Find a therapist in Illinois — covered by insurance

I love helping both children and adults to cope better with stress, feel more hopeful about the future, and to process difficult moments from the past. Many of my clients have the goal to start living a life that aligns with their values; getting closer to what really matters to them. I see the goal of therapy as helping a client to live, work, learn, and play more freely. That might mean helping a child be brave enough to speak in front of their classmates or help an adult learn to set boundaries in their relationships.

I'm a lifelong learner who has many specialties, but my primary specialties would include Exposure and Response Prevention (Anxiety and OCD), Cognitive Processing Therapy (PTSD), ACT (Depression), Theraplay (children 0-5), treatments for neurodiverse peoples (ADHD and ASD), and Psychological Testing. I can also offer services in Spanish and English.

I appreciate the bravery it took to search for a therapist, and I hope I get the chance to help you and your family carve the next step forward. You are welcome to message me with questions or to set up a quick consult call to see what it'd be like to work with me. I guarantee I will respond to your inquiry within 2 business days.

Your hands are full right now: the anxiety that hums under everything, the stress of juggling relationships, career, and the self-care that keeps slipping to the bottom of your list. Maybe a transition has left you questioning who you are, or you're grieving the loss of someone you love, a relationship, or a future you'd imagined. Wherever you are, you don't have to carry it alone. I work with individuals through these moments, with a particular focus on women's health and wellness.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has been working in the mental health field 6+years. I have experience working with adolescents and adults of all ages, navigating trauma, eating disorders, anxiety, mood disorders, relationship difficulties, and complex life transitions. My background includes clinical, school-based, and higher-level care settings, which allows me to understand how emotional challenges show up across different environments and stages of life.

I specialize in trauma-informed care and work with clients who feel stuck in painful patterns, overwhelmed by emotions, or disconnected from themselves or others. My training includes CBT, DBT, ACT, EMDR, and Internal Family Systems (IFS), and I have completed specialized training working with betrayal Trauma and sex addiction through IITAP. I am especially experienced in supporting clients who have complex cases and/ or deep rooted negative beliefs helping them to build stability, insight, and resilience in a way that feels sustainable and empowering.

I have been practicing in the field of mental health for twelve years after receiving a Master of Social Work from University of Saint Francis. My hope is to help you navigate through the various stressors that are bringing you into therapy, in a warm, safe, confidential space. I want to help you understand what is maintaining your negative feelings and behaviors and find ways to work through them in a way that allows you to live your life to the fullest.

My name is Lauren Dircks, and I have been supporting people for 3 years through a variety of challenges. I have a masters degree in Social Work and am a fully licensed social worker. I help those working through anxiety, depression, grief/loss, relationship challenges, postpartum depression, life adjustments, and much more. I specialize in working with those 13 years and older.

Many of the adults I work with are navigating anxiety, burnout, overwhelm, or the feeling that they've spent years adapting and still don't feel like themselves. I specialize in ADHD and neurodivergence, and it’s work I care about deeply.

I believe real change happens when insight is paired with action.

I am so happy you are here!

Let me share a little bit about myself. I am a licensed counselor in both Illinois and Indiana, with seven years of experience providing talk therapy. I have had the privilege to work with clients across the lifespan in various settings, including community mental health, child welfare, education and integrated care environments. I am passionate about helping individuals navigate challenges such as depression, anxiety, women’s issues, grief and loss, and relationship issues. In addition, I have experience addressing concerns surrounding life transitions, spirituality and intergenerational and complex trauma.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a educational background from the University of Michigan, where I earned both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Social Work.

For the past 23 years, my professional journey has been deeply rooted in the field of social work, with a focus on fostering positive mental health and well-being in a middle school setting.

I believe therapy is most effective when you feel genuinely seen, understood, and accepted. My goal is to create a warm, supportive space where you can explore your experiences at your own pace while building insight, resilience, and meaningful change.

I earned my Master of Social Work degree from Michigan State University and am a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC). I provide telehealth therapy for adults throughout Michigan, Massachusetts, and Illinois.