I am a licensed clinical social worker in Illinois with specialization in addictions (substance use and sexual disorders), trauma and emotional conditions, LGBTQ concerns, depression, anxiety, relationship and parenting concerns, vocational challenges, legal issues, and serious mental health illnesses. Since I started in the field in 1998, I have always known I would be a counselor. Growing up, it came naturally to me to be compassionate, empathetic, and to listen with a non-judgmental stance. Over the past 20 years, I have helped hundreds of individuals improve their lifestyles through my work and passion for helping. What I love the most about working as a therapist is being apart of those quantum change insights; the ones that involve a shift in perception and the realization of a new life. It can be as simple as looking at ones self in a positive light, realizing they are capable of change. Recovery is about self-discovery, rediscovering the parts that you believe have become disconnected or lost. Authentic recovery allows you to achieve peace and satisfaction with your life. This starts with positive connections. I am here to guide you in the path of healing the root cause of your stress. With positive and loving connection, I will honor your path towards fulfillment. Currently as of 5/14/2020, I am no longer taking new clients due to a full schedule.

My name is Jordan Coleman. I have a black lab named Bruce Wayne. I attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for both my undergrad (B.S. Human Development and Family Studies 2012) and for my Master's in Social Work (MSW 2015). I have been a School Social Worker for 4 years but have always had a passion for helping others. I have worked with clients on a wide range of concerns including emotion management, trauma, family relationships, and beyond. I tend to be a positive, optimistic person and I very much value relationships with others. I feel that these attributes aid me in my practice. My treatment approach combines client-centered, mindfulness, solution-focused, with other approaches sprinkled in for good measure. My goal is to empathize with my clients and help you identify goals and move towards them, move to a more clarified version of life, or be a sounding board for when it is needed. I know times are especially trying right now, so I felt a calling to begin expanding my horizons with BetterHelp. I generally check messages on here a few times per day Monday-Friday and respond as quickly as I can. I do appreciate your patience when it takes a bit longer at times, as I may be tending to other clients or professional/personal responsibilities. It can be very difficult to reach out for help, but I am glad you are taking that step. I would love to help you with this change and be there to support you!

Create an opportunity to care for yourself. You can think of it like getting a gym membership or working with a personal trainer. By dedicating time for personal development in an emotionally supportive environment, we can work together to make changes in your life. Maybe you have a specific goal in mind to work towards or would like to learn new coping skills for life's challenges. No matter what brought you to BetterHelp today, my role and my goal is to assist you in making positive changes in your life. I'm here to listen and ready to help. My name is Sarah, and I am an Art Therapist and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over nine years of experience working with individuals, groups, and direct care staff. I meet with many individuals who prefer talk-based therapy as well as those who use art and reflective writing in therapy to address their personal goals. Grounded in a strength-based approach and using interventions informed by Dialectical Behavior Therapy, I aim to help clients with emotion regulation and to reach a place of confidence with their mental wellness.

My counseling style is relaxed and conversational and one of meeting someone where they are on their path. I recognize it takes courage to seek therapy and implement changes and would love to assist you on your journey of discovery. I understand that it may be difficult to open up and talk to someone and I pride myself on being an active and nonjudgemental listener. I am genuinely interested in helping everyone I come in contact with thrive in all aspects of their personal and/or professional lives. I will constantly work to promote an empathetic experience where an individual’s needs, concerns, and personal values are met with compassion and respect. I am devoted to creating a safe place that both fosters and aids emotional growth and healing.

My name is Sofia Dickey, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Illinois with over 12 years of experience working in the mental health field. Additionally, I am a Certified Addictions Counselor in the state of Illinois. I have worked in residential and outpatient treatment centers for youth with behavioral concerns and adults with various mental health issues. I have also helped a wide variety of individuals from different backgrounds to better manage issues with depression, anxiety, addictions, and trauma. My counseling style is that of acceptance and compassion while using the approaches of cognitive-behavioral and solution-focused therapies as well as motivational interviewing. I am here to listen to you without judgment, and I am here to help. One of the benefits of online therapy involves the added daily support that may not be available through regular outpatient counseling. Therefore, I encourage you to message me at anytime as I check my messages at least once a day every day of the week. I also offer messaging, live chat, phone sessions and video sessions. Although I encourage video sessions, I am available through the means that make you feel the most comfortable. I look forward to working with you and helping you reach your goals.

