Your personal journey is one of the hardest learning experiences you will ever go through. There is no instruction book or classroom lecture to guide you. Each new day, there are new tests, with each question seeming to have no right answer. Talk to a therapist for help.
With two universities within its city limits, River Forest is a place where learning is highly valued.

Learning life’s lessons may be difficult, but it’s never a lost cause. When you don’t know the answers, don’t give up. Wise teachers can guide you through your course. Talk to a counselor in the River Forest area.

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Dr. James Geidner

Offering therapy in IL
License: PhD,LCPC
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseParenting issuesDepression
20 years of experience

Dr. Jim Geidner has over 20 years of clinical experience working in a wide variety of settings, including psychiatric rehabilitation, child treatment centers and universities. He is currently a Professor of Health and Counseling and also works in private practice. With vast experience as a Clinical Supervisor at a wide variety of institutions, including Rush Memorial Hospital, University of Chicago, University of Wisconsin, among others, Dr. Geidner is well versed in numerous modes of therapy. His approach to therapy emphasizes finding the right treatment modality to meet each client's unique needs.

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Riley Dean

Offering therapy in IL
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietyLGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression
3 years of experience

Hi there! Welcome to the BetterHelp community. *I am only taking short term clients on Fridays currently.* My name is Riley Dean and I am a practicing Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Illinois and Michigan. I have been trained in psychodynamic therapy, and I typically practice using an integrative psychodynamic framework combined with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Prior to becoming a therapist, I have 5 years in crisis counseling with young adults and families, assisting with a large variety of issues such as depression, anxiety, LGBTQ issues, family dynamics, abuse, substance abuse, poverty, and more. In my therapeutic relationships, I am person-centered and I meet folks where they are at, so how I work greatly varies with who I am talking to. I would describe myself as laid back, easy to talk to, and passionate about mental health issues. In both running my practice and in my personal life, I try to live through a transformational, anti-oppressive, feminist lens. I use they/she pronouns. Whether you decide we are a good fit or you go with another excellent BetterHelp counselor, I truly hope you find the help you are looking for. You are not alone in this, and just this step of looking for a counselor is huge step in the right direction. I so look forward to the possibility of working with you!

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Yvette Medina

Offering therapy in IL
License: LCPC,CADC,CAMS II
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseGriefDepression
16 years of experience

Welcome! My name is Yvette Medina and I am a bicultural Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois with a sense of humor and a love for helping people. I have over 15 years experience working in the mental health field. I am so happy that you are taking the first step in taking care of yourself. I applaud you as you enter this journey. I understand that it is not always easy meeting with a stranger and sharing your fears and vulnerabilities, however, after a few minutes of introductions and exchanged pleasantries we will no longer be strangers. Allow me to help you onto your journey as you discover your inner strength. I will be your biggest advocate, and your support, we will laugh and celebrate accomplishments that you will make in our sessions together, from the biggest to the smallest. I believe in meeting you where you are at while providing you a safe space. I currently work for a non for profit agency with the focus of addiction treatment, anger management, homelessness, family reunification, and mental health issues. My areas of expertise are major depressive disorder, personality disorders, bipolar disorders, family/relationship conflicts, life transitions, and complex trauma/abuse, prenatal and postpartum depression. I also have experience working with individuals that suffer from anxiety, intellectual/developmental disabilities, pervasive developmental disorders, and immigration/acculturation issues. I am also a proud advocate of individuals from the LGBTQ community. As a Latinex/bicultural counselor I am able to relate with you through many shared experiences. I am well versed in various theoretical orientations, such as, person-centered, motivational interviewing, brief solution-focused counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, dialectical behavioral therapy and life coach techniques. In addition, I can apply more classical approaches to counseling and adapt to your current needs. I look forward to meeting with you and assisting you to reach your true potential. My hobbies are reading, traveling, knitting, baking (eating bake goods), photography (I will send an occasional picture when its relatable and appropriate,) painting, and watching soap operas (novelas). Self care is important for you and I. I will remind you to engage regularly in self care for positive mental health purposes as this will be included as part of your goals.

