• 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.

Hello. My name is Suzanna Bagley and I am Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (license number: 180.009943) in the state of Illinois. I started working a therapist in January 2013. I would like to commend you for taking the steps to get yourself the support you seek. It’s not easy to ask for help. Furthermore, it can be hard to get started when you’re not sure what to expect of the therapeutic process. I typically endeavor to meet my clients wherever they’re at to help put them at ease and help them fulfill their therapeutic goals. I would describe myself as easygoing by nature who sometimes uses humor and positivity to lighten the mood whenever it’s appropriate. If I feel it’s therapeutically relevant, I can be direct to help unpack or process whatever you’re working on. Even when discussing tough topics, I am never critical or judgmental. I work to ensure my clients feel heard and validated. Think of me as your sidekick on your journey toward mental health wellness! Here is a little more information about my educational background and therapeutic practice. I have a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in clinical psychology. Depending on my clients’ needs, I utilize the following the theoretical orientations: Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Trauma-Informed Therapy. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy works best for clients who aren’t able to spend much time in therapy and want to find a solution or resolution to any problem they may present in therapy. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy whenever a client’s negative and/or unrealistic thoughts make them anxious and/or affect their mood. I utilize the Trauma-Informed Therapy to anyone who has experienced any sort of long-term trauma. It entails exploring individual triggers; as well as finding the right approach to help the client manage their emotions and move forward in life. For the sake of simplicity, I kept the therapeutic explanations basic but I would be happy to further explain each therapeutic modality via message or in session. If you feel I would be a good fit, I would be honored to work alongside you on your therapeutic journey.

This is Dr. Cassandra April, LCPC. Thank you for reaching out, confirming the information form, and scheduling a session. I notice that you are one of our new insurance clients and I feel it's only fair to let you know that insurance clients have to do an "intake assessment" during your first session, which in reality could take the entire session time to complete. One way I am proposing to try to get around that is to send you the assessment questions ahead of time and you can answer them before the session if you have time. If not, the first session would have to be devoted to answering those questions (sort of like when you go to a new medical doctor for the first time). Let me know which you prefer. I'll copy the questions below. I realize you may have had to answer some when you signed up for Better Help, but now therapists must also collect certain information that Better Help does not give us. This is required for insurance clients. See below for questions. There are 15 of them. 1) What city/town in Illinois do you live in? 2) What is your race/nationality? (If you are bi-racial/of mixed race, name both/all) 3) What country were you born in? What country/countries were you raised in? 4) What is your last name, date of birth, address, phone number 5) Emergency contact, their first and last name, phone number, and relationship to you 6) Employment status (working full-time, part-time, unemployed, etc) 7) Relationship status (i.e. married, single, divorced, etc.) 8) Educational level (GED, high school, trade school, some college, college graduate, etc.) 9) Legal history if any (have you ever been incarcerated? If so, why) 10) Medical history (do you have any major health conditions? Do you have to take medication on a regular basis? If so, for what conditions? The name of the clinic, hospital, or doctor that you receive medical care from. We will NOT be contacting these individuals) 11) Mental health history (have you ever been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, eating disorder, drugs or alcohol, etc. Did you have to be hospitalized? Do you have to take medication for? If so, what conditions? Family history? Have you been to counseling before?) 12) Have you ever attempted suicide or harmed yourself? If so, how long ago? How many times? Did you have to be hospitalized? 13) Do you feel you were abused as a child physically, sexually, verbally, or psychologically? 14) Are you addicted to drugs or alcohol? If drugs, which ones? Is there a family history of either drugs or alcohol? 15) How is your self-care? (are you sleeping well, eating healthy, exercising, etc.) ? Thank you, and I look forward to meeting with you, Dr. April

I am licensed in Illinois with 19 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & career difficulties. 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.

Hello, my name is Dori Choy and am a licensed clinical social worker. I have been in the social work field for 20 years, have been a therapist for the past 12 years. My approach is realistic, strengths based and confidence building. I believe that there is value in every life and that hope can be found in any situation. My preference is to work alongside my clients, allowing them to explore their own thoughts and feelings week to week. Feeling heard, supported and understood is the foundation needed to build healthy habits and work through difficult seasons in life.

