Therapists that accept Cash Pay in Illinois

With over 30 years of experience, I have a broad and deep experience helping my clients explore their lives to make powerful and meaningful changes that determine how mental health challenges affect their lives. I bring a unique level of warmth, compassion, energy, and enthusiasm into my clinical work. I am a firm believer in “it takes a village” mindset, where together we build a stronger existence. Life can be overwhelming, reaching out for help, guidance and direction is one of our greatest strengths.

Engaging in therapy can be a difficult decision for many people. Whether you are going through a life change, or you feel the need to put the past behind, or maybe simply wish to know yourself better, relate to your loved ones better, improve your academic or professional performance, face your fears, overcome a loss, or just wish to learn more efficient ways to deal with life stressors... these are all great reasons to engage in therapy. For me, genuineness, openness, and a non-judgmental approach are essential ingredients to connect with you, support you, and guide you in your journey. I have 28 years of experience. I am bilingual (Spanish) and I have professional work experience from three different countries (Spain, UK, USA). I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Certified substance abuse counselor (CADC), Certified EMDR clinician, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and I am also trained in Brain spotting. Life can be very challenging; I strive to understand and empathize with your individual circumstances and work hand in hand with you to restore your inner balance. We can never completely control what life throws at us, but we can control and modify how we respond to life events internally and externally.

Hello, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Chicago, Illinois. I earned my MSW in 2005 from the University of Minnesota. I have supported many clients experiencing life transitions such as career and relationship changes. Additionally, I have many years of experience supporting people around aging, Alzheimer's disease, caregiving and grief. I am drawn to this work because I believe everyone deserves to feel understood and supported as they face the ups and downs of life.

Right now you are probably scared. You know something needs to change, but you don’t know where to start. You don't know if this works and you're at the point where you are afraid that nothing will work. We have all been there, me included. I understand and I do not judge. I have been a clinical therapist for the past 20 years. In my time I have worked with adolescents, adults, couples, geriatric patients, and LGBTIQQ individuals. What I have discovered in all my years of practice is that people all want the same things. We want to know that we are loved, valued and respected. I can promise you that when you speak to me you will be the only person that matters. You will not find judgement and you will not find blame. We will work together, at your own pace. I will help you find hope, unwavering support and the motivation to change the things in your life that you feel need to be changed. Together, we can improve your life. I'm here whenever you're ready.

Hello! I am Krista A.M. Jackson a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with extensive experience in individual, couples, family, and group therapy. I will empower you to function at your highest level of success through my unique approach that combines clinical expertise, personalized coping strategies, and a deep understanding of human behavior. I hold specializations in Adlerian psychology, behavior modification, and Emotionally Focused Training which allows me to tailor an approach to your specific needs. Whether you're seeking help with personal growth, relationship issues, or academic and career guidance, my solution-focused strategies and comprehensive background in behavioral assessment will provide you with the tools and support needed to overcome challenges and achieve your goals.

Hi there, my names is Meghan Skidmore and I am a licensed clinical social worker in Northern Illinois. I have 16 years of experience as a clinical social worker. I have previously worked with children in mental health crisis as well as with children and families involved with the child welfare system. I also have worked the past 15 years as a school social worker, working with children and families to help them be successful in and out of the school setting.

I am an Army Veteran and LCPC with a certification as a national certified counselor through the NBCC and have accumulated over 6 years of direct individual/group practice as a licensed counselor. Overall, my experience spans over 10 years working as a crisis, substance use, and mental health counselor in the field. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, career challenges, and substance use. I also have assisted many clients who have experienced physical trauma or emotional abuse. My counseling style is very welcoming and inviting. I believe in honoring the values of respect, sensitivity, compassion, empathy and embracing a holistic point of view to promote mental wellness. It takes courage to make the steps towards a more fulfilling and happier life and embrace change. If you are ready to take that leap into a healthier mind, body, and spirit, I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you in your new journey!

Hello everyone, Let me take a few moments to introduce myself. My name is Nupur Sharma. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Illinois. My background includes completing my Bachelor of Science (B.S) Degree from Loyola University Chicago in 2008, and I finished my Masters of Arts (M.A) Degree in Clinical Psychology (Counseling Specialization) in 2011 from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. I bring over 15 years of experience working as a mental health professional in different settings and with different populations. I have worked with adolescents, adults, and geriatric population over the years across a variety of treatment settings including inpatient mental health unit, addiction center, nursing facilities, memory care, inpatient behavioral hospital, community mental health center, managed care organization and working with insurance.

