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SD Portrait of Skip Dettman

Skip Dettman

Compassionate therapy that balances skills and insight

LCSW Illinois

Experience
13 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Skip

About Skip

Skip Dettman is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in Illinois who focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, mood concerns, addictions, and relationship or family difficulties.

Background and approach

She emphasizes a person-centered, inclusive stance that recognizes each client’s history and current challenges while working collaboratively to build practical coping skills and emotional insight. Drawing on 13 years of clinical experience, Skip integrates several therapeutic practices including cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical skills, client-centered listening, existential reflection, and trauma-focused EMDR when appropriate.

This mix allows her to tailor sessions to address symptoms like depression, low self-esteem, grief, and the aftereffects of trauma while also attending to patterns related to codependency, domestic violence, or substance use. In sessions she aims to cultivate resilience and clearer self-understanding, guiding clients through transitions, relationship conflicts, parenting questions, or recovery from past hurt.

The practice welcomes diverse identities, including LGBT clients, and offers a collaborative space where practical strategies and deeper personal work can happen together.

Integrating Practical Techniques with Remote Care

CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors; it often involves learning concrete skills to reduce anxiety, manage mood, and address patterns that contribute to stress or substance use. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathetic listening and collaboration, giving clients space to explore feelings and personal values while the therapist supports their self-directed growth. DBT brings skill-building around emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness, which can help with intense emotions, relationship challenges, and urges related to addiction.

Finding the right fit is part of the therapeutic work, and the therapist approaches that decision collaboratively, discussing goals, preferences, and what techniques feel most helpful. Together the client and therapist may try different strategies and adapt the plan as needs evolve, blending skills-based work with reflective exploration when appropriate.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it possible to engage in skill practice, EMDR-informed trauma work, or ongoing check-ins without commuting, which can support consistency and accessibility for people balancing busy lives.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?
Areas of focus include stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, grief, relationship and family issues, parenting, and LGBT-related concerns.
What therapeutic style can I expect in sessions?
The practice blends client-centered listening with structured methods such as cognitive behavioral techniques, DBT skills, existential exploration, and EMDR to address both symptoms and underlying patterns.
How much clinical experience does the therapist have?
Skip Dettman has 13 years of experience working with a range of emotional and behavioral concerns and integrates multiple approaches to fit client needs.
Where is the therapist licensed and located?
She is licensed as an LCSW and practices in Illinois. Credential details are IL LCSW 149.018219 and FL LCSW Sw13163.
Can I work with this therapist if English is not my first language?
Services are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available for online work?
Sessions can be arranged as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or through text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences.
How are fees and subscriptions handled?
Costs vary depending on location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a therapy arrangement?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule a session based on therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression

Also works with

LGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefParenting issues

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAntisocial personalityAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesCodependencyDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaImpulsivityInfidelityJealousyMen's issuesMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Existential TherapyEye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)HypnotherapyMotivational InterviewingTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

13+ years

Licensed

Illinois, Florida, Wisconsin

Languages

English