- CBT methods
- DBT skills
- Mindfulness practices
About April
April Balzhiser is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Illinois with 18 years of experience in social services and mental health work. She helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and intimacy concerns, and challenges related to trauma, addiction, or caregiving. April also lists work around shame-related topics such as abandonment and attachment issues.
Her approach is straightforward and practical. She uses client-centered methods alongside Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills. She also includes mindfulness practices and motivational interviewing when those fit a person's goals.
In sessions she focuses on clear goals and skills people can use between meetings. Conversations tend to move from understanding what keeps someone stuck to testing small changes in everyday life. April emphasizes collaboration about which tools to try and when to adjust them.
Her background includes many years working in settings that address domestic violence, sexual assault, child welfare and foster care. That experience informs how she works with trauma, attachment concerns, and complex loss. She brings that experience into practical, moment-to-moment work rather than technical labels.
April works in English and practices in Illinois as an LCPC. People who want to begin are asked to follow the site's process to match and schedule an initial appointment. Her profile notes that subscription-based sessions are used and can be canceled at any time.
How therapeutic methods translate to online sessions
Client-centered therapy begins with listening and asking what matters most to the person. In an online setting this means starting with the client's goals and choosing ways to talk and practice that fit their life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing small behavior changes. It works well for anxiety, depression, and many kinds of guilt by giving concrete steps to try between meetings. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills useful when strong shame or relationship pain is present.Figuring out which approach to use is part of the work. April aims to work with clients to pick and adjust methods based on their needs, goals, and what feels useful in practice. That means trying an approach, reflecting on whether it helps, and changing course when needed so the work stays relevant.
The biography does not list specific session formats for this therapist, so confirm current options before booking. Many people find online sessions easier to fit into a busy life because they reduce travel and can be scheduled around work or caregiving. Other practical benefits include being able to use brief check-ins, focus on skills practice between meetings, or choose audio-only when bandwidth is limited. Licensed professionals can adapt CBT and DBT tools for remote work so the sessions focus on clear goals and usable skills.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
18+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she work with?
She lists stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, trauma and abuse, addictions, caregiver strain, and related concerns such as abandonment and attachment problems.
How would she approach guilt or shame?
She combines client-centered listening with practical methods like CBT and DBT skills to notice unhelpful thinking and try small behavioral changes.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 18 years of experience working in social services and mental health settings, including roles with domestic violence, sexual assault, and child welfare work.
What are her credentials and location?
She is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and practices in Illinois.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. She does not accept international clients.
What session formats are available?
The biography does not list specific session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How does cost and billing work?
Costs vary with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working together?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.