April Hitchcock-Fofana , LMSW

April Hitchcock-Fofana is a licensed clinical social worker with 20 years of direct experience helping people through hard times. She practices in Michigan and focuses on practical ways to reduce worry, improve relationships, and strengthen self-worth. April uses straightforward language and a calm presence to make therapy easier to follow.

She draws on cognitive behavioral approaches to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors. April also uses client-centered methods to listen deeply and shape goals around what matters most to each person. Dialectical behavior therapy and mindfulness tools are part of her toolbox for managing strong emotions and building steady coping skills.

Her work covers a wide range of concerns, including stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship strains, addiction-related issues, and challenges with intimacy or sleep. She also supports people facing parenting strain, caregiver stress, chronic illness, and identity or attachment questions. April pays attention to how life events like adoption, abandonment, aging, or blended family dynamics can affect daily functioning.

Sessions are practical and collaborative. April helps clients create small, doable steps between sessions and practices skills together in real time. She aims to make progress feel measurable rather than overwhelming.

People who prefer clear tools, gentle curiosity, and a respectful, nonjudgmental tone often find her style helpful. Her work balances skill-building with space to process emotions and make sense of past experiences.

Using Practical Approaches in Online Therapy

April commonly uses cognitive behavioral therapy and client-centered therapy in online work. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety or low mood. Client-centered therapy emphasizes listening, empathy, and shaping goals that match the person rather than imposing a fixed plan.

She also draws on dialectical behavior therapy skills when emotion regulation or intense reactions get in the way of daily life. DBT offers concrete practices for managing strong feelings, improving communication, and tolerating distress without making things worse. Together these approaches offer both clear skills and a space to process what matters most.

Finding the right approach is collaborative. April will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and how symptoms affect daily routines. Then she and the client decide which techniques to try and adjust them as progress is made.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video works well when people want face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions are useful when bandwidth is limited or for quick check-ins. Live chat and messaging suit shorter updates, between-session coaching, or when writing feels easier than speaking. These options make scheduling more flexible and help therapy fit into busy lives.