Courtney Holbrook, LCSW

Courtney Holbrook is an LCSW based in Illinois who helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship and intimacy concerns. She works with people facing addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, and challenges tied to chronic illness and caregiver stress. She also supports clients dealing with self-esteem, motivation, and transitions in life.

Courtney brings ten years of clinical experience to her work. She offers a client-centered approach that treats each person as the expert on their life. Sessions focus on listening, understanding what matters to the client, and helping them tell the story they want to live by.

Her practice draws on several practical approaches. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to spot and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) provides skills for emotional regulation and distress tolerance. Mindfulness techniques help people slow down and notice what’s happening in the moment.

Courtney also uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy to look at how emotions shape relationships and connection. The overall aim is to build tools clients can use between sessions, such as coping skills for anxiety, strategies for managing urges, and ways to communicate more clearly.

People can expect straightforward conversation and practical steps. Courtney emphasizes respect, calm listening, and collaboration while tailoring care to each person’s needs. For anyone coping with health-related challenges or life transitions, she offers steady support and focused strategies.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Courtney uses client-centered work to build a collaborative relationship where the client leads the goals and the therapist follows. This approach helps people focus the sessions on what matters most and shapes each meeting around the client's priorities.

She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and replace them with more useful alternatives. CBT often includes straightforward exercises and practice tasks that fit well into weekly online sessions. Dialectical Behavior Therapy provides skills for managing intense emotions and distress; it emphasizes concrete skills like breathing, grounding, and communication techniques that clients can practice between meetings.

Finding the best approach is a shared process. Courtney will talk with each client about their goals and preferences and suggest methods that make sense for their situation. Plans can change over time as needs shift, and the therapist will work together with the client to adjust strategies.

Session formats were not specified in the profile, so please confirm current session options before booking. Many people find online work helps fit therapy into everyday life - it can save travel time, make scheduling around work or caregiving easier, and allow quicker check-ins. Online meetings also make it possible to practice skills in the client’s usual routines, which can help transfer progress into daily life.