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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Dr. Shelia Williamson Collins

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: PhD,LCMHC,CCMHC
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseAnger managementDepression
18 years of experience

Hello, I am Dr. Shelia Williamson Collins, PhD, NCC, LCMHC, CCMHC, LCAS, CCS, SAP, MAC. I am a board certified clinical mental health counselor and addiction counselor with nearly 20 years of experience in behavioral health. I am licensed as a clinical counselor in the states of North Carolina, Illinois, and Alaska. I have a PhD in General Psychology from Northcentral University. I also have a master's degree in Community Counseling and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Chicago State University. I have worked in an adult inpatient psychiatric unit, outpatient behavioral clinic, community-based mental health services, and residential substance abuse treatment programs. My counseling style is person-centered. I have a diverse therapeutic approach to counseling. However, my primary approach includes cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy. I specialize in mood disorders, anger management, addictions education, and relapse prevention. I believe that everyone has a story to tell; and I am here to listen. Giving voice to your concerns and issues is the first step to healing. We can accomplish this together. It would be my honor to work with you to assist you in reaching your healthy goals. Please let me know if you would prefer weekly sessions, and I will do my best to accommodate.

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Stephanie Nash

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: MSW,LCSW
Stress, AnxietyLGBTGriefSelf esteemDepression
22 years of experience

As a licensed clinical social worker, I offer a warm, empathetic, and open-minded approach to therapy. I believe in meeting you where you are, listening to your story, and working collaboratively to set meaningful goals that support your growth and healing. I work with teens, young adults, adults, and seniors. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, self-esteem challenges, life transitions, grief or loss, or seeking support as part of the LGBTQ+ community, I strive to create a safe, supportive space where you can feel seen, heard, and empowered. I understand that starting therapy can feel overwhelming or even a little scary. Reaching out for help is a brave first step—and one that can lead to real, lasting change. My hope is that you’ll give yourself the opportunity to experience the support, insight, and relief that therapy can offer. Together, we’ll explore what’s getting in the way of feeling your best and identify ways to move forward in a direction that aligns with your values and needs.

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Michelle Wong

Offering therapy in Illinois
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteem
6 years of experience

Hello, I am licensed in Illinois with over 6 years of therapy experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, & trauma and abuse. I also have experience working with 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. 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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Linda Goldsmith

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: LMHC,OTR/L,MA
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseDepression
25 years of experience

I work with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety/stress, relationship problems, trauma and loss utilizing a holistic approach. I help clients set goals for change and seek solutions to problems. I have been in private practice for 25 years and work with adults. I utilize cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic and solution focused to help clients understand themselves and take steps to bring about change. When working with couples i like the IMAGO method and Gottmans approach. Therapy is a commitment to your health and well being. I am honored to work with individuals who are willing to better understand themselves and are motivated to work to change and improve their lives.

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Brenda Sullivan-Rice

Offering therapy in Illinois
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseDepression
35 years of experience

Hello, my name is Brenda Rice, LCSW. I started my career in mental health in 1987 working with teen moms. I completed my Master's degree in 1989 and began working with children and adolescents experiencing a variety of issues, including ADHD, behavioral problems, sexual abuse and trauma. In working with children I also found that most of the parents had issues which often had to be addressed. I also worked as a crisis counselor, assessing individuals to determine if they required psychiatric hospitalization, dealing with adolescents who had run away from home and general crisis situations. In 2007 I started working primarily with adults in a medical clinic setting where most of my clients were dealing with anxiety, depression and past trauma. I would say this is my area of expertise and an issue which has always been close to my heart since graduate school. Helping people heal from past trauma and overcome anxiety, depression, shame, guilt and low self-esteem is truly my passion and what drives me to be the best therapist I can be. From past experience I know that one of the best things to offer clients dealing with past trauma is a sense of empowerment; and from the first session I give this to my clients, letting them know that the therapy is in their control and they guide the sessions. I listen with a compassion, empathic and genuine caring heart. I truly consider it a privilege and honor to get to know you and go on the healing journey with you.

