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Psychologist Mary Jennifer Meister providing different types of therapy in Dowell

Mary Jennifer Meister

Clinician
License Type(s): IL LCSW 149016609
Mental Wellness Specialties: Trauma and abuseCoping with life changes
17 years offering treatment

About Me Hi, I’m MJ. I’m an individual, family, and marriage counselor licensed in Illinois, and I’ve been doing this work for over 20 years. In that time, I’ve helped people navigate just about everything—depression, anxiety, stress, relationship ups and downs, parenting challenges, career changes, ADHD, and all the messy parts of life in between. I also work a lot with people who’ve experienced trauma, whether sexual, physical, or emotional. I often tell clients, “If you can tell me something I haven’t heard before, I’ll give you my Mickey Mouse watch.” And let me tell you, Mickey is still sitting right on my wrist—so you can imagine the stories, struggles, and victories I’ve walked through with people. **How I Work** My approach is warm, down-to-earth, and interactive. I’m a big believer in looking at the whole person—your emotional world, your physical well-being, and your sense of meaning or spirituality—because all of those pieces matter. That might sound fancy, but really, it just means I want to help you feel at home in your own skin and help who you are on the inside match how you show up in the world. I don’t do judgment or labels. I do respect, compassion, honesty, and a whole lot of common sense. (Truly—common sense might be my strongest therapeutic orientation!) I use cognitive-behavioral therapy, solution-focused work, EMDR, and humor when it fits. Sometimes a small shift in perspective—and maybe a laugh—can open the door to real change. **A Bit About EMDR** I also offer EMDR, which is a powerful method for processing trauma, reducing emotional triggers, and moving past old patterns that keep you stuck. If you’ve tried “talking it out” and still feel something lingering, EMDR can help your mind and body finally let go. **What Telehealth With Me Is Like** Reaching out takes courage. Truly. And choosing to let someone into your world—especially through a screen—can feel strange at first. But once we get going, most people find telehealth surprisingly comfortable and personal. This platform works more like email, so responses aren’t instant like texting. I usually reply within 24 hours. If you prefer phone or video sessions, those are available by appointment. I’d love to walk alongside you as you make the changes you’re ready to make. Looking forward to working with you, MJ

Psychologist Dr. James English providing different types of therapy in Dowell

Dr. James English

Clinician
License Type(s): IL Psychologist 071.005714
Mental Wellness Specialties: Relationship issuesGriefDepressionCompassion fatigue
30 years offering treatment

Hello my name is Jim. I am a licensed clinical psychologist who has been working in the counseling field for the past thirty years. I have been privileged to provide counseling and therapy services to individual, couples and families and use an approach that empathizes collaboration and measurable results. My counseling style creates a warm and accepting environment in which people learn to identify and express their feelings so that we can work together to deepen your understanding of feelings and the thoughts that typically accompany them. Once we learn more about our feelings and the thoughts them behind them, we can do more to make changes in thoughts and behaviors that enhance our growth and and help us meet goals. I use various techniques such as those derived from cognitive-behavioral, dialectical behavioral therapy and Adlerian Life-Style analysis . These help to make situational changes and to gain awareness of how many of our automatic thoughts, reactions, feelings can be facilitate change once they are understood. This can increase our range of choice and better feelings once we understand more about our personal automatic reactions. My technique and style is helpful for Depression Anxiety Relationship issues Self-Esteem Trauma Growth Shyness/Social Anxiety I am very happy that you are taking these steps to better understand yourself an d work towards more fulfilling relationships in your work, love and friendships and most importantly for your self-care, self-esteem and your relationship to yourself! I look forward to working with you!

Psychologist Laticia Georgie providing different types of therapy in Dowell

Laticia Georgie

Clinician
License Type(s): IL LCSW 149.019000
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseGriefSelf esteemDepression
10 years offering treatment

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!

Psychologist Arnold Lavaire providing different types of therapy in Dowell

Arnold Lavaire

Clinician
License Type(s): IL LCPC 180007650, VA LPC 0701010484
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression
15 years offering treatment

I am Arnold A Lavaire, a bilingual Christian counselor licensed in the state of Virginia and Illinois. I was born and raised in Honduras and moved to live in the United States in 1996. I served 5 years of military service in the US Navy. I am fluent in Spanish, I can conduct counseling in English and in Spanish. I earned a B.S. in Psychology from Campbell University, a M.A. in Counseling from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, and a M.Div. from Mid-America Reformed Seminary.

Psychologist Lori Mattix providing different types of therapy in Dowell

Lori Mattix

Clinician
License Type(s): IL LCSW 149.000371
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsAnger managementSelf esteemADHD
37 years offering treatment

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.

Psychologist Monica McCabe providing different types of therapy in Dowell

Monica McCabe

Clinician
License Type(s): IL LCPC 180009863
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyAddictionsAnger managementSelf esteemDepression
6 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Illinois with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, anger management, & 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. 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.

