Therapy can be the first big step toward better mental health. If you’re interested in working with a therapist in Illinois, consider online treatment. Barriers to care, like transportation challenges or a lack of available providers, can make finding in-person therapy difficult. An online platform like BetterHelp can make getting treatment more convenient and flexible.

With BetterHelp, you can work with a psychologist, licensed professional counselor, or other mental health provider from your home at a time that suits your busy schedule. BetterHelp therapists can guide you through the therapeutic process and help you overcome a range of challenges, including working through questions about gender identity, managing the symptoms of C-PTSD, overcoming job stress, and learning to heal from the psychological effects of marriage issues, divorce, and raising children. 

Therapy can be beneficial for those having trouble coping with the bigger problems in the world at large or trying to find happiness in their own lives.  If you’re looking for an online therapist, IL has practitioners licensed to provide mental health care state-wide. Connect with one of the providers below to learn how online therapy can help you live a more meaningful life.

 

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This is Susan Haarman's avatar and link to their profile

Susan Haarman

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: IL LCPC 180.016579
Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseDepression
4 years of experience

So, you've already done the scariest part of this whole process, which is deciding that you want support and taking action. That takes incredible strength and humility, even if you may not feel that way right now. From here, it's my job to work together with you to find ways to channel that strength towards the goals you have and help reframe the way you're approaching challenges through support, humor, and compassion. I have experience working with adults and couples dealing with anxiety, depression, LGBTQ+ issues, grief, identity development, and navigating major life changes. As a queer therapist committed to social justice, it's my mission is to create a space in therapy where all folks feel affirmed and heard, especially if that is not their experience in daily life. My practice is client centered and I believe that mental health and wellness also includes finding ways to include your passions and priorities into treatment. We can also incorporate meditation or spirituality into therapy if that's important to you. You've done the hardest part by starting this process

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David Fox

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: IL LCSW 149020830, IA LISW 132994
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesTrauma and abuse
3 years of experience

I am a licensed clinical social worker in Illinois and Indiana, I have spent most of my career working to help people that have experienced trauma understand their own narrative. Sometimes, life events occur in adulthood that necessitate short term intervention to assist us to process, understand and reset. My treatment approach involves not only listening, but more importantly, hearing exactly what each person chooses to tell me so that I can understand their unique issue and help them move forward. Your treatment plan will be created by you and for you so that the piece of you that has been impacted is made whole. I look forward to meeting you and working together to empower you to be excited about today, tomorrow and your future.

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Deborah Beard

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: IL LCPC 180.006969
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression
30 years of experience

My name is Deborah Beard. I am trained in Marriage & Family Therapy and have served as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor for over 25 years. I graduated in 1996 with a Masters degree in Science: Family Therapy from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. My previous work experience as a Human Resource Manager and a Professor of Education bring relatable life skill experiences into each of my sessions. I have served as a counselor in both public and private mental health agencies, primarily for those seeking help with depression, anxiety, mood disorders, trauma and abuse recovery, relationships, and parenting skills. Any client who has the courage to seek counseling is someone worth celebrating. With gentleness and warmth, I try to focus on each of my clients' strengths to help them in the areas they desire to change. I utilize counseling tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Rational Emotive Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Systemic Therapy as appropriate. Each client's faith and moral values are recognized as a wonderful foundation for their desired growth. I look forward to meeting you!

