April Balzhiser, LCPC - Therapist in Illinois

Client-centered work
CBT and DBT tools
Mindfulness practices

About April

April Balzhiser is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with 18 years of experience. She works with stress, anxiety, relationships, family concerns, trauma and abuse, depression, and related struggles such as grief, addictions, and low self-esteem. April also focuses on issues like abandonment, attachment, blended family problems, caregiver stress, and coping with life changes.

April uses straightforward conversation to help people sort out what feels overwhelming. She draws on approaches such as client-centered work, cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior strategies, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing. Sessions tend to focus on practical steps and clearer thinking rather than jargon or long theory explanations.

Her earlier work included social services and child welfare settings, and she has experience with domestic violence, sexual assault, foster care, and trauma-related concerns. That background shapes how she listens and how she helps people build useful skills for daily life.

In sessions April helps people notice patterns, try small changes, and practice new ways of coping. She explains options plainly and checks in about what feels most helpful. The emphasis is on actionable strategies that can ease social strain, relationship tension, and anxiety in everyday moments.

People who want a direct, practical approach to emotional and relational problems may find this fits their needs. To start, she asks about the immediate concerns and then works with each person to set simple goals and next steps.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online sessions

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and understanding each person's perspective. It helps people feel heard and guides the session around their priorities. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and offers concrete exercises to test new ways of thinking and acting. CBT can be useful for anxiety, social fears, and mood concerns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, includes skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication. Those skills can help with relationship stress and strong emotional reactions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. April collaborates with each person to decide which methods match their goals, needs, and preferences. She checks in regularly and adjusts strategies based on what helps in real life.

The biography does not specify session formats, so confirm current online options before booking. In general, online sessions can make fitting therapy into a busy week easier and can reduce travel time. They also allow for shorter check-ins when schedules require it or phone-only conversations when bandwidth or camera use is difficult. Ask about the available formats when you complete the short matching questionnaire so you can pick what fits your routine.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse Depression

Also works with

Addictions Grief Intimacy-related issues Self esteemBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issues Communication problems Control issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgiveness Guilt and shame Impulsivity Infidelity Isolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Men's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issues Mood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issues Workplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

18+ years

Listed in

Illinois

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she address?

April works with stress, anxiety, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, depression, grief, addictions, low self-esteem, and related concerns listed in her profile.

What is her therapeutic style like?

She uses direct, practical conversation and focuses on clear steps. Methods include client-centered work, CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing.

How long has she been practicing?

April has 18 years of experience in social services and mental health settings, including work with domestic violence, sexual assault, and child welfare.

Where is she licensed and practicing?

She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Illinois.

Which languages are offered for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can people from other countries work with her?

She does not accept international clients at this time.

How are sessions paid for?

Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin?

Use the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule a first session.