CBTTherapistsUSA

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

AJ Portrait of Alyson Johnson

Alyson Johnson

Practical, strengths-based therapy with warmth

LCSW Illinois

Experience
12 years in practice
Focus areas
Addictions, Self esteem, Depression
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English

About Alyson

Alyson Johnson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Illinois who brings 12 years of clinical experience to her practice.

Background and approach

She blends practical skills with a belief that people already hold strengths they can use to move forward, working collaboratively to identify achievable steps toward greater well-being.

Her background includes a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and a Master of Social Work, and she draws on both training and wide-ranging experience to help clients navigate stress, mood concerns, relationship changes, and substance-related challenges.

Her approach is warm and client-centered, emphasizing respect for each person’s knowledge of their own life while offering evidence-informed techniques such as cognitive behavioral strategies and skills from dialectical behavior therapy.

Alyson commonly supports people facing anxiety, depression, grief, anger, compassion fatigue, and addictive behaviors, as well as those coping with career challenges, divorce and separation, or searches for life purpose and self-love. She encourages steady progress by honoring small gains and tailoring work to individual goals rather than applying a one-size-fits-all plan.

Clients can expect a collaborative, strengths-based partnership that focuses on practical tools and reflective exploration to improve day-to-day functioning and long-term resilience.

Integrating proven approaches into online care



Alyson commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify and change unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors, offering practical exercises for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns. She also incorporates Client-Centered Therapy, prioritizing an empathetic, nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship that supports self-exploration and helps people build on their existing strengths. These approaches are presented in plain, collaborative language so clients can understand why particular techniques are suggested and how they fit into personal goals.

Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process. Alyson partners with each person to assess needs and preferences, adjusting techniques over time so the work remains aligned with changing goals. She emphasizes small, achievable steps and regularly checks in to make sure the plan feels useful and relevant.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, allowing clients to access care from home or other convenient locations. These options make it easier to fit therapeutic work into busy schedules, maintain continuity of care during life transitions, and choose the communication style that feels most comfortable while working toward meaningful change.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she commonly address?
Alyson works with a range of concerns including addictions, self-esteem, depression, anxiety, stress, grief, anger, bipolar symptoms, and career-related issues, plus areas like divorce, workplace problems, and feelings of isolation.
What is her therapeutic style and approach?
She uses a client-centered stance combined with evidence-informed approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, adapting methods to the client's preferences and goals.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 12 years of experience working in mental health and related support roles, bringing both clinical training and practical background to her practice.
What credentials and location information are provided?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with licensure details IL LCSW 149023407 and UT LCSW 13884535-3501 and is based in Illinois.
Can non-U.S. clients work with her?
International clients are accepted and she conducts sessions in English for those located outside the United States.
What session formats are available?
Sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.
How are costs and payments handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What is the process to begin working together?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Also works with

Stress, AnxietyGriefAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoaching

Additional focus areas

Divorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionForgivenessGuilt and shameIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeSelf-loveWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Motivational InterviewingSolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

12+ years

Licensed

Illinois, Utah

Languages

English