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Our providers work with individuals, couples, families, & teens for anxiety, depression, grief, & more
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94% of patients feel truly understood by their provider. 3 out of 4 see improvement in depression & anxiety symptoms within 3 months
Discover how starting online therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
I understand life can be challenging at times, and pursuing therapy can be a tough decision for some, but the goal is for you to r...
About
I understand life can be challenging at times, and pursuing therapy can be a tough decision for some, but the goal is for you to receive the help that you deserve.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 29 years of experience helping adolescents and adults navigate anxiety, depression, and mood disorders such as bipolar disorder. My goal is to provide a supportive and collaborative space where clients feel understood and empowered to make meaningful changes in their lives. I approach each session with empathy, insight, and a focus on practical strategies that build emotional awareness, strengthen coping skills, and promote lasting personal growth.
I earned my Master’s in Social Work from Aurora University. My therapeutic style integrates cognitive behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, and behavior modification to help clients manage emotions, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and achieve goals aligned with their personal values and life aspirations.
I bring warmth, humor, and authenticity to each session, fostering a safe and supportive space where clients can feel comfortable being themselves. My goal is to make therapy both productive and enjoyable while empowering clients to overcome obstacles and rediscover hope. I believe that with the right support, anything is possible.
Education and training
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Whether navigating personal challenges with anxiety or working to regain your inner balance, you don’t have to carry the weight al...
Whether navigating personal challenges with anxiety or working to regain your inner balance, you don’t have to carry the weight alone. Together, we will build practical coping skills and resilience to guide you toward a fulfilling and empowered future.
As a Licensed Social Worker with a background in intensive healthcare, I bring a deeply compassionate, real-world approach to healing minds and supporting emotional well-being. I specialize in anxiety and depression, helping individuals navigate the heavy seasons of life with evidence-based, trauma-informed care.
I provide structured cognitive-behavioral therapy and personalized coping tools to support you in managing anxiety, overcoming depression, and facing life-altering challenges with renewed confidence and resilience.
Whether you’re seeking to find internal peace or develop practical strategies to thrive, you don’t have to walk this path alone. Let’s work together to build a fulfilling and resilient future.
As a clinical counselor, I utilize a holistic approach to therapy....
As a clinical counselor, I utilize a holistic approach to therapy.
Ralph Pollaro is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with 17 years of experience. He specializes in working with adolescents and adults with mental health issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, relationship issues, effective communication, and existential processing. With Ralph, clients will learn steps to manage their mental health needs and increase adaptive behaviors. They will examine their progress and discern what goals they would like to achieve.
Ralph has a Master of Arts in Counseling from Saint Xavier University Chicago. He uses cognitive behavioral, person-centered, existential, and Adlerian therapies to assist clients in understanding their behaviors and how they can change to be their best selves. Clients will explore the whole self: body, mind, and emotional well-being.
Quality of care is the basis for successful healing. Using several theoretical systems, Ralph will help you problem-solve issues and work through past experiences. Ralph is looking forward to empowering you to manage life’s challenges!
I look forward to working collaboratively to help others change their mindset and reach their goals....
I look forward to working collaboratively to help others change their mindset and reach their goals.
Chelsea Parkinson is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with over 13 years of experience in the mental health field. She specializes in working with adults experiencing a range of mental health difficulties including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, impulse control problems, severe mental illness, and adjustment concerns.
Chelsea graduated with her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Aurora University. She completed her Master's degree in Adult/General Counseling from Marquette University. Chelsea uses varied therapeutic approaches in order to best meet the needs of each individual including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and solutions-focused therapy (SFT). Her experience in psychiatric settings has highlighted the importance of strength-based, collaborative approaches and the benefits of support from a non-judgmental helping professional.
Chelsea focuses on a person-centered approach with the understanding that everyone has the capacity to learn and grow. In her years of experience, she has seen how putting positive support into place can make a dramatic difference in a person's life. Chelsea is motivated to work collaboratively to help clients find the tools they need to effect change in their lives—schedule with her today.
