Optum Therapists in Illinois

Finding a therapist who accepts Optum insurance can make accessing mental health support more manageable and affordable. With 22 verified therapists in Illinois who accept Optum insurance, you can filter by therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and solution-focused therapy to address issues like anxiety, depression, or relationship challenges. Each Grow Therapy-verified therapist is currently welcoming new clients and has availability within the next 30 days, ensuring you have access to quality care that fits within your Optum insurance coverage.

Find therapists near you in

Chicago

Availability updated: 7/1/2025

Joshua Connor

(he/him)

Joshua Connor, LCSW - Illinois Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
5 years of experience
Virtual
Hello, I'm Josh. Do you find yourself struggling with multiple stressors, consistently putting yourself down for not achieving the way you feel like you should be achieving? Has your anxiety gone from feeling somewhat manageable to being overwhelmed with what seems like small tasks? Are you struggling in your relationships, job, and health? I help individuals manage anxiety and depression, overcome burnout, and work through grief. I believe in a patient-centered, holistic approach to providing counseling. My approach combines cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavioral, and mindfulness techniques- all tailored to meet your unique and specific needs. Together, we will identify triggers, thoughts, behaviors, and core beliefs that are no longer serving you to help get you on the path you want to be on. It takes courage to start a journey of self-exploration with the aim of a better, healthier life. If you are ready to take your first steps, I am here to help support and empower you along your path.

Nancy Milam

(she/her)

Nancy Milam, LCPC - Illinois Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCPC
14 years of experience
Virtual
Hello! I gained an interest in Psychology while working in a nursing home for 10 years with those with dementia or end of life care and met so many wonderful people and knew I wanted to learn and meet more people to try and help guide people as much as I could. I majored in Psychology and minored in Women Studies & Multi-cultural studies at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN attaining my BA. I later worked for a while and while working full-time, I went to grad school to attain my Graduate Degree Summa Cumme Laude in December of 2010 at Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago majoring in Rehabilitation Counseling which had a primary major emphasis in Psychology and there were also emphases in physical disabilities and vocational counseling respectively. I have 14 years in the field post getting my licensure working with a diverse population. I'm a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) or a Licensed Therapist in other words in the state of Illinois and have been since January of 2012. I have experience as a Qualified Mental Health Professional since 2003 working with adults, adolescents, & children as that is when I started my professional career in Outreach Community Mental Health and have have been at the Director level supervising other Clinicians getting their licenses and those already with their licenses providing counseling and case management services throughout the Chicagoland area.

Dalton Williams

Dalton Williams, LCPC - Illinois Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCPC
5 years of experience
Virtual
Hello! I'm a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor based in Chicago. I have a Masters in Counseling Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. I've been practicing for 5 years helping people improve their lives through mindful change and a supportive voice. I'm here to be your loudest cheerleader as you make necessary changes and work toward your life goals.

Amanda Berenguel Smolka

(she/her)

Amanda Berenguel Smolka, LCSW - Illinois Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
6 years of experience
Virtual
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been formally practicing therapy for 5+ years; though I've been an informal therapist for family and friends since my adolescent years. I work mostly with teens and families with symptoms related to anxiety, depression, ADHD, by teaching DBT, CBT, ACT, and Executive Functioning skills. I have worked in an inpatient hospital and how work in a Partial Hospitalization Program while also doing private practice on the side. I am also a wife (since 2007) and mother (since 2011) so relationships, family dynamics, children with mental health concerns are also part of my daily life.

Chris Rabe

(she/her)

Chris Rabe, LCPC - Illinois Therapist at Grow Therapy

Frequently rebooked

LCPC
10 years of experience
Virtual
You may find yourself experiencing toxic relationships/codependency, eating disorders, drugs & alcohol, anxiety, and perfectionism – the list of the ways we distract and soothe ourselves from discomfort goes on and on. You may find the need to learn more about yourself and your relationships, process life events, share things that are difficult to share with other people, or to explore how past experiences have shaped you. I am passionate about helping clients foster self-awareness by using motivational interviewing, to meet you right where you are. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois, with a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler University. I am a National Board Certified Counselor. I have spent over 14 years in the mental health field, and 10 years as a mental health professional. You don’t need to be in a crisis to benefit from therapy. Ongoing wellness is crucial to a balanced life.

