Find a licensed online therapist in Pinckneyville, IL

I am a retired clinical social worker with 35 year of counseling experience. The last ten years I worked for the Veteran's Administration and some of my therapy clients were veterans with PTSD from severe trauma. I also have worked with women who have had a history of trauma and need assistance to regain control of their lives. I have seen individuals with less serious problems who need help working through daily life issues and need support through difficult times. Because I have worked with a vulnerable group of individuals and also because I feel therapy is a collaborative effort I see myself working in a partnership with my clients to assist them in solving their problems without them feeling like a "patient" who is told what they need to do.

I appreciate the courage and strength it takes to enter into a counseling relationship and the anxiety that may accompany reaching out to a stranger I am here to support and empower you in your journey to a better life. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) licensed in Illinois with over 40 years of experience in the counseling profession. I have helped clients with a wide variety of life challenges, including ADHD, abuse (including Domestic Violence and Narcissistic Abuse), Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Life Changes/Transitions, Panic and Panic Attacks, Relationship Issues, Self-esteem, Stress, and Work-related and Career Issues. It is my belief that sometimes a lack of skills keeps us stuck in life, so I also teach therapeutic life skills to help you manage the difficulties in your life. I think of it as equipping you with tools for your "life skills toolbox". I engage in individual counseling with ages 18 through 99. I specialize in serving teachers and nurses, as well as victims and survivors of domestic violence and narcissistic abuse. I believe in everyone's ability to grow and progress, and I will join you on your journey to a more fulfilling and peaceful life. I highly respect the way each individual learns, changes, develops, and grows in their own unique way. I counsel with empathy and compassion and without judgment or condemnation. My goal is to provide a safe, peaceful, encouraging, uplifting, and respectful environment in which you can explore the challenges that interfere with your healing, growing, and achieving your goals. My evidence-based counseling approach includes Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) from a person-centered and humanistic perspective. I am looking forward to helping you live your best life!

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 in Illinois with over 20 years of working with children and families both professionally and personally. I have over 10 years of volunteer experience working specifically with divorce recovery and family/ adjustment issues and years of professional work experience in various capacities. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. 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. I utilize several therapeutic approaches and I strive to provide an empathetic environment for all individuals. I provide cognitive behavioral therapy and my style is client driven and and solution focused. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Illinois with 33 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy related issues, & 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 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, 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. 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 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.

I am licensed in Illinois with 11 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, abuse, & 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am a licensed clinical social work therapist in both Wisconsin and Illinois with three decades of professional experience, including as a registered nurse. My clinical experience includes eating disorders, depressive disorders, issues with anxiety, stress, loss and grief, motivation, self-esteem, & 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 will support and empower you in that journey.

As a licensed therapist in Illinois, I bring over a decade of experience supporting individuals through life's complex emotional landscapes. My practice specializes in helping clients navigate challenging transitions, including divorce, relationship dynamics, and significant life changes. I have deep expertise in supporting young adults, caregivers, and families experiencing mood disorders, pregnancy-related emotional challenges, and relationship complexities. My therapeutic approach is compassionate and holistic, focusing on understanding each client's unique journey. I have extensive experience working with diverse family structures, including blended families, adoptive families, and those navigating neurodevelopmental differences. My goal is to provide a supportive, empathetic environment where individuals can explore their emotions, develop resilient coping strategies, and cultivate meaningful personal growth. I am committed to walking alongside my clients, offering professional guidance through periods of stress, transition, and emotional uncertainty. Whether you're experiencing mood challenges, relationship difficulties, or life transitions, I'm here to support your healing and personal development.

With over four decades of professional experience, I am a dedicated therapist committed to supporting individuals through life's complex emotional landscapes. My practice centers on helping clients navigate challenges related to depression, anxiety, relationship dynamics, grief, and significant life transitions. I bring a compassionate and nuanced approach to therapy, understanding that each person's journey is unique. My extensive background allows me to offer deep, empathetic support tailored to individual needs. I strive to create a welcoming, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their experiences, develop resilience, and cultivate meaningful personal growth. My therapeutic style emphasizes collaboration, respect, and genuine understanding. I am particularly attuned to the diverse needs of individuals seeking support, and I approach each client interaction with sensitivity, professionalism, and genuine care.

As a licensed therapist with six years of experience, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My professional approach centers on helping clients address challenges like depression, anxiety, stress management, family dynamics, and self-esteem issues. I am deeply committed to creating a compassionate, non-judgmental therapeutic environment where individuals can explore their experiences and develop meaningful strategies for personal growth. My work is grounded in evidence-based practices that honor each person's unique journey and inherent strengths. Drawing from extensive clinical training, I focus on empowering clients to understand their emotional patterns, build resilience, and cultivate healthier relationships with themselves and others. Whether you're struggling with persistent mood challenges, interpersonal conflicts, or seeking personal development, I'm dedicated to walking alongside you with genuine empathy and professional expertise. My therapeutic style is collaborative and client-centered, designed to meet you exactly where you are while supporting your path toward healing and self-discovery. I believe that every individual has the capacity for positive change and transformation.

I'm a therapist dedicated to supporting individuals through life's most challenging moments. My work focuses on helping clients navigate depression, anxiety, stress, and trauma while building resilience and self-compassion. I specialize in working with young adults and women exploring issues of self-esteem, control, and personal identity as they move through significant life transitions. I bring a person-centered, trauma-informed approach to therapy, drawing on evidence-based practices to help you process difficult experiences and develop meaningful coping strategies. I believe in creating a space that honors your values and worldview, where you feel genuinely seen and supported without judgment. Whether you're working through the aftermath of trauma, managing anxiety, or rediscovering your sense of self-worth, I'm here to walk alongside you with compassion and authenticity. I'm proud of you for taking this courageous step toward healing and growth.

I'm a therapist with extensive experience supporting individuals through a wide range of life challenges. I work with clients navigating depression, anxiety, stress, relationship difficulties, trauma, and self-esteem concerns. My approach is grounded in understanding the unique intersections of identity, culture, and personal experience that shape each person's journey. I specialize in helping clients explore communication patterns, attachment styles, grief, guilt, and shame. I also support those working through life transitions, workplace stress, mood challenges, family dynamics, and questions of purpose and meaning. Whether you're processing family-of-origin issues, navigating blended family complexities, or working through commitment and relationship concerns, I'm here to help you move toward greater clarity and healing. I honor diverse spiritual perspectives—whether faith-centered or secular—and bring cultural responsiveness to every session. I'm committed to creating a therapeutic space where you feel seen, respected, and supported as you work toward meaningful change.