April Balzhiser , LCPC

April Balzhiser is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) practicing in Illinois with a background that spans social services and mental health settings. With 18 years of experience, she has supported individuals, children, families, and couples from diverse backgrounds and has particular experience responding to domestic violence, sexual assault, child welfare and foster care concerns, alternative schooling needs, trauma and abuse, and a range of family issues. April also holds training as a Certified Domestic Violence Professional, which complements her work with survivors and families affected by abuse.

Her approach centers on creating an open, welcoming space where people feel able to share their experiences. She emphasizes meeting each person where they are and building a therapeutic relationship based on respect and practical collaboration. That collaborative stance helps clients set realistic goals and take gradual steps toward change, whether they are addressing stress, relationship challenges, grief, or life transitions. April aims to support growth at a pace that fits each client’s circumstances and preferences. She looks forward to working with individuals and families who seek thoughtful, experienced guidance.

Approaches that guide online therapeutic care

April draws on client-centered therapy to place the client's perspective and values at the center of the work - this approach focuses on empathy, active listening, and supporting each person’s own capacity for growth, which is helpful for relationship concerns, self-esteem, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps people identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors; it is often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and patterns that interfere with daily functioning. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, emphasizes practical skills for managing intense emotions, improving interpersonal effectiveness, and tolerating distress, and can be useful when strong emotional reactions or relationship conflicts are present.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process. April works collaboratively with each person to explore which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adapts recommendations as progress unfolds so the plan remains practical and client-centered.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect - through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging - which can make it easier to schedule appointments, maintain continuity during life changes, and access care from home or work. Licensed professionals can use these formats to provide ongoing support, skill-building, and coaching while tailoring the mode of contact to what works best for each client.