Merek Poto

(she/her)

Merek Poto, LCSW - Illinois Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
5 years of experience
Virtual
Hi! I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Illinois. I received my Masters from Aurora University and I have been practicing for 5 years. I am a warm, empathetic therapist who helps adults become the best versions of themselves. I work to help people understand who they are and manage their various stressors, anxieties, and emotions. Combining my lived and professional experience, I specialize in working with LGBTQ adults to address needs specific to our community, especially those of transgender experience. Further, I myself am an individual who has detransitioned and I extend services to those who have as well. I understand what it's like to go through transition and go back, and I want to ensure my clients get thorough care, transitioning or detransitioning. Of course, I work with people who are inside and outside the LGBTQ community, I'm an advocate for you. I also work with personality disorders, trauma, anxiety, depression, and so much more. Regardless of what brings you to therapy, I have a wide range of resources available to all my clients for extra support. My biggest priority in therapy is honesty, as well as giving you a space you feel comfortable in so you can open up at your pace. I want to build a strong, lasting alliance between us so we can help you become the best version of yourself. I know that together, we are going to do great things. A little about me, I have a sphynx cat named Cupid and a black cat named Tofu. Behind me sits my spider, Marrow, who burrows and builds tunnels more than she spins webs. I also enjoy playing DND, I've been drawing since I was in kindergarten, and I play lots of video games, particularly fantasy RPGs.

Joanie Paradis

(she/her)

Joanie Paradis, LCSW - Illinois Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
10 years of experience
Virtual
My counseling style is relaxed and conversational and one of meeting someone where they are on their path. I recognize it takes courage to seek therapy and implement changes and would love to assist you on your journey of discovery. I understand that it may be difficult to open up and talk to someone and I pride myself on being an active and nonjudgemental listener. I am genuinely interested in helping everyone I come in contact with thrive in all aspects of their personal and/or professional lives. I will constantly work to promote an empathetic experience where an individual’s needs, concerns, and personal values are met with compassion and respect. I am devoted to creating a safe place that both fosters and aids emotional growth and healing.

Dena Sidmore-Seyer

(she/her)

Dena Sidmore-Seyer, LCPC - Illinois Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCPC
15 years of experience
Virtual
Hi! I'm Dena (she/her). I have 15 years experience and truly love my vocation! I enjoy empowering individuals to achieve their goals and live their best lives. I believe everyone has the ability to heal, sometimes we all need a little help. I am passionate about the power of therapy to aid people in living their best, most authentic lives. I live on the tristate border and provide remote therapy for persons in Illinois and Iowa. An Iowa native, I spent about a decade living and working in SoCal and Phoenix before returning to the Midwest to be with my (now) husband and step kids. Yes, I left sunny San Diego, in December, for the snowy Midwest! The things we’ll do for love! I have personally benefitted greatly from therapy. I am Bi/queer, have ADHD, and several physical disabilities, all of which were diagnosed after college. Therapy helped me develop much needed coping skills so I could be successful in grad school and beyond. Therapy also helped me with the intense stressors related to being a young professional during the Great Recession. I continue to utilize therapy as part of my self care routine. If you are coping with symptoms of anxiety, depression, low self worth, or concerns related to ADHD or chronic health conditions, I would love the opportunity to work with you. I would love to help you to achieve a present no longer overshadowed by past traumas, negative self talk, or uncontrolled anxiety.

Karen Beatriz Rothstein Pineda

(she/her)

Karen Beatriz Rothstein Pineda, LCPC - Illinois Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCPC
20 years of experience
Virtual
As a Latina and Jewish therapist, I see the need for therapists who can identify with intersectional identities. I work with people who are dealing with issues around their race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity. I support our clients in processing how being you in our society affects how you feel about yourself and ultimately your mental health. I want our clients to learn to appreciate the unique gifts that they bring as they process past experiences.

Shannon Ellis

(she/her)

Shannon Ellis, LCSW - Illinois Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
8 years of experience
Virtual
Hi I'm Shan :) ! I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who's been working as a therapist since 2018. I'm big hearted, non judgmental and believe in the healing power of authenticity. I've worked with individuals of all ages on a wide scope of issues and strongly believe that I learn and grow alongside each and every person I work with.

Molly Quinn

(she/her)

Molly Quinn, LCSW - Illinois Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
6 years of experience
Virtual
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, born and raised in rural Illinois. I have been working in the mental health field for over 5 years. I have a passion for working with the LGBTQIA+ community. I use an eclectic approach to provide trauma-information intervention that fits client's unique needs. I provide a warm, empathetic, yet real strengths based perspective approach to client's via tele-health from a secure location.

Jennifer Curtin

(she/her)

Jennifer Curtin, LCPC - Illinois Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCPC
14 years of experience
Virtual
Hello! I am Jennifer Curtin and I am thrilled you have made the decision to focus on what matters most in this life -- you! I am a queer therapist who has had about 14 years as a private practice and outpatient therapist. I received my Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Benedictine University and have invested the majority of my clinical training in working with LGBTQ+ folks, trauma and relationship systems. I use a warm, humorous and light style that incorporates science, humanness and understanding into every session. I am deeply committed to gender affirming, minority stress informed , trauma informed care. I am truly excited to work with you.

