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AB Portrait of April Balzhiser

April Balzhiser

Compassionate, experienced clinician focused on change

LCPC Illinois

Experience
18 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with April

About April

April Balzhiser is an Illinois-licensed clinician (LCPC) who focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, relationship and family challenges, trauma and abuse, depression, addictions, grief, and intimacy-related concerns.

Background and approach

With 18 years of experience in social services and mental health settings, she brings a broad background that includes work with child welfare and foster care, domestic violence and sexual assault response, and support for blended families and caregiving stress.

April combines practical problem-solving with compassionate listening to address issues such as self-esteem, bipolar mood concerns, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue. Her approach centers on meeting clients where they are and building collaborative goals from that starting point.

She integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with client-centered and mindfulness-informed methods, and draws on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Motivational Interviewing when helpful. April aims to create an environment in which clients feel comfortable sharing honestly and exploring change at a manageable pace.

She practices in Illinois and conducts sessions in English, offering a mix of formats to suit different needs.

Integrating therapy approaches for online care

April frequently uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors; CBT tends to be problem-focused and can be useful for anxiety, depression, and managing day-to-day stress. She also draws on Client-Centered Therapy, which emphasizes empathy, acceptance, and collaborative goal-setting so clients can explore concerns at their own pace and feel heard.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. April will collaborate with each client to determine which methods best match their goals, needs, and preferences, adjusting techniques as progress unfolds to create a personalized plan for change.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and access. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, maintain continuity of care during life transitions, and choose the communication style that feels most comfortable for the client.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does April commonly address?
She works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, relationship and family problems, trauma and abuse, depression, addictions, grief, intimacy-related struggles, and coping with life changes.
What is her therapeutic style and approach?
April blends client-centered care with evidence-informed methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, DBT, mindfulness practices, and Motivational Interviewing to tailor treatment to each client's needs.
How much experience does she bring to sessions?
She has 18 years of experience working in social services and mental health settings with individuals, families, and couples across varied clinical areas.
Where is she licensed and what are her credentials?
She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with an Illinois license listed as IL LCPC 180007972 and practices in Illinois.
Can I work with her if I live outside the United States?
She does not accept international clients at this time and provides services to clients located in Illinois.
Which session formats are available for appointments?
Sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.
How are fees and payment structured?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a brief matching questionnaire, and schedule a session based on therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression

Also works with

AddictionsGriefIntimacy-related issuesSelf 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 issuesCommunication problemsControl 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 issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issuesWorkplace 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

Licensed

Illinois

Languages

English