I am a licensed clinical professional counselor serving clients in Illinois and Missouri, with over 14 years of experience. My goal is simple: to create a comfortable space to feel at ease and make meaningful changes in your life. Whether you’re going through a tough time or want to understand yourself better, we’ll work together at your own pace. I believe everyone has the potential to grow and thrive with the right support, and I’m here to help you build the life you envision for yourself. I believe in using methods that have been proven to work while making sure the approach fits you perfectly. We’ll start with tried-and-true techniques like CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused therapy to build a strong foundation. Think of it as creating your personal toolbox of skills and strategies you can use both in and outside our sessions. Science shows us something really interesting: being kinder to ourselves and practicing mindfulness can transform how we handle life’s challenges. These practices help rewire our brains, making us more resilient and better equipped to handle stress. They can even help heal old hurts that might be holding you back. I love seeing my clients discover their inner strength and potential. Together, we’ll find the best combination of techniques that work for you – whether you’re looking to improve your relationships, handle stress better, or simply feel more at peace with yourself. We’ll go at your pace, building on what works and adjusting what doesn’t. The best therapy is both practical and personal. While I use approaches backed by research, your unique needs, and goals will always shape our work together.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Your first therapy session has two main goals: 1. Make a plan In our first meeting, we’ll take time to understand your current situation and what’s bringing you to therapy. While my expertise aligns with many common challenges, we’ll focus on the unique aspects of your life and needs. This will help us determine the best approach for your therapy, what it might involve, and how it can fit into your daily routine. I may also suggest actions for you to work on outside of our sessions, like practicing a specific technique or reading a helpful book. Taking an active role in your healing is an essential part of the process, and together, we’ll create a plan that works for you. 2. Get to Know Each Other Our first session will feel like a two-way conversation. I’ll spend time getting to know you—your main concerns, personal history, and significant events from your life, family, childhood, and career. At the same time, you’ll have the opportunity to get to know me and ask any questions you might have. A strong client-therapist relationship is essential for successful therapy. This relationship, built on trust and mutual understanding, is key in achieving your goals. Research shows that the connection you create with your therapist is one of the best predictors of positive outcomes. While each therapeutic relationship is unique, there are specific values and expectations you can rely on in every session: Compassion and Respect: You’ll be treated with empathy, understanding, and kindness. A Listening Ear: I’ll listen to your experiences and how you interpret them. Evidence-Based Support: You’ll receive strategies and techniques backed by scientific research to help address your struggles. A Safe Space: Sessions are confidential, supportive, and nonjudgmental. Practical Tools: You’ll gain actionable strategies to create meaningful, positive changes in your life. Together, we’ll work to create a supportive partnership, setting the foundation for your growth and well-being.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Clients come to me looking for a therapist who can offer warmth, humor, and realistic solutions in a safe and inclusive space. Therapy should be a place where you feel seen and heard. I use techniques that focus on your strengths and practical solutions, as well as proven methods from research. I also consider how our minds and bodies function to help explain the reasons behind the behaviors and to promote lasting change. My approach sometimes includes assignments and resources that encourage personal development between meetings. I strive to be direct yet compassionate, providing practical insights and tools to help you feel better quickly. I’ll meet you where you are on your unique journey and offer the support you need to manage stress, restore balance, and reclaim your confidence and energy to thrive personally and professionally. You deserve to feel better, and you will—you need help getting there!
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
With over a decade of experience as a licensed therapist, I've had the privilege of helping people just like you work through anxiety, depression, relationships, life transitions, and trauma. I work with clients from all walks of life, each facing unique challenges. However, there’s often a common theme—they feel they’re not reaching their full potential. I believe therapy works best when you feel truly heard and understood. My approach combines compassionate listening with evidence-based techniques, tailored to your unique needs and goals. I create a safe, judgment-free space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings at your own pace.
