Bernice Banks

(MSW, LCSW)

About Me

I am a licensed clinical social worker with an extensive and diverse experience working with adults, children, couples, and families. I earned my master’s degree from the University of Chicago in Illinois in 1997. I also hold a Bachelor’s degree from Roosevelt University in Illinois with a major in psychology. I enjoy the work I do and have worked in both the public and private sectors in the fields of social services and mental health.

Having worked with children and families and the many challenges they face for more than 20 years, I know that the decision to seek professional help can often be a very difficult one. If you are trying to make that decision right now, it may help you to know that I am someone who is not here to judge you, and who really believes that there is a way out for you that together we can find. You have already taken the most important step by acknowledging that, for now, this is something you cannot handle alone.

I have been in private practice for the past 7 years and currently specialize in marriage, couples and family therapy. I also have a background in child and adolescent mental health and have worked with families extensively around these issues. Other areas of expertise include Grief and Loss, Depression, Stress, and Anxiety,

My approach to therapy is that it should be used as a tool to provide the knowledge, help, and support needed to understand problems and develop skills to cope with them. I use Cognitive Behavioral techniques to help clients develop insight and new skills..

Most importantly, I want to empower my clients so that they are able to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences, make informed choices about what actions they need to take, and develop skills that will help them handle difficult situations in the future. Working together, I believe we can accomplish those goals.

Specialties

  • Stress, Anxiety
  • Relationship issues
  • Family conflicts
  • Self esteem
  • Depression
Also experienced in:
Addictions , Trauma and abuse , Grief , Parenting issues , Anger management , Career difficulties , Bipolar disorder
Years of Experience: 12

Services Offered


  • Messaging

  • Live Chat

  • Phone

Licensing

LCSW #149.009745 (Expires: 2021-11-01)

Reviews

Written by G.I. on Aug 16, 2020 after counseling with Bernice for 3 years and 8 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, career difficulties, and bipolar disorder

Bernice is awesome.
I love working with her. Sometimes. I feel bad sometimes because I feel needy at times. And I don't want to feel like I am being a bother. Especially when I was grieving a relationship. She was kind and patient with me and caring. She is always encouraging. She really does a great job. If she can get a hot mess like me to get over an abusive relationship and childhood. She can help anyone get better. She has been a God send to me.

Written by T.R. on Jul 29, 2020 after counseling with Bernice for 3 years and 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, and career difficulties

I have been paired with Bernice for at least 2 years and she has helped me immensely. Opened my eyes to different perspective and helped me see myself in a new light

Written by A.V. on Jun 23, 2020 after counseling with Bernice for 3 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, career difficulties, and coaching

Ms Bernice is awesome. I feel supported, and I feel like i'm making progress. I would highly recommend Ms Bernice and Better Help.

Written by J.E. on Apr 14, 2020 after counseling with Bernice for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, parenting issues, self esteem, bipolar disorder, and compassion fatigue

Bernice is awesome, she's a great listener, she understands, I never feel judged, and she has a way of helping you keep things in perspective. She's amazing at what she does.

Written by G.A. on Mar 26, 2020 after counseling with Bernice for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, and self esteem

Bernice is a godsend. A true professional, so compassionate, and understanding. Her counseling has been really helpful for me when I went through a really difficult time in my life. Thank you Bernice.

Written by S.H. on Mar 24, 2020 after counseling with Bernice for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, and self esteem

My time with Bernice has been such a delight. I feel so calm and confident sharing with her and her guidance is always so helpful. She holds me accountable for all the things I said I’d work on which I need and appreciate. I’m so glad to have a counselor I can laugh with and also feel comfortable crying in front of (via the phone). She is always accommodating when finding a time to meet and responds to messages VERY promptly. I’m very thankful for Bernice.

Written by A.R. on Nov 07, 2019 after counseling with Bernice for 2 days on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and self esteem

I had a very hard time with coping with my anxiety and I found out about better help and was matched to her and she has helped me with all of my struggles to the point where I saw life out of a happy filter and I found out I let my trauma run my life.

Written by E.L. on Sep 11, 2019 after counseling with Bernice for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and parenting issues

Bernice is a very good listener. Her positive attitude is priceless in any difficult situations. I like how timely and professionally she responds to a problem. Thank you for sharing your ideas and thoughts!

