Sofia Dickey , LCSW

Sofia Dickey is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Illinois with 18 years of experience in the mental health field. She also holds certification as an addictions counselor in Illinois, reflecting additional specialized training to support people facing substance use concerns. Over her career she has worked in both residential and outpatient treatment settings with adolescents and adults, helping individuals from diverse backgrounds address depression, anxiety, trauma, and addiction-related challenges.

Sofia brings a style grounded in acceptance and compassion, combining evidence-informed methods with a practical, goal-oriented focus. She regularly uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients identify unhelpful thought patterns and develop healthier coping skills, solution-focused strategies to build on strengths and set achievable goals, and motivational interviewing to support readiness for change. Her practice also addresses a wide range of related concerns including stress, relationships, grief, parenting, self-esteem, and impulse-related difficulties. She offers therapy through messaging, live chat, phone sessions, and video sessions and works collaboratively with each person to tailor care to their needs and preferences.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. It is practical and skills-focused, often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and problems with mood regulation. Motivational Interviewing centers on building a person’s own motivation to change; it is collaborative and nonconfrontational, and can be especially helpful for addictions, ambivalence about change, and readiness-related challenges. Solution-Focused Therapy emphasizes clients’ strengths and small, actionable steps toward goals, making it well suited for those who want targeted, goal-driven progress.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey. Sofia works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods fit their goals, needs, and preferences, and she adapts strategies as progress unfolds. This collaborative process helps ensure the work feels relevant and manageable.

Online therapy offers flexibility in how and when care happens, with options for video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These formats make it easier to access consistent support around work, family, and daily life responsibilities, and allow therapists and licensed professionals to maintain continuity of care even when schedules or location change.