Therapist Bernadette May Photo

Bernadette May, LCSW

Stress, Anxiety Relationships Family conflicts Trauma, Abuse Coaching
Video Live Chat Messaging

About me

Welcome! I'm happy that you are here and seeking to get some support for yourself. That is a brave decision. Counseling relationships can be very awkward at first, so I'd like to let you know what to expect. In our first session, I will spend time asking questions and getting to know more about you by creating an environment that is warm, non-judgmental and that embraces your whole self. This assessment process is essential to help us build an effective plan to meet your goals. As I get to learn more about your goals, we will create some benchmarks that we will be looking to achieve and we will check in on those in subsequent sessions. As a 20 plus year veteran of the field, I have come to learn that these first steps create the basis for our success together.

I will then use a variety of therapeutic techniques as we progress in this journey together. As a Social Worker, I also know that no human lives in a vacuum and we can explore the impacts of external systems such as work, school, and relationships with family or a significant other. My ultimate goal is to work myself out of job so that you can independently move forward feeling confident in your ability to thrive.

I look forward to meeting you!

Professional experience

24yrs in practice
Stress, Anxiety Relationships Family conflicts Trauma, Abuse Coaching

Additional areas of focus: Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Depression, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Avoidant Personality, Blended Family Issues, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Divorce and separation, Emptiness, Family Problems, First Responder Issues, Hearing Impaired, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Mood disorders , Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Young Adult Issues

Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Gottman Method, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy

Services offered

Video
Live Chat
Messaging

License information

IL LCSW 149012393