Caryn Kelley, LCSW - Therapist in Illinois

Calm supportive listening
Practical skill building
Focus on daily life

About Caryn

Caryn Kelley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who helps people facing stress, anxiety, grief, addiction, and major life changes. She connects with clients in a calm, supportive way and focuses on practical steps to feel better. Caryn writes plainly and listens closely so clients can name what matters and start making small changes that add up.

With ten years of clinical experience, she draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors. She also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills, Emotionally-Focused Therapy ideas, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing tools to build coping skills and emotional awareness.

In sessions she spends time learning about strengths, struggles, and what brings a person joy. Conversations aim to clarify goals and find straightforward strategies the client can use between meetings. Sessions may include skill practice, problem-solving, and checking how changes are going.

Caryn has worked with people dealing with depression, bipolar concerns, sleep problems, parenting stress, relationship troubles, career transitions, and compassion fatigue. She also supports adults managing chronic illness, caregiving stress, body image and attachment concerns, and coping with natural or human-caused disaster.

She practices in Illinois and conducts work in English. New clients start by completing a short matching questionnaire and scheduling a first session to talk about needs and goals. Caryn aims to build a kind, practical partnership so clients can trust their own decisions and move toward a more balanced life.

How therapy approaches work in remote sessions

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting so clients feel heard and can find their own solutions. In practice this means the therapist offers a supportive space to talk through worries, clarify goals, and test small changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions and offers practical exercises to change patterns that maintain anxiety or low mood. CBT can help with sleep, anxiety, depression, and coping after a disaster. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) provides concrete skills for managing strong emotions, reducing impulsive behavior, and improving relationships. These skills are often taught in short, usable steps people can try between sessions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. That collaborative process helps shape whether sessions emphasize skills practice, emotional exploration, or motivational support.

Session logistics should be confirmed before booking since formats are set by the therapist. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and let people use attention to video or phone to match what feels best. Ask about current session options when scheduling so arrangements match daily routines and access needs.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsGrief Depression Coping with life changes

Also works with

AddictionsRelationship issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stress Chronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFertility issuesForgivenessGuilt and shame Hospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purpose Mood disorders Panic disorder and panic attacksPostpartum depressionPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

10+ years

Credentials

Illinois

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Caryn help with?

Caryn works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, relationship and parenting issues, sleep problems, self-esteem struggles, bipolar mood concerns, ADHD, and coping with life changes including disasters.

What is her general therapy style?

She uses a warm, client-centered approach with practical techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and motivational interviewing to help people try new behaviors and think differently about problems.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She brings ten years of experience working in different care settings with people facing a range of emotional and medical challenges.

What are her credentials and where does she practice?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, licensed in Illinois and practices there.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English only.

Can people outside the United States work with her?

She does not accept international clients at this time.

How are costs and billing handled?

Fees vary with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with Caryn?

Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability to set up an initial session.