Written by J.A. on Aug 20, 2019 after counseling with Bernice for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, and parenting issues

Bernice has been very helpful

Written by E.L. on Aug 13, 2019 after counseling with Bernice for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, anger management, coaching, and compassion fatigue

Bernice makes me feel very well heard and understood! And her feedback and thoughts make so much sense. I'm very glad to have her as my counselor.

Written by D.A. on Jul 13, 2018 after counseling with Bernice for 2 years and 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship, family, trauma and abuse, sleeping, self esteem, and depression

Fast replies and great insight. Very helpful and never pushy!

Written by S.H. on Jun 21, 2018 after counseling with Bernice for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship, family, self esteem, and career

She's wonderful in counseling, very patient and understanding.

Written by T.I. on Mar 20, 2018 after counseling with Bernice for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship, family, grief, parenting, self esteem, and anger

Bernice Banks is by far the BEST! She has walked with me every step of the way through the most tragic time in my life. She has well exceeded what I thought an on line experience would be. I can't imagine anyone better. She is Heaven sent by God. Thank You Bernice.

Written by P.A. on Jun 27, 2017 after counseling with Bernice for 2 weeks

Bernice is always attentive and cares. She was a great sounding board during a tough period in my life.

Written by N.I. on May 22, 2017 after counseling with Bernice for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship, self esteem, and anger

Bernice has been amazing. She listened and helped me work through everything. She gave her expert advice and helped me a lot. Really appreciate it. When you feel so down, it's nice to be able to reach out to someone and get all your feelings out when you need to the most. It's difficult to get through the day otherwise. You feel like you will explode with emotions. Writing emails back and forth and being able to speak on the phone is just what I needed. Really appreciate BetterHelp with Bernice.

Written by J.B on Apr 24, 2017 after counseling with Bernice for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship, and self esteem

Great!

Written by W.I on Apr 21, 2017 after counseling with Bernice for 3 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship, family, and anger

Bernice was great and easy to talk to. I felt like she completely understood where I was coming from and was so supportive, Most importantly she was always quick to respond which comforted me so much in almost feeling like she was right there in person. She shined great light on my issues and I remember her all the time when I start to feel emotions on a certain matter.

Written by C.R. on Apr 06, 2017 after counseling with Bernice for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship, and family

Bernice is amazing. Her advice has changed my life.

Written by S.A on Mar 31, 2017 after counseling with Bernice for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship, self esteem, and career

Bernice is a consummate professional, an extraordinary listener and provides deeply impactful and helpful responses. She's great at getting to the essence of my challenges and provides actionable suggestions for the future. I highly recommend Bernice!

Written by C.H on Feb 25, 2017 after counseling with Bernice for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, anger, and career

Bernice has been a great conversationalist and someone who I've felt easily comfortable with. It has been a great sense of relief working with her. Not out of the woods yet but progress is the name of the game.

Written by K.R on Feb 19, 2017 after counseling with Bernice for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship, and family

I've been working with Bernice for just a few weeks now, and I am so happy that I got paired up with her. She is very good with getting back to all of my messages, and addressing everything that I write about. I really appreciate her insight and support. In my past experiences with therapy, I would still feel a disconnect with the therapist, but I feel that Bernice is really getting to know and understand me, and she always has substantial responses and guidance for me. We have a bigger goal in mind together, but she also helps me work through any other issues that I have along the way.

This platform has been great, because I can take as much time as I need to process what she has said, and I can write to her when I am ready. Writing my thoughts out to her has been very cathartic, and I am happy that I don't have to wait for a week to pass in between sessions as is common in face-to-face therapy. Having unlimited access throughout the week has been helpful as I can write to her whenever, whether that be in the middle of an episode in which I just need to vent, or an update on my status and progress. Her response time is usually within a few hours, or within a day, which I very much appreciate as well.

Written by C.A on Feb 07, 2017 after counseling with Bernice for 3 weeks on issues concerning relationship

Great lady and knows what she's doing

Written by V.A on Jan 11, 2017 after counseling with Bernice for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related, self esteem, and anger

Bernice is so great! She's helped me though a difficult time with such grace and patience, and continues to be a great source of advice and guidance.

Written by M.A on Jan 04, 2017 after counseling with Bernice for 3 months on issues concerning relationship, family, and self esteem

Bernice is very perceptive. Her insights into my issues have helped me think through things clearly. She has been very supportive and understanding and I appreciate all her help.

Written by E.M on Nov 28, 2016 after counseling with Bernice for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship, self esteem, and career

I have loved being able to talk to Bernice. She has been exactly what I've needed to help navigate me through some difficult times. She has been kind, perceptive and professional. I am so grateful for her help.

