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Denise McNicholas

Denise McNicholas

LCPC

Illinois

Practical, strengths-based counseling for life change

Continue with Denise

At a glance

Credentials
LCPC
License
LCPC, Illinois / 180.002856
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.

    • Strengths focused
    • Goal oriented
    • Encouraging coach

    About Denise

    Denise McNicholas is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) who focuses on relationship concerns, self-esteem, career questions, and coaching. She emphasizes the strengths people already have and treats clients as experts in their own story. Her tone is encouraging and practical to help people take the first step toward change.

    With five years of clinical experience, Denise uses straightforward methods to address common stressors. She helps people build motivation, boost confidence, and clarify next steps in a job or career transition. Sessions include goal-focused conversations that aim to make progress feel manageable and relevant to daily life.

    Denise draws on approaches such as Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to guide work in the room. She also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills and Solution-Focused strategies when they match a client’s needs. These methods are used to support practical behavior change and emotional awareness rather than to label people.

    She has additional experience related to chronic pain, illness and disability, traumatic brain injury, forgiveness work, life purpose, self-love, and women’s issues. That range lets her tailor sessions to the immediate concern while keeping long-term goals in view.

    People who prefer clear next steps, a supportive coach-like stance, and short-term skill building are likely to find her style helpful. To begin, visitors should use the site Start Therapy process to match and schedule according to availability.

  2. Approaches that guide online sessions

    Motivational Interviewing helps people find and strengthen their own reasons to change. It uses open questions and reflective listening to build motivation for things like career moves, confidence, or health behavior shifts.

    Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, focuses on clarifying personal values and taking small committed actions toward them. It is often useful for people working on life purpose, self-love, or coping with chronic illness and pain.

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches practical skills to shift unhelpful patterns. It can help with self-esteem, relationship stress, and workplace challenges.

    Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences. That can mean trying a few strategies and adjusting as progress is tracked.

    If you prefer online care, confirm the available session options before booking. The practical benefits of online sessions include fitting appointments into a busy week, reducing travel time, and making shorter check-ins easier to schedule. Online work can also make it simpler to practice skills between meetings and to keep therapy consistent when life gets busy.

  4. Areas of expertise

    Primary focus

    Relationship issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoaching

    Additional focus areas

    Chronic pain, illness, and disabilityForgivenessLife purposeSelf-loveTraumatic brain injuryWomen's issues

    Therapeutic approaches

    Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Motivational InterviewingSolution-Focused Therapy

    Experience

    5+ years

    Listed in

    Illinois

    Languages

    English

  5. Frequently asked questions

    What kinds of problems does Denise focus on?

    She focuses on relationship concerns, self-esteem, career questions, and coaching, with additional focus on chronic pain and illness, traumatic brain injury, forgiveness, life purpose, self-love, and women’s issues.

    What is her therapeutic style like?

    Her style is practical and strengths-based. Sessions aim for clear next steps and gradual progress through conversation and skills practice.

    How much clinical experience does she have?

    She has five years of clinical experience working as a counselor and coach in mental health settings.

    What credentials and location should I know?

    She is an LCPC, which stands for Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and practices in Illinois.

    Can I meet with her in a language other than English?

    Sessions are offered in English.

    Does she see clients outside the United States?

    She does not accept international clients at this time.

    How much do sessions cost?

    Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

    How do I get started with therapy?

    Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

  6. 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

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