Patti Hampsten , LCPC

Patti Hampsten holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Illinois. She brings a long history of work in community mental health and began her career as an addictions counselor, which shaped a broad skill set across many clinical areas. Over the years she has expanded her practice to include roles in private practice and clinical supervision, supporting participants in problem-solving courts such as drug court, mental health court, and veterans court.

Patti believes meaningful change starts with acknowledging a person’s present experience without judgment or shame. She emphasizes validation and the idea that behavior has underlying logic and motivation, which helps build a trusting therapeutic relationship. Her approach typically begins with client-centered methods and motivational interviewing to clarify goals and support readiness for change. From there she tailors treatment to each person’s needs, drawing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and other skills-based techniques as appropriate.

Her counseling style is casual and inviting, aimed at helping clients feel comfortable discussing what matters to them and leaving each session with compassionate care and practical tools for coping. She is committed to working collaboratively with clients to help them move toward the life they want to create.

Approaches and Online Support for Lasting Change

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating a respectful, nonjudgmental space where the client’s perspective guides the work. It helps people who need empathy, understanding, and support while they explore values, goals, and personal growth. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is a practical approach that identifies unhelpful thoughts and patterns and teaches concrete skills to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress-related issues. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, combines emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness-based strategies to support people dealing with intense emotions, relationship challenges, or patterns of self-destructive behavior.

Finding the right combination of techniques is part of the therapeutic process. Patti collaborates with each person to determine which approaches fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies as progress is made. This collaborative process helps clients feel invested in their own treatment plan.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to engage with care through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to attend sessions around work, family, and other responsibilities, and they let clients practice new skills between meetings. For many people, remote sessions increase consistency and accessibility while still allowing therapists to deliver structured, skills-based treatment that supports meaningful change.