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Carla Dumas

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: IL LCPC 180.005817
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefParenting issuesDepression
31 years of experience

I am licensed in Illinois with 31 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, coping with grief, coping with loss, & parenting issues. I also have experience working with depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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Grace Hobson

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: IL LCPC 180013035
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseGriefSelf esteem
7 years of experience

Grace Hobson was born and raised in the South Suburbs of Chicago. Grace attended Saint Xavier University, in Chicago, Illinois and majored in Psychology. In 2009, Grace received a Bachelor of Science degree. Afterwards, she got accepted in the graduate program at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology (Argosy University), Chicago campus. At Argosy, Grace decided to study Counseling. During her graduate work, she did an early internship at Calumet Counseling, where she provided treatment plans and counseling for individuals with substance abuse related issues. She finished up her internship field work at Unity Parenting and Counseling where she provided counseling for individuals with HIV/AIDS. In 2013, Grace received a Masters of Arts degree in Community Counseling. Grace has provided therapy to victims of domestic violence, human trafficking , persons with histories of various trauma. Grace is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. Grace specializes in issues surrounding anxiety, depression, death, grief and loss. Grace's overall goal in counseling is to build a great working relationship with you and to give you the interpersonal tools you need to be be well and effective. Grace understands that navigating the planet earth is scary. Counseling and therapy can help you develop a personal map that works for you! Grace's counseling approach overall is psycho dynamic. Psychodynamic Therapy Psychodynamic therapy focuses on self-awareness of the patient's actions and behaviors. Psychodynamic therapy is like CBT in that it works to understand how beliefs, thoughts, behavior, and emotions are interconnected. However, it focuses on the unconscious beliefs and emotions that tend to trigger the negative thoughts, emotions, and behavior, rather than conscious, automatic thoughts that occur in initial reaction to situations. (Betterhelp.com, 2020) Grace's style is very warm, positive, energetic and caring. One of her life time goals is to provide affordable and confidential mental health services to those who may not have traditional access to mental health providers.

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Dorothy Carskadon

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: IL LCSW 149008764, TX LCSW 104727
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseAnger managementDepression
26 years of experience

Hi: I am Dorrie or Dorothy, whichever you prefer. I have been a counselor for 28 years - 24 years working with Veterans and their families and the last 4 years on Better Help. I received my Master of Social Work degree from the University of South Carolina. The foundation of therapy I use is positive psychology, the cognitive behavioral approach, emotional literacy, and intentional living to guide you through your issues. Positive psychology helps you to explore yourself through recognizing the positives in your life and accentuating them. The cognitive behavioral approach enables you to examine your decisions through understanding the connection between your thoughts, beliefs, physical reactions/responses, and behaviors. The emotional literacy approach examines how your emotions influence your decisions. I call myself a resource counselor because I will provide you with a wealth of materials, including handouts, worksheets, articles, videos, and internet links, to review and hopefully apply to your life. I am a Christian and believe that the Bible expresses wisdom and encourages love. God made each of us unique, and "God saw that it was good." I am an LGBTQ+ counselor. As an experienced therapist, I will tailor my approach to meet your specific needs. My goal is to equip you with the tools to make informed decisions and help you enjoy life to the fullest.

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Dr. Hollie Campbell

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: IL LCPC 180015266
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issues
9 years of experience

I am licensed in Illinois with 9 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, & trauma and abuse. I also have experience working with intimacy related issues. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Dolores "Del" Larkin

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: IL LCSW 149.009735
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
20 years of experience

Do you have difficulties 'needing to be perfect" or not feeling "good enough" . You are not alone. I am a licensed professional with over 20 years experience providing therapy services to couples and individuals with a variety of problems. I believe most people go through a period of their life that is too difficult to handle alone or a problem that has gone on too long and that is a time professional help can provide the impetus to get through the problem or issue. I have a passion for working with people who feel they are not "good enough" or have perfectionism issues. I have also worked with people with anxiety, panic attacks, depression, problems with self confidence or self esteem, problems related to alcohol or drug issues and relationship problems. I use a variety of methods from CBT and DBT to Solution Focused therapy to a more Psychodynamic approach. I match my approach with each individual to work together to get the best results. I approach therapy as a curious listener who works with clients to remove barriers keeping them from being the person they want to be.

