Therapy can be the first big step toward better mental health. If you’re interested in working with a therapist in Illinois, consider online treatment. Barriers to care, like transportation challenges or a lack of available providers, can make finding in-person therapy difficult. An online platform like BetterHelp can make getting treatment more convenient and flexible.

With BetterHelp, you can work with a psychologist, licensed professional counselor, or other mental health provider from your home at a time that suits your busy schedule. BetterHelp therapists can guide you through the therapeutic process and help you overcome a range of challenges, including working through questions about gender identity, managing the symptoms of C-PTSD, overcoming job stress, and learning to heal from the psychological effects of marriage issues, divorce, and raising children. 

Therapy can be beneficial for those having trouble coping with the bigger problems in the world at large or trying to find happiness in their own lives.  If you’re looking for an online therapist, IL has practitioners licensed to provide mental health care state-wide. Connect with one of the providers below to learn how online therapy can help you live a more meaningful life.

 

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Craig McIntosh

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: MSW,LCSW
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesParenting issuesAnger managementDepression
24 years of experience

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in both Missouri and Illinois. I have been working with individuals, couples, and groups for 24 years. I completed a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Texas A&M University in 1992 and Master of Social Work from New Mexico State University in 1997. I have lived in St. Louis since 2004. I am also certified to provide licensure supervision in both Missouri and Illinois. I know that it takes something to decide to reach out for help. Clients feel supported, encouraged, and appreciated from the very first meeting with me. I want them to leave feeling they’ve made a good decision and looking forward to the next session. Having someone on your side and feeling hopeful about the process is a huge relief and provides momentum and motivation to get the process underway. I am well-versed in 12-Step recovery and have great respect for the rigors and rewards of sober living. I am a Gottman Level I Certified couple’s counselor, skilled at having couples learn to listen, talk, and connect with each other again. I also enjoy parent coaching, helping people learn how to get the best out of their children and learn to relax and enjoy those relationships again. And I am at home with existential conversations about Life’s big questions. I also have many years of experience working with domestic abuse and anger management. And I’ve worked for years with men around issues of relationships, fatherhood, masculinity, and abuse. I’ve spent the last twelve years as a social worker for the U.S. Air Force. I bring a great deal of both personal and professional experience to my work with clients. I draw from many different evidence-based practices. I can be straight-shooting, empathetic, serious, or funny as you need on any given day. But mostly, I will listen for what’s most important to you and then help you make that real in your life. I’ll look forward to hearing from you.

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Jennifer Forbes

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: LMFT
LGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issues
14 years of experience

WELCOME TO SEED OF HOPE COUNSELING SERVICES! ABOUT THE FOUNDER Jennifer M. Forbes, M.S., LMFT is the Founder of Seed of Hope Counseling Services and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She is passionate about the work that she does and is grateful to God for the training, opportunities, and people that she has been able to serve throughout the years. She has successfully counseled hundreds of individuals, couples, and families through difficult times and it has been one of her greatest joys. Jennifer has served both in the non-profit and private sector, since 2009, providing counseling, consulting services, support, supervision, and leadership to various teams, clinicians, leaders, and organizations. She has been a pioneer in the field, working with agencies to create and implement innovative therapeutic initiatives. She has developed, established, and assessed various community programs for crisis, trauma, and clinical services. She has served on clinical committees for the Illinois Health Practice Alliance, the Behavioral Health Consortium and the Westside Community Triage and Wellness Center. Jennifer is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapist (AAMFT). Jennifer received her formal training from Northern Illinois University where she earned her Bachelor's in Psychology and Masters in Applied Family & Child Studies with a Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy. Ready to Connect? We are confident you have come to the right place. Request your appointment today! We are looking forward to speaking with you. Feel free to visit www.sohcs.com for more information. Warmest Regards, Jennifer M. Forbes, LMFT MEET OUR THERAPIST: CHRISTINE HUFFAKER Throughout difficult years in my own mental health journey, I developed a growing passion for supporting others with their mental health from a place of empathy and understanding. I have always had a passion for sitting with others in both moments of joy and sorrow and honoring both spaces. I approach counseling with a genuine understanding of what it feels like to struggle silently with mental health and feel alone in the process. Out of my own time in counseling, I developed sincere belief in the therapeutic process. During my clinical experience as a masters counseling student through Indiana Wesleyan University, I have gained experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, and adults on a wide range of topics including anxiety, depression, grief, and anger management. My approach to counseling is rooted in person-centered care and the belief that clients are always the experts of their own lives. Above all, I strive to create a safe and nonjudgmental space for all clients characterized by compassion and acceptance. I believe deeply in the power of self compassion and the practice of attuning to our own emotions without shame. Topics of interest and possible future areas of specialization include: counseling work with teens and young adults, couples counseling, sexual functioning, obsessive compulsive disorder, and anxiety. Reaching out takes great courage, and I look forward to celebrating that victory with you in our first session! Sincerely, Christine Huffaker Don't Wait Another Day! Request an Appointment Today!

