Andrea Bercos, LCSW

Andrea Bercos is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor practicing in Illinois with 21 years of professional experience. He has worked across community mental health settings, substance abuse treatment centers, domestic violence and sexual assault programs, the public school system, and in private practice, bringing a broad background in both clinical and community-based care.

He has developed particular expertise addressing childhood trauma and abuse, addictions and substance use issues, low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, and concerns specific to LGBTQIA clients, including support through the gender transition process. His work also covers relationship and family dynamics, grief, intimacy and sexuality issues, eating and process addictions, parenting challenges, burnout and compassion fatigue, and a range of other life transitions and behavioral health concerns.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, he holds a professional license to provide clinical social work and psychotherapy, and as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor he has specialized training in addiction treatment. He aims to create an open, nonjudgmental, and supportive space where thoughts and feelings can be explored honestly. Clients have described him as safe, free of judgment, empathic, affirming, empowering, and warm. He recognizes that beginning therapy takes courage and he looks forward to supporting individuals who choose to reach out.

Approaches in Online Therapy and How They Help

Andrea Bercos integrates client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and motivational interviewing into his online practice to address a wide range of concerns. Client-centered therapy focuses on creating an empathic, nonjudgmental relationship that helps people explore feelings and values at their own pace - it is useful for issues such as low self-esteem, relationship challenges, and identity concerns. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps clients identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, which can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and certain addictive behaviors. Motivational interviewing is a collaborative, goal-oriented style that strengthens a person’s own motivation to change, often used with substance use, ambivalence about change, or when building commitment to recovery.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Andrea works with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences, and he tailors the mix of techniques so the therapy fits the individual rather than forcing a single method.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can occur by video calls, over the phone, via live chat, or through text-based messaging - making it easier to fit care into busy schedules, manage mobility or transportation limits, and maintain continuity of care across different life circumstances. Licensed professionals can adapt these methods effectively through remote formats to support progress and growth.