Douglas DeRhodes , LCSW

Douglas DeRhodes is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Illinois who emphasizes a strength-based, collaborative approach to therapy. He works with clients across the lifespan, drawing on each person's existing resources, wisdom, and goals to guide the process. His style is warm and interactive, focused on building a trusting relationship grounded in acceptance and empathy.

DeRhodes specializes in areas including anxiety, depression, grief and loss, relationship and intimacy concerns, major life transitions, identity development, self-esteem struggles, coping with medical illness, and co-occurring substance use and psychiatric conditions. He also supports clients facing parenting challenges, career concerns, sleep difficulties, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and a range of attachment and family issues. He integrates therapies that encourage mindful living and self-compassion to help clients make sustainable changes in their lives.

Drawing on practices such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, he tailors interventions to the individual rather than following a one-size-fits-all plan. Douglas believes that people can access their inner strengths to create the life they want and that the therapeutic relationship is central to that work. He is not currently accepting new clients.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Douglas DeRhodes draws on several evidence-informed approaches to support clients in an online setting. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values, accept difficult thoughts and feelings, and commit to actions that align with what matters most - it can be especially useful for anxiety, stress, and life transitions. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on patterns in relationships and early attachment experiences, helping clients improve connection, trust, and intimacy in present relationships. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers practical tools to identify and reframe unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, often benefiting depression, anxiety, and coping with change.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist works with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences, and adapts techniques over time to find the best fit. This ongoing collaboration helps ensure therapy is relevant and effective for the individual's situation.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, reduce travel time, and maintain continuity of care when life events make in-person visits difficult. Licensed professionals can deliver many core therapeutic interventions effectively across these modalities, supporting progress even when meeting remotely.