Anabelle Doulas
Welcome! I am glad you are here! I am Anabelle Doulas, LCSW, CADC, Owner & Therapist of ARD Therapy, PLLC.
You've probably been carrying this for a while: the anxiety that won't switch off, the loss that keeps resurfacing, the family conflict you can't untangle. Together, we'll make sense of the "why?" and build a clear, practical "what now?" at a pace that feels right for you.
I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC), serving children, adults, and families in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. With 13 years in community mental health, inpatient, and residential care, I'm steady in hard moments, whether you're facing trauma, a major life change, or the stress of supporting a child or loved one. Not sure where to start? Reaching out is often the hardest part, and I'd be glad to help you take that first step.
First session
The look and feel of the first therapy session can depend on your immediate needs. I may ask some questions about what you are hoping to get out of therapy, your past experiences with therapy, as well as how things are going in different parts of your life (like home, work, and school). We will begin discussing what your ultimate goals are for the space, and how we will both work toward those goals. Because building a complete picture takes time, this initial intake and goal-setting process often organically carries over into our first few sessions to ensure our work is fully tailored to you.
Strengths
My approach is rooted in the belief that true growth happens when clarity meets compassion. Clients often describe me as clear, kind, and gently challenging—providing a supportive, direct space where you feel genuinely heard while empowering you to step into the change you're looking for. Because you are the expert on your own life, I lead with curiosity to understand your unique experience. I meet you where you are with compassion, acceptance, and a bit of humor!
Ideal clients
I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all 'ideal client.' Instead, I work best with individuals—children, teens, and adults—and families who are navigating the heavy, complex, or transitional moments of life. Over the past 13+ years across community, inpatient, and residential settings, I’ve partnered with clients navigating everything from everyday stress and life transitions to complex trauma, substance use, mood disorders, and deep family conflict. Whether you are seeking therapy for the very first time, looking for specialized trauma support, or navigating a mental health diagnosis, I offer a warm, affirming space where all identities are celebrated and every part of your story is met with clinical skill and genuine compassion.
Treatment methods
Trauma-Focused CBT
I am a trauma-informed therapist. That means I bring in perspectives of attachment (like our early relationships) and trauma (the big or bad things that have happened) to understand the "why". Taking this approach leads to less shame about the way you think, feel, and react to things. The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) piece helps guide self-understanding of these patterns, and teaches practical skills to both heal and regulate what is coming up for you.
Strength-Based
I believe we make the “most right” choice for us based on the information and resources we have at the time. I have not met anyone who has been effectively "shamed" their way into sustained change. I believe that we can and will make different choices once our information or resources change. A strengths-based perspective builds on those strengths, and works to capitalize on them to support your growth and healing.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing can sound formal, structured, and potentially intimidating. In reality, it’s simply about curiosity. I ask questions to help me understand your unique experience, and within the safety of therapy, those thoughtful questions allow you to reflect deeply on your personal values, goals, and desires for growth. This approach is never forceful or judgmental.
Play Therapy
Play is a child’s natural language. For children and adolescents, the deep work of therapy is often done most effectively through play—using art, toys, and sand tray work to express internal experiences and practice new coping skills. Traditional talk therapy can feel intimidating or exhausting, especially after a full day at school spent sitting through lectures and completing worksheets. Play removes that pressure, making therapy an engaging, low-stress space where young clients can heal without fatigue.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Like CBT, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) fosters deep self-understanding. I like to blend the compassionate core of DBT into our sessions by focusing on its four key skill areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Together, these strategies create a practical toolkit you can use in daily life to feel more grounded, in control, and resilient.
Location
Virtual sessions