Hi, I met Cheri back when I was a student going to the IAODAPCA Conference back in 2011. This Conference was for fellow therapists and or students. I was a student wanting to learn at the time. Cheri had a room full of therapists and I could tell right away that she was popular among the counseling community. Her presentation was very educational and I learned a lot from her. After the presentation I went up to Cheri and introduced myself to her and told her I really liked how she talked about "self esteem" in her presentation. Ever since then I have tried to go to Cheri's training's both at the IAODAPCA Conference and also when she does private training's with her Empowering Options Workshops in the city. Cheri is very good at understanding things from a personal perspective as well as a highly educated trained professional. She understands a lot about human behavior(s) and it shows. I own my own personal practice and help people who have substance use disorders out in the Western Suburbs. All of my clients know that I would recommend Cheri to see her in her private practice down in the City of Chicago even though she is far away from where I work. I have always thought that if my parents or close family members or friends needed guidance and or help, I would recommend them to the best. That written, I would steer anyone close to me in Cheri's direction for help with their problems because I know she will help them and will do so with honesty and care. She gives you one free session to see if you are compatible which is really hard to find these days. Working in the counseling field I have known a lot of good therapists but to me Cheri is the cream of the crop. The very best! Thank you for all the good work you do Cheri and for telling things as they are instead of sugar coating stuff, you have helped many people. read more

I have met many of Cheris ex customers and I cannot emphasize enough that her license should be taken away on many counts. She has used many of her clients for her personal gains, formed friendships with many of her clients (which is illegal) and then when she is displeased with them, discards them and turns her group members against them deeming them to have Borderline Personality disorder. The belief pushed on clients is that most women have Borderline Personality Disorder, which leaves the clients confused and then abandoning friendships and family creating a dependency on the therapy groups as their new family. The many people that have gone through this place have eventually had to leave by either being shunned by the group members that have been brainwashed, or by Cheris immense rage. What people are left with are worse feelings of depression and confusion than they had coming in. If you ever see the movie Going Clear (about the scientology cult), the stories I have heard coming out of Cheris "groups" sound psychologically similar. If you leave this group and feel like you are confused and need help, watch this movie and hopefully you will feel validated that you are not crazy. I noticed that a lot of the previous reviews are written by people that have eventually been deemed with Borderline Personality Disorder after their review was posted. I hope that eventually Karma will do its dirty work on this woman and that has no friends or family and uses her clients as her minions for her personal gain. I have seen the wreckage that this woman has done to people and I can't emphasize enough to stay away from this person. On her website these credentials are posted: MA, LCPC, CAADC, NCADCII, MAC, NCRS these mean nothing but social worker. read more

Honestly, ever since I've started to see Cheri close to a year ago, the quality of my life has vastly improved. Before seeing her, my body and mind felt as if It were being squeezed through a hole that would shrink smaller and smaller everyday. I always felt guilty, bad, and wrong and was desperately clinging to anything that made me feel right, which usually just led others to perceive me as righteous. Ultimately, I turned to booze to numb it all down. Now, after seeing Cheri, she's help me to identify where all those feelings come from and she's given me the tools and the esteem to track those emotions and change my behavior. I feel more empowered now. I don't feel the need to turn to booze anymore. In fact, I don't even desire it leisurely. I have migraines less and less, I exercise now and am in the best shape of my life and everyday I'm learning to look forward to tomorrow as oppose to dread it. I will say that I can see Cheri's style not working for everyone. She doesn't f*&# around. She's not there to be a shoulder to cry on. She's there to point out reality, which can be brutally painful to hear. I've spent a great deal of time denying her observations and explaining about why she's wrong but I eventually shed tears of pain when I find out she's right. Cheri may seem cold and scary, but I found out that she's the kindest, most generous, honest and compassionate person I've had the pleasure of knowing. read more

Empowering options has changed my life. I went in to see Cheri DeMoss for a relationship issue and after receiving excellent therapy that helped me overcome my toxic relationship. She then focused therapy on becoming overall a better person. Her innovative personal skills workshops, group and individual therapy has changed my life. I am a better person, a better manager, a better friend and a better partner for my next significant relationship. Cheri combines a unique set of skills to get you to look your behaviors and why you do them and others behaviors and why the do them and how these behaviors effect our emotional well being in the world. She does this by teaching skills to observe, understand and be mindful of others behaviors and how to not be hurt by negative people. I cannot recommend Empowering Options enough for relationship, addiction and behavioral issues that hold us back from having a happy and productive and healthy life. Her therapy has allowed me be emotionally safe in the world and get the most out of my life. Tim. read more

