Therapists in Bridgeport, IL

Hello and Welcome to my page. Thank you for stopping by to take a look at what services I can provide that might be of a benefit to you. Taking that first step to start therapy can sometimes be a scary thing. Things like trust, a level of comfort, and honesty are key to having a successful therapy experience. You will find my style to be open and honest while providing a compassionate, respectful and non-judgmental soft place to fall. We will work together, with you as the lead, to develop a treatment plan of action. We will explore what you want to take away from therapy in order to empower yourself to be the best you possible. There will be occasions where we might have to tackle some difficult things, but you won't be going it alone. My approach is an eclectic one. I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all; therapy should be individually tailored to meet the person's needs. I use a medley of treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral, trauma focused care, person centered care to name just a few. I am also certified to provide therapy to the Military and Their Families. I have a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and a master's degree in Education, focusing on Community Counseling. I have been a practicing clinician since receiving my license in 1999. I grew up in the Midwest, but I have lived all over the United States. I enjoy reading and golf and I am kept busy at home with two fur babies. I hope I have given you some useful information and if you like what you have read I look forward to meeting you.

Hello, my name is Charlotte D. Newsom. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). I have thirty years of progressive experience in the field of mental health. Twenty of those years, I functioned as a psychotherapist working with individuals, specifically veterans who have chronic mental illnesses such as PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Substance Use Disorder, and many other disorders. I have an extensive background working with clients with symptomatic issues such as suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, and child abuse/neglect. Besides, interpersonal matters, couples relationship issues, parenting problems, child neglect/abuse, and emotional/physical abuse. My professional history includes having a Master's Degree in Clinical Professional Psychology, and as stated above, I am a Licensed Clinical Profession Counselor (LCPC). I have an honorary membership with Roosevelt University Psi Chi Honor Society. And most recently, and for many years that past was awarded an Outstanding Performance Appraisal from the Jesse Brown VA Hospital for my exceptional clinical skills, dedication to excellence, and having a professional and compassionate relationship with patients and staff. My counseling techniques consist of being a good listener and fully understanding your emotions and reasoning. I have a flair for counseling that requires flexibility and attentiveness to develop coping skills to strengthen your abilities to succeed. I approach therapy by combining short-term and long-term treatment planning to meet your specific need. Your treatment plan will include integrating evidence-based treatment using the best available data with clinical knowledge and expertise while considering your personal needs and preferences. For example, short-term therapy consists of cognitive-behavioral therapy, behavior therapy, reality therapy for problem-solving, motivational enhancement therapy for addiction-related issues, and psychoeducation to improve insight into multiple problems. At the same time, long-term treatment may combine client-centered treatment that focuses on empathy and positive regard, psychodynamic therapy, and free association techniques to engage the client to talk. It takes courage to attend therapy, and it takes dedication to see it through. Just remember each day brings about new opportunities for change. So, let's work together to explore your goals for therapy; thank you.

I have been a licensed clinical social worker for 35 years. I have experience providing individual , group, and family counseling to teens, adults and families. I have background in the areas of anxiety, depression, ADHD, anger management and foster care and adoption. I truly enjoy working with people and my goal is to assist my clients in managing a variety of concerns . It is important to me to establish a safe, non-judgmental environment, and to show respect to all my clients. I don't have one approach I utilize, as I feel everyone is an individual and it is important to develop a plan once I have your input and together we decide on the direction your counseling will take. I recognize that for some, deciding to attend counseling can be a challenge. I am here to provide the support, flexibility and trust you need to succeed. Once you choose to begin counseling to address the concerns you have, I will be there to assist and support you in the process.

Hello - I would first like to say I'm not a conventional therapist. I do have professional training and professional experience and degrees, but really, I consider myself a fellow human being here to help another fellow human being. I pull from my knowledge, professional and personal experiences to provide you with insights and guidance. I mostly like to listen, provide feedback and offer solutions in a conversational manner. I feel strongly that this is your healing journey so if you find that my style doesn't work for you, that's okay; but if you want to give me a chance, I'd love to hear your story. I am also currently am not offering any live sessions - just asynchronous messaging. Thank you for reading!

