Counselor specializes in hidden ailments like chronic fatigue

Helena Madsen made a career change about three years ago to help people suffering with disabilities that often go under the radar.

Madsen has found that there are a growing number of people suffering with invisible disabilities including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia or Crohn's disease.

Madsen, a licensed clinical professional counselor, recently started a new practice specialty area at Grove Center for Counseling in Palatine. She focuses on providing emotional, practical and spiritual support to those with visible and invisible disabilities.

She said 54 million Americans have some level of disabilities and persons with disabilities are now the largest minority group in the United States.

Regardless of whether a disability is visible or invisible, many who live with disability experience depression, relationship issues, poor self-esteem, family conflict or career concern. Madsen's new practice area is focused on helping them understand and cope with those barriers.

She also tackles education and awareness training.

Madsen intimately understands living with disability. At the age of 17, she was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and started developing symptoms in her late 20s. Most people looking at her wouldn't know she has a hereditary disease that causes progressive muscle weakness.

"Clients get it. They understand that I can relate. There's nothing like talking to someone who actually lived it," said Madsen, 41.

Her clients often desperately try to hide their flaws. "As a society we value beauty, health and strength," she said.

She often works with parents who may need to acquire new skills because of a disability or someone who needs help disclosing the disability.

"It affects every area of life; physical and emotional," she said.

Other invisible disabilities include asthma, attention deficit disorder, bipolar disorder, depression and diabetes, she said.

Prior to becoming a counselor, Madsen worked at Kemper Insurance Cos. for 14 years. "I felt I was meant to do something else," she said. She earned a master's degree in counseling from Northeastern Illinois University and became a counselor in 2004.

She completed her undergraduate studies at Loyola University and previously earned an MBA at DePaul University. Madsen, originally from Northfield, resides with her husband, Jeff, in Gilberts.

She sees clients on Mondays and Saturdays at the Palatine office, 675 N. Court Suite 310, near the Palatine Public Library. For more information, call (847) 271-2776 or check out helenamadsen.blogspot.com.

Fall fest: The Mount Prospect Downtown Merchants Association hosts its annual Fall Festival on Oct. 27.

It takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the corner of Wille Street and Prospect Avenue, just west of the Mount Prospect train station.

Downtown businesses have sponsored crafts such as face painting, pumpkin decorating, a hayride and karaoke. Macaroni Soup, a popular children's band, will provide music. Last year more than 1,200 people attended the event.