Cheri has been a blessing from the first time that I walked into her office, I knew that I had found the right therapist. She's very esteeming,non-judgemental, honest and gives you the tools to build the life that you always wanted to have. In addition, she very accomidating to your schedule. Veyr easy to get a hold via, phone, email, text and in person. My insurance cover's Cheri as an out of network provider, yet I still insist to go to her as I've seen a lot of improvement and have been able to change my belief system over the past 2 years. Truly a blessing! Since seeing Cheri, I've received awards and promotions at work through increased confindence, self-esteem and risk taking. My social life has improved drastically and my dating has never been better. Most importantly, I feel great about myself and wake up every morning with wonder and joy!!! Prior to seeing Cheri, I was at the lowest point of my life. I'm confident that I'll never be back at that place in my life again. read more

I have seen Cheri individually and through a group class. Every time I go I leave feeling 10 times better than when I walked in the door - even on days when I'm feeling good - I walk out feeling that much better. Her approach is honest and direct. The skills I've learned with Cheri have helped me look at my own behaviors as well as that of others. The couples I have met in group class are incredible at building trust and creating a safe environment to be vulnerable with your feelings. Cheri too built immediate trust with me. Those who have said she is always on your side have it exactly right. She is amazing at seeing the forest for the trees and helping you see it too. I value and appreciate Cheri's direct and empathic communication and her commitment to helping her clients. She has been instrumental to me, my partner who also sees her individually and in group sessions and to our relationship. I can't say enough good things about Cheri and her style of therapy. read more

I have seen Cheri individually and through a group class. Every time I go I leave feeling 10 times better than when I walked in the door. Even on days when I'm feeling good, I walk out feeling that much better. Her approach is honest and direct. The couples I have met through group classe are incredible at building trust and creating a safe environment to be vulnerable with your feelings. The skills I've learned with Cheri have helped me look at my own behaviors as well as that of others. She built immediate trust with me. Those who have said she is always on your side have it exactly right. She is amazing at seeing the forest for the trees and helping you see it too. I value and appreciate Cheri's direct and empathic communication and her commitment to helping her clients. She has been instrumental to me, my partner who also sees her individually and in group sessions and to our relationship. I can't say enough good things about Cheri and her style of therapy. read more

I'm not a writer but I had to write in reaction to something else I saw here. I have been a client of Cheri for a long time. I have been in her groups before, her workshops, and am currently seeing her individually. She is the most non-shaming therapist I know. I don't doubt if someone is abusive to her she could give it back but she would never tell anyone to "do what I say". Cheri is extremely nurturing. As someone else said, she will call you on your crap andshe will point out when your behavior is not congruent with your words or intentions. I don't always want to hear the truth but that is what I pay her for. I don't have to agree but when presented with the evidence (my behavior), I certainly can't deny her reasoning behind what she tells me.. I hightly recommend Cheri for group and individual counseling (and any of her work shops). I haven't experienced the couples' counseling but have heard nothing but good things. Linda read more

Ever been to a hardware store or lumberyard to pick up materials and tips for a home remodeling project? Well, Empowering Options is like that. Here I found the materials, tools and blueprints to remodel my emotional life, with Cheri's expert guidance, with the knowledge that she always has my back. I came to EO confused by the world and afraid of my own shadow. Now I can live in my own skin. I have healthier more connected relationships. I'm a better romantic partner, and am so much more satisfied with my life. I did the hard work to make these changes. I continue to do so. Cheri gives me the tools and support to make it possible. When you are ready to roll up your sleeves, get real and challenge yourself ... When you are willing to look within and without to see what is, and to change what works against you into something that works for you ... then consider this place. read more

I started seeing Cheri 9 months ago and my whole perspective on my behavior has changed. Who would have thought someone who hasn't ever met anyone in my family can pin point the way I was raised how much my parents affected the things I do today. Cheri teaches communication skills that will help in your work life, social life, and personal life. New doors to thinking were opened; I became more aware of my behavior and more importantly how to be more observant of these behaviors. Cheri offers a very safe and comfortable atmosphere and the therapy can go at the speed you want it to. Group counseling is great because it allows other people to observe your behavior as well and they offer so much support it's a great outlet to have each week. If you want to start changing your life, relationship, or just learn information on behavior then Cheri is the BEST person to see in Chicago. read more