My name is Marisol Cruz, and I am bilingual in English and Spanish. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I have 24 years of experience working as a school counselor with children from kindergarten through 12th grade. I have worked with students with various diagnoses. My main objective in working with students is to help them by supporting and guiding them so they can carry on a daily routine in school and any environment. A partnership is developed, whereby children and adolescents are actively involved in helping to create personal growth and development in their lives. I work with families (not family counseling) helping them to create an environment that will establish routines at home so that the changes can be implemented and the children and adolescents feel a sense of support and accountability. I offer wraparound services to help families with the resources they need to live productive lives. Also, I provide services for adults with mild/ moderate depression, anxiety, relational support, life coaching, and more. Sessions will focus on the clients and their immediate needs. At the start of the sessions, we will discuss anything on their mind then concentrate on the main goal of the therapy session and work together towards meeting expectations. The therapeutic process will be empathetic, and compassionate, and the client should feel safe to express themselves in a non-judgmental environment. Specialty: Behavior Anxiety Depression ADHD Clinical approaches: CBT Client Center Therapy Motivational Interviewing Years of experience: 4

I have worked in mental health since 2004. I have been employed in a variety of settings and worked with individuals struggling with addiction, chronic mental health issues, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, postpartum depression and anxiety. I work from a behavior context, largely utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and other behavioral techniques. I completed my Bachelor's degree in Psychology in 2004 from Quincy University, my Master's degree in Education in Counseling in 2007 from Quincy University, a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from Penn State in 2013, and a Master's degree in Sociology from Arizona State University in Spring of 2022.

I am Dr. Jerome Anderson, an advanced-practice clinical professional offering a wide range of clinical services. I am licensed as a clinical social worker (LCSW), nationally board certified as an advanced practice clinical social worker (BCD), certified as a clinical forensic social worker/psychotherapist (CCFC), and certified as a correctional health care professional (CCHP). As such, I provide services focused on severe and persistent mental health concerns as well as mild mental health conditions, such as professional counseling, psychotherapy, and consulting services for clinical assistance in mental health symptom management, behavioral redirection, life-style adjustment, and crisis abatement. All therapeutic approaches are scientific & evidence based. The treatment modalities utilized but not limited to are cognitive-behavioral principles and strengths-based theory. I am licensed to provide these services in the states of Missouri and Illinois. Most recently, I worked as a clinical psychotherapist, Behavioral Health Consultant, and Flight Commander of Behavioral Health Services for the United States Department of the Air Force. I also have a history of working as a criminal justice clinician and director of the mental health departments within large metropolitan jails and correctional facilities. I have also worked in maximum-security prisons as a forensic clinician. In all capacities, I have experience evaluating, diagnosing, and developing appropriate treatment goals. I also have experiences working with the judicial systems where I have developed and implemented recommendations based on patient competency levels as well as led the therapeutic treatment process. Along with this experience, I have worked as a full-time law enforcement officer. Lastly, I am an Active Duty Commissioned Officer (Lieutenant Commander) in the United States Public Health Services Commissioned Corp (USPHS-CC) where I operate as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) and Coordinator for Employee Relations/Officer Advocacy for USPHS. I look forward to working with you!!

Greetings and welcome! My name is Cheryl Lee Affrunti (I go by “Lee”), and I am a Florida-based clinical psychologist with more than 13 years of experience assisting clients of all ages. I have been privileged to work with clients struggling with a wide range of challenges including anxiety, depression, stressful life transitions, bipolar disorder, ASD, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, schizoaffective disorder, learning disabilities, parenting problems, and relationship concerns. I am especially honored to have helped veterans, first responders, and others experiencing the harmful effects of physical and emotional trauma. As a person-centered therapist, I believe you deserve to be treated with empathy, respect, dignity, and compassion. I offer a judgment-free zone where you can count on my commitment to provide a safe and welcoming environment during our time together. I don’t profess to have the specific answers you seek, but I fervently believe you have those answers within you, and I will focus our time together by listening to you and helping you discover your richest and most meaningful path forward. My theoretical orientation is based primarily on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and includes cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, mindfulness-based, and solution-oriented approaches depending on your unique challenges, preferences, and situation. I appreciate the courage it took for you to reach out to someone to improve the quality of your life. Yes, you absolutely can live your most meaningful and fulfilling life, and I offer to you my services as your guide who will strive to enlighten, empower, and support you on your journey. I hope we can travel this part of your journey together!

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 23 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & 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. I am available on weekends for messaging sessions only. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with three years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, foster and adoption struggles, and parenting issues. My training and experience also include working with adolescents and teenagers of varying ages. 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 am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois with over 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, parenting issues, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your individual 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 8 years of professional work experience. 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 passionate about helping the clients I serve as they navigate life challenges. With nearly two decades of experience in wilderness settings as well as clinical settings, I have helped my clients with trauma, interpersonal relationship issues, addiction, grief/loss, depression, anxiety, aging, and family dynamics. I seek to build a connection of trust, understanding, and empathy with my clients. Listening to your concerns and helping you discover the best path for your circumstances is always my primary focus. I use a variety of techniques in treatment, tailoring to best meet the individual needs of the client. Some of my favorites combine mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy such as meditation, mindfulness practices, identifying unproductive thought patterns and reshaping them to create new behavioral patterns.