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Cory Bedtke

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: MSW,LCSW
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseParenting issues
9 years of experience

Hi there! I am a licensed clinical social worker with 9 years of experience, currently licensed in Illinois, Tennessee, and Maine. I have a Master of Social Work degree from Loyola University Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Education from Illinois Wesleyan University. My social work practice began as a school social worker, providing therapy to students as well as support to their families, but I have been working with BetterHelp since April 2021. In my BetterHelp practice, I enjoy working with individuals in the college and young adult range, as well as folks in middle adulthood. The clients I have served have presented with a wide range of social, emotional, and psychological concerns including social challenges, anxiety, stress, family conflicts, and parenting challenges. I have also worked with people with different neurodivergent classifications such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and intellectual disabilities as well as other mental health disorders. I have helped many families and individuals who have experienced emotional and physical abuse, a variety of traumas, and stressors stemming from disabilities as well as financial strains. My counseling style is relaxed, yet attentive and compassionate. I have a strong belief that a therapist should be approachable and that the therapeutic environment should be an inviting setting, particularly for those who are newer to therapy. Throughout the duration of a counseling relationship, I value respectful and direct interactions and enjoy using humor to put my clients at ease. My clinical approach is a combination of the following: client-centered therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness therapy, solution-focused therapy, and trauma-focused therapy. Though I've received formal education and training in these different approaches, I value making therapeutic concepts and theories simple to understand and easy for clients to apply to their own lives. For whatever reason you are seeking out therapy, I am here to take the journey with you and I look forward to taking those first steps together.

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Sebastion Williams

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: MSEd,CCM,LTMH
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsSelf esteemDepressionADHD
25 years of experience

Greetings! My name is Sebastion and I have been a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor for over twenty years, a Certified Case Manager (CCM) for five years and a newly minted Certified Telemental Health Provider (CTMH). In addition to private practice work, I have spent many years as a frontline clinician and crisis supervisor. I also have several years experience in leading teams of care managers in government programs. I have formal training in several modalities but prefer Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Solution-Focused Brief Counseling (SFBC) in general. I am a lifelong student of interactive media and see therapeutic benefits in performance arts, analog and video gaming. The world is a broken place. Each of us are born as shards – one piece a friend, one piece a student, another a sibling and so forth. As we absorb the world around us, we sense, we perceive, we feel and we act and splinter further into workers, lovers, parents, enemies, dreamers, victims, abusers, leaders and followers to name a few. The universe taps us on the shoulder throughout our lives as a prompt to integrate – show one face, live one life and love who you are becoming. Therapy can help us recognize those shoulder taps and extract meaning from those cues. If we miss those cues, the shattered world that we live in then lives in us – unless we act. As a neurodiverse mental health professional, I am acutely aware of the puppet shows required for us to be seen as OK. I want to help others find areas of control and influence that can bring contentment, purpose and insight into the chaos that surrounds us.

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Dr. Diana Dobier

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: PsyD,LCP
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesDepression
25 years of experience

I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Illinois with over 25 years of experience working with a wide range of individual issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship issues, career concerns and challenging work experiences, I have assisted individuals experiencing issues with substance abuse, and parenting concerns. I am a Certified Clinical Telemental Health Provider, with many years of experience providing treatment in the online environment. My goal in the treatment is to be warm and to create a safe space in which we can build a therapeutic relationship. I believe it is important to provide respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, psychodynamic and mindfulness therapy. I use these tools to develop a treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Booking an appointment is the first step to building a better life for yourself. I provide guidance and support as you take that next step towards change. I look forward to working with you!