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Kelly Peters

Offering therapy in IL
License: MA,LCPC
AddictionsTrauma and abuseGriefSelf esteemCoping with life changes
35 years of experience

Hello, I am a licensed therapist with over 35 years of experience providing counseling to individuals, couples, families, and groups. I've worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, grief and loss, anxiety, trauma and PTSD, addiction, codependency, family and relationship issues, LGBT, and life transitions. Additional experience includes: career development, EAP services, crisis intervention, and critical incident debriefing. Post graduate experience includes certificates in Internal Family Systems, PAIRS, PEERS, addictions, spiritual psychology, and breathwork. I work to help people empower themselves to grow, change, heal, and better their lives. My therapy style is warm, respectful, and collaborative. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, acceptance and commitment therapy, humanistic, and family systems. I will tailor our dialogue and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps toward change. If you are ready, I look forward to taking that step with you!

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Leah Rybakowski

Offering therapy in IL
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changesCoaching
7 years of experience

I am licensed in Illinois with 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, motivation, self-esteem, confidence and depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will your treatment to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started! Schedule and Hours I'm available Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm. **Evening appointments are limited. **I do not work on Saturday or Sunday. I will respond to messages or requests the following business day. Sessions are 30-minute or 45-minutes. I am available to you in many different ways: messaging in the chat in the counseling room, live phone sessions, live chat sessions and live video sessions. Please let me know your preference of communication or if there are any ways you would not like to communicate. I usually try to respond to messages and requests within 24-hours. I generally try to respond at least once in the morning and once per evening, sometimes more! Consent Forms and Forms As a client, you will fill out different forms. BetterHelp (or specialty site!) has you fill out a Member Information Form. I have my own consent form that you will have to read, complete and electronically acknowledge. You will do this via chat before scheduling an appointment with me. Emergency and Crisis Situations Please remember that BetterHelp (or specialty site!) is not appropriate if you are in crisis or in immediate need of support. In crisis situations, please call 911 or local emergency services. You can also call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to talk to someone right away!

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Kirsten Munson

Offering therapy in IL
Stress, AnxietyGriefSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
33 years of experience

I am licensed in Illinois with 31 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Sydney Mitchell

Offering therapy in IL
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsAnger managementSelf esteemCoping with life changes
4 years of experience

I am licensed in Illinois with 4 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, anger management, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I have developed a deep love for holistic mental health and helping people connect with themselves to improve their connection with their lives and the people around them. I believes in creating an extremely safe and supportive environment to facilitate a healing environment for clients to thrive. I value the use of compassion, mindfulness, and connection between mind and body that allows for relationships between myself and my clients to form in a gentle and nurturing way.

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Inga Kriltchev

Offering therapy in IL
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseSelf esteemCoping with life changes
10 years of experience

I am licensed in Illinois with 20 + years of professional work experience. Multifaceted challenges assisting youth and families involved in the foster care system, work with elderly and disabled population have prepared me to help clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I like to frame my work as a life coach, using eclectic and most appropriate treatment approach, but always moving towards an identified goal. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Kathleen Carter

Offering therapy in IL
Stress, AnxietyGriefSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
20 years of experience

I am licensed in Illinois with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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This is Charita Graham's avatar and link to their profile

Charita Graham

Offering therapy in IL
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
23 years of experience

I am licensed in Illinois with 23 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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How to find counseling in River Forest

Finding the best therapist close by in River Forest can feel challenging, but know that once you narrow your search for a counselor serving your area, you can find a therapist in your city that is accepting new clients and fits your goals. Whether you're struggling with depression, anxiety, marriage, family issues, or other emotional challenges, feel proud that you have begun your search to find the mental health care services that work best for you in order to begin your personal journey towards emotional healing.

Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist in River Forest. Perhaps you're interested in narrowing your search for a psychotherapist that can offer psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), talk therapy, provide group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy. Each type of therapy can offer various benefits and address or treat different disorders. If you're still unsure or are new to counseling in River Forest, feel free to contact the provider via email to find out which methods they practice.

It is also important to understand that mental health professionals in the United States are accredited to provide care, helping individuals and couples, with a variety of licenses. These include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinical psychologist or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, they are trained to treat individuals and couples counseling, and sometimes children, in any type of therapy. Find a therapist under any of these distinctions and know that the sessions they offer can provide a safe place to heal.