Psychologist Dr. Taliah Ziyad-Nau providing different types of therapy in Dowell

Dr. Taliah Ziyad-Nau

Clinician
License Type(s): IL LCPC 180.013921
Mental Wellness Specialties: Parenting issuesCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD
4 years offering treatment

I have worked closely with adolescents, parents and families to help them move forward with improving social, emotional and learning outcomes. I use my experiences to deliver quality counsel and consultation. After working with children and families for over 10 years, there are a lot of accumulated experiences with concerns such as anxiety, parenting problems, career challenges, ADHD and learning difficulties. My counseling style is interactive and includes empowering others to invest in themselves. As a counselor, I understand the need for the space to be heard and understood. Learning styles and social, emotional needs call for different approaches. Client Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy are considered in determining a plan to meet your specific needs. You don’t have to process through it alone. I am here to take the next steps with you. I look forward to meeting with you.

Psychologist Scott Herman providing different types of therapy in Dowell

Scott Herman

Clinician
License Type(s): IL LCSW 149029004
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteemDepression
3 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Illinois with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety & 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!

Psychologist Vadim Sitnyakovskiy providing different types of therapy in Dowell

Vadim Sitnyakovskiy

Clinician
License Type(s): IL LCPC 180.008673
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietySelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
7 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Illinois with 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self-esteem, confidence, and depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. 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.

Psychologist Pamela Barrigar providing different types of therapy in Dowell

Pamela Barrigar

Clinician
License Type(s): AZ LCSW LCSW-22287, IL LCSW 149019841
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseAnger managementDepressionCoping with life changes
15 years offering treatment

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.

Psychologist Dr. Akamin Nkengaka providing different types of therapy in Dowell

Dr. Akamin Nkengaka

Clinician
License Type(s): IL LCSW 149028885
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression
15 years offering treatment

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.

Psychologist Deanna Childers providing different types of therapy in Dowell

Deanna Childers

Clinician
License Type(s): IL LCPC 180011665
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsParenting issuesSelf esteemADHD
10 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Illinois with nearly 10 years of professional work experience. This experience includes internship, post graduate training, and licensure. I have experience in helping clients with Autism, ADHD, stress and anxiety, family conflicts, parenting issues, motivation, self esteem, depression 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Psychologist Carrie Wallace-Onifade providing different types of therapy in Dowell

Carrie Wallace-Onifade

Clinician
License Type(s): IL LCSW 149028458
Mental Wellness Specialties: Relationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changes
13 years offering treatment

I am licensed in Illinois with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & career difficulties. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. 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.

Psychologist Shelly Scamardo providing different types of therapy in Dowell

Shelly Scamardo

Clinician
License Type(s): IL Psychologist 071007174
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
21 years offering treatment

Hi, I’m Shelly! I’m a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with a passion for helping clients build confidence, manage emotions, and reach their full potential. For over 20 years, I’ve supported individuals through challenges such as anxiety, depression, behavioral concerns, and life transitions—helping them find healthier ways to cope and connect. After earning my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Michigan State University, I moved to Chicago and attended the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, where I earned my master’s degree in 1999 and my doctorate in 2004. From the beginning, my work has focused on understanding the emotional world of the clients that I work with and helping strengthen communication and resilience. I believe every one of us has the inner strength to grow and thrive. My approach is warm, collaborative, and rooted in compassion and evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I work closely with you to uncover what’s behind the emotional or behavioral struggles and to develop tools that foster understanding, balance, and confidence. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you feel heard and understood—and where you feel guided and empowered. Reaching out for therapy is a courageous step, and I’m honored to walk alongside you on this journey toward healing and growth.

Find a Therapist Near You in Dowell , Illinois

Finding a licensed therapist near you in Illinois can be an important step toward improving your mental health and overall well-being. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, stress, or major life changes, working with a qualified mental health professional can offer meaningful support.

Illinois is home to people with diverse mental health needs across urban, suburban, and rural communities. Online therapy makes it easier to connect with a therapist near you without being limited to nearby offices. BetterHelp connects you with licensed therapists authorized to practice in Illinois, allowing you to attend sessions online from the comfort of your home.

Why work with a licensed therapist near you?

Working with a licensed therapist near you ensures that your provider meets state licensing requirements and professional standards in Illinois (IL). Licensed therapists use evidence-based approaches to help individuals manage emotional challenges, develop coping skills, and work toward personal goals.

People seek therapy for many reasons. Some are navigating ongoing mental health concerns, while others want guidance during stressful periods or major life transitions. You do not need a mental health diagnosis to work with a therapist. Many individuals seek therapy to improve communication, strengthen relationships, manage stress, or gain greater self-awareness.

Online therapy can be especially helpful for people living across Illinois, where access to in-person mental health care may vary by location.

What concerns can therapists help with?

Therapists on BetterHelp support adults across Illinois with a wide range of mental health concerns and life challenges, including:

Therapists use approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and other evidence-based methods tailored to individual needs.