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Jesse Waltz

Offering therapy in Illinois
Trauma and abuseSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
18 years of experience

I am licensed in Illinois and Kentucky with over 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with trauma and abuse, motivation, self-esteem, and confidence, depression, & 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!

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Katrina Covington

Offering therapy in Illinois
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsDepression
4 years of experience

As a military spouse of 23 years, I’ve had the unique opportunity to work in various therapy settings with both military and civilian communities. With 10+ years of professional counseling experience, 4 years in private practice, I’ve helped adults, teens, and children navigate challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, substance use, relationship struggles, parenting, and anger management. ​I believe everyone’s journey is unique, which is why I tailor my approach to meet your specific needs. While my foundation is in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I also incorporate techniques from other methods, like Solution-Focused Therapy, Reality Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, to help you reach your goals. What makes my approach different from others? It’s the attention and care taken to ensure a genuinely client-centered therapeutic experience. I aim to provide a safe, supportive space where we can work together to create positive changes in your life.

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Brenda Post

Offering therapy in Illinois
AddictionsTrauma and abuseSelf esteemCareer difficultiesDepression
25 years of experience

I have been a clinician for 25 years and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Illinois as well as the State of Tennessee. I have both Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Illinois Social Work, Urbana, IL. I provide counseling and assessment for adults and have extensive experience working with elderly and Veteran individuals with diverse and complicated issues. I have experience in helping clients coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, motivation, relationships, self esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. 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 change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey by providing a secure, attentive, and supportive environment.

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Herbert Stricklin

Offering therapy in Illinois
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesIntimacy-related issuesDepressionCoping with life changes
35 years of experience

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.

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Ryan Sheehan

Offering therapy in Illinois
Stress, AnxietyLGBTSelf esteemDepressionADHD
6 years of experience

I am licensed in Illinois and Virginia with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, motivation, self esteem, 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

How can a counselor support you?

Therapists can practice many types of counseling, from marriage and family therapy to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). They may also assist you with symptoms of depression, stress, or anxiety.

Therapists may help you set and achieve career goals, work on current issues you may be facing, or address your past. Over 11,181,370 people live in IL, and one out of five Americans has a mental health condition. Searching for local licensed professionals may help you find mental health support for personal growth, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health concerns. You do not need a mental health diagnosis to seek support from one of BetterHelp's licensed providers above.  

The mental health field can include psychiatric medication management, online therapy, marriage counseling, couples therapy, clinical social work, licensed counseling, and other mental health services in person and online. Seeing a licensed provider can help you navigate mental health conditions and life circumstances through mindfulness and other specialized techniques.

Please note that BetterHelp therapists in Illinois does not offer diagnostic or medication management services in therapy.

Why do people choose to work with a licensed counselor or therapists?

People reach out for mental health support for a variety of reasons. Many individuals work with a counselor for general life advice, while others may attend therapy for a specific concern. Whether you live in a large city or a smaller county, BetterHelp can match you with a licensed professional tailored to your preferences noted when you sign up.

The mental health therapists in Illinois support clients with varying issues through therapy, working with:

  • Challenging situations or life stressors
  • Eating disorders requiring therapy
  • Anxiety disorders in need of therapeutic support
  • Depression or depressive mental health conditions
  • Adjustment issues in need of therapeutic support
  • Emotional support for a terminal illness
  • Chronic pain emotional support
  • Grief therapy
  • Personality disorders
  • Trauma therapy
  • Relationship conflicts and mental health concerns

Finding a therapist in Illinois that takes new clients in online therapy can be the first step in finding a treatment plan that works for you. Your therapist can provide a safe space for you to focus on self-care and well-being.

If you're interested in speaking to one of the therapists above or being matched with a counselor in 24 to 48 hours, consider signing up for BetterHelp. BetterHelp has over 35,000 providers, including those listed above.