About Cassandra Sissom
Serves ages
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that helps people understand how their thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected. It’s a straightforward and effective way to tackle problems by focusing on the here and now and finding solutions. Here are some benefits of CBT: 1. Useful Skills for Daily Life CBT teaches you skills you can use daily, like challenging negative thoughts, managing stress, and solving problems. For instance, if you often think, "I always mess things up," CBT helps you question that thought and see things in a more balanced way. 2. Fast Results Many people see improvements quickly with CBT compared to other therapies. Because it focuses on specific goals, you may notice positive changes after just a few sessions. 3. Better Mental Health CBT is helpful for various issues like anxiety, depression, stress, and even habits like procrastination. It works by changing thought and behavior patterns that might be causing you distress. 4. You Take Charge In CBT, you take an active role in your therapy. We will collaborate to set goals and practice what you’ve learned between sessions, which will help you feel more in control of your mental health. 5. Backed by Evidence CBT has been studied extensively and proven effective for many people. Mental health professionals widely recommend it due to its strong research support. 6. Builds Confidence By helping you understand and challenge negative thoughts, CBT can boost your confidence and help you feel more in control of your life. Over time, you learn you have the tools to deal with tough situations. 7. Flexible to Your Needs CBT can be adjusted to fit different people and problems. Whether you’re dealing with work stress, relationship issues, or managing a long-term condition, CBT can be customized to assist you. In summary, CBT offers practical, research-supported tools to help you change your thinking and actions, making it easier to feel better and handle life’s challenges.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a type of therapy that helps you find solutions to your problems rather than spending a lot of time talking about the problems themselves. It offers a practical and uplifting way to create the changes you want in your life. Here are some of the benefits of SFBT: 1. Focus on Solutions SFBT shifts the attention away from what's wrong and encourages you to identify what's good in your life and how to make the most of it. For example, if you're feeling stressed, the therapy helps you find what relaxes you and how to add more of that into your routine. 2. Quick Results This type of therapy usually takes fewer sessions than many other therapies. It aims to achieve clear goals and looks for small, positive changes that can really add up over time. 3. Emphasizes Your Strengths SFBT highlights your personal strengths and resources. It encourages you to notice your skills and how you've successfully faced challenges in the past. 4. Builds Confidence This therapy empowers you to believe in your ability to create changes in your life. By focusing on what you want and how to get there, you feel more motivated to take steps toward improvement. 5. Clear Goals Together, we will set clear and specific goals for what you want to achieve. This helps keep our sessions focused on making progress and moving forward. 6. Positive Outlook SFBT has an optimistic approach, encouraging you to believe that change is possible, even in small ways. It emphasizes that you already have tools to help improve your situation. 7. Practical Steps This therapy helps you come up with small, realistic actions that you can fit into your daily life. It's about creating change in a manageable way, so you don't feel overwhelmed. 8. Builds on Success SFBT encourages you to think about times when things went well, even if just for a moment, to figure out what worked and how to recreate those successes. SFBT is a brief and practical type of therapy that focuses on your strengths and the positive aspects of your life. It helps you set clear goals, boost your confidence, and take actionable steps toward solutions, making it an encouraging and empowering way to bring about change.
Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation is a valuable part of counseling that helps you learn about mental health, emotions, and ways to cope. It’s all about getting information to understand yourself better and improve your well-being. Here are some of the benefits of psychoeducation: 1. **Knowledge is Power** Psychoeducation helps you make sense of what you’re experiencing—like feelings of anxiety, depression, or stress. Understanding your situation can clear up confusion and help you feel more in control. 2. **Reduces Stigma** Learning that many people face mental health issues just like you can lessen feelings of shame or loneliness. Psychoeducation helps you realize that your experiences are normal and encourages kindness towards yourself. 3. **Improves Communication** When you understand your feelings and the terms related to mental health, it becomes easier to share what you’re feeling with others. It gives you the words to express yourself and your needs. 4. **Practical Skills** Psychoeducation doesn’t just share knowledge; it provides useful tools to manage challenges. For instance, you might learn how to relax, set healthy boundaries, or change negative thoughts into more positive ones. 5. **Supports Better Decision-Making** When you grasp your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, you can make decisions that are good for your mental health. Psychoeducation helps you figure out what helps you feel better and what doesn’t. 6. **Helps You Work Through Challenges** Understanding how your brain and body react to stress or trauma can reassure you that your reactions are natural, not failures. This perspective can make it easier to deal with your challenges. 