- Emotionally-Focused Therapy
- Client-Centered approach
- Cognitive Behavioral tools
About Alisa
Alisa Cates, LCPC, is a licensed clinical professional counselor in Illinois with 13 years of experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, anger, parenting strains, grief, and life changes. Her practice also includes concerns such as ADHD, bipolar mood issues, self-esteem, and career questions.
Alisa has worked in community mental health, inpatient hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs, corrections, and private practice. That range means she is familiar with both short-term problem-solving and longer-term support. She uses several therapy methods and matches them to what each person needs.
Her foundation is a person-centered style, which focuses on listening and building a strong working relationship. She also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify thinking patterns that keep problems going. Emotionally-Focused Therapy is part of the approaches she lists and is used when emotional patterns and attachment issues are present.
Other methods she draws on include motivational interviewing and narrative and solution-focused ideas to help people set realistic goals and find practical steps. Sessions can address emotions, behavior, and the stories people tell about themselves. Alisa emphasizes clear, practical work alongside open listening.
If you want to start, she asks people to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session. The practice notes that session fees vary by location and use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How Alisa blends EFT and practical therapies online
Alisa lists Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) among her approaches, which focuses on identifying and working with emotional patterns and attachment-related feelings. EFT can help when emotions are hard to name or when relationship and attachment issues influence how someone reacts.She also uses Client-Centered Therapy, which centers on listening and building a trusting working relationship before moving into problem work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is another tool she uses to spot unhelpful thoughts and try small behavior changes that can reduce symptoms like anxiety or low mood.
Picking the right approach is part of the work. Alisa will collaborate with each person to choose which methods fit their goals and situation. That decision is based on the issues brought to sessions, personal preferences, and what feels useful in early meetings.
The practice notes that session formats should be confirmed before booking. Ask about the available session options when you complete the matching questionnaire. Online work can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time so sessions can happen between other commitments.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
13+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, anger, parenting challenges, grief, and life transitions. Her practice includes a range of mood and relationship-related concerns.
What is her therapeutic style?
She uses a person-centered approach as a foundation and integrates other methods to fit each person. Emotionally-Focused Therapy and cognitive behavioral techniques are part of her approach.
How much experience does she have?
She has 13 years of clinical experience working in community mental health, inpatient, intensive outpatient programs, corrections, and private practice.
What are her credentials and practice location?
She is an LCPC licensed in Illinois and has been licensed since 2013. Her practice is based in Illinois.
Are sessions offered in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She is not currently accepting international clients.
How are sessions priced?
Session costs vary with location and are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin therapy with her?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session to get started.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.