Licensed to practice in 2 states and accepts 44 insurances. Specializes in ADHD, Addiction, Anxiety and 8 more.
(she/her)
Clients say this provider is
My name is Kathleen Monroe, and I earned my Master of Social Work degree from Loyola University Chicago. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Illinois, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in the state of Alabama, and a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC) in Illinois. I am also the owner and primary service provider of HGC Therapy Ltd., where I am dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care. I am licensed to provide psychotherapy services to individuals in both Illinois and Alabama. Throughout my clinical career, I have worked with adolescents and adults experiencing a wide range of concerns, including anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), substance use disorders, and other challenges affecting emotional well-being and daily functioning. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and evidence-based, tailoring treatment to each client's unique strengths, goals, and experiences. I strive to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel empowered to develop healthy coping strategies, build resilience, and achieve meaningful, lasting change.
The first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin building a strong therapeutic relationship. My goal is to create a welcoming, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where you feel comfortable sharing your story at your own pace. I take a direct yet compassionate, strengths-based approach, helping clients identify their existing strengths while exploring the concerns that brought them to therapy. Together, we will discuss your current challenges, personal history, goals for treatment, and what you hope to gain from the therapeutic process. This collaborative conversation allows us to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your unique needs and priorities. I also believe that understanding the "why" behind our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors is an important part of healing. Throughout therapy, I provide education, practical tools, and evidence-based strategies that clients can begin using between sessions to reinforce progress and support lasting change. My goal is for you to leave each session with greater insight, hope, and actionable steps toward achieving your goals.
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to create a space where clients feel genuinely heard, understood, and supported. I believe that meaningful change begins with a strong therapeutic relationship built on trust, empathy, and authenticity. Through active listening, thoughtful reflection, and compassionate validation, I help clients gain insight into their experiences while feeling safe enough to explore difficult emotions and challenges. I also place a strong emphasis on psychoeducation, believing that understanding mental health and substance use empowers clients to make informed decisions and develop lasting coping skills. I strive to equip clients with practical tools they can use outside of sessions, including worksheets, coping strategies, reading materials, and other resources that reinforce the work we do together. What sets my approach apart is the balance between providing emotional support and encouraging growth. I meet clients where they are while also helping them recognize their strengths, challenge unhelpful patterns, and build the confidence and skills needed to create meaningful, sustainable change.
My ideal client is someone who is ready to explore their experiences, gain a deeper understanding of themselves, and work toward meaningful change. I enjoy working with individuals who may be navigating challenges related to anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, life transitions, relationship concerns, emotional regulation, self-esteem, or difficulties understanding patterns in their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Throughout my clinical career, I have gained experience working in a variety of settings, including outpatient mental health facilities, inpatient substance use treatment programs, and outpatient methadone maintenance programs. These experiences have allowed me to develop a deep appreciation and sensitivity toward individuals from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, as well as children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples. I believe every individual has the capacity for growth and change, and I see my role as helping clients reconnect with their strengths, build self-awareness, and develop the tools needed to navigate life’s challenges. I take a direct yet compassionate, strengths-based approach while encouraging clients to personalize their therapeutic journey, identify their goals, and move forward at a pace that feels appropriate for their needs. Life can be challenging, and reaching out for support is often one of the first and most courageous steps toward healing. I strive to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel empowered to explore their experiences, develop healthier coping strategies, and create meaningful change in their lives.
Cash - $100 per session
Aetna
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Lucent Health
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Medicare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Amerihealth Administrators
Amerihealth NJ Medicare Advantage
Anthem
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
Evernorth
Golden Rule
GTEB
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
Humana - Medicare
Humana Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Surest (formerly Bind)
Tufts Health/Cigna
UMR - Advocate Aurora Health
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Complete Care (C-SNP)
UnitedHealthcare Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicare
Throughout my clinical experience, I have found that many individuals struggle to understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Often, they become stuck in patterns of self-criticism, anxiety, or negative thinking that can make it difficult to recognize their strengths or move toward meaningful change. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the primary evidence-based approaches I incorporate into treatment because it provides clients with practical tools to better understand how their thought patterns influence their emotions and behaviors. Together, we identify unhelpful or distorted thinking, explore the evidence behind those thoughts, and develop more balanced, realistic perspectives that support emotional well-being and personal growth. My approach to CBT is collaborative, strengths-based, and individualized. I work alongside clients to build self-awareness, develop healthier coping strategies, and practice new skills both in and outside of sessions. I also integrate psychoeducation throughout the process, helping clients develop the language and insight to better understand their experiences. My goal is not simply to reduce symptoms but to empower clients with lifelong skills that increase resilience, confidence, and their ability to navigate future challenges.