I am licensed in Illinois and California with 41 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, lgbt-related issues, & relationship issues. 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. 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.

As a licensed therapist in Illinois, I bring over two decades of compassionate, client-centered experience supporting individuals through life's complex emotional landscapes. My approach is deeply rooted in understanding the nuanced challenges people face, from relationship dynamics and workplace stress to personal identity and emotional wellness. I specialize in helping clients navigate difficult transitions, manage anxiety and depression, and develop stronger communication and coping skills. My therapeutic work focuses on empowering individuals to cultivate self-love, overcome social barriers, and rediscover their sense of purpose. With expertise across diverse areas including women's issues, young adult challenges, trauma recovery, and family dynamics, I create a supportive environment where clients can explore their experiences, heal from past wounds, and build resilience. My commitment is to walk alongside you, offering genuine understanding and practical strategies tailored to your unique journey.

I am licensed in Illinois with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, career difficulties, & depression. 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.

As a natural helper, I have committed myself and my knowledge towards helping others manage mental health symptoms & improve overall functioning in a safe & healthy way. My ideal client is one who is committed to achieving goals and is willing to work towards prioritizing him or herself toward positive change. Everyone is different, & as a therapist I do not believe there is a quick fix prescription for symptoms & diagnosis. I use a strength based approach to empower and encourage each client towards the achievement of their goals. As a LCPC (licensed clinical professional counselor) with over 10 years of experience in the field of counseling, I have found that it is most important to facilitate the best environment for change. If you are reading this, I commend you for taking a major step toward changing your life for the better. I strive to partner with my client to discover inconsistencies and plan for solutions through evidence and faith based interventions. With my formula to decrease your unwanted symptoms and increase your coping skills, I will help you to become the best version of yourself. My faith in God is what has been a cornerstone in my life and I have overcome many obstacles that seemed impossible and unbearable. I believe God has equipped me with several gifts and allowed to me combine the expertise of mental health counseling with biblical truths, and prayer to help improve of the lives of His children. I use proven mental health modalities along with Christian counseling (when requested) to provide a treatment plan with realistic and timely goals. *Graduated 2012 - Masters of Arts in Community Counseling - Argosy University Chicago *Licensed Clinical Professional Counseling - State of IL - #180013083

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 am licensed in Illinois with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

As a licensed therapist in Illinois, I bring over two decades of compassionate mental health experience supporting individuals through complex life challenges. My practice specializes in helping clients navigate depression, anxiety, relationship dynamics, trauma recovery, and self-esteem development. I focus on creating a supportive environment where individuals can explore personal growth, address communication barriers, and work through challenging emotional experiences. My approach centers on understanding each person's unique journey, whether they're struggling with social anxiety, workplace stress, life transitions, or deeper emotional wounds. My therapeutic work emphasizes holistic healing, helping clients develop self-compassion, rebuild connections, and rediscover their inner strength. I'm committed to walking alongside individuals as they develop healthier coping strategies, process difficult experiences, and create meaningful pathways toward personal transformation. I specialize in supporting older adults and individuals experiencing midlife transitions, chronic health challenges, and complex emotional landscapes. My goal is to provide empathetic, personalized guidance that honors each client's individual experience and potential for healing.

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Illinois and Wisconsin with 23 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, motivation, self-esteem, self-compassion, and self-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. I use many types of interventions such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Couples Therapy, and Mindfulness Practices. I am a therapist who believes in working on providing solutions from Day 1 and together we will find solutions for your situation.

As a licensed therapist in Illinois, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating life's complex emotional landscapes. My practice centers on helping clients develop self-love, improve communication, and work through challenges related to anxiety, self-esteem, and personal growth. I bring a compassionate, holistic approach to therapy, with expertise in addressing women's issues, young adult transitions, family dynamics, and personal identity exploration. My therapeutic style is warm and collaborative, focusing on empowering clients to discover their inner strengths and create meaningful life changes. Whether you're struggling with social anxiety, relationship patterns, or seeking deeper self-understanding, I'm committed to walking alongside you with empathy and professional guidance. My approach honors each individual's unique journey, creating a supportive space for healing and personal transformation. My expertise is working with female clients and at this time I am only offering video and phone sessions, no chat sessions.