Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Belleville, IL

Therapy can be enlightening, informative, life-changing, and sometimes even life-saving. I believe in the power of psychotherapy & human connection. More importantly though I believe in you, as a person, to have the power to access the ability for growth. My ideal client is someone who is willing to challenge themselves by digging deep & connecting the dots between how your past life experiences may be affecting your present self through your thoughts, emotions, or behaviors. I have experience in treating depression, anxiety, grief, loss, trauma, life transitions, relationship issues, addiction, and injustices in the legal system.

My Experience Enables Me To Provide Outpatient, Individualized, & Psychological Care For Ages 6+. I Have Been Providing Direct Care Including Individual, Group, Family, & Couple Counseling In Variety Of Settings To Children, Adolescents, & Adults. I Have Experience In Assessing & Treating Several Mental Health Disorders & Behavioral Health Needs Including Anger, Grief, Depression, Anxiety, Mood, Trauma Related, Co-occurring & Personality Disorders. I Utilize A Holistic Approach With Focus On Your Goals & What You Need. I Am Trained In Client Centered Counseling, TF-CBT, CBT, Mindfulness, SPARCS, CBITS, & Supervision.

You or your child may be having difficulty at work, school, home, with friends, or with family members and you are not sure what to do about it! These difficulties may include difficulty managing emotions, worrying about things, problems with attention, and/or getting along and connecting with other people. You may feel that you have tried everything to help yourself and/or your child and nothing seems to work. There is a ton of information available-friends, social media, etc. All this information can be conflicting and make things even more overwhelming. You don't have to do this alone. Therapy can help you or your child!

I believe that whether you're needing support with a current challenge, a past trauma, or navigating a life transition, you deserve a space that is welcoming and free of judgment. My goal as your therapist is to help you feel empowered and in control. I do not claim to be the expert on your life, and consider therapy a collaborative process where your voice matters. Common issues I address include coping and self-regulation skills, anxiety, depression, trauma, parenting support, self-esteem, safe expression of feelings, grief, psycho-education, safety planning, healthy relationships, boundaries, and pregnancy/postpartum support.

I help adults and adolescents who experience anxiety, depression, and challenges with communication reduce symptoms by improving upon current strengths and coping skills to build insight into symptoms experienced. My specialty areas include anxiety, PTSD, depression, grief, communication issues, and work-life balance. I offer openness and collaboration to those I work with and believe that a collaborative effort has a direct impact on benefits gained from counseling services.

Invictus. Meaning undefeated, unbreachable, invincible. We go through this incredibly tough life's journey and we fight for our survival. When we reach a point where we no longer have to physically fight, our minds and bodies don't always recognize the fight has ended and we are now fighting shadows that once were. I know trauma. I lived trauma. I survived trauma. I am here to tell you that we are conquerors, my friend. You are undefeated and you're proving it by being right here, right now. My hope is to empower you and work together with you to assist in healing trauma and mastering life challenges.

My mission is to provide clients of all ages with a safe, nonjudgmental space where they can truly feel heard, respected, & empowered. I'm a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Mental Health Counselor, Certified EMDR Therapist, & Sandtray Therapist. I treat a variety of issues. I believe clients want a therapist who is genuine, compassionate, trustworthy, smart, & funny. They want a therapist who cares about them, wants to hear their story, supports them through the "hard" stuff, teaches them tools to solve problems on their own, celebrates their wins, & helps with accountablity when needed. If this sounds like you, let's talk.

The process of self-discovery and healthy growth can be a confusing and scary one. Add in anxiety, depression, pressure from others, substance use or insecurity and now help is needed! I have experience working with adults, teenagers, adolescents and children in residential, school and office settings. My specialty areas include depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, substance abuse, and school/work-life balance.

I sincerely believe that each of us is born into this world deserving of happiness, safety, and love. For some of us, the road to emotional wellness can be impacted by forces and experiences beyond our control. At times, we can lose sight of the beauty life has to offer us due to potential trauma, family history, or hardships we’ve experienced. My goal is to help you uncover, rediscover, and reclaim the joy and purpose in your life through compassionate, welcoming, and conversational counseling services.