Mental health professionals working through their own in- person therapy practice in River Forest or online may assist clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, or change in negative thinking patterns. They may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain. Verified providers can provide licensed marriage and couples therapy, tailor to individual needs, and create a therapeutic relationship as a National Certified Counselor.

There are all kinds of therapists working with clients today across the United States and in the greater River Forest area in different types of therapy, including:

  • CBT
  • DBT
  • Substance use therapy
  • Couples therapy

When you're ready to start your search and find therapists, have in mind what type of therapy you'd like your provider to be most experienced with and choose an experienced provider with a practice located near you in the city of River Forest, elsewhere in Cook, or in the greater state of Illinois.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Some other commonly asked questions on therapy with a licensed counselor and BetterHelp serving the River Forest area can be found below:

How does the cost of in-person counseling compare to the cost of BetterHelp with a licensed River Forest therapist?

The average price of an in-person therapy session in the US is $100 to $200 per hour. These prices may be higher in River Forest due to a higher cost of living. The price also depends on the type of provider you are looking for. See the following average prices for various mental health providers without insurance:

  • Counseling with a psychiatrist: $150-$500
  • Counseling with therapists: $100-300
  • Therapy with a psychologist: $100

While many psychologists in River Forest may not take health insurance, some in the state of Illinois may work on a sliding scale, meaning they'll factor in your income and charge what you can afford per session. With BetterHelp or clinicians throughout the state of Illinois you can expect significantly more affordable options, with sessions ranging from $65 to $100 per week (billed every four weeks).

How is a licensed therapist on this online therapy platform verified?

Therapists in River Forest, Illinois working on BetterHelp are licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited as a doctor of psychology (PhD / PsyD), licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW / LICSW), or licensed professional counselors (LPC). All of these psychology clinicians have a Masters Degree or a Doctorate Degree in their field of psychology sciences, and follow the APA Code of Ethics. They have been qualified and certified by their state's professional board after successfully completing the necessary education, exams, training and practice with a patient, and extensive experience in a healthcare clinic or treatment centers, in order to become a mental health provider. While their lived experience, expertise, careers, and background vary, they all possess at least 3 years and 1,000 hours of hands-on experience with adult and sometimes teen patients, and have the necessary therapist credentials to provide a safe space for long lasting emotional healing in therapy. 

Please note BetterHelp does not offer or provide care from psychiatrists to prescribe a drug as treatment, or perform psychological assessments.

How does working with a counselor in BetterHelp online therapy sessions work?

BetterHelp clinicians treat clients online across the United States (individuals and couples) through life transitions, inner child exploration, long term depression or anxiety, and more. An online mental health professional, including the therapists in River Forest above, can work with young adults, children, adolescents, and adults virtually as an accredited licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) or licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT). You do not have to commute to a an office as a psychotherapy client.

Through BetterHelp therapy, you can partake in video, phone, or live chat therapy sessions with your licensed therapist. You can work through various symptoms, use the in app journaling feature, and receive worksheets. You'll also find support groups or group therapy lead by a therapist in River Forest helping individuals on topics including managing life transitions, symptoms affecting sexual health, behavioral health, coping skills for anxiety or depression, trauma, stress, marriage counseling, and more. 

What mental health issues can psychotherapy address?

BetterHelp's verified River Forest therapists specialize and have clinical experience in a wide range of mental health issues and modalities, helping clients to feel better and improve their lives every day. See below for examples.

Specialties on BetterHelp include:

You may also be struggling with relationship problems that could be addressed in couples therapy or with a sex therapist. In that case, you may choose to work with one of BetterHelp's experienced cognitive-behavioral therapists or licensed marriage family therapists (LMFT) who work with clients in relationships. You can also try a River Forest therapy provider through BetterHelp's sister platform, ReGain, which is dedicated to couples and spouses worldwide. 

How do I know if online counseling is right for my family?

One of the potentially rewarding aspects of working with a therapist is the validation and active listening they can provide. Your friends and loved ones may also be available to listen, but you may feel that they may lack the skills to provide objective guidance. Counselors are trained to respond to various concerns, symptoms, and mental health conditions.

A psychologist in your city can support you toward a healthier emotional state, regardless of your mental health, life concerns, or healing needs. While supporting individuals in developing healthier habits, another good benefit of therapy is having an understanding, safe space with a non-judgmental party who can support you through challenging experiences.

