Richard Goldin
LCSW
Illinois
Practical, motivation-focused clinical social worker
Continue with RichardAt a glance
- Credentials
- LCSW
- License
- LCSW, Illinois / 149009159
- NPI
- 1174823108
- Experience
- 23 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 focus
- Skills oriented
- Values driven
About Richard
Richard Goldin is a licensed clinical social worker with 23 years of experience helping people rethink difficult moments. He focuses on practical changes that reduce anxiety, depression, and stress. Richard draws on approaches such as Motivational Interviewing and cognitive and dialectical behavior techniques to help people find workable next steps.
He came to counseling after a career in business and education and a personal experience with depression during a business failure. That experience led him to value shifting perspective and challenging self-defeating beliefs. He describes therapy as a way to notice patterns, learn new responses, and reconnect with things that matter.
Sessions emphasize identifying personal values and using them to guide decisions. Richard uses evidence-based tools to teach skills for mood regulation, coping with cravings, managing anger, and improving communication. He also supports people facing grief, trauma, relationship strain, and work or parenting stress.
He brings particular attention to addiction and recovery work, eating and food-related concerns, and intimacy or sexual-culture issues including BDSM and kink. Additional focus areas include aging and geriatric issues, ADHD, bipolar concerns, and codependency. He also addresses family of origin problems and fatherhood issues.
Richard practices in Illinois and works in English. He describes therapy as collaborative and practical, with an emphasis on using motivation and concrete skills to make life changes. People who value a direct, skill-focused approach often find his style helpful.
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How therapeutic approaches shape online work
Richard commonly uses Motivational Interviewing to help people clarify why they want change and to build small, achievable steps toward it. This approach focuses on listening, drawing out a person’s own reasons for change, and turning motivation into action.
He also draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help identify unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors that reduce anxiety or low mood. CBT gives concrete exercises and practical homework to test new ways of thinking. Dialectical Behavior Therapy contributes skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and improving relationships by practicing specific coping strategies.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that fit their goals, life demands, and preferences. That means trying tools, reviewing what helps, and adjusting the plan together.
If you are considering online therapy, confirm the session formats before booking since the biography does not list them. Many clients find online sessions helpful for fitting therapy into a busy schedule, reducing travel time, or making it easier to maintain regular check-ins. Other practical benefits include shorter midweek check-ins, flexible timing that fits work or caregiving duties, and the ability to continue momentum between in-person appointments when needed. -
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
LGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersParenting issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderADHDAdditional focus areas
Aging and geriatric issuesBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMood disordersPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-loveSex addictionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWorkplace issuesYoung adult issuesTherapeutic approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Gottman MethodMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyExperience
23+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
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Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he help with?
He helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, anger, grief, trauma, intimacy and relationship issues, and a range of other life challenges such as parenting, career strain, and ADHD.
What is his therapeutic approach and style?
He uses practical, skills-based approaches including cognitive and dialectical behavior strategies and Motivational Interviewing to help clients set goals and try small changes.
How long has he been practicing?
He has 23 years of experience working in mental health and addictions counseling, drawing on a background in business and education.
What are his credentials and where does he practice?
He is an LCSW licensed in Illinois and provides clinical services from that location.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and he is able to work with international clients.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as the biography does not specify which formats are offered.
How does payment work?
Cost varies with location and therapist arrangements; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start working with him?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session 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