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Francine Anderson

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: IL LCPC 180.006477
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesBipolar disorderDepressionADHD
15 years of experience

I am licensed in Illinois with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, bipolar disorder, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Donna Iverson

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: IL LCSW 149000854
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsGrief
36 years of experience

I am licensed in Illinois with 39years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, & coping with grief and loss. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. After working a couple of years, online with clients, I have a positive feeling this is a strategy that can help more people access assistance. Sometimes, it's having someone to talk to and sort out changes in your life, other times, it's to assist people desiring to make self-improvements for their lives.

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Sherry Coleman

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: IL LCPC 180.008033
AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteemCoping with life changes
30 years of experience

I am licensed in Illinois with 30 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients coping with addictions, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence issues. I also have experience working with healthy boundaries and with life changes. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

This is Jill Chinski's avatar and link to their profile

Jill Chinski

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: IL LCSW 149.029014
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesParenting issuesSelf esteemDepression
25 years of experience

I am licensed in Illinois with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting issues, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

This is Leticia Boughton Price's avatar and link to their profile

Leticia Boughton Price

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: IL LCSW 149.027076
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefSelf esteemCoping with life changes
8 years of experience

I am licensed in Illinois with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, coping with grief, coping with loss, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience helping people to cope with life changes. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

This is Hyun Joo Kim's avatar and link to their profile

Hyun Joo Kim

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: IL LMFT 166.012051, CA LMFT 53972
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression
21 years of experience

I am licensed in California, Georgia, Illinois, Oregon and Washington with 21 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, abuse, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

How can a counselor support you?

Therapists can practice many types of counseling, from marriage and family therapy to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). They may also assist you with symptoms of depression, stress, or anxiety.

Therapists may help you set and achieve career goals, work on current issues you may be facing, or address your past. Over 11,181,370 people live in IL, and one out of five Americans has a mental health condition. Searching for local licensed professionals may help you find mental health support for personal growth, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health concerns. You do not need a mental health diagnosis to seek support from one of BetterHelp's licensed providers above.  

The mental health field can include psychiatric medication management, online therapy, marriage counseling, couples therapy, clinical social work, licensed counseling, and other mental health services in person and online. Seeing a licensed provider can help you navigate mental health conditions and life circumstances through mindfulness and other specialized techniques.

Please note that BetterHelp therapists in Illinois does not offer diagnostic or medication management services in therapy.

Why do people choose to work with a licensed counselor or therapists?

People reach out for mental health support for a variety of reasons. Many individuals work with a counselor for general life advice, while others may attend therapy for a specific concern. Whether you live in a large city or a smaller county, BetterHelp can match you with a licensed professional tailored to your preferences noted when you sign up.

The mental health therapists in Illinois support clients with varying issues through therapy, working with:

  • Challenging situations or life stressors
  • Eating disorders requiring therapy
  • Anxiety disorders in need of therapeutic support
  • Depression or depressive mental health conditions
  • Adjustment issues in need of therapeutic support
  • Emotional support for a terminal illness
  • Chronic pain emotional support
  • Grief therapy
  • Personality disorders
  • Trauma therapy
  • Relationship conflicts and mental health concerns

Finding a therapist in Illinois that takes new clients in online therapy can be the first step in finding a treatment plan that works for you. Your therapist can provide a safe space for you to focus on self-care and well-being.

If you're interested in speaking to one of the therapists above or being matched with a counselor in 24 to 48 hours, consider signing up for BetterHelp. BetterHelp has over 35,000 providers, including those listed above.

Emergency services to contact in a crisis

If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, don't use the BetterHelp therapy site. If you are in life-threatening danger, call 911. If you require support for a crisis, reach out to the therapy hotlines below:

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Some of the most commonly asked questions about therapy can be found in the section below.

How much does therapy with a licensed therapist cost?

Mental health professionals can differ in price. Forbes found that the average cost of in-person Illinois therapy in the US is around $100 to $200 per hour. Pricing can also vary based on your location. 