Emergency services to contact in a crisis

If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, don't use the BetterHelp therapy site. If you are in life-threatening danger, call 911. If you require support for a crisis, reach out to the therapy hotlines below:

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Some of the most commonly asked questions about therapy can be found in the section below.

How much does therapy with a licensed therapist cost?

Mental health professionals can differ in price. Forbes found that the average cost of in-person Illinois therapy in the US is around $100 to $200 per hour. Pricing can also vary based on your location. 

BetterHelp offers payment plans of $65 to $100 per week. You can also take advantage of this pricing on one of BetterHelp's sister platforms, like ReGain for couples or TeenCounseling for teens aged 13 to 19.

Is it possible to find a therapist, counselor, or psychology practitioner that offers affordable therapy?

Many therapists may be upfront about their pricing and whether or not they take health insurance from the beginning. Additionally, some in your area may offer a sliding scale plan to allow those with lower incomes to pay less for therapy. However, services online can often save individuals a few hundred dollars per month.

When should I get a therapist in Illinois?

Mental health services and mental health providers may help you navigate various concerns. You do not need a diagnosis or condition to attend therapy; You can discuss grief, relationship concerns, stress, or life changes and ask for general advice. A counselor may help you gain power over your life and emotions while you navigate day-to-day experiences.

What can a psychologist help me with in therapy?

Mental health issues don't always present as a crisis. Many professionals provide talk therapy and support for life transitions, skills learning, relationship problems, or life coaching. Online therapy sessions can allow clients seeking therapy to experience professional help through video, phone, or live chat sessions without commuting to an office.

Does insurance cover the cost of in-person or online therapy with a therapist in Illinois?

Different counseling services can vary in cost. Therapists must apply to accept insurance through insurance companies, which may take time and money, so not every therapist offers services through insurance. If you cannot find a therapist that accepts your plan, BetterHelp may be cheaper than visiting an in-person therapist.

Are online therapy sessions the safe option?

Online therapy through BetterHelp and its sister platforms is safe. Therapists are licensed, experienced, and vetted before being contracted with the platform. If you experience any concerns with your therapist, you change your counselor through the platform or app at any time.

In today's fast-paced society, mental well-being has become a cornerstone of a fulfilling life. Amid the daily challenges and stressors that can overwhelm even the most resilient individuals, seeking professional guidance often offers a path to clarity and balance. The journey toward improved emotional health involves understanding personal triggers, embracing self-compassion, and developing effective coping strategies. While self-help books and online resources provide valuable information, nothing compares to the personalized support offered by a qualified mental health professional. One-on-one sessions with experienced experts can help uncover the underlying issues contributing to anxiety, depression, or other emotional hurdles. With a careful and empathetic approach, these professionals tailor their advice to suit individual needs, ensuring that each person receives strategies that work best for their unique circumstances. Whether through cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, or other innovative methods, the aim is to foster resilience and empower individuals to take control of their inner lives. For those living in bustling urban centers, engaging in face-to-face sessions in a welcoming environment can be particularly beneficial. Access to a caring clinician provides not only a safe space to explore difficult emotions but also builds a support network essential for long-term recovery. The process encourages self-reflection and greater insight into behavioral patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed. While the journey can be challenging at times, the rewards include enhanced emotional stability, improved interpersonal relationships, and a renewed sense of self-worth. In one notable case, the guidance provided by a highly trained therapist proved instrumental in navigating a tumultuous period. Through structured sessions and tailored interventions, the individual learned to identify stressors and develop healthier responses to adversity. This experience underscored the transformative impact that dedicated support can have on one's overall quality of life. In a region like Texas, community-based initiatives and accessible mental health programs further reinforce the value of professional help. These efforts emphasize early intervention, preventive care, and continuous support, ensuring that more people are equipped to face life's inevitable challenges. Ultimately, investing in mental well-being is an act of self-care that yields lifelong benefits. By embracing professional support, individuals can unlock new levels of emotional resilience and discover pathways to a brighter, more balanced future. Each step taken toward healing represents a commitment to personal growth, enabling a life filled with renewed optimism and strength. Embracing this transformative journey consistently paves the way for deeper understanding, lasting peace, and meaningful personal progress.
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