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 2,426 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 believe that therapy is a space that belongs to you and is nurtured by your therapist for you. Through this healing environment, I give you the tools to change self-defeating behaviors.
I'm a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). I'm here to listen and understand how I can help support you.
I received my Master's in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago in 2014. My clinical values are deeply rooted in the ethos of social work, which is that to understand any person, you must understand the context of their life. This includes your family of origin, socioeconomic status, any discrimination you face, and your religious or spiritual belief system. All of these parts of your life will be essential to bring into the therapy space to understand best what ails you and where we might find remedies within you and your community.
My name is Nicole Washington, and while my full name is Catherine Nicole Washington, I’ve always gone by my middle name. (A fun fact: I didn’t even realize Catherine was my first name until kindergarten—I thought my mom was Catherine and my name was “Cole” because that’s what everyone called me!)
I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with over 10 years of experience in the mental health field. I earned my Master’s degree in Counseling from Capella University, driven by a lifelong desire to help others—one that was deeply shaped by my own personal journey with mental health challenges. I believe healing is possible, not just because I’ve studied it, but because I’ve lived it.
Throughout my career, I’ve worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings, including partial hospitalization programs, and I have experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults. My background also includes work with domestic violence survivors, DCFS-involved families, group therapy, and individuals navigating complex life transitions. Oh and I’m also a the spouse of a Veteran. Which gives me a unique perspective of the challenges that military family’s may encounter. These diverse experiences allow me to meet clients where they are—with compassion, understanding, and respect.
After years of working in other fields I graduated from the University of Chicago School of Social Work. I have been working in community mental health for the past few years and treat individuals dealing primarily serious mental health diagnoses such as major depression, bipolar, and schizophrenia. Additionally I have experience treating mood disorders, anxiety, self-esteem, substance use, and stress
My personal journey includes struggles of mental health, academic and career difficulties, neurodivergence, sexuality, gender identity, relationship strife. I identify as queer, bipolar, and non-monogamous and I am kink and polyamory friendly
As a licensed clinical social worker, I work with adolescents and young adults to find meaning and purpose while working through the mental barriers that have created challenges in their lives. I specialize in working with adolescents, addictions, men's issues, depression and anxiety.
Greetings, I'm Debbie Palmer Thomas, a clinical social worker from Colorado. My approach to counseling is both welcoming and engaging. I uphold the values of respect, understanding, and kindness in every interaction. I firmly believe that everyone possesses inherent strengths, and with a sprinkle of hope, resilience is within reach for all. When you're prepared to make that leap, know that I stand by your side, ready to uplift and guide 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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