About
- Client-centered approach
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy
About Alisa
Alisa Cates is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with 13 years of experience. She works with adults on stress, anxiety, parenting concerns, anger, self-esteem, depression, addictions, relationship and family issues, grief, career questions, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and life changes.
Alisa has worked in community mental health, inpatient hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs, corrections, and private practice. That range means she has seen common problems in different settings and can draw on varied clinical experience when talking with clients.
Her main orientation is client-centered therapy, which means conversations start with what matters most to the individual. She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused techniques as appropriate for each person’s needs.
Sessions typically focus on clear, practical steps alongside open listening. She helps people name patterns, try small behavior changes, and improve how they communicate about difficult topics. That can include managing anger, adjusting to parenthood, or coping with grief.
Alisa asks questions and reflects what she hears rather than imposing a single plan. Together with the person she identifies priorities and adjusts the approach as needed. This collaborative style aims to make progress understandable and manageable.
To begin a working relationship she looks to build trust and keep sessions straightforward. She supports people who need help sorting intense feelings, organizing next steps for life changes, or rebuilding everyday routines after loss or stress.
How sessions work
How Alisa’s approaches work in online sessions
Alisa uses client-centered therapy to begin: she focuses on listening to what matters most to the person and shaping sessions around their priorities. This approach helps when someone needs a space to sort through feelings about parenting, grief, or relationship strain.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to identify unhelpful thoughts and test small behavior changes. CBT is useful for anxiety, mood concerns, and stress management because it breaks problems into concrete steps and experiments.
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) helps people name and work with strong emotions that affect relationships and family interactions. It can be helpful when communication patterns or emotional reactivity cause recurring conflict.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, try methods that fit those goals, and adjust over time. That collaborative process helps clarify which tools feel most useful for everyday life.
The original biography does not specify which online formats are offered, so confirm current session options before booking. In general, online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time so sessions can happen during a lunch break or after bedtime. Licensed professionals can adapt CBT or EFT exercises for remote sessions to keep progress practical and focused.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
13+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of family or parenting concerns does she address?
She helps adults with parenting stress, communication problems in families, and relationship tensions. Topics include postpartum challenges, parenting strain, and managing family conflict.
How does she approach therapy sessions?
She uses a client-centered approach and integrates methods like CBT, EFT, Motivational Interviewing, and Narrative Therapy. Sessions focus on listening first, then choosing practical strategies together.
How long has she been working as a therapist?
She has 13 years of professional experience across community mental health, inpatient care, intensive outpatient programming, corrections, and private practice.
Is she credentialed to practice in my state?
She holds an LCPC and is licensed in Illinois. Her credential is listed as IL LCPC.
Can I work with her if I'm outside the United States?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not accepting international clients. Prospective clients should confirm regional eligibility before booking.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before scheduling.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact pricing will depend on your region and subscription details.
How do I get started with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session to begin the process.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.