I have been fortunate to work with and connect with adolescents and adults in my practice. My therapeutic approach involves working with client's to identify the issues they are facing, articulate their personal goals and uncover the specific needs of each individual. This approach allows me to build rapport with the client which is conducive to positive outcomes. The client is allowed the time and space to identify triggers and blocks to making meaningful change. A wide array of coping skills and tools will be utilized to manage life stressors and build personal resilience.

Even when life is seemingly going well, our thoughts and feelings can make our days and nights a struggle. Living with mental illness or going through a challenging time can be like there is an ever-looming cloud blocking us from feeling the sun. It is my belief that therapy can help us see and feel the light again. Depression, anxiety, ADHD, behavioral or personality issues, and abuse & trauma can make us feel like we’re alone and without hope. Therapy can be a place where you don’t have to go through life’s struggles alone and get to learn coping strategies and solutions.

Life can present many challenges that sometimes can be overwhelming. As a Christian counselor, my goal is to work with all clients to help them develop the skills needed to live a fulfilling life. I work to apply my life experience and counseling knowledge to each individual’s situation with compassion and empathy. I have experience helping individuals, couples, and families through many challenges such as: anger management, conflict resolution, communication, trauma, addiction, infidelity, parenting, and much more. For those who might be hesitant to begin counseling, I offer a free phone consultation to answer any questions.

All of us encounter struggles as we meet the daily challenges in our lives. From time to time our journey seems to change direction, go backwards, or even stop. Often, we don't know what to do or where to start. All we really need is someone to help us understand where we are, and where we want to go. Talking to a therapist can help you rediscover your journey, overcome personal issues, and work towards emotional health and well-being. Allow me to assist you on your journey, as you become the person you want to be.

Navigating life at any age can be tough, and it’s important to remember that some struggles are too challenging to face on your own. I believe that everyone has strengths and the ability to grow, overcome challenges, and heal. That’s why I intend to support you on your journey by helping you get the most out of therapy and life. I provide a safe, judgment-free space for you to discover, use, and expand your strengths. I also use evidence-based approaches suited to your specific needs, goals, personality, and learning style.

My name is Angela Johnson, and I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over 15 years of clinical experience working with young adults and the LGBTQ+ community with Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Trauma, PTSD, and Panic Attacks. I utilize a combination of Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Couples Therapy, Mindfulness-Based (MBCT), Motivational Interviewing, and Trauma Focused during my treatments with clients. I believe it is also my job to help clients learn about themselves and determine what is important and what is not.

I specialize in healthy couples, child, and family relationships; separation/divorce; parenting/behavioral issues; anxiety and depression; and trauma/PTSD. I am a Registered Play Therapist with a fully-equipped play therapy room. I also have extensive Sandtray therapy training which I utilize with school-age children, teens, adults, and families. Additionally, I have 27 years of experience working with military members, retirees, and their families. My approach is collaborative, client-centered, strengths-oriented, and solution-focused as I strive to assist you in making the journey toward achieving your goals to improve your life, marriage, and/or family.

When choosing a therapist it is important to consider many different perspectives. First and most importantly, is this someone that you will be comfortable working with? Education and experience are other considerations? However, when it comes right down to it, it's about connecting. All the great tools that a therapist may have will be useless if you do not connect with them. I have heard from many of my clients about negative experiences in the past with therapists and how they feel like nothing really happened.

You can’t pour from an empty cup.” That’s why I help people do the important work of refilling their owns cups, reclaiming their lives, and healing with a renewed sense of purpose.

I am in the counseling field because I want to see people function at their highest potential on their terms. I want to help individuals with symptoms that are impacting their daily lives. Whether that be depression, anxiety, trauma, or sexual/gender identity, I want to provide a comfortable, safe space to explore those feelings. I want my clients to feel comfortable and relaxed while in session. Humans often experience rough patches and need a helping hand. I am here to provide support and reassurance during those times.