I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience providing therapy services to a diverse group of individuals, albeit an extensive portion of my practice has been providing support to children and their families. I have provided clinical services in a wide range of therapeutic arena such as shelters, inpatient/outpatient hospitals, schools. In doing so, I work with clients with multiple concerns including parenting, depression, school problems, trauma to name a few. I provide trauma-informed care with experience addressing grief, community violence impact, etc.
I earned my Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in Criminal Justice and a minor in Sociology. I later attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where I earned my Masters in Social Work, focusing clinically on Schools, and my Masters in Education with a focus on Educational Organization and Leadership, respectively. I am currently completing my Doctorate at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a focus on providing services, resources, and access to traditionally marginalized populations.
I am a culturally responsive clinician who believes that everyone minimally deserves empathy, respect, compassion, and dignity. I truly believe it is important to meet everyone where they are at, and in doing so, empower and equip my clients to have a voice and choice in their lives- to have agency. My approach is largely client-centered, strength-based, and solution-focused because I believe that clients are the experts on their lives and that everyone has strengths and talents from which we can draw. I use a variety of treatment modalities to guide clients in identifying strengths, and in developing treatment plans that accomplish their goals. While this list is not exhaustive, I use Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Intervention for Trauma in Schools, Mindfulness, Emotional Regulation Strategies, etc. with the goal of supporting clients to move towards a life of stability and happiness.
Congratulations on taking the first step in achieving the change you seek. It is an honor to join you and walk alongside you as a critical thought partner on your journey.
Specialties:
• Parenting concerns
• Relationship issues
• Self-esteem
• Depression
• Coping with life changes
• School issues and support
• Emotional regulation
• Effective decision-making
Also experienced in:
Conflict resolution, LGBT, Abuse and Neglect, Trauma, Behavioral Disorders, Parenting issues ADHD, Special Education Law, Stress Management, Domestic Violence, Homelessness, Birth to 3 Services, Grief and Loss, Attachment Issues, Mental Illness, and more.
Clinical approaches:
Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Zones of Regulation, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
Years of Experience: 23
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Relationship issues, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Adoption and foster care, Attachment issues, Blended family issues, Communication problems, Coping with natural or human-caused disaster, Domestic violence, Impulsivity, Mood disorders, Multicultural concerns, Post-traumatic stress, Prejudice and discrimination, Self-harm, Self-love, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Gottman Method, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
IL LCSW 149.019431
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Katina Wilcher. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Katina has made my Betterhelp experience very positive and life-changing. I live in a different state and was desperate to find a therapist online because the therapists in my insurance-covered network lacked what I felt I needed. When I read Katina's bio I honestly felt embarrassed to talk to her because I felt my personal problems were insignificant compared to her breadth of social work experience. Little did I know after several sessions with her that my problems are totally aligned with her experience and I found the perfect therapist (for my issues) after all! I wish I met her 6 years ago when I was in the throes of my issues. Katina's greatest asset is listening and coaching with compassionate affirmations and reinforcement, and this is very important for those who have been through abuse and neglect. I struggle trusting myself where I feel the need to explain myself, my actions, and my intentions all the time. So Katina's gentle and compassionate (and active) listening has been so helpful that the issues I initially wanted help with are totally resolved and now we're moving (in baby steps) towards deeper traumas, which I think at a subconscious level is the real work or the heart of my problems. I would only do this journey with Katina.
Written on Sep 15, 2021 after therapy with Katina for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
She is absolutely amazing. She is very collaborative which I think is helpful, also very supportive and makes sure you feel heard. I love working with her and feel very lucky to be able to have her to help me through my problems and help me become a healthier me.
Written on Jun 23, 2021 after therapy with Katina for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, sleeping disorders, and adhd
Good advice, good listener
Written on Jun 19, 2021 after therapy with Katina for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, and relationship issues
Chatting with Katina every week has been exactly how I felt counseling should always be: easy going, sometimes fun, and when it comes down to business, there’s no nonsense. It’s truly made me look forward to working on myself more. I’ve even signed three friends up with Betterhelp because I can’t stop raving about what a great experience this has been!
Written on Jun 17, 2021 after therapy with Katina for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, compassion fatigue, and adhd