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Christianna Sullivan

Offering therapy in Illinois
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteemCoping with life changes
7 years of experience

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!

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Dr. Marilyn Lewis

Offering therapy in Illinois
Stress, AnxietyGriefDepressionCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
35 years of experience

I am licensed in Missouri with 35 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, 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. 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.

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Sarah Silva

Offering therapy in Illinois
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
11 years of experience

You try your hardest to help other people and yet no matter how much effort you put in, it still feels like you're not doing enough. Burnout feels real to you and you wonder if you'll ever have the time or energy for the things that matter in life; loving relationships, time with family, time with yourself to be who you want to be, do what you want to do, or have what you want to have. At this point, you're tired of living on autopilot and just want to live a life that's more fulfilling to you, whatever that looks like. As a heart-centered, congruent woman, I use Neurolinguistic Programming to assist you make instant changes in your life. NLP is the study of successful people and uses communication to eliminate negative emotions and limiting beliefs that may be in the way of you living out your ideal life. NLP works fast and your commitment is an average of three months. Since you're reading this, I know you're ready to finally step into your truest self and live the life you want to live. Email me and we'll get started right away! I've been told I'm funny too so there's that to look forward to! Talk to you soon.

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Chaniqua Bryant

Offering therapy in Illinois
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsParenting issuesSelf esteemCoping with life changes
7 years of experience

I am a licensed clinical professional counselor in Illinois with 7 years of professional work experience. I have worked with the youth and young adult ages 13- 19 years old as well as with their parents. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, parenting issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence. 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.

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Cheryl Watson

Offering therapy in Illinois
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsFamily conflictsSelf esteemDepression
3 years of experience

I am licensed in Illinois with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, 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. 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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Kenyatta Black

Offering therapy in Illinois
AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteem
10 years of experience

I am licensed in Illinois with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, lgbtq+ related issues, relationship issues, trauma, abuse, motivation, & self esteem. I also have experience working with 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. 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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Neel Mehta

Offering therapy in Illinois
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesCoaching
19 years of experience

I am a doctorally licensed clinical psychologist in the greater Chicagoland area with 19 years of professional experience in working with children, adults, couples and families. I have worked in many settings providing direct help with distress in many forms, as well as working through relationship and life issues such as those that arise in youth, intimacy, and family life. I am also available as a performance coach and consultant across multiple domains including personal, team, educational, and executive. I have been continuously integrating new life experiences and knowledge through time in addition to training and practice so that I can influence clearly evident change for people who need or want it. I understand that this is a time where skepticism and disdain for so-called expertise is understandable and too often required. I will not likely tell you our work is easy but I am very confident in finding a way to improve any given situation together.

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Rachel Bertrand

Offering therapy in Illinois
Stress, AnxietyParenting issuesSelf esteemCoping with life changes
7 years of experience

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Illinois. I have a passion for coming alongside my clients with non-judgmental listening to create space for them to discover and gain new personal insights, as well as healthy coping skills to gain a deeper personal happiness in their life. I work with families, adolescents, young adults, and adult individuals. I strive to ensure that each of my clients feels seen and heard. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, LGBTQ+ related issues, parenting issues, motivation, self-esteem, & confidence, executive functioning skills, communication skills, and life purpose inquiry. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. I believe in the integration of the whole person. I am also a Certified 250hr+ yoga instructor, and I enjoy bringing meditation and breathing techniques into a therapy session. Overall, I would like to offer clients a holistic counseling experience that supports their journey in exploring who they authentically are as a whole person.

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Thiesha Ricketts

Offering therapy in Illinois
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
7 years of experience

My name is Thiesha, I am a therapist licensed in Illinois and Indiana with 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in behavioral health, and in the medical field, working with individuals, children, and adults. My focus is the treatment and prevention of mental illness, emotional, and other behavioral disturbances. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. 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.

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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