Therapists in Cortland, IL

• B.A. in Human Services from National-Louis University • MSW from Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work • Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe Throughout our lives we are challenged by obstacles that can be difficult to manage on our own. Reaching out for help in those times can be incredibly difficult. Working with a therapist during those struggles in life can help find the insight into some of the most rewarding and positive changes we make; leading to a more fulfilling and peaceful life. The first step in making changes in your life begins now. I have been working the mental health field for over 16 years with clients struggling with depression, anxiety, grief & loss, addiction & co-dependency issues, and relationship or family dynamics. I have provided services in outpatient, inpatient, residential, as well as rehabilitation long-term care settings to clients ranging in age from adolescent to geriatric, both in individual and group sessions. My professional philosophy stems from the belief that every person deserves to live fully; with hope for the future and the self-respect to believe you are worthy of it. I believe every individual is capable of change and possesses the resiliency within ourselves to improve our lives. We will work together to identify the aspects of yourself that are not working for you and discover a healthier direction for your life.

I'm a licensed therapist in the state of Illinois. I have been in the field for 15 years working together with people to better their lives. I've been honored to work with many different people going through many different things. My clients have presented with issues such as: Depression; Anxiety/OCD; Addiction; Trauma and Abuse; Eating Disorders; Self-Injury: Bi-Polar; Couples Issues; Life transitions and many more more. I would describe myself as an interactive therapist, one who is engaged in the therapeutic process. I will play an active role in the therapy process. I would be described as a Cognitive Behavioral therapist. That means that we will review your past and present and consider how they have shaped your current patterns. Psychology Today said " Evidence has mounted that CBT can benefit numerous conditions, such as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and many others. Research also indicates that CBT can be delivered effectively online, in addition to face-to-face therapy sessions." I look forward to getting to know you and work with you!

Hi! I 'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive counseling experience. My approach is collaborative and strength-based and my techniques are influenced by mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. Talk therapy combined with mindfulness-based practices can effectively increase mental clarity, improve emotional regulation and supercharge personal growth. Are you ready to lead to a more fulfilling life? Let's start today!

I am a Licensed Clinical Social worker in the state of Illinois and have 10+ years of experience in counseling. I have worked in a variety of clinical settings and have experience supporting clients with a variety of concerns, including depression, anxiety, relationships, trauma, grief, self-esteem, and substance abuse. I have a strength-based perspective in my counseling approach and I believe that every human being has great worth/value and should be treated with respect, quality care, and compassion. Reaching out for support is a big and important step as well as a great start to your healing journey! There is HOPE! It brings me joy knowing that people reading this are considering reaching out for support. If you are interested in partnering with me on your healing journey, I am looking forward to hearing from you!

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!

Beverly (Ann) Smith Bio In addition to being a therapist, I am a licensed clinical social worker (MSW, LCSW), certified dementia practitioner and former Baccalaureate trained nurse. This unique background enables me to empower others in multiple ways. My over 20 years of experience includes working in hospitals, clinics, adoption/foster care agencies, assisted living facilities, and teaching as an adjunct professor at local junior colleges. I have counseled children, teens, foster parents, grandparents, young parents, members of the LGBTQ community, and cisgender adults using cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, and mindfulness-based therapy. I believe that good outcomes with therapy are significantly linked to being matched with the therapist best suited for you. My goal is to be caring, honest, compassionate, committed and effective.

I am licensed in Illinois with 33 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, & relationship issues. I also have experience working with motivation, self esteem, and confidence. 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.

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.

I am licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in Illinois and North Carolina with over 20 years of professional work experience helping clients with stress, anxiety, depression, couple, family and relationship issues, trauma and abuse, and grief and loss. I get to know you as a unique individual and this understanding powers your path forward. I listen more than I talk, but I also frequently give out of session assignments that are tailored just for you. I am deeply spiritual yet I make our sessions solely about you, what you believe and what you want to address and change. You are always put first and will feel heard, understood and welcomed.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience working with individuals of all ages. I am licensed in Illinois, Missouri, Florida, Georgia and Arizona with over fourteen years of experience in helping individuals of all ages with depression, stress, anxiety, anger management, self-esteem, and relationship issues. I use a variety of modalities, for example, client centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy. I practice as a Christian Counselor, however, I work with individuals from all faith backgrounds with a non-judgmental approach. I know that taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage. I am proud of you for taking this step and look forward to walking along side of you on your journey.

I am licensed in Illinois with 30 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, depression, relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, parenting, anger management and other 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

As a licensed therapist in Illinois, I bring over 15 years of dedicated experience supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My clinical approach centers on helping clients develop deeper self-understanding and resilience while addressing challenges like depression, anxiety, relationship dynamics, and personal growth. I specialize in supporting individuals working through social anxiety, trauma recovery, attachment issues, and mood disorders. My therapeutic style emphasizes compassionate exploration, helping clients build self-love, improve communication skills, and overcome feelings of isolation or shame. My work is deeply rooted in creating a supportive environment where clients can explore their experiences, heal from past wounds, and develop meaningful strategies for personal transformation. I believe each person has inherent strength and wisdom, and my role is to help you reconnect with your inner resources and move toward a more fulfilling life. Through evidence-based practices and a trauma-informed lens, I collaborate with clients to develop personalized approaches that honor their unique journey and support sustainable emotional well-being.

I am licensed in Illinois with 22 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, & 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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.