Dr. Gloria Fennell, LICSW, LCSW

Dr. Gloria Fennell is a licensed clinical social worker with dual credentials as LICSW and LCSW and a Ph.D. in Clinical Social Work from Loyola of Chicago. She trained first as a Registered Nurse (RN) working in trauma, then continued her education in social work, earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) and later a doctorate. That combination of medical and social work training informs a practical, grounded approach to care.

Her professional background spans schools, community mental health settings, and private practice, and she spent two decades as a social work educator teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Those roles have shaped her ability to work with a wide range of concerns, including stress, anxiety, grief, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, caregiver stress, addictions, and life transitions.

Dr. Fennell approaches clinical work from a strengths perspective, partnering with clients to determine intervention strategies that fit their needs and goals. She places strong value on the therapeutic relationship as the foundation for effective work and recognizes that reaching out for support can be one of the hardest steps. If she is the right clinician for a person, Dr. Fennell looks forward to beginning that journey alongside them.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Dr. Gloria Fennell draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without being driven by them, and to focus on values-based actions that move life forward. ACT can be useful for issues like anxiety, stress, and adjusting to life changes.

She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which works by identifying patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to distress and then testing and changing those patterns. CBT is often applied to depression, anxiety, and problems with coping skills.

Client-Centered Therapy is another core part of her work, emphasizing empathy, respect, and a collaborative relationship that supports the client’s own goals and strengths.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Dr. Gloria Fennell works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the approach as progress unfolds.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for people with busy schedules, mobility limits, or caregiving responsibilities. These formats make it easier to maintain regular sessions and access licensed professionals from different locations while tailoring the mode of contact to each client’s comfort and routine.