Holistic Jungian therapist specializing in trauma and relationships
I believe that in the therapeutic relationship, the therapist is the professional but the client is the expert. It is through empowerment, understanding, and collaboration that people can best heal and reach their goals. My areas of expertise include mood disorders (i.e., depression and anxiety) and substance use disorders. I take a trauma-informed approach, respecting the differences in life experiences and resiliency that we all have. For therapy to be effective, there must be trust, openness, and authenticity. As therapy can be quite uncomfortable, and even painful, one must be willing to lean into the discomfort to find growth.
My practice is based largely on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy approaches. I guide individuals as they practice identifying, challenging, and replacing unhealthy ways of thinking and behaving that have contributed to the development, and perpetuation, of their problems.
One of the most difficult things to do is to put our hand up and admit that we need help. Whether we are struggling with loneliness, sadness, or uncontrollable worry, it can be challenging to talk about the thoughts and the feelings we are experiencing and I respect the difficulty one faces in asking for help.
May you find peace, happiness, and wholeness.
Licensed · Professional · Cancel Anytime
Richard Watson is a licensed clinical professional counselor in Illinois with nine years of experience providing therapy. He works from the belief that the therapist brings professional expertise while the client remains the expert on their own life, and that healing happens through empowerment, understanding, and collaboration.
His clinical focus includes mood disorders such as depression and anxiety and substance use disorders, and he also supports people dealing with stress, addictions, trauma and abuse, anger management, family conflicts, grief, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, self-esteem concerns, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and ADHD.
Richard takes a trauma-informed approach that honors the variety of life experiences and resilience people carry. He emphasizes that effective therapy rests on trust, openness, and authenticity, and he is upfront that therapy can be uncomfortable; growth often requires leaning into that discomfort.
His practice is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. In sessions he helps individuals learn to identify, challenge, and replace unhelpful thoughts and behaviors that contribute to and maintain their difficulties.
Richard recognizes how hard it can be to ask for help—whether someone is coping with loneliness, deep sadness, or overwhelming worry—and he respects the courage it takes to reach out. May you find peace, happiness, and wholeness.
Many people ask whether remote sessions can truly help. For common concerns like stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or navigating life changes, online therapy has been shown to be comparable in effectiveness to traditional in-person sessions.
A major advantage is flexibility – individuals can connect in the way that fits their life, choosing video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or in-app messaging. This variety makes it easier to schedule and maintain consistent care.
Therapists offering online services are licensed professionals, and if someone feels a different match would be better they can switch to another therapist at any time. Online therapy provides a practical, evidence-supported option for many people seeking support for everyday mental health concerns.
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