwed by her?
Lastly, if you cannot or don’t want to commit to a 16-​week group class, I recommend going to her workshops. It is usually one-​day long (about 9 am –2 pm on a Saturday), and you learn a lot because it’s interactive and fun!
Personally, we gained self-​esteem and self-​control.
See for yourself what you can gain.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Cheri is a truly exceptional therapist – the absolute best in her field.
For some reason Unilocal has hidden every 5-​star review here – including the one I previously wrote, so to get real feedback, hit the «show hidden reviews» button for an accurate description of her work. It is amazingly effective.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
I have seen Cheri as an individual client, in a couple, and as part of a group. In each case, she has brought to bear her insight, compassion, and honesty to facilitate the growth and self-​esteem of everyone in the room. The way I communicate and the way I feel about myself have been transformed by my work with her and my willingness to learn the skills that she teaches. I highly recommend her to anyone who wants to improve their life.
Place rating: 2
Chicago, IL
Cheri is a decent couple’s counselor and we still try to use her methods here and there.
BUT,
If you need to do another therapy and have signed her «contract» you are screwed. She will in no way refund any money and will continue charging your credit card. Do not sign her «contract» under any circumstances.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Cheri’s fantastic. She’s the perfect counselor for those who are ready to change. She’s clear, consistent and provides a framework that will get anyone who’s motivated to where they want to be.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Cheri is genuinely interested in helping her clients develop and grow. She is insightful but also compassionate. She will usually figure out the problem quickly and lead you to discover the solution for yourself; head-​and-​shoulders above the rest when it comes to recognizing her own boundaries and limitations. This makes her more effective than most therapists with their big egos and feelings of self-​importance.