Please note that I do not accept insurance because billing an insurance company requires that I diagnose/label you with a major mental illness so I can bill them for your "treatment. They also demand a complete focus on symptoms of this "illness" and force every question to fit their disease model and justify your continued therapy. This means 80% of your time in treatment is me staring at my computer screen, checking little boxes saying I asked you all the disease questions, and then an AI puts it all together into something for which they will HOPEFULLY reimburse me. Perhaps you have experienced this when you visit your Primary Care Physician, and he/she stares at their tablet the entire time, rushing you through the questions as they tap each question on the list. I work under a strengths/solutions model in my counseling. I help you find the resources to make positive changes in the direction YOU want to go. ABOUT ME: Thank you for sharing information about yourself here. I'm glad that you reached out for help. My name is Larry Westenberg, and I am a licensed therapist with over 40 years of experience in counseling. You can read more about my background, education, experience, and therapy approach by clicking on my name on this page. I started out on a 'back ward' of a state mental hospital, counseling extremely mentally ill people and helping them to access their resources, use their strengths and improve the quality of their lives. It was a tremendous challenge. At that time, I had my bachelor’s degree in psychology, and no other training. The State system allowed people to do counseling who had no training in counseling whatsoever. In fact, many of them had never been to college. I discovered the 'uneducated counselors' were usually MUCH more effective at helping their clients. They were not 'full of themselves' and their degrees. Instead, they used what they knew about helping people, did what they could, and learned to help people by figuring out what worked as they went along. They also expected the same from the people they were counseling - that they would use the resources they had, do their best, and get better at improving their lives. Meanwhile, the majority of the 'professional therapists' were lost in their long explanations and mythologies that tried to explain the patient's behavior, and they often developed bizarre theories and treatment methods they imagined would make the patients get better. When you make a connection to another person in counseling, you offer them a safe space to "step out of themselves," and discuss their own behavior from a different perspective of detached observation. Recognizing their own skills and the tools they have can help them make meaningful changes strategically, that utilize their own abilities. I specialize in trauma, anxiety and panic, ADD, relationships and finding meaning in life. I have extensive training in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) - which is bashed as unscientific non-sense on the internet. This criticism is thrown from the allegedly "Scientific field" of psychology which is founded on the idea of repressed urges of the id and wanting to kill your father to take possession of your mother. Not the best scientific theory for validating your experiences of life. I am a published author in the field of Belief Change, Ericksonian Hypnosis and NLP. I enjoy helping others uncover treasure within themselves. I don't work with lab rats. I work with people. I would appreciate the opportunity to work with you. I have worked in inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization and crisis intervention treatment. I have worked with LGBTQ+ individuals since long before we had an acronym. I have supported individuals in compartmentalizing alternative lifestyles so that they don't embarrass themselves at work or in social situations. I help some people accept the fact their family may be a toxic gaggle of illnesses and it really is okay to not be in contact. I help others discover how they create anxiety in themselves and teach a variety of skills for managing emotional states. My passion is helping people find insights into HOW they do the behaviors they do, so they can more easily shift the behaviors to get the same results - or different results. I also like helping people discover how past traumas and negative events can "echo" into present interactions and circumstances. Rather than label this a disease, I show people how to notice these connections and respond less to the resonance in the present. I laugh frequently and I may even tease about symptoms as an attempt to help you shift your perspective on your issues. I do not make fun of problems. I take my work seriously, but I will never take LIFE seriously - because it has this surprise-ending feature. I would be delighted to meet with you and find out if I can support you in making the shifts and changes that will help you build the life you desire.

