Alisa Cates, LCPC - Therapist in Illinois

About Alisa

Alisa Cates, LCPC, uses a person-centered approach to guide parents and families through stressful times. She emphasizes listening first and creating a space where people feel understood. Sessions focus on practical steps and clear goals rather than jargon.

This style aims to make talking about parenting, relationships, or life changes feel less overwhelming. She has been licensed in Illinois since 2013 and brings 13 years of experience across community mental health agencies, inpatient hospitalization, intensive outpatient programming, corrections, and independent practice.

Background and approach

That mix of settings shaped a pragmatic way of working. Alisa draws from several methods to match what each person needs rather than using one fixed technique. Common topics she addresses include stress, anxiety, parenting, anger, self-esteem, depression, addictions, relationship and family concerns, grief, career questions, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and ADHD.

She also works with issues such as aging and geriatric concerns, communication problems, control issues, and postpartum depression. In sessions she blends Client-Centered Therapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Narrative Therapy depending on the situation. That means conversations can move from exploring personal meaning to practicing new thinking or behavior skills when helpful.

Alisa offers sessions in English and practices from Illinois. Her license number is IL LCPC 180.012524. People choose this approach when they want straightforward, empathetic guidance for family and parenting-related challenges.

How therapy approaches translate to online care

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on attentive listening and respect for each person’s experience. In practice that means the therapist creates space to hear what matters most and helps parents or family members articulate goals and priorities. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches specific skills to shift unhelpful patterns. It can be useful for anxiety, stress, mood concerns, and parenting-related reactions.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together they decide whether to focus on understanding and empathy, practical skill-building, or a mix of strategies that fits the situation.

Online sessions are available by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging. Those options make it easier to fit sessions into busy family schedules and to keep continuity during life changes. The variety of formats also allows the therapist to use conversation, worksheets, or brief check-ins that suit how a client prefers to communicate.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)

Attends to the emotions underneath a recurring argument or distance, and to the attachment needs driving them. Often used where a relationship keeps returning to the same painful loop.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she address?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, parenting and family issues, anger, self-esteem, addictions, grief, career concerns, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and many life transitions.

What is her therapeutic style like?

She practices a person-centered approach that emphasizes listening and building rapport, while integrating practical methods like CBT and Motivational Interviewing to meet each client’s needs.

What background and experience does she have?

Alisa has 13 years of experience across community mental health, inpatient hospitalization, intensive outpatient programming, corrections, and independent practice.

Where is she licensed and what are her credentials?

She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois with the license number IL LCPC 180.012524 and practices from Illinois.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can people outside the U.S. work with her?

International clients are not currently accepted.

What formats are used for sessions?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to provide flexible ways to meet.

How do I begin working with her?

Start by clicking the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Parenting issues
Anger management

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 13 years
Licensed: Illinois
Languages: English

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