Online therapy vs. in-person therapy in Illinois

When searching for a therapist near me in Illinois, many people compare online therapy with traditional in-person care. Online therapy offers several potential advantages:

  • Greater accessibility: Attend sessions from anywhere with an internet connection
  • Reduced wait times: Many people are matched in as little as  24-48 hours, faster than typical in-person availability
  • Flexible scheduling: Sessions that fit around work, family, or school commitments
  • Expanded provider options: Access licensed therapists across Illinois, not just nearby offices

Research shows that online therapy can be effective for many mental health concerns. Online therapy may also reduce barriers such as transportation challenges, long commutes, or limited local availability, especially in larger or more rural counties across Illinois.

Finding a therapist near me that accepts insurance

Many people looking for a therapist near me in Illinois want to know whether insurance is an option.

Many providers on BetterHelp now accept major insurance carriers in select states. In many states, certain therapists on BetterHelp may be in-network with specific insurance plans. Coverage depends on your plan, provider, and therapist availability.

When sessions are covered, insured members typically pay an average copay of about $19 per session. Coverage varies by state and provider availability, so it’s important to check your in-network status directly on the BetterHelp site.

If insurance coverage is not available, BetterHelp’s flexible subscription model remains an option, with online therapy typically costing $70 to $100 per week, billed weekly or monthly. Additional discounts or financial aid may also be available for a lower price.

How BetterHelp helps you find the right therapist in Illinois

BetterHelp simplifies the process of finding a therapist near you in Illinois without requiring you to search through tons of profiles on your own.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Complete a brief questionnaire about your needs, preferences, and goals
  2. Get matched with a licensed therapist authorized to practice in Illinois (IL)
  3. Begin online therapy sessions through video, phone, or live chat

BetterHelp works with one of the world’s largest networks of licensed therapists, with over 30,000 qualified providers globally. Many members are matched in as little as 24 to 48 hours, and 93% of user preferences are met during the matching process.

You can request a new therapist at no additional cost if your needs or preferences change.

Therapists near you in Illinois

Below, you’ll find licensed therapists authorized to provide online therapy to adults across Illinois, including residents in Dowell.

Each provider meets state licensing requirements and has experience supporting clients with a wide range of mental health concerns using evidence-based therapeutic approaches.

Please note: Therapists on BetterHelp in Illinois do not provide psychiatric medication management or formal diagnoses.

Frequently asked questions about finding a therapist near me

How much does therapy cost near me?

Therapy costs vary depending on provider and location. In-person therapy sessions may cost $100 to $200 or more per session. BetterHelp offers online therapy subscriptions that typically range from $70 to $100 per week, billed weekly or monthly, depending on factors such as location, source, preferences, and therapist availability. Additional discounts or financial aid may also be available for a lower price. BetterHelp now accepts major insurance plans in select states and members pay an average copay of $19 per session. Coverage varies by plan, provider, and therapist availability. You can check coverage on the BetterHelp site.

Does BetterHelp accept insurance?

Yes. Many providers on BetterHelp now accept major insurance carriers in select states. In many states, certain therapists on BetterHelp may be in-network with specific insurance plans. When sessions are covered, insured members typically pay an average copay of about $19 per session. Coverage varies by plan, provider, and therapist availability. You can check coverage on the BetterHelp site.

Is online therapy effective?

Yes. Research shows that online therapy can be effective for many mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship challenges. Online therapy allows you to connect with a licensed therapist without commuting to an office.

Do I need a diagnosis to see a therapist?

No. You do not need a mental health diagnosis to seek therapy. Many people work with a therapist for stress management, relationship concerns, grief, life transitions, or personal growth.

How quickly can I start therapy?

Many people are matched with a licensed therapist in as little as 24 to 48 hours after completing the initial questionnaire. Match times may vary based on preferences and therapist availability.

Can I switch therapists if it’s not the right fit?

Yes. If you feel your therapist is not the right match, you can request to be matched with another licensed provider at no additional cost. You are able to do so through the BetterHelp user portal and select switch therapists if needed.

Is online therapy private and secure?

Online therapy through BetterHelp allows you to communicate with your therapist in a discreet  setting through video, phone, or messaging tools.

Finding therapy with a therapist in Dowell can change your life. Expert therapy provides the most valuable insights into managing stress, building resilience, and nurturing emotional growth. With the personalized guidance and compassionate support, from a licensed mental health therapeutic expert serving clients in your area, you can gain therapy tools to overcome life’s obstacles and improve overall well-being. It's beneficial to embrace therapy in order to unlock new paths toward happiness and lasting self-improvement. Experience renewed strength and clarity with BetterHelp online therapy services and therapists. Seeking expert therapeutic guidance from a seasoned therapy counselor can foster resilience and personal growth. Embracing professional therapy allows individuals to address their emotional challenges effectively while gaining theraprutic insight and self-assurance. Therapy enhances overall well-being, inspires healthier relationships, and empowers you to navigate their life's obstacles with renewed clarity and confidence beyond measure.
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