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. James Geidner

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: PhD,LCPC
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseParenting issuesDepression
20 years of experience

Dr. Jim Geidner has over 20 years of clinical experience working in a wide variety of settings, including psychiatric rehabilitation, child treatment centers and universities. He is currently a Professor of Health and Counseling and also works in private practice. With vast experience as a Clinical Supervisor at a wide variety of institutions, including Rush Memorial Hospital, University of Chicago, University of Wisconsin, among others, Dr. Geidner is well versed in numerous modes of therapy. His approach to therapy emphasizes finding the right treatment modality to meet each client's unique needs.

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Nichole Molnar

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: MS.,LCPC
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
10 years of experience

I have extensive experience helping those with depression, anxiety, trauma, and behavioral issues. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who works with individuals, groups, couples, and families. I have a lot of expertise in helping my clients with stress management, self-esteem issues, communication skills, peer conflict, women's issues and men's issues. I believe in building a strong therapeutic relationship and I approach each client individually to determine their course of treatment. I use Cognitive-behavioral therapy/behavioral modification. Both have been researched and supported for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems. I also use Mindfulness techniques to help individuals be present in the moment and learn to take a step back and empower themselves to handle any situation. My philosophy is that clients already hold the skills/tools necessary to improve. I work collaboratively with the clients to help them to achieve their goals. I prefer to see clients as quickly as I can.

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Dr. Robin Chamberlain

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: DMin,LCPC
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefParenting issues
30 years of experience

You are courageous in reaching out for counseling. Counseling is a healing/growth/and development process you undertake for yourself. I'm grateful to journey with you. I believe every person holds worth, dignity, and value as someone created by God. There is no one like you! You are special! While you may not believe that, it is important that you know my approach toward you - that is how I view you. I have been a licensed clinical professional counselor for over 30 years and a Doctor of Formational Counseling - explicitly Christian counseling - for over 15 years. I serve individuals and families who are seeking counseling from a Christian perspective. I have over 30 years of experience in serving children, families, and individuals in various capacities and settings; both urban, rural, and internationally. I look forward to connecting with you on this part of your journey through life.

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Anthony Solano

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: LCPC
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesDepression
21 years of experience

My name is Anthony Solano and I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who has worked with college student populations since 1992. I specialize in young adults dealing with life transitions, educational planning, gender identity, choosing career paths, dealing with an unfulfilling job or a difficult boss as well as, difficulties with relationships (parents, friends, or significant others). I specialize in working with young adults to help them explore how to make decisions for themselves that lead to increased happiness and peace of mind. I bring an educational perspective to my counseling. I have worked in a college environment for over 20 years, so I understand the stressors and challenges involved in successfully navigating this environment. Whether you are seeking counseling to better manage stress, overcome depression and sadness, or manage your anxiety, we can work together to construct solutions and get you on the path to feeling stronger and able to effectively manage your life! I am available to work with clients of any age that are seeking assistance with their educational goals and need support and guidance.

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Katrina Covington

Offering therapy in Illinois
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsDepression
4 years of experience

I am licensed in Illinois and North Carolina with 4 years of professional work experience. As a Marine Corps spouse of 23 years, I have had the pleasure of gaining professional experience in a variety of therapeutic settings working with both military and civilian populations. My experience includes working with children, adolescents, and adults in many areas to include substance use, anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, conduct and behavior problems, self-esteem, motivation, relationship and communication issues, parenting, children with special needs, intensive alternative family treatment, intensive in-home therapy, emotion regulation, and anger management. I believe the counseling relationship is both powerful and delicate. With this in mind, I truly value the time spent working with clients in a collaborative effort to achieve therapeutic goals.

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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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Marcellus Rose

Offering therapy in Illinois
Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteem
14 years of experience

I am licensed in Illinois and California with 14 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbt-related issues, relationship issues, & trauma and abuse. 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!

