Douglas DeRhodes, LCSW

Douglas DeRhodes is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who focuses on practical help for people feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, grief, or major life changes. He writes straightforward plans with each person and keeps sessions collaborative and warm. Douglas aims to help people build on their strengths and take small steps toward clearer thinking and better daily functioning.

He draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice patterns of thought and behavior that keep problems going. He also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to work on values and willingness to accept difficult feelings, and Attachment-Based ideas to look at how early relationships shape current reactions. Sessions combine talking, simple skills practice, and planning that fits day-to-day life.

Douglas has 14 years of clinical experience and holds an Illinois LCSW. He frames challenges like depression, anxiety, bipolar mood concerns, ADHD, addictions, and anger as problems to be understood and managed rather than labels. He also helps with relationship and intimacy-related issues, parenting stress, sleep problems, career concerns, and identity questions.

People can use video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging for ongoing work. Costs vary with location and the service subscription; the subscription can be canceled at any time. To begin, a person chooses the Start Therapy button, completes a short matching questionnaire, and schedules a time that fits their needs.

Douglas aims to create a steady, realistic path forward. He keeps language plain and focuses on skills people can use between sessions.

How these approaches translate to online sessions

Douglas commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help identify unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and replace them with concrete alternatives; CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and academic or work stress. He also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which helps people clarify what matters to them and take committed action even when emotions are difficult. Attachment-Based ideas are used to understand how early relationships influence current reactions and to build healthier ways of connecting.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Douglas will talk with each person about their goals, preferences, and daily routines and then adapt techniques from CBT, ACT, or attachment-informed work to fit those needs. The therapist and client decide together what helps most and adjust as progress unfolds.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video sessions allow face-to-face interaction and skills demonstrations. Phone sessions can be simpler when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging make it easier to fit brief check-ins into a busy day and to get written reminders of tools discussed in sessions. These options aim to make therapy more flexible and easier to use alongside work, family, and other responsibilities.