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.

 

This is Ashley Andersen's avatar and link to their profile

Ashley Andersen

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: MA,LCPC
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseAnger managementDepression
6 years of experience

Hello, my name is Ashley Pratt. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois and have been in practice for the past seven years. Over that time, I have refined my counseling skills by providing individual, couples, and family counseling to individuals five to older adult in inpatient psychiatric settings, residential settings, community outreach programs, and in private practice. I have a direct, solution-focused approach, which aids individuals in addressing problematic behaviors and thought processes which are negatively impacting their life. I have experience supporting individuals in managing anxiety, mood disorders, psychosis, trauma, self-harm and suicidal thoughts, and substance use. I also have experience working with individuals who are managing chronic medical conditions as well as mental health issues. My philosophy focuses on building a respectful, honest, and collaborative relationship with my clients. I believe each client is the expert on themselves and their needs. Through providing a warm, safe, and supportive therapeutic space, my hope is to help individuals identify their own goals for therapy and guide them in managing hurdles in their life. In our work together, we will search for the root of the issues you are experiencing and learn to nurture the underlying issues. My personal areas of expertise include a holistic and eclectic approach using Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral techniques, and trauma informed approaches. I enjoy teaching interventions which can be used in a variety of settings, such as relaxation techniques and thought reframing. I believe we cannot address challenges in life in isolation, and I hope to offer the support needed to overcome any challenges in life.

This is Dr. Shelia Williamson Collins's avatar and link to their profile

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.

This is Raelene Faught's avatar and link to their profile

Raelene Faught

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: MA,LCPC
Family conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefParenting issuesSelf esteem
12 years of experience

I am a therapist licensed in Illinois with 10 years of experience. I view this work as helping people heal from hurts and move towards healthier choices and relationships to satisfy legitimate needs. I have worked with clients on issues including anxiety, transition and phase of life concerns, relationships, parenting and trauma. I try to come from a perspective that views you as the expert on your life and I am here to help you learn, heal and change. I use a humanistic approach along with Trauma Informed and Cognitive Behavioral strategies to work towards those goals. I hope that your choice is an easy one and I wish you well.

This is Laura Salazar's avatar and link to their profile

Laura Salazar

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: LCPC
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseGriefDepressionCoping with life changes
9 years of experience

My name is Laura Salazar, and I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor for Illinois and Texas with over nine years of experience. You are the expert on your own life. I am an expert in helping you outline and achieve your goals. Therapy is intended to prepare you for working through your life's issues as they happen with empowerment and knowledge. I would be honored if you would choose me to provide you with the tools to build the kind of life you want to have. Together, we will create treatment plans outlining what you would like to accomplish in therapy. Based on those goals, I will use evidence based treatments that match with each goal. What I tend to use most often are Rogerian Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialetical Behavioral Therapy, Constructivism, and Art Therapy techniques. I have the most experience with depression, anxiety, stress management, grief/loss, trauma/abuse, self-esteem, intimacy/couples issues, and behavior change.

This is Amy McGinnis Hogan's avatar and link to their profile

Amy McGinnis Hogan

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: LCSW
Relationship issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changesADHD
17 years of experience

I believe that growth and change are possible. I believe we have the ability to enrich our human experience. I am committed to helping you understand your personal story in a caring and safe therapeutic environment. Together we will examine your inner world in a non-judgmental space that we create together. I use a psychodynamic approach to increase insight, while drawing from solution-based approaches that provide tangible coping skills for managing day to day life. This process of self-examination and increased self-understanding will help identify and overcome the roadblocks standing in the way of reaching your full potential. If you are struggling right now, I encourage you to reach out. I would love the opportunity to collaborate with you on your journey of greater self-discovery, growth and healing.

This is Lori Cheek Gilroy's avatar and link to their profile

Lori Cheek Gilroy

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
26 years of experience

Hello! You have taken a courageous step towards making changes in your life. Asking for help can be hard and I would be honored to walk with you in your journey. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois. I have 26 years of experience working as a counselor and life coach. I have helped people with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, life transitions, trauma and caregiver stress. I have worked in several settings over the years including a child welfare program, family counseling clinic, family birthing center, crisis intervention agency and mental health clinic. My counseling style is client-centered, utilizing a holistic approach which addresses mind, body and spirit. I work from a Christ-centered philosophy, knowing that true and lasting healing comes only with God's help. Regardless of your background or beliefs, I believe you have value and I strive to communicate with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. You are the expert in your life and my role is to guide you to find the answers that are already within. I work from a solution-focused, systemic perspective. We will work together to develop treatment goals that meet your unique and specific needs. If you are ready to take the next step, I am here to support and encourage you. I look forward to working with you.

This is Craig McIntosh's avatar and link to their profile

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.

