Hello! I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) based in Illinois. I received my MA in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Illinois University and have practiced for over 25 years. I enjoy helping people find hope again when struggling with depression, trauma, and self-injury. Life is hard, and sometimes we need to know that someone out there believes in us and knows that we can heal.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session, I want to answer any questions you may have and get to know each other briefly. Time is of the essence, so while I'd love to take all the time to get to know a client, I know they are here to work and (re)start the healing process. I prefer clients to come up with around three areas of their life they want to address or focus on, and we develop a plan together on how to get to work.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Patience, understanding, honesty, compassion, and a willingness to admit that I do not know all the answers to life's problems, but that we will discover and find them together. I learn something new about life from clients every day.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I enjoy working with people who are just starting their journey in counseling and need to feel things out, as well as helping those who feel as if counseling no longer holds any hope in helping them heal. I don't want people to feel afraid or stuck, unable to move forward with their lives.
About Justin Freeman
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is the largest part of my original training. Being more aware of our thoughts helps us change the beliefs that are hindering us on our journey of healing. However, it is far from the only method, so I have added other soft skills and approaches to this over the years.
Grief Therapy
In the last 6 years, especially since COVID, I have seen more loss and unresolved grief than I have in previous years. Embracing grief instead of avoiding it can be difficult, but necessary. Human beings *feel,* and not everyone understands that is normal and healthy.
Interpersonal
Empathy and compassion are paramount in counseling. Traumatized people have already walked through hell, and they need to know that someone will walk back through it with them, so they are not alone on the journey of healing. People are afraid to be judged by others, and counseling needs to be a safe place for them.
Psychodynamic
Understanding our emotions and the thoughts behind them helps us move toward a brighter future. Avoidance is widespread today, in many different ways, preventing us from growing into our ideal selves. Again, feelings sometimes are overwhelming and scary, but they are necessary and a huge part of accepting them allows us to heal.
Trauma-Focused CBT
Trauma-related counseling has been the fastest-growing part of my career over the last 6 years. Abuse and neglect from domestic relationships and family dynamics have become less taboo to talk about.