7. **Empowers Independence** By learning about mental health and practicing coping skills, you gain confidence in managing your emotions and challenges on your own over time. 8. **Improves Relationships** Psychoeducation can help you see how your feelings and actions impact others. It also helps those close to you understand what you’re dealing with, enhancing communication and strengthening your relationships. 9. **Tailored to Your Needs** Psychoeducation can be customized to fit your specific situation, whether you’re facing stress, parenting issues, or a mental health diagnosis. psychoeducation in counseling is all about getting to know yourself and your mental health better. It provides you with information, tools, and confidence to handle challenges, reduce stigma, and move toward a healthier, more balanced life.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a way of counseling that helps you discover your own reasons for making positive changes in your life. It’s supportive, understanding, and centered around what matters most to you. Here are the benefits of MI: 1. **You Lead the Way** In MI, you are the focus. Instead of being told what to do, you look into your own values, goals, and reasons for change. It’s a teamwork process where your thoughts are the most important. 2. **Boosts Your Motivation** If you feel stuck or unsure about making a change, MI helps you figure out why change might be significant for you. It strengthens your own motivation instead of relying on outside pressure. 3. **Supportive and Non-Judgmental** I will listen to you without judgment and work with you to understand your challenges and objectives. MI creates a safe space where you feel respected and heard. 4. **Helps You Work Through Doubts** It’s normal to feel unsure about making changes. MI allows you to consider both sides—why change feels difficult and why it’s important—so you can move forward with clarity and confidence. 5. **Focuses on Your Strengths** MI highlights your strengths and abilities. It encourages you to see what you can already do and builds on those skills to help you succeed. 6. **Helpful for Various Issues** Whether you’re facing health problems, addiction, lifestyle changes, or personal goals, MI can assist you. It’s a flexible approach that can fit many different situations. 7. **Sets Realistic Goals** MI doesn’t push for huge, overwhelming changes. Instead, it helps you set realistic and achievable goals that feel manageable and significant. 8. **Increases Your Confidence** By reflecting on your past successes and what has worked for you, MI helps you realize that you already have the tools to make positive changes. This strengthens your self-belief. 9. **Encourages Lasting Changes** Since MI centers on your internal motivation, the changes you make are more likely to stick. You’re not just following directions; you’re creating a life that matches your values. 10. **Empowers Your Personal Growth** Through MI, you gain a better understanding of yourself—your values, priorities, and dreams. This self-awareness helps you grow and make choices that truly reflect who you are. Motivational Interviewing is a teamwork, supportive method that helps you explore your own reasons for change. It boosts your confidence, focuses on your strengths, and empowers you to take meaningful steps toward a better future.
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) is all about creating a supportive environment in counseling and support services that genuinely understands and addresses the common effects of trauma. It places a high value on safety, empathy, and empowerment, making healing feel more achievable. Together we will : 1. **Understanding Trauma’s Impact** TIC recognizes that many individuals have faced trauma that influenced their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. 2. **Creating a Safe Space** At the core of TIC is the commitment to your safety—physically, emotionally, and psychologically. We want to make sure you feel secure and respected, allowing you to start your healing journey free from fear or judgment. 3. **Building Trust** Trust and transparency are essential in TIC. I’m here to openly share what you can expect, listen to your concerns, and honor your boundaries, helping us create a trusting relationship together. 4. **Avoiding Re-Traumatization** TIC is all about being sensitive to your experiences. I aim to avoid triggering any painful memories or emotions, so you feel supported rather than overwhelmed. 5. **Empowering You** Trauma can leave people feeling powerless, but TIC focuses on your strengths and helps you regain a sense of control. You’re encouraged to actively participate in your healing and decision-making process. 6. **Respecting Your Individual Journey** Since everyone responds to trauma uniquely, TIC honors your personal history, cultural background, and coping strategies. I’ll tailor care to meet your specific needs. 7. **Supporting Emotional Regulation** Managing emotions after trauma can be tough. TIC offers tools and strategies to help you feel more grounded and in control, promoting a sense of stability. 8. **Focusing on Strengths** TIC shifts the spotlight from what’s wrong to what’s strong. It’s about building on your resilience and strengths to lay a solid foundation for recovery. In summary, Trauma-Informed Care is all about compassion. It prioritizes your safety, respects your experiences, and focuses on empowering you to heal. With this approach, you’ll find a nurturing space where you’re treated with kindness, understanding, and support, helping you regain control and resilience along your journey.