Payal Sud

Payal Sud, LCSW - Illinois Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
15 years of experience
Virtual
Hello! I am a South Asian, first-generation licensed clinical social worker( LCSW) based in Illinois. I have been in the field for over 20 years. I help marginalized communities navigate the world and put their mind, body, and soul back together. I utilize holistic and integrative methods to assist individuals in their mental health journey in a safe and comfortable space.

Rex Mccully

(he/him)

Rex Mccully, LCSW - Illinois Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
25 years of experience
Virtual
Hello, I am a licensed clinical social worker located in Chicago, Illinois. I work with people who desire a better understanding of who they are, who their authentic self is and then integrating the authentic self with their identity structure. I also work with those making life transition(s) and require a caring and listening ear to help guide them through the process. I provide individual, couples and family counseling to adults and adolescents.

Angeliky H Santos

(she/her)

Angeliky H Santos, LCPC - Illinois Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCPC
9 years of experience
Virtual
My main focus in therapy is to support clients not just manage but understand their symptoms and their root causes, and improve their relationship with themselves and the community around them. I focus on providing a non-judgmental environment where clients can freely share their story with mental health issues, understand patterns, notice ways they have been coping that have been positive and change unhealthy coping mechanisms. I also work on supporting clients recognize how they relate to themselves and others, increase their sense of control in relationships, and slowly develop ability to have more empathy and compassion for themselves and others.

Tim McNichol

(he/him)

Tim McNichol, LCSW - Illinois Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
10 years of experience
Virtual
Hello, I’m Tim. Do you ever feel that tasks of modern life leave you with limited space and energy to focus on your emotional and mental well-being? When people are maxed out emotionally, they sometimes notice a change in their behaviors and relationships. Life demands can lead to imbalances that might manifest as discord with your significant other or family members, feeling the general sensation of stress or fatigue, or not feeling motivated to engage in mood-regenerating practices. If these experiences resonate with you, I would welcome the opportunity to collaboratively explore the underlying causes, and work toward rebuilding emotional equilibrium. Sometimes people will view therapy and self-care as too much of a time commitment during their already busy schedules; however, I take the stance that it is an essential part of any self-maintenance plan. A practice of working toward better self-understanding and self-compassion is always a return on the investment of time.

Maria Daly

(she/her)

Maria Daly, LCSW - Illinois Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
12 years of experience
Virtual
Hello and Welcome, I am Maria Daly, a skilled therapist licensed to serve clients who are residents of Illinois. My experience over the past nine years has been counseling adults coping with grief, depression, anxiety, trauma, aging, and LGBTQ+ issues, as well as other areas. My approach to therapy is integrative, collaborative, and patient. I provide a safe and non-judgmental space for clients to explore their experiences and discuss issues that they face and are seeking assistance with. I meet my clients where they are in life and will interactively discuss and set therapy goals. My goal is to work together toward healing/acceptance or whatever the goal may be that promotes a happier and healthier functioning client. I realize that, at times it takes courage to reach out for help and I admire you for taking a step toward a more fulfilled and happier life. I am here to support and empower you on that journey.

Yukako I Sortino

(she/her)

Yukako I Sortino, LCSW - Illinois Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
5 years of experience
Virtual
Hello, I'm Yukako (she/her/hers), a fierce mental health advocate for migrants, refugees, and immigrants regardless of your immigration status. I am a psychotherapist with a passion for creating safe mental and emotional space for all including immigrants and refugees. As an immigrant myself, I understand the unique challenges you may face. I offer a safe space for you to share your story, and together, we'll create a personalized treatment plan to help you thrive and live your life with a sense of ownership and autonomy. I am japanese and spent more than half of my life in other regions of the world. I truly believe that healing can start where empathy meets human connections. We cannot change the systems and policies so quickly, but we can change ourselves. I want to help people take back the ownership of life from the systems that failed us. We can be creative and we can reimagine the communities where wellbeing (mental/emotional/social/physical/spiritual) of people are centered around. If we want to see/be the change, we have to be brave and imaginative and believe that we can, and take action in solidarity. You are not alone. You dont need to face your trauma and walk alone a tunnel you might be stuck in. We can heal together.