Written by S.U on Sep 26, 2016 after counseling with Bernice for 1 week on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship, and family

Bernice has been a great listener. I feel she really tries to understand where I am coming from, and instead of pushing an issue, she is directing the counseling toward my needs at the time. It is refreshing to have an unbiased opinion and someone to listen without feeling pressured to act right away.

Written by C.A on Sep 23, 2016 after counseling with Bernice for 2 months on issues concerning addictions, and self esteem

Bernice has been very creative and very patient. She has pushed me to think about very deeply buried issues and is working to help me dig myself out of a bit of a mess I have made in my personal life. I have really appreciated working with her.

Written by J.A on Sep 06, 2016 after counseling with Bernice for 3 weeks on issues concerning relationship, and career

Bernice is consistent and caring!

Written by T.I on Sep 05, 2016 after counseling with Bernice for 1 week on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, and career

Bernice has been really helpful, patient and understanding so far. She is helping me to sort through things l have struggled with sorting out on my own.

Written by O.L on May 13, 2015 after counseling with Bernice for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, career, and depression

My time with Bernice was a bit short, but she is extremely attentive, and very good at picking up on an underlying issue early on. I recommend her for her calm and patient methods.

Written by R.O on Mar 17, 2015 after counseling with Bernice for 1 year and 2 months on issues concerning relationship, family, grief, and anger

I have come a long way in the sessions with Bernice starting in February. Her quick responses and incisive, no-nonsense responses greatly helped me on my way to making progress with my situation. I was particularly impressed by her initial assessment regarding my issue. Without ever having met me and the little that I had communicated Bernice was right on point with her advice and therapy. I highly recommend Bernice Banks.

Written by A.M on Jan 30, 2015 after counseling with Bernice for 3 weeks on issues concerning relationship, family, self esteem, stress, anxiety, and depression

Bernice is very supportive and gives great guidance. She is wonderful!

Written by A.N on Dec 03, 2014 after counseling with Bernice for 1 month on issues concerning relationship, grief, self esteem, and career

Bernice is insightful, kind, understanding and professional. I knew from the first correspondence with her that she was exactly the kind of counselor I could work with.

She offered concrete steps that were very helpful, and seemed to know exactly what I was going through.

I would highly recommend Bernice to anyone seeking a professional, caring, yet unobtrusive counselor.

Written by T.E on Nov 05, 2014 after counseling with Bernice for 3 weeks on issues concerning relationship, grief, and self esteem

Bernice was a kind ,no nonsense guide. She gave me encouragement as wells as pointing me in the right direction for self healing.I needed someone to listen and to be objective,giving me the tools to find the place in myself to get up and move forward in my life. I am so thankful for her kindness.

Written by S.H on Oct 01, 2014 after counseling with Bernice for 1 month on issues concerning relationship, trauma and abuse, and self esteem

Mrs. Bernice has been so helpful to me. She has really helped me to work through my negative thinking and blocks that have kept me from having the love and relationships I desire. Through the sessions that she has provided me, I have been able to identify situations, thoughts that are triggers for me so I can redirect them. I have also become more aware of why I have responded the way that I have responded. I am so thankful for her support, the insight she gives. I never feel judged, and I couldn't ask for a better match. It has only been a short time that we have been working with each other and I can see the difference and changes in me. My quality of life has improved tremendously. -SA

Written by S.O on Aug 24, 2014 after counseling with Bernice for 3 months on issues concerning intimacy-related, self esteem, and career

Bernice has been an absolute pleasure and is very supportive and kind. She sees you for the person you are, and doesn't judge you. She will be my support for whenever I need her.

Written by L.A on Jun 06, 2014 after counseling with Bernice for 4 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship, family, self esteem, and depression

In the short time that I've been working with Bernice, she has proven to be very smart and adept at reading between the lines and getting to the essence of what it is I need to really work on - despite what I THINK is the major issue in my life, or what I've pinned my insecurities on. She is kind and straightforward - an excellent combination in a therapist. I really appreciate the work we've done thus far.

Written by M.A on May 29, 2014 after counseling with Bernice for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship, family, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and depression

Bernice is a wonderful therapist, a good listener, and a caring person. She has made me feel understood, and the steps she has given me to interact with my family and get over my past and move forward has been so helpful, even in this short time that she has been my therapist! I highly recommend Bernice . She is so helpful and a joy to communicate with.