About
Dr. Antler
Caroline Antler, PhD
Dr. Caroline Antler brings a unique perspective to her practice, shaped by her own experience living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and other complex health conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia, temporomandibular joint disorder, craniocervical instability, mast cell activation syndrome, syringomyelia, ADHD, traumatic brain injury, spinal CSF leak, and more. Despite being disabled for most of her life and working in medical settings for many years, Dr. Antler still struggled to receive an EDS diagnosis until she was 32 years old. She spent several years primarily bed or couch-bound and housebound due to the severity of
her symptoms. Little did she know that this diagnosis would be just one tiny step in her own healthcare saga. This personal journey has given her a deep understanding of the challenges her patients face in finding appropriate care, and it fuels her compassionate, transparent approach to treatment. Dr. Antler works collaboratively with her patients, utilizing her scientific background and creativity to tailor evidence-based treatments to fit her patients’ individual needs and lifestyles. Her focus on the connection between mental and physical health ensures a holistic approach, as she works to address factors like sleep, chronic pain, trauma, and the stress of just existing with a chronic illness and/or physical disability.
In addition to her lived experience, Dr. Antler holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the Illinois Institute of Technology and has worked in top treatment centers and hospitals across Chicagoland, such as Northwestern University, Hines, and others. Her scientific background includes conducting Chronobiological research at Northwestern University and NASA-funded sleep research Rush University Medical Center. Combining this research-driven expertise with her personal insight, Dr. Antler offers a truly empathetic and well-rounded approach to supporting her patients.
Dr. Antler collects disability aids like her collecting Pokémon! From heating pads and massagers to braces, and ergonomic gadgets, she’s got bins full of helpful tools scattered throughout the house. (Gotta Catch Em’ All, Right?)
Collector Extraordinaire
When she’s not working with patients, you can find her spending time with her beloved dogs, who are always up for an adventure (or a nap!). Her dog Lemon is disabled, and Laszlo is a service dog in training.
Dog Lover
Dr. Antler loves diving into a good board game and is always nerding out for a strategy-filled game night with friends and family.
Board Game Enthusiast
Master of Many Hobbies, Keeper of a Few (and a Closet Full of Projects)
My Mission
Living with chronic health conditions myself, I know firsthand how frustrating and isolating it can be to navigate a healthcare system that often overlooks or misunderstands complex cases. I trained as a clinician-scientist because I wanted to be the kind of provider I spent years searching for—someone who listens, understands the research, knows what it is like to be a patient, and who advocates for my care and well-being even if they don’t have all of the answers . My journey through chronic pain, endless treatments, and medical gaslighting has shaped my approach to care, making it my mission to ensure my patients feel truly supported and never have to face these challenges alone.
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Please note that submitting the form does not establish a therapeutic relationship, and Antler Clinic is not an emergency service provider. For emergencies, please contact your local emergency services or go to the nearest hospital.
