Alyson Johnson , LCSW

Alyson Johnson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Northern Illinois who combines clinical training with a background in recreation to help clients build more fulfilling lives. With a Masters Degree in Social Work and a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation, she draws on diverse experiences to tailor practical, strengths-based support for people facing addiction, depression, anxiety, grief, and a range of life changes. Alyson emphasizes that people already carry resources for growth and that therapy is a collaborative process to uncover and use those strengths.

She has supported individuals in improving self-esteem, coping with stress and compassion fatigue, navigating career and workplace challenges, and addressing relationship transitions such as divorce and separation. Her clinical tools include client-centered approaches, cognitive behavioral techniques, and elements of dialectical behavior therapy and motivational interviewing, all aimed at helping clients take manageable steps toward goals. Alyson also works with issues like guilt and shame, isolation, and life purpose, and she brings particular experience with drug and alcohol addiction and bipolar disorder.

Committed to meeting clients where they are, Alyson values a respectful, compassionate partnership that helps people discover practical strategies and small, sustainable changes. She has provided professional support across settings since her first helping role at age 15 and brings 12 years of clinical experience to her practice.

Therapeutic Approaches and Accessible Online Care

Alyson Johnson uses client-centered therapy to create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients’ own goals and values guide the work. This approach helps people who want to build self-esteem, clarify life purpose, or navigate major transitions by focusing on their strengths and priorities.

She also draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps identify unhelpful thought patterns and develop practical strategies to manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. Additionally, elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) are used to teach emotion regulation and coping skills for intense feelings, anger, and relationship challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the process, and Alyson collaborates with each person to determine which techniques fit best based on their needs, goals, and preferences. Together they explore options and adjust methods as progress is made.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, making it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules or for those not local to her office. These formats support consistent, ongoing work with licensed professionals and can make it simpler to access care from different locations while maintaining a steady therapeutic relationship.