Dr. Gloria Fennell , LICSW, LCSW

Dr. Gloria Fennell is a licensed clinical social worker who holds both LICSW and LCSW credentials and a Ph.D. in Clinical Social Work from Loyola of Chicago. LICSW stands for Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and LCSW stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker; she also holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) and began her career as a Registered Nurse (RN) working in trauma, which shaped her practical understanding of acute care and recovery.

Her professional path has included roles in schools, community mental health programs, and private practice, and she spent 20 years teaching social work at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. That combination of direct care, systems experience, and academic work informs a practical, evidence-informed approach to helping people navigate difficult life experiences.

Dr. Fennell frames her work from a strength-based perspective, collaborating with clients to choose intervention strategies that fit their goals and circumstances. She emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship as a vehicle for change and understands that seeking support can be a challenging first step. Her practice focuses on building a respectful partnership that supports clients through transitions and challenges.

Therapeutic Approaches and Accessible Online Care

Dr. Fennell uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients clarify personal values and learn practical ways to live in alignment with what matters most, a useful fit for stress, anxiety, and life transitions. She also draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, which can support work on mood, anxiety, and coping skills. In addition, her client-centered approach emphasizes empathetic listening and collaboration, creating space for clients to set the agenda and pace of change.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Dr. Fennell works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She adapts strategies over time as circumstances and objectives evolve.

Online therapy with Dr. Fennell is delivered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for people balancing work, caregiving, or health limitations. These options make it easier to connect with licensed professionals and therapists from a range of locations and schedules, while preserving continuity of care when in-person visits are difficult.