Bernice Banks, LCSW

Bernice Banks is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) practicing in Illinois who brings 18 years of clinical experience to her work with adults, children, couples, and families. She earned a master’s degree from the University of Chicago in 1997 and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Roosevelt University. Her background spans both public and private sectors in social services and mental health, and she has maintained a private practice for the past 12 years.

Ms. Banks specializes in marriage, couples, and family therapy while also offering care for child and adolescent mental health concerns. Her clinical focus includes grief and loss, depression, stress and anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, self-esteem challenges, parenting and communication problems, and life transitions such as career changes and coping with bipolar disorder. She also supports clients working on forgiveness, life purpose, self-love, and social anxiety and phobia.

Her approach draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques to help clients gain insight and build practical skills, combined with a client-centered stance that emphasizes respect and collaboration. She aims to empower individuals and families to understand their experiences, make informed choices, and develop tools to handle difficult situations. She frames therapy as a partnership in which clients and therapist work together toward attainable goals.

Client-Centered and CBT Approaches for Online Care

Bernice Banks draws on client-centered therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to guide her online practice. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening, empathy, and collaboration - the therapist creates a nonjudgmental space where clients can explore feelings and make choices that align with their values. This approach often helps with relationship concerns, self-esteem, and finding life purpose.

CBT is a skills-based method that helps clients identify unhelpful thought patterns and develop practical strategies to manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, and coping with life changes. It emphasizes concrete tools and behavioral changes that people can apply between sessions.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Bernice works collaboratively with each person to determine what fits their needs, goals, and preferences. She tailors techniques and pacing so therapy aligns with the client’s circumstances.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to engage - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging - which can make it easier to fit care into a busy life, access support from home, and maintain continuity of treatment despite scheduling or location constraints.