Licensed since 2008, James earned his master’s degree in education from DePaul University in Chicago. Upon graduating he was accepted into the community counseling program at DePaul University. James has worked with children (5-12), adolescents (13-18), young adults (19-24), adults, families, and couples. He has facilitated groups for Autism spectrum patients. He supports first responders including Firefighter Behavioral Health which assist in suicidal prevention for first responders. In addition, he works assisting police departments with Critical stress debriefings. As a trained mediator through DePaul University, James can assist couples who may have differences which require more than just couples’ therapy. James believes therapy is a joint effort between therapist and client. He has a proven track record of success as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and as your therapist, he is committed to provide you the best care possible. Every person is unique which is why there are many different treatments approaches available to you. James is committed to make every effort to provide effective care, your commitment is needed as well to achieve success. Together you and James will create a treatment plan that will be a roadmap to your successful journey. Any barriers to success will be discussed and the plans adjusted as needed. You and James will discuss progress and challenges in an honest, trusting, and confidential manner in order to achieve your desired outcome. James is a certified hypnotherapist and can help with the cessation of smoking, anxiety reduction, weight loss, and gaining confidence. In his spare time James is a wildlife artist and wood carver. His work is displayed in art galleries and online.

As a licensed therapist in Illinois, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My approach centers on empowering clients to develop resilience, self-understanding, and meaningful life strategies. I have extensive experience addressing challenges like depression, anxiety, life transitions, and interpersonal dynamics. My therapeutic practice focuses on creating a compassionate, non-judgmental space where individuals can explore their experiences and develop healthier coping mechanisms. I work collaboratively with clients across diverse backgrounds, including women, Veterans, caregivers, and individuals managing workplace stress, social anxiety, and personal growth challenges. Drawing from evidence-based practices, I help clients build self-esteem, improve communication, process trauma, and develop skills for managing stress and emotional complexity. My goal is to support you in discovering your inner strengths and creating positive, sustainable changes in your life.

I am licensed in Illinois with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, trauma, and abuse, & as motivation, self-esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I believe in finding the root issues behind the problems and resolving them. The first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life is courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Illinois with 28 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, anger management, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & 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.

I'm Dr. Akamin Nkengaka, a Licensed behavioral therapist with 16 years of evidence-based practice experienced. I help clients with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma informed care, substance abuse, self-esteem, and relationships challenges. My theoretical approach is based on cognitive-behavioral model and holistic approach. That is, patterns of thoughts and feelings are explored, and solution focus based. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilled and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am an Illinois licensed clinical social worker with over 12 years of experience helping individuals coping with grief and loss, trauma, relationship issues, family conflicts, improving motivation, self-esteem and confidence, and addictions. 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am pleased you chose to place your trust in us. I take a person-centered approach when working with my clients. This means that our work is collaborative and based on your goals for the specific areas you'd like to focus on. I collaborate with clients to explore their entire person: your physical and mental health, your core beliefs and history, your living and working environments, and what gives your life meaning and purpose. I endeavor to meet my clients where they are. I do not view my clients as "having problems" or worse, "being a problem". Rather, we are just human beings having human experiences - and, because humans are social beings, we often need to turn to others for help. Healing is a process of discovery and change. The support and guidance of a therapist can help bring out the best in you. Together we embark on a path of exploration and discovery. We identify your strengths, and confront and learn to cope with challenges. Your best self emerges, and you'll discover that creating and maintaining meaningful relationships, and enhancing your enjoyment of life is not only possible, it is an adventure.

I am licensed in Illinois with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, parenting issues, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & career difficulties. I also have experience working with coping 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. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in Illinois with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, motivation, & self esteem. I also have experience working with confidence. 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.

Much like life, therapy is a journey where you are empowered to overcome, heal, and thrive. As a therapist, my purpose is to keep you—your story, your voice, and your growth—at the very center of our work together. You are the main character, deserving of dignity and compassion as you move forward. Your story is uniquely yours, and I am here to honor and embrace every part of it, whether sharing feels intimidating or natural. My experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds facing depression, anxiety, and trauma, has shown me that every journey is different, and every person is worthy of support. You are not alone—together, we can face whatever comes next, one step at a time.