I began training to be a psychotherapist 15 years ago after having worked in publishing for many years. Becoming a Social Worker and helping others has always been a kind of calling for me, but it took a little while for me to arrive at my goal. I hope that that part of my story helps to prove that it is never too late to change or to pursue goals. I continue to integrate the things that I have learned through formal education and through my own experiences of life so that I am best able to help others who are experiencing distress and difficulties with navigating life. We all need additional support from time-to-time, especially given the complicated, fast-changing world we live in. My goal as a psychotherapist is to be a source of support and assistance as you develop insight into the difficulties you face and as you begin to develop strategies for change. Through interactive-therapy sessions, I help you to understand and clarify life’s challenges and I support you as you begin to make the changes that are needed to make progress towards your goals. I help my clients to discover and explore a positive path in therapy that they can then continue to follow as they pursue their goals and their lives independently.

John Swails is an ordained minister, a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and Marine Corp Veteran, with military mental-health practice experience addressing traumatic stress, separation, family grief, and relationship issues, and civilian experience addressing physical and sexual abuse, single-mothers with dual diagnosed children, and group therapy for middle-school and teens to develop resiliency. As a therapist, John utilizes proven DBT, Strategic, CBT-Family, Solution-Focused, and other systemic techniques to address individual, couple, and family issues. As a minister John is sensitive to the beliefs of the client and is ready to explore spiritual solutions to any issue.

I have over 3 decades of experience working in the fields of mental health and social work. I work with youth, adults, families, and couples who are struggling with trauma, depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism, relationship issues, and school refusal. Prior to private practice, I worked in academia as an administrator of social work programs and as a medical social worker.

Hi there! I'm a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) based in Illinois, with over 30 years of experience in the field. I obtained my Doctoral and Masters degrees in counseling education from Argosy University and Northeastern Illinois University, respectively. My practice focuses on supporting clients dealing with life stress, depression, and anxiety, while also assisting families in enhancing their communication skills. I'm passionate about helping individuals become the best versions of themselves and making a positive impact on their lives.

My name is Daniel, and I’m a licensed clinical social worker in Illinois. I’ve been providing mental health care for more than 25 years. No matter your background, income, or the unique combination of factors that shape your identity, one thing is certain: life doesn’t follow a script. It can turn on a dime, bringing moments that are joyful, devastating, or somewhere in between. In those moments, it's not uncommon to feel unprepared, alone, or overwhelmed, unsure of what to do next. My role is to help you navigate those turning points. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, sadness, depression, grief, or self-doubt, I help clients address the emotional impact of change and build healthier ways to cope. Sometimes those struggles show up as trouble with motivation, communication, relationships, or substance use. But they don’t happen in a vacuum. Everything we go through is shaped by our current context—age, gender, sexual identity, relationship status, job stress, physical health, or financial strain. For real change to take hold, we need to understand how these pieces connect. I work collaboratively with clients and take care to create a space where you can speak freely and feel safe doing so. It takes courage to reach for something better, and even more to act on it. I'm here to walk with you as you begin that process.

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. I received my Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Rehabilitation Counseling Psychology. I began my career working with severe trauma and persistent mental illness. This gave her a unique perspective on life and how quickly one can loose the life as we know it...and how wellness can suddenly elude us. To grieve loss and restore wellness, I believes a strong therapeutic relationship. I use a client centered approach in establishing rapport. Having worked in the most challenging neighborhoods of the inner city, I have seen the best and worst of human nature. What impressed me the most, is the inner strength I saw in people, under the most difficult of circumstances. It is this impression, this knowledge, that guides me to focus on an individuals’ capacity to overcome hardship, pain and despair. I use a holistic approach to therapy as I do not believe any one approach works for all, as each and every person is unique and different. I believe with compassion, care and empathy, one can be empowered to make the necessary changes to become more happy, fulfilled and to grow.

Greetings! I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker serving clients in Illinois. With a Master's from The Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago, I bring 9 years of social work experience, including 7 years in private practice. My therapeutic approach focuses on addressing the root causes of symptoms, empowering clients to live fulfilling lives free from mental health concerns. I'm dedicated to achieving lasting healing for many common disorders.

I love working with my clients in a collaborative therapeutic relationship built upon trauma-informed care. I believe that safety, choice, collaboration, trustworthiness, and empowerment are the bedrock to build a strong therapeutic rapport. I do my best to show up for my clients in a non-judgmental and compassionate way to help them identify, explore, and take valued action toward their own healing and well-being. I love what I do!