BetterHelp offers payment plans of $70 to $100 per week. You can also take advantage of this pricing on one of BetterHelp's sister platforms, like ReGain for couples or TeenCounseling for teens aged 13 to 19.

Is it possible to find a therapist, counselor, or psychology practitioner that offers affordable therapy?

Many therapists may be upfront about their pricing and whether or not they take health insurance from the beginning. Additionally, some in your area may offer a sliding scale plan to allow those with lower incomes to pay less for therapy. However, services online can often save individuals a few hundred dollars per month.

When should I get a therapist in Illinois?

Mental health services and mental health providers may help you navigate various concerns. You do not need a diagnosis or condition to attend therapy; You can discuss grief, relationship concerns, stress, or life changes and ask for general advice. A counselor may help you gain power over your life and emotions while you navigate day-to-day experiences.

What can a psychologist help me with in therapy?

Mental health issues don't always present as a crisis. Many professionals provide talk therapy and support for life transitions, skills learning, relationship problems, or life coaching. Online therapy sessions can allow clients seeking therapy to experience professional help through video, phone, or live chat sessions without commuting to an office.

Does BetterHelp accept insurance?

Yes. BetterHelp has joined with major insurance carriers in select states to provide in-network therapy coverage. Coverage may vary by plan, provider, and therapist availability. Insured members pay an average co-pay of $19 per session. Average co-pay is based on current insured BetterHelp members. Explore insurance coverage in major cities like ArlingtonCorpus ChristiPlanoLubbockJacksonvilleMiamiTampaOrlandoSt. PetersburgPort St. LucieHialeahCape CoralTallahasse and Fort Lauderdale.

Are online therapy sessions the safe option?

Online therapy through BetterHelp and its sister platforms is safe. Therapists are licensed, experienced, and vetted before being contracted with the platform. If you experience any concerns with your therapist, you change your counselor through the platform or app at any time.

In today's fast-paced society, mental well-being has become a cornerstone of a fulfilling life. Amid the daily challenges and stressors that can overwhelm even the most resilient individuals, seeking professional guidance often offers a path to clarity and balance. The journey toward improved emotional health involves understanding personal triggers, embracing self-compassion, and developing effective coping strategies. While self-help books and online resources provide valuable information, nothing compares to the personalized support offered by a qualified mental health professional. One-on-one sessions with experienced experts can help uncover the underlying issues contributing to anxiety, depression, or other emotional hurdles. With a careful and empathetic approach, these professionals tailor their advice to suit individual needs, ensuring that each person receives strategies that work best for their unique circumstances. Whether through cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, or other innovative methods, the aim is to foster resilience and empower individuals to take control of their inner lives. For those living in bustling urban centers, engaging in face-to-face sessions in a welcoming environment can be particularly beneficial. Access to a caring clinician provides not only a safe space to explore difficult emotions but also builds a support network essential for long-term recovery. The process encourages self-reflection and greater insight into behavioral patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed. While the journey can be challenging at times, the rewards include enhanced emotional stability, improved interpersonal relationships, and a renewed sense of self-worth. In one notable case, the guidance provided by a highly trained therapist proved instrumental in navigating a tumultuous period. Through structured sessions and tailored interventions, the individual learned to identify stressors and develop healthier responses to adversity. This experience underscored the transformative impact that dedicated support can have on one's overall quality of life. In a region like Texas, community-based initiatives and accessible mental health programs further reinforce the value of professional help. These efforts emphasize early intervention, preventive care, and continuous support, ensuring that more people are equipped to face life's inevitable challenges. Ultimately, investing in mental well-being is an act of self-care that yields lifelong benefits. By embracing professional support, individuals can unlock new levels of emotional resilience and discover pathways to a brighter, more balanced future. Each step taken toward healing represents a commitment to personal growth, enabling a life filled with renewed optimism and strength. Embracing this transformative journey consistently paves the way for deeper understanding, lasting peace, and meaningful personal progress.
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