This is Tzu-Ping Cheng's avatar and link to their profile

Tzu-Ping Cheng

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: MS,LCPC
LGBTTrauma and abuseParenting issuesSelf esteemCoping with life changes
12 years of experience

Hello and welcome! My name is Tzu-Ping, and the pronunciation sounds close to Su-Ping. I am from Taiwan and am licensed in Illinois for the past 12 years. Here are some stories about me, and hope to share about yours! Since childhood, I have always been curious about different parts of the world and people’s lives in various cultures. I started to live in the United States in 2008 and have experienced many moves and life transitions since then. I began to have first-hand experiences and more understanding about what it means to have interruptions to the comfortable familiarities and breaks of the sense of self, struggles, isolation, uncertainty, and doubts are all part of these adjustments. However, it’s also because of these life transitions, I believe that the preferred self and new developments in life also grow from these challenging and seemingly unstable times. Therapy can be a journey to new territories of meaningful developments and exploration of how we want to be in this world. My therapy approach is narrative and collaborative, and I care deeply about equity and respect for diversity. I also believe in the multi-facet of an individual and the possibilities of life that labels would not define. Our conversations aim to support you toward your preferred direction in your life journey. I am looking forward to working with you!

This is Luqretia Stuckey's avatar and link to their profile

Luqretia Stuckey

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: LCSW,CADC
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsDepression
19 years of experience

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I began my experience working with individuals in families in 2003. I have the honor of working with all populations including children, adolescents, young adults, middle age adults, older adults and seniors. I am trained to look at situations in a holistic way, bringing people together with others & their communities. As a practitioner, I help individuals address personal & systemic barriers to optimal living. I'm determined to effect positive change with individuals, families, groups and entire communities. I have had the honor of helping individuals live with various mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, high risk psychiatric conditions and personality disorders. My mission it to help individuals & families conquer their personal journey of connecting with their best self through their challenges & truly be honest & genuine with themself as they navigate their life.

This is Dr. Nicole Ford's avatar and link to their profile

Dr. Nicole Ford

Offering therapy in Illinois
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseSelf esteemCoping with life changes
15 years of experience

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over 15 years of experience working in both private and public sectors . Life changes happen and I work with clients to build coping and resiliency skills. I help clients manage stress, anxiety, trauma, racial identity, self-esteem, and confidence Respect, empathy, and listening provide the foundation for any dialog and treatment plan. Your unique and specific needs are addressed in a collaborative manner whereby you are the expert. Think about it this way, you're in the driver seat and I'm the GPS system that provide directions based on the information you provide. You decide what goals to work on and your amount of effort as demonstrated by actionable steps. Occasionally, we may have to re-route when the interventions are not providing the desired outcome. We discuss the best way to get to your destination with regular check-ins to gauge if the sessions are effective for you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

This is Carrie Vine's avatar and link to their profile

Carrie Vine

Offering therapy in Illinois
AddictionsLGBTTrauma and abuse
8 years of experience

Hello and welcome to my profile! My name is Carrie and I use she/her pronouns. I am a cisgender woman that lives in Illinois. I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and have over 8 years of experience in the field. My specialties include LGBTQ issues and those living with HIV. Another one of passions is Harm Reduction and substance misuse. I use a non-judgmental approach to all of my counseling and therapy. I also have experience working with elders and aging and have a specialty niche of LGBTQ elders and those aging with HIV. I attended Southern Illinois University where I received a Bachelor's in Music, a bachelor's in Social Work, and a Master's in Social Work. I am currently still working on my Master's in Public Health and finishing my Gerontology degree. As a therapist I am very focused on small steps toward progress and primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in my work. I find this the most versatile and easiest for most clients to understand. I have also been studying ACT Therapy (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and have been using that a bit as well. I look forward to working with new clients in this format in our own time. I hope to lend some of my expertise to help guide people to meaningful connections and rich, full lives.

This is Jessica Hobart's avatar and link to their profile

Jessica Hobart

Offering therapy in Illinois
Stress, AnxietyGriefSelf esteemCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
4 years of experience

I am licensed in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin with 4 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

How can therapists in Illinois support you?

Therapists in Illinois 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 Illinois, and one out of five Americans has a mental health condition. Searching for licensed professionals in Illinois 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 does not offer diagnostic or medication management services.

Why are many residents in the state of Illinois working with a licensed counselor?

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 in Illinois, BetterHelp can match you with a licensed professional tailored to your preferences noted when you sign up.

Mental health counselors in Illinois support clients with varying issues, which can include:

  • Challenging situations or life stressors
  • Eating disorders
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depression or depressive conditions
  • Adjustment issues
  • Emotional support for a terminal illness
  • Chronic pain emotional support
  • Grief
  • Personality disorders
  • Trauma
  • Relationship conflicts and concerns

Finding a therapist 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

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

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Some commonly asked questions can be found below.

How much does a therapist cost?

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

BetterHelp offers payment plans of $60 to $90 per session, charged monthly in a lump sum. 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.

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.

How do I know if I should get a therapist?

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.

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 in Illinois can allow clients seeking therapy to experience professional help through video, phone, or live chat sessions without commuting to an office.

Does insurance cover therapy?

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.

Is online therapy safe?

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.

Find the right therapist for your needs
Match with a qualified therapist