Hi – I’m Vicki – do you ever find yourself feeling lost as you wander on a path that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere? Or maybe you’re standing at a fork in the road and you aren’t sure which way to go. No matter what you're going through right now, you can get through it and I can help. I am committed to walking beside you and helping you find your unique path to create a life full of wellness, personal growth, joy and meaning. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and Certified Alcohol/Other Drug Counselor (CADC) with over 17 years of counseling experience. I specialize in working with individuals 18 years and older who live in Illinois. MY AREAS OF EXPERTISE INCLUDE: SUBSTANCE USE, GRIEF AND LOSS, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION. If you are interested in working with a therapist who is committed to creating an authentic, positive collaborative relationship with you, feel free to schedule an appointment with me through GROW.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has over 30 years in the mental health field working in psychiatric hospitals and private practice. I work with clients individually (ages 13-17; 18- 65+); Couples and Families who suffer from depression, anxiety, relationship issues, marriage/divorce issues, grief issues, suicidal thoughts, self-harming behaviors, domestic violence (victims) and substance use. I am passionate about what I do and truly care about each of my clients.

I am a licensed clinical social worker who’s worked with diverse populations seeking to feel empowered through education and learning self-advocacy. I have a diverse background with the time in clinical experience and instilled education from different institutions. I prefer to work with patients who want to gain self-awareness and change to live a healthier life. I have worked with those who have a history of domestic violence, trauma, past persecution and trying to establish a safe home. Patients that need counseling in this country to stay legally. Patient’s who have children with mental health disorders and need to be here to care for them. Patients that have a need for support/resources; along with instilling coping skills to manage assimilation stressors, mental health needs and education on other related areas. I want to work with people that want to be their “best self”.

I look at my clients as already complete human beings. You are more than your problems, and not as simple as a textbook. I treat each of my clients as a whole and unique person, not as a set of symptoms. I help my clients build on their strengths, to create a better sense of wellbeing. Whatever challenges you are facing, whatever difficulties you are having, I assure you that you are worth being heard. You are worth being treated with compassion, in a nonjudgmental setting. I am here to help you find healing and wholeness.

I am a 47-year-old white Christian male that has been married for 29 years. I have three kids 26,19 and 16. I also have a spunky granddaughter who is five years old. I have a Master in Psych, as well as a MSW in Social Work. I also carry a CADC for work in Substance Abuse. I received my MSW from SIUC in Carbondale Illinois. I have been working in Mental health for the last 19 years in one way or another. I currently work at my day job with children 5-12, to assist with ADD, Anger, Sexual Abuse, grief etc. I have also worked with adults in the past. I am looking to be that calm helping hand in the storm that you are experiencing.

Hi. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). Perspective clients need to know I genuinely care about the people I work with, and have a passion for joining people on their journey to a new self. The fact that you are searching for a therapist shows you would like something to change. This is very brave. We often lose perspective about situations and how we deal with them. This can be a result of things we have buried from our past, or relationships that did not support us in the way we need. I will give you a safe and supportive place to look at your unwelcome patterns and find a way to make your journey more fulfilling. My counseling focus is on adolescents and adults. My philosophy is client-centered, Mindfulness based, trauma informed, and goal oriented. I have training and experience with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness. My areas of focus include trauma, attachment issues, difficulties with distress tolerance and emotional regulation, along with families dealing with Alzheimer's. Your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are what make you who you are. As we work together to understand these parts of you, we will find a way to alter those thoughts that no longer work for you and strengthen those that are helping you become who you wish to be.

I am licensed in Illinois with 11 years of professional therapy work experience. I also am a sociologist of 30 years, studying and teaching on behavior within society. I have experience helping clients with anxiety, stress, grief, trauma and abuse, relationship difficulties, and family conflicts. I treat everyone with compassion, sensitivity, and respect. I work with my clients to meet their specific needs. It takes courage to take that first step to a more fulfilling, productive, and happier life. I am here to provide a safe space and support you through that process.

With over twenty-five years of experience, I have a long history of providing successful therapy to clients suffering from mental health challenges - often driven by events in their past, such as childhood trauma, sexual abuse and domestic violence. As a licensed clinical social worker, I also specialize in connecting clients with additional outside resources to help achieve their goals. Each of my clients are deeply respected and loved, with an ultimate end to one day be free from the need for therapy.

I am a LCSW in the state of Illinois and have been practicing for 10 years. I help people struggling with grief, depression and anxiety to work through these difficult emotions and live with more hope. I use a combination of CBT, Grief Therapy, and Supportive Therapy in my work with clients. My goal is for my clients to always feel heard and supported.