As a single mother and someone who has overcome traumatic events, I have the personal insight needed to face those life challenges...
As a single mother and someone who has overcome traumatic events, I have the personal insight needed to face those life challenges that often result in hope, resiliency, and acceptance, creating a life worth living.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 16 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults as they navigate life’s challenges. I am also a certified Dialectical Behavioral Therapy therapist (DBT). I am deeply passionate about helping clients work through anxiety, depression, anger management, PTSD, and self-esteem concerns. My approach is grounded in empathy, collaboration, and evidence-based practices to ensure each client feels heard, understood, and empowered to create meaningful change in their lives.
I earned my Master’s in Social Work from Chicago State University, where I focused on working with families and individuals. My approach integrates mindfulness, meditation, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, and acceptance and commitment therapy to promote growth and resilience.
Clients can expect a safe, nonjudgmental space where they feel supported and encouraged throughout their healing journey. I believe in listening without judgment, offering positive feedback when needed, and helping clients find balance and self-acceptance. Let’s start your path to healing together.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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With Thriveworks, Online therapy is an effective alternative to in-person therapy services in which a client can speak to a Thriveworks therapist remotely via online video conferencing. Online sessions are just as effective as in-person treatment, but they can also provide added benefits like reduced travel time, saving money on transportation or childcare, and increased access to care.
Online therapy works much like traditional in-person therapy but takes place through secure video conferencing. Clients can attend Online therapy from any safe place they choose that has access to the internet, whether that be their home or another easily accessible place. Like in-person treatment, a therapist will work with their client to address their concerns, create goals, and establish an effective treatment plan.
There is no best option for online therapy—instead, it’s best to focus on finding a provider that meets your specific needs and with whom you can form a professional connection with.
Yes, online therapy is just as effetive for many clients as in-person sessions.
Online therapy can last for a few months to years depending on the goals and symptoms of the client. The treatment process will be unique to each client and lend itself to their specific concerns, which means that the time it takes to treat them will always be different. Timing is also up to the client themselves; they are free to stop therapy whenever they please, especially if they feel they have reached their goals and addressed their concerns.
At Thriveworks, we accept most major insurance plans, allowing many clients to pay as little as $0–$50 per session with their co-pay. We also offer self-pay options for those out-of-network or without insurance. Self-pay rates for talk therapy range from $160 to $240 for intake sessions and $135 to $195 for follow-ups, depending on your state. For psychiatry services, self-pay intake sessions are $255–$375, with follow-ups ranging from $175–$300, also varying by state. More information on current self-pay costs is available on our pricing page.
If you want to work with a virtual therapist or counselor, call our office today at Thriveworks Counseling in Normal, IL at (309) 485-5024 to set up an appointment or schedule online.
We offer many types of online therapy, including:
Whether you’re experiencing symptoms of a mental illness or facing a tough life challenge, consider calling our office at Thriveworks Counseling in Normal, IL. We can connect you with a compassionate mental health professional with the skills to help you get through what you’re facing.
Your licensed therapist or counselor will spend much of the first session getting to know you and your issues. They might ask questions about your background, what’s going on in your life, and any goals you have for mental health treatment.
They’ll use this information to create a personalized treatment plan that takes your needs into consideration. Over the course of future sessions, you might discuss a symptom, learn valuable stress-reduction techniques, or talk about your progress toward one of your goals.
Call our office today at Thriveworks Counseling in Normal, IL. Our counselors and therapists are here to help you build a happier, healthier future.
We want to make receiving mental health care as simple and convenient as possible. Book online or call Thriveworks counseling in Normal, IL at (309) 485-5024 to set up your first session.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Normal is located near Susan Dr and Fort Jesse Rd, off Veterans Pkwy. It is close to Tipton Park and near the Northpoint Elementary School.
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