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Leah Pavela-Mullins

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: LCSW,C-ET
Relationship issuesIntimacy-related issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
15 years of experience

I am a licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years of experience in helping people find solutions to their problems. Over the years, I have been told by clients that they really feel that I am listening to them and trying to understand what is going on in their lives and how they feel. Clients have also told me that they do not feel any sense of judgment, but rather that I accept them for who they are and where they are in their life’s journey. My style is empathetic and solution focused. I will spend time asking you questions in order to get to know you and try to find out what is at the heart of your issue. Together, we will talk about possible avenues you may want to take, or changes you may want to consider. I may give you some “homework” assignments…things to write out or think about, worksheets to complete, or even techniques/exercises to practice in your own time so that some of what we discuss in our sessions is reinforced. Most of all, I will be an objective listener, helping you to gain insight into what is going on with you, so that you are able to make the choices and changes you want to, in your own time. I look forward to working with you!

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Denise McNicholas

Offering therapy in Illinois
Relationship issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoaching
5 years of experience

I am licensed in Illinois with 18 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. I also have experience working with executive and professional coaching. 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Sarah Seely

Offering therapy in Illinois
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression
13 years of experience

I am licensed clinical counselor in Illinois with 13 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients learn how to manage anxiety, depression, unhealed trauma and abuse, substance use and addiction, relationships and more. I also have 10 years experience working in crisis intervention: suicidal thoughts, self harming behavior and psychosis. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. I believe its very cathartic to talk to someone in this space, to improve your insight and self awareness, empowering growth and change. 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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Michael Peterson

Offering therapy in Illinois
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseGriefDepression
5 years of experience

My name is Michael Peterson, and I have been working in the field of Social Work for about 10 years. I I am licensed in Illinois and have done counseling for about three years. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, & coping with grief and loss. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. I have held a variety of different types of social work jobs (case worker, crisis clinician, therapist, and more), in a variety of different environments, which I feel gives me a deep, multifaceted approach to counseling. 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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Jennifer Quirina

Offering therapy in Illinois
Stress, AnxietyLGBTSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changes
15 years of experience

I am a clinical social worker licensed in California and Illinois with 15 years of professional work experience. I believe that all good social work begins with a safe relationship where one can let down the defenses that protect us in our journey and find the transformation we seek. My personal and professional experience provides me with a particular interest in supporting individuals navigating the perinatal and new parenting time, adoptees, LGBT+ issues and major life changes. My treatment approach includes the use of tools from solution focused, cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavioral therapies. My priority is to help my clients feel heard, validated, and identify ways to manage the stressors that we all face.

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Deborah Palmer Thomas

Offering therapy in Illinois
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseParenting issuesDepression
10 years of experience

Hello! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Colorado with over 10 years of experience working as therapist. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and parenting problems, with a special focus in adoption and foster care issues. I worked in the public child welfare system for over 20 years. My counseling style is warm and interactive. I consider the client/therapist relationship to be the most important thing in counseling. I believe in treating anyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I believe everyone has strengths and with a little hope all can be resilient.. My approach combines trauma-focused, solution focused and motivational interviewing counseling styles. . I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek for a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. If you are ready to take that step I am here to support and empower you.

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Elizabeth Stone

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

Whether it is a single event or a life time of struggles, our thoughts and emotions can become so overwhelming that every day tasks are difficult to complete. For some, it is hard to reach out for help but once you have taken the first step of acknowledging you need help and you cannot do it alone, the journey of emotional healing begins. It is learning to confront life's adversities rather than allowing them to define you. It is a journey of self-discovery, self-awareness, and learning to trust intuition while building inner strength to embrace and love who you are. As your therapist, I will walk that journey with you. I use a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach as well as Cognitive Behavioral therapy, however, I adapt interventions to meet clients' needs. I also apply a holistic approach with Mindfulness-based practices to integrate the mind-body connection.

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Michael Dubose

Offering therapy in Illinois
Stress, AnxietyDepressionCoping with life changes
8 years of experience

I am licensed in Michigan with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, motivation, self-esteem, and confidence, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. Mind over mood. I believe that everyone can change & grow at any time in their lives. I don't believe that there is a limit to human capacity. Together we will work to regain a sense of normalcy in the lives of those who I serve. 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.

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.

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