Find a therapist in Illinois — covered by insurance


Top therapists in Illinois accepting new patients
Connect with experienced therapists throughout Illinois via Headway's network of 2,412 providers. Many offer free consultations and next-day availability, with sessions covered by major insurances like Aetna, Anthem, and United Healthcare—some patients pay as little as $0 per visit.
⭐ I’m Shelly Lewin, LCSW/LICSW, a therapist with 31 years of experience helping adults navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, identity issues, and major life transitions. I provide virtual therapy across Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, New Mexico, and West Virginia, offering accessible, evidence‐based care to clients seeking meaningful and lasting change. I have 30+ years of experience in private practice and leadership roles at organizations including:
- The Joint Commission
- Northwestern Memorial Hospital
- Kaiser Permanente
- Common Spirit
- Mount Sinai Health System
This background allows me to offer deep clinical expertise paired with practical, real‐world understanding of how people heal and grow. My approach is warm, collaborative, open‐minded, and affirming. If you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or ready for change, I’m here to walk beside you with steady support and clinically grounded guidance. I specialize in therapy for adults experiencing:
- Anxiety & panic disorders
- Depression & mood disorders
- PTSD and trauma recovery
- Substance use and addiction
- LGBTQIA+ affirmative care
- Men’s issues & identity exploration
- Life and career transitions
- Chronic illness & long-term stress
Additional areas of expertise include: Bipolar disorder, OCD, grief & loss, workplace stress, anger management, cultural/ethnic identity issues, expat adjustment, relationship issues, family challenges, and end-of-life concerns
You deserve a therapist who knows the terrain. I’ve been where you are. I have experienced mental health from every angle—as someone who has done the deep personal work, as someone who has navigated the pain of losing loved ones to suicide, and now as a therapist. When I suggest a tool or a shift in perspective, it’s because I practice what I preach. I know the freedom that comes from setting boundaries and building a life you truly love, and I want that same transformation for you.
A perspective shaped by the world: Growing up with over 30 exchange students from around the globe taught me early on that everyone’s "normal" looks different. This curiosity follows me outside the office, too. This love for travel and culture keeps my mind open and my spirit curious—traits I bring into every session we share.
I believe that therapy works best when people feel understood, respected and safe. I have over 20 year of experience helping adults navigate trauma, depression, anxiety, identity exploration, grief/loss, life transitions and relationship challenges. Much of my career has been devoted to working with veterans and individuals who have faced difficult or traumatic experiences. I strongly believe in establishing a relationship of equals and mutual respect between therapist and client; one that leads to a guided journey of self-discovery and change.
I have my Master of Social Work from New York University and have worked in Social Services and Behavioral Healthcare for more than 26 years between New York City and Philadelphia. I offer individual therapy to support my clients in their work to live their best lives, whatever that means to them. I have experience working in inpatient psychiatry and outpatient counseling.
Hello,
Feeling unmotivated, anxious, and depressed? Having trouble getting out of bed? Feel like your anxiety is dragging you down? Having trouble getting through school? You have come to the right place. I love to meet my clients where they are at in their most desperate moments. We all need a good "pick me up" from time-to-time and speaking to a therapist is always a great first step. I specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused therapy. I have experience working with children and all the way up to geriatric population. I am a Chicago-Based Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I am bi-lingual in English/Spanish. Let's begin your journey!
I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in Social Work at Northeastern Illinois University in 2013 and my Master's in Social Work at Aurora University in 2014.
Having served clients in Florida for the past 8 years in my work as a clinician and in welfare, my professional and personal philosophy is to meet people where they are. Therapy is a vulnerable journey of healing. I will utilize individualized care and collaboration to make you feel accepted, safe and ready to become the best version of yourself.
Hi there! I have been a therapist for about 25 years (MSW- Western Michigan University). I feel grateful to have such meaningful work and honored to walk alongside such a variety of people on their journeys. My clients have described me as irreverent, honest, and caring.
Many folks come to therapy in times of crisis and others come because they are looking for a neutral place to talk and process a wide range of life experiences including trauma, anxiety/depression, substance concerns, and relationship issues.
In my non-work hours you'd find me spending time with my elementary age kiddo and our dog, listening to live music, swimming in Lake Michigan, or finishing up a good jigsaw puzzle!
I specialize in helping adults navigate anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and relationship challenges with compassion, clarity, and a holistic lens. Clients often tell me they feel seen, safe, and supported in our work together. As a therapist, I combine clinical expertise with intuition and deep respect for the whole person-mind, body, and spirit-to create a space where healing, insight, and lasting change can take root.
I have a fundamental belief in the transformative power of therapy. I come to this belief not just as a practicing therapist but as someone who was profoundly shaped by therapy as a young man. Having started my own journey with doubt and hesitation, I deeply respect the courage it takes to begin this work. Talking about therapy can feel tricky as jargon and platitudes often dominate the conversation. What I can say is this: I believe in your capacity—within a therapeutic relationship that intuitively feels right to you—to become a better version of yourself defined on your own terms.
I have 26 years of experience dealing with individuals, couples, families in therapy. We will work together to develop plans that are unique and right for you.
About our therapists serving Illinois



- 98%Anxiety
- 93%Depression
- 89%Stress management
- 80%Relationship issues
- 78%Trauma

- 98%Aetna
- 94%Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
- 90%Cigna
- 84%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 67%Ascension

- 99%English
- 7%Spanish
- 1%Hindi
- 1%Urdu
- 1%Polish

- 87%Online only
- 12%In-person or online

- 81%Woman
- 18%Man
- 1%Non-binary

- 50%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 35%Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
- 6%Clinical Psychologist
- 5%Full Practice Authority Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
- 3%Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

- 100%Individual therapy
- 35%Family therapy
- 25%Couples therapy
- 17%Child or adolescent therapy
Frequently asked questions


Find the right therapist for you
Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Mental Health Therapist in Illinois
Searching for therapists in Illinois starts with finding the right clinical fit for your needs. Illinois has a wide range of therapists across urban and rural areas, so available specialties may vary by location. You might look for support with anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, trauma, or major life changes. As you compare Illinois therapists, review each therapist’s listed specialties, therapy approach, and experience with concerns like yours. Some therapists may use approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing.
Practical fit matters, too. If you live in Chicago, Springfield, Peoria, or another part of Illinois, consider whether in-person or virtual sessions work better for your schedule and location. A therapist with evening virtual appointments may be a better match if travel time is hard to plan, while an office near home or work may matter more if you prefer in-person care. You can also narrow your search by appointment availability, whether a therapist is accepting new patients, whether they offer a free phone consultation, and how they describe their communication style. Reading therapist bios before booking can help you understand what sessions may be like.
The cost of Illinois therapy can vary, and using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs. Headway helps you search for licensed therapists who are accepting new patients, verify your insurance, and see your estimated out-of-pocket cost before you book. Nationally, Headway works with over 100 insurance plans, and your exact coverage depends on your plan and location. You can browse therapists, review bios, compare availability, and book directly when you’re ready.
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