Chelsea Davis

(she/her)

Chelsea Davis, LCSW - Illinois Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
5 years of experience
Virtual
Hello, my name is Chelsea, and I am Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Illinois. I graduated in 2019 from Clarke University with my Master's of Social Work. I spent my undergraduate years shadowing and volunteering at a sexual assault and domestic violence advocacy center. I completed research in the areas of trauma, decision making, and intimate relationships. I completed a job shadow with a Victim Witness Coordinator, where I also conducted a year long research project on domestic violence in rural communities. During that time I completed an internship at a combined homeless shelter and food pantry. I then completed a secondary internship at a local community mental health center. I spent four years working at that same local community mental health center where I provided crisis services, individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, and group therapy. I was able to earn my license during that time. I transitioned into school based social work and provided case management and therapy services in the local school setting. I now have opened a private practice called Resiliency Counseling, which is an individualized practice focused on providing individual, couples, and family therapy services to help people who are wanting to improve their mental health in a safe, accepting, and trusting environment. I always strive to meet my patients where they are at in their mental health journey and tailor my approach to what they need. I approach therapy as a mix of processing, guidance, and challenging, in order to help a client identify, process, and reach their mental health goals.

Drake Schoeppl

(he/him)

Drake Schoeppl, LCSW - Illinois Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
5 years of experience
Virtual
Sometimes life becomes unmanageable on our own and we have to reach out for help. I am here to help normalize therapy and the discomfort that comes along with it. I am trained in EMDR, a modality used to help process traumatic memories and the cognitions associated with them. I specialize in working with individuals suffering from chronic anxiety, depression, complex trauma, emotional dysregulation, identity issues, addiction, LGBTQ+ issues, and everyday life stressors that can be difficult to manage. I provide a holistic approach in my practice utilizing methods from multiple modalities that include helping regulate emotions, manage anxiety and panic, and learning to heal from past trauma. I believe that it is crucial to look at things from a trauma-informed and cultural perspective in all aspects while working with individuals.

Allison Grace

(she/her)

Allison Grace, LCSW - Illinois Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
32 years of experience
Virtual
Fear is Expensive. Love is Real. Choose Wisely. Would you like to learn how to tap into your own Wise Sage Brain? Hi, I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Missouri, with a second License in Illinois. I have a BS in Psychology and received my MSW from the University of St Louis I have been practicing with an LCSW since 1993. I have helped people of all ages struggling with emotional regulation, problem solving, stress, life transitions, anger management, parenting, and burnout to become the best versions of themselves. Together, we would focus on what is helpful and let go of judging what is right or wrong.

Carlton Hemphill

Carlton Hemphill, LCPC - Illinois Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCPC
10 years of experience
Virtual
Hello and welcome! My name is Carlton Hemphill, a 33-year-old Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the state of Illinois who is also board certified (NCC). I received my Masters from Roosevelt University in Clinical Psychology-Counseling Practice with a concentration on child and families. I have been working in the field since 2015, and practicing as an independent clinician in my own private practice since June 2023

Frequently asked questions

Why filter by Illinois rather than a city like Chicago?

When looking for online therapy, you can see anyone that is credentialed in the state. We want you to find the best fit, therefore, Grow Therapy shows available therapists across Illinois from Rockford to Springfield! If you’d rather see someone in-person, you can change the filter from virtual and find a therapist near you in Illinois.

Will my therapist take Optum?

Yes! If you use Optum you’ll be asked to verify your Member ID at the time you book the appointment. However, if you don’t have Optum you can select cash. Our therapists will have their cost of appointment on their profile. Individual session costs will vary.

How does the Specialty Filter work? Can I find a therapist that focuses on a specific issue?

The specialty filter is optional. You don’t need to check any boxes to see a provider. However, fit is very important when selecting an online therapist. If you have knowledge or experience to recognize what specialties you may need.

What are the "Clients say I'm" badges?

Grow Therapy asks patients about their experience with therapists after they have had a certain number of sessions. After enough responses, we add those characteristics to their profiles to help you find the best online therapists for you. We're still working on collecting this information from all our therapists.

Why use Gender, Age, and Identities filters?

Finding a provider with a similar life experience can be beneficial because it can be easier to establish rapport and potentially be understood quicker and clearer.

What to expect during your first session?

Your first therapy session is for you and your therapist to meet each other and to ask any questions that you have about the counseling process. This is where you can expect your therapist to do the same as they will ask questions to gain insight into your specific situation. In this first session the therapist is doing their part to gather as much information so they can better assess if they are able to meet your therapeutic needs.

Depending upon your provider's specialty, you may also discuss the methods the therapist will use. For additional information on therapy methods, please visit the Grow Therapy Help Center. Some people feel nervous before their first appointment, and that is totally normal! Coming prepared with a list of questions for your therapist may help. Remember, you're taking a brave step by seeking therapy, and it is okay to be nervous as you try something new.