Sofia Dickey , LCSW

Sofia Dickey is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Illinois with 18 years of experience supporting people through depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use concerns. She also holds certification as an addictions counselor in Illinois, reflecting focused training in working with individuals facing drug and alcohol challenges. Over the course of her career she has worked in both residential and outpatient treatment settings, supporting youth with behavioral concerns and adults navigating a range of mental health issues.

Sofia blends acceptance and compassion with practical, goal-oriented techniques. She commonly uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, solution-focused methods to build on strengths and set clear goals, and motivational interviewing to bolster readiness for change. This combination allows her to tailor care for issues such as relationship and family conflicts, grief, parenting challenges, intimacy-related struggles, and compulsive or impulsive behaviors.

She offers multiple ways to stay connected, including messaging, live chat, phone sessions, and video sessions, and encourages communication in the format that feels most comfortable. While she often recommends video for richer interaction, she responds to messages daily and structures support to fit each person’s needs and pace. Sofia works collaboratively with clients to set practical goals and support meaningful progress over time.

Practical Therapeutic Approaches for Online Support

Online sessions with Sofia center on evidence-informed methods that translate well to virtual formats. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people recognize and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns; it is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems. Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative, conversational approach that strengthens a person’s own motivation to make change and can be especially helpful for substance use and ambivalence about change. Solution-Focused Therapy emphasizes clients' strengths and practical steps, helping to set achievable goals and build on what is already working.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Sofia works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. Together they review progress and adjust strategies as needed to keep work relevant and effective.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call or phone, and additional support is available through live chat or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, maintain momentum between sessions, and access care from different locations while working with licensed professionals and therapists focused on measurable, client-centered progress.