PuttingFamilyFirst

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AL Portrait of April Lacey
Online therapist

April Lacey

Calm, practical support for family and life changes

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Credentials
LCPC
Experience
8 years
Licensed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About April

April Lacey is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois with eight years of experience. She offers calm, practical support for people facing relationship strain, mood problems, parenting stresses, and life transitions. April focuses on building a respectful, collaborative relationship so clients feel heard and can try new ways of coping.

Her work is straightforward and compassionate, aimed at small steps that lead to change. Before independent practice, April worked in psychiatric units, on crisis lines, and in community mental health.

Background and approach

She spent time supporting youth and families affected by the juvenile justice system and has also practiced in a group setting. These settings shaped how she responds to urgent needs and ongoing challenges. April uses several methods when helping clients.

She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors. Client-Centered Therapy guides her to follow each person’s pace and priorities. She also uses Mindfulness to help people handle strong emotions and Motivational Interviewing to strengthen their reasons for change.

In sessions she focuses on practical tools and respectful listening. Parents and adults looking for help with family stress, grief, bipolar symptoms, ADHD, or intimacy and trust issues will find that she aims to clarify goals and build workable plans. April explains steps plainly and checks in about what is and isn’t helpful.

Therapy with April often combines short-term problem solving and longer-term attention to attachment and patterns. She values honesty, curiosity, and steady support as people work toward more manageable days and clearer relationships.

Therapeutic approaches and online care that fit your life

April often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice thoughts that fuel stress or low mood and then test different, more helpful ways of thinking and acting. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, anger, and day-to-day coping. She also draws on Client-Centered Therapy which focuses on understanding each person’s priorities and meeting them where they are. That approach helps when someone needs a steady, nonjudgmental space to sort through feelings and choices.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. April will talk with each person about their goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Then she and the client will choose or blend methods so sessions feel practical and relevant rather than one-size-fits-all.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which can make it easier to fit therapy into busy family schedules. These options let clients choose real-time conversations or shorter messaging check-ins. That flexibility supports steady progress while accommodating work, caregiving, and other day-to-day demands.

Attachment-Based Therapy

Looks at how early bonds shaped what you expect from closeness, and how that plays out now with a partner, a parent, or your own children.

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.

Frequently asked questions

What issues does she help with?
She helps with relationship strain, trauma and abuse, anger, low self-esteem, depression, family problems, grief, intimacy issues, parenting, career concerns, bipolar symptoms, coping with life changes, and ADHD.
What is her style in therapy?
Her style is collaborative and down-to-earth. She listens first, then works with clients to set practical goals and try new coping steps.
What background and experience does she have?
She has eight years of clinical experience, including work in psychiatric units, crisis lines, community mental health, and group practice supporting youth and families.
What are her credentials and practice location?
She holds an LCPC, Illinois LCPC 180013822, and practices in Illinois.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can take place as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How are costs handled?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire, then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
8 years
Licensed
Illinois
Languages
English

Next step

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