Alisa Cates, LCPC
Licensed in Illinois · 13 years in practice
Alisa Cates is a licensed clinical professional counselor in Illinois with 13 years of experience.
License and registration
- LCPC, Illinois
- 180.012524 · expires March 2027
- NPI
- 1801238365 · national provider identifier
- Years in practice
- 13
- Languages
- English
Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check any license with the state board and any NPI with the national registry.
About Alisa
Alisa Cates is a licensed clinical professional counselor in Illinois with 13 years of experience. She emphasizes a person-centered way of working where people feel heard and respected before change is asked of them. Her approach is straightforward and practical, aimed at helping someone take manageable steps forward.
She helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and difficulties with self-esteem. Parenting strain, grief, career worries, and relationship or family conflict are also common concerns she addresses.
Background and approach
She also supports those coping with addictions, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and big life changes. Alisa has worked in many settings including community mental health, inpatient care, intensive outpatient programs, corrections, and independent practice. That variety has given her experience with short-term and longer-term needs across different life situations.
She draws on methods that fit the person rather than one fixed formula. In sessions she uses a mix of person-centered listening plus structured tools such as cognitive behavioral work, emotionally-focused ideas, motivational interviewing, narrative techniques, and solution-focused strategies. Conversations usually focus on what matters most to the client and on practical steps to reduce distress and improve daily functioning.
People meet her to talk through anger, impulsivity, isolation, financial stress, postpartum mood shifts, midlife questions, and aging-related concerns. She aims to build a strong working relationship that supports steady progress and clearer next steps.
Focus areas and approaches
Everything Alisa lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Emptiness
- Forgiveness
- Impulsivity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Postpartum depression
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-love
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
Approaches Alisa names
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Systemic Therapy
Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.
Online support
Approaches that translate to online care
Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and understanding the person first. It helps people who feel judged or unheard by creating space to talk and clarify what matters to them. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) looks at patterns of thought and behavior and teaches concrete skills to reduce anxiety, manage mood, and change unhelpful reactions. Emotionally-focused ideas help people identify and name emotions and improve how they respond during relationship and family stress.Choosing the right approach is part of the process. The therapist works collaboratively to match methods to each person's needs, goals, and preferences. That means starting with conversation, trying practical tools, and adjusting direction together if something isn't helping.
Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face interaction for skill teaching and in-depth conversation. Phone sessions can be a good fit when bandwidth is limited or for shorter check-ins. Chat and text options work well for ongoing support between appointments or when writing feels easier than speaking. These formats make it simpler to fit therapy around work, caregiving, or busy days while keeping the focus on the therapeutic work and progress.
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Questions people ask
What issues does this therapist help with?
She works with a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, parenting strain, addictions, grief, mood disorders, ADHD, relationship and family conflict, and career or life transition challenges.
What is her therapeutic style like?
She uses a person-centered approach that starts with listening and respect, then integrates practical methods like cognitive behavioral work, emotionally-focused ideas, motivational interviewing, narrative techniques, and solution-focused strategies as helpful.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 13 years of professional experience working in community mental health, inpatient hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs, corrections, and independent practice.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds the LCPC credential and is licensed in the State of Illinois.
Is therapy available in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are offered?
Sessions are available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and communication preferences.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are needed to begin therapy?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
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