Many people have sensitive topics that they may feel ashamed to discuss with their friends or partner. A River Forest therapist can help you confront these concerns and open up through unique methods of support. There are also many types of therapy, such as art therapy, where you may find you can express yourself through creativity instead of words.

With a lot of people in IL, providers may be booked out with clients. Through the list of profiles above and others within BetterHelp's team, you may be able to find a psychologist within 24 to 48 hours. If you're searching to find a a nearby psychotherapist close to 60305 or the surrounding zip codes, consider others available through the BetterHelp site. No matter if you are seeking help in your area or beyond, online therapy can be a great option.

How should I prepare for my first therapy session with a River Forest counselor?

Before seeing your therapist, prep for your session by reading to understand the therapy process. You might write a list of questions you want to ask your psychotherapist, any emotional pain you may feel, and the ways in which you hope to improve. When you attend your session, let them know if you have any concerns about therapy or feel unsure about what to talk about. They may help guide you with open-ended therapeutic questions. The first session will often serve as an intake to get to know you as a person and learn why you're attending therapy.

Should I find a therapist or psychologist if I feel fine? 

Some simply don't feel the need to see a psychologist. However, some people may avoid attending therapy due to stigma or preconceived notions of what therapy entails. Although psychologists often support people with mental health conditions, you do not need a diagnosis or condition to attend therapy. You can discuss grief, relationship concerns, stress, or life changes and ask for general feedback and advice. A River Forest licensed clinical social worker may help you gain power over your life and emotions while you navigate day-to-day experiences.

Gaining a new perspective on yourself through various therapies might allow you to improve your self-esteem, work through relationships, and gain a better sense of your mental health goals. The success you may find through therapy can be dependent on your process.

People may also attend therapy for specific motives, such as bullying, an autism diagnosis, a desire to learn mindfulness meditation, personality concerns, trouble with office workers, specific phobias, and many other principles.

Is mental health care and therapy worth it? 

Therapy is effective and has the power to change individuals' lives. Each client is at a different stage of their emotional healing journey in life, as each human can be unique in their personality, expression, skills, and goals. A psychologist can target various symptoms, experiences, and personalities to help you feel your best and put you on the path to healing. Unlike advice from a friend, family, or non-professional, a mental health professional has an understanding of various disorders like ADHD and depression with many hours of experience in treating adults in their practice. For this reason, seeing an evidence based psychologist in River Forest, Illinois can be worth it. Over 41 million adults in the US attend therapy services each year, showing it's a popular option and is proven to be effective.

River Forest has many clinicians who practice person or client-centered individual therapy in-person and through online therapy to assist clients in their healing journey. If you opt into online therapy, you might also be able to meet with providers all over the United States and change therapists easily at any time. Many people struggling with anxiety and depression, substance abuse, body image issues, and more find therapists that are a good fit for them, feel supported, and gain further insight into their lives through internet-based therapy.

Do therapists judge you in therapy sessions?

The boundaries between you and a therapist are in place to help you and them regarding ethical concerns. Mental health professionals are held by ethical standards through the American Psychological Association (APA) and are not allowed to judge or harm their clients. If you are concerned about sharing details about yourself, feel free to withhold personal information. Their job in the therapeutic relationship is to create a safe place, help you gain a deeper understanding of your mental health, and support you. You might consider changing counselors if you don't feel safe or respected.

Stay up to date with the leading online counseling platform

To stay up to date with BetterHelp's initiatives through their social channels, you can follow them on Pinterest, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. For mental health tips, check out the BetterHelp YouTube channel.

Take some time today to learn more about the team of therapists at BetterHelp to understand the services available to you clearly. If you are new to therapy or have any questions about the services and terms, please reach out through the contact page or send an email to contact@betterhelp.com.

If you’re ready to sign up for online therapy, consider signing up with a platform like BetterHelp and get matched within 24 to 48 hours.

If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, don't use this site's online services. If you are in life-threatening danger, call 911. If you require support for a crisis, reach out to the hotlines below:

A woman meets with a therapist online in her home city of River Forest.

Below are some of the zip codes served by BetterHelp therapists in River Forest:

60305

Popular cities near River Forest, IL

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