Grief is a deeply personal experience that extends far beyond the loss of a loved one. Throughout my clinical work, I have supported individuals navigating many forms of grief, including the loss of relationships, changes in identity, life transitions, chronic illness, career changes, and other significant experiences that can evoke feelings of loss. My approach to grief therapy focuses on helping clients understand that grief is not a linear process and that emotions can fluctuate from day to day. Together, we explore the different ways grief presents itself, identify how past and present losses may influence current thoughts, emotions, and coping patterns, and create space to process these experiences without judgment. I believe that every person carries a unique life story, and unresolved grief can shape how we view ourselves, our relationships, and the world around us. Through a compassionate, strengths-based, and evidence-based approach, I help clients increase self-awareness, develop healthy coping strategies, find meaning in their experiences, and move toward healing while honoring the significance of their losses. My goal is not to help clients "get over" their grief but to support them in integrating their experiences into a life that feels meaningful, hopeful, and authentic.
Throughout my clinical experience, I have worked with adolescents and adults whose lives have been impacted by trauma, whether through childhood experiences, relationship challenges, loss, chronic stress, adverse life events, or other significant experiences. I recognize that trauma is experienced differently by each individual and can influence how a person understands themselves, their relationships, and the world around them. My goal is to provide a safe, supportive, and empowering therapeutic environment where clients feel respected, validated, and able to explore their experiences at a pace that feels appropriate for their individual needs. My approach to trauma-informed care is grounded in the understanding that many thoughts, emotions, and behaviors develop as protective responses to past experiences. Rather than viewing these responses as problematic, I help clients explore the purpose they may have served and how they were often adaptive strategies developed to create safety, manage distress, or navigate difficult circumstances. A significant component of my work involves helping clients understand trauma responses, including fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses, as well as the connection between these responses and defensive mechanisms. I support clients in recognizing how patterns such as avoidance, emotional suppression, perfectionism, people-pleasing, hypervigilance, or difficulty trusting others may have developed as ways to protect themselves. Together, we explore how these protective strategies may have been beneficial in the past while also identifying when they may be creating challenges in current relationships, emotional regulation, or daily functioning. Through this process, I help clients increase awareness of the connection between past experiences, nervous system responses, thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and coping patterns. I believe that developing an understanding of why we respond the way we do can reduce self-blame and create opportunities for increased self-compassion, emotional regulation, and meaningful change. I integrate evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and psychoeducation to support clients in processing experiences, developing healthy coping strategies, challenging unhelpful beliefs, and strengthening resilience. My approach is collaborative and individualized, recognizing that healing is not about erasing past experiences but about helping clients develop a deeper understanding of themselves and build the skills needed to move forward with confidence and self-compassion. I believe healing occurs through trust, collaboration, and a strong therapeutic relationship. My role is to help clients recognize their strengths, understand their responses, and develop the tools necessary to create a life that feels more balanced, connected, and aligned with their values.
9 ratings with written reviews
February 20, 2026
Great listener. A joy to talk to and very encouraging
November 21, 2025
Kathleen is amazing! I appreciate the guidance she provides, the skills she has taught me, and the space she gives to allow me to learn and practice these new skills on my own
September 17, 2025
I have been working with Kathleen for a couple of years (or 3?) and I feel I have a great experience with her each time we meet. She challenges me and my thinking while being mindful and respecting my boundaries and comfort level. I have learned a great deal from her and she creates a safe space where I can be vulnerable and still feel heard, valued, and supported. She pushes me to grow and celebrates even the smallest wins. Kathleen is truly the best.