At a glance
- Credentials
- LCSW
- License
- LCSW, Illinois / 149.011216
- NPI
- 1639089659
- Experience
- 5 years
- Languages
- English
- Location
- Illinois
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
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- Motivational Interviewing
- Client-centered care
- Practical coping skills
About Andrea
Andrea Knepper is a licensed clinical social worker who uses Motivational Interviewing and a client-centered approach to help people tackle stress, anxiety, grief, and trauma. She combines clear listening with practical guidance so people can set goals that feel doable. Andrea brings a straightforward style and a focus on what a person wants to change next.
Andrea founded and led Chicago Adventure Therapy for nearly two decades, building programs that used outdoor activities to reach marginalized youth. That hands-on work and her background as a sea kayak guide shaped how she approaches therapy - with creativity, steady presence, and an emphasis on real-world skills. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Oberlin College and a Master of Social Work from Loyola University.
Before returning to clinical practice, Andrea spent years as a case manager and clinician working with people experiencing homelessness and other complex life challenges. Those roles deepened her understanding of how discrimination and systemic stress affect mental health. She also draws on outdoor leadership and long-distance expedition experience to support clients facing fear, logistics, and life transitions.
In session Andrea helps people name small first steps, practice coping skills, and work through family of origin concerns, guilt, shame, and multicultural stressors. Her work also addresses post-traumatic stress and the emotional impact of prejudice and discrimination. She aims to make therapy practical and approachable.
With five years listed as a clinician alongside longer community work, Andrea combines field experience with an emphasis on collaboration. She invites people to explore change at a pace that fits their life and priorities.
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How Motivational Interviewing and Client-Centered Care Work Online
Motivational Interviewing is a conversational method for helping people find internal reasons to change. It focuses on listening, asking open questions, and helping clients explore mixed feelings about a next step. This can be useful for making changes in habits, coping strategies, or life routines.
Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathic listening and building a trusting relationship. The therapist follows the client's lead and helps clarify what matters most to them. This approach can help with processing grief, anxiety, and responses to trauma when the pace and priorities come from the client.
Finding the best approach is part of the work. Andrea treats decision-making about methods as a team effort, adjusting her style to match each person's goals and preferences. She will talk with clients about what feels most helpful and try different ways of working until a good fit is found.
The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current session options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow check-ins during a lunch break or between errands. It can also make shorter, focused sessions possible when that better suits someone’s schedule. -
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Family of origin issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameMulticultural concernsPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationTherapeutic approaches
Client-Centered TherapyMotivational InterviewingExperience
5+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
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Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does Andrea help with?
She supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, low self-esteem, and life changes. She also works on family of origin issues, forgiveness, guilt and shame, and multicultural concerns.
What is Andrea's therapeutic style like?
Andrea uses a client-centered approach and Motivational Interviewing to help people find their own motivation for change. Sessions tend to focus on practical next steps and collaborative goal-setting.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Andrea lists five years of clinical practice alongside over 20 years of community and outdoor program leadership. Her background includes work as a case manager, clinician, and wilderness guide.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds an LCSW and practices in Illinois. The profile lists her credential exactly as IL LCSW.
Can I work with Andrea if I live outside the United States?
She does not accept international clients at this time and offers services to people in the United States only. Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats does she provide?
The original biography does not specify session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking so you know whether sessions are online, phone, or in person.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Andrea?
Choose the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.
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Online talk therapy is not emergency or medical care. Stopping or cutting down alcohol or other drugs can be unsafe without medical advice. In immediate danger? Crisis numbers