PuttingFamilyFirst

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

CH Portrait of Courtney Holbrook
Online therapist

Courtney Holbrook

Practical support for stress and life changes

Credentials
LCSW
Experience
10 years
Licensed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Courtney

Courtney Holbrook is a licensed clinical social worker in Illinois who helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, and relationship or family concerns. She has ten years of experience and uses straightforward, compassionate support to guide clients through hard moments. Her approach aims to meet people where they are and help them take small, usable steps forward.

Courtney works from a client-centered stance, which means she listens first and tailors the work to each person’s needs.

Background and approach

She uses practical tools from cognitive behavioral therapy to help change unhelpful thinking patterns. She also draws on dialectical behavior therapy and mindfulness skills when people need emotional regulation and distress tolerance strategies. Sessions focus on real-life problems like communication, grief, self-esteem, coping with life changes, and stress from caregiving or work.

She offers help with issues linked to abandonment, adoption and foster care, blended family challenges, chronic illness, and body image among others. The aim is to support clearer thinking and steadier coping rather than quick fixes. Courtney describes therapy as collaborative work.

She pays attention to a person’s goals and adjusts methods as progress unfolds. Her style is direct but warm, with a focus on practical changes you can try between sessions. People can expect a respectful, down-to-earth conversation that focuses on what matters most now.

She invites anyone in Illinois who wants support to consider a first step toward clearer coping and better day-to-day functioning.

How Courtney’s Approaches Work Online

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and understanding a person’s experience. The therapist follows the client’s lead, helps identify goals, and adapts the work to fit real life. This approach is helpful when someone needs a steady, empathetic space to talk through problems.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts affect feelings and actions. It teaches simple exercises to test and change unhelpful thinking and to build new habits. CBT can be useful for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns where practical steps make a difference.

Finding the right approach usually happens together. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, try approaches that match those goals, and adjust as needed. That collaborative process helps decide whether client-centered work, CBT, DBT skills, or a mix suits the person best.

Online sessions are offered by licensed professionals and include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into busy routines, reduce travel time, and keep momentum between meetings. Many people find the variety of online options helps them use skills in day-to-day moments and stay engaged with their goals.

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.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Courtney address?
Courtney works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, relationship and family issues, grief, anger, career struggles, bipolar challenges, and compassion fatigue, among other concerns.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is client-centered and collaborative. She listens first and then offers practical tools and steps tailored to each person.
What is her professional background?
She holds ten years of professional experience working with a range of mental health and life stressors.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is an LCSW licensed in Illinois with license number IL LCSW 149023054.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Courtney?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire, then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Experience
10 years
Licensed
Illinois
Languages
English

Next step

Talk to Courtney

  • Takes a few minutes
  • Nothing to set up just to look
  • Stop at any point