I have been a client of Cheri's for over four years. In that four year period, I have seen her in many individual and group therapy sessions. In fact, in that time period, hardly a week has gone by in which I haven't seen her. I am a man, who has benefitted enormously from Cheri's caring, non-shaming, and safe methods. I have never seen a TRACE of hate, bigotry or bullying in anything she ever had to say to me or to anyone else. She is honest, direct and clear. Sometimes it is difficult to hear the truth, but I feel lucky to have found someone like Cheri, who is willing to give that truth to me unvarnished. She calls me on my behavior without hesitation, and then she answers my emails about my feelings, emotions and experiences at all times of the day and night. I have to say I have never met anyone as passionate and dedicated to her profession. THIS therapist gets it. read more

I've been a member of one of Cheri's groups for years now, and it's amazing how the work has changed almost every aspect of my life. Learning to express my feelings without acting them out has been huge -- I'm sure it's helped me at work, and it's absolutely saved my relationship. Learning to track what other people are doing -- figuring out why they're acting the way their acting, just from observing their behavior -- has been equally valuable. I don't know anyone who wouldn't benefit from doing this sort of work. But note that Cheri, while unfailingly supportive, is not a touchy-feely kind of therapist. She'll call you on your behavior. It's a little scary at first, but it felt so much more productive than going to a therapist just to vent feelings. Cheri helped me change a whole range of behaviors for the better, and my life is much better for it. read more

Cheri DeMoss is A M A Z I N G !!!! I went to her because I was in big pain over my marriage ending and she got me through the darkest period of my life! After she put out the "fire" with individual counseling she rebuilt the "house" with a combination of individual and group counseling. This was not only a GREAT experience but THE BEST INVESTMENT THAT I HAVE EVER MADE !!!! I learned so much about myslef, my family, my family patterns and most importantly why I chose the partner that I chose! By learning so much I became better able to assess the people in my life and now I can choose healthier people to be in my life, and avoid the toxic waste! Cheri gave me coping skills and communication skills that I didn't have before. I will be forever indebted to Cheri for how she has opened up my eyes and changed my life for the better. read more

My experience with Cheri has been more than helpful. She has been straight forward and to the point with me even when I didn't want to hear it, which is great and different from what other therapists have done in this regard. She tells it like it is and doesn't just give me what I want to hear. Her techniques in changing behaviors is helping in all aspects of my life. I also go to a couples class with my girlfriend to work on better communication skills with my partner and we have not only increased our communication skills in a short period of time but work with the support of other couples that have been nothing less than a pleasure to be with. I recommend Cheri and Empowering Options to anyone for individual or couples help for whatever you and or you partner are looking to work on with life skills. read more

Cheri is honest, straight forward and as many have indicated below she's on YOUR side. It's so, so refreshing! I have been in therapy a couple of times in my life before and it's all about me talking, talking, talking which is nice too, but there were never any ANSWERS on what I should do to improve things in the future. Cheri is giving me the tools to take back my life (take it back or take it totally for the first time ever??). I'm very excited at the work we have done and the work we will be doing in the future. She has also changed the way that I parent to an extent allowing me to watch my children's behaviors and let them have their feelings. It's all positive. In my opinion, if you give her the chance, your life will be changed as well! read more

I use Empowering Options as my primary referral resource. Cheri DeMoss offers specialized extensive treatment for a braod range of disorders. The practice provides individual, couples,and group therapy as well as seminar based information for education and awareness. Ms DeMoss practices an extensive range of treatment modalities based on meeting clients speicific needs. She is an expert in her field in the sense that her clients experience a non-shaming, direct and clear path for better communication options and skill building for changing learned behavior patterns that are no longer useful. She deserves the highest rating for helping clients actually practice what they learn and feel better about themselves. read more

Empowering Options and Cheri DeMoss have been life changing forces for me. Cheri's insights and direct no-nonsense approach have proven vital in my efforts to understand my behaviors and the behaviors of those around me. I see life in completely new ways and I have a better understanding of what motivates me. Thanks to Cheri, I have been able to see things much more clearly and navigate my relationships with much greater confidence and satisfaction. If you want someone to cut to the chase and get right to the heart of what's at work in your life RIGHT NOW, don't wait a moment longer. Call Cheri DeMoss and get started! read more

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. read more

Cheri offers different approaches to providing therapy that are "empowering" and non-shaming. Her professional skills are exceptional. She provides her clients with skills to improve relationships that are easy to understand and applicable in all relationships, which is the main reason why people come to therapy. I can not say enough wonderful things about Cheri's dedication to her practice. I am a better therapist because of her. Thanks Cheri! read more