- Family of origin issues
- CBT and psychodynamic
- Grief and addiction
About Cassandra
Dr. Cassandra April is an Illinois LCPC with 30 years of counseling experience. She works with adults who are dealing with family patterns, grief, depression, anxiety, stress, addictions, relationship issues, and related concerns.
She helps people notice how roles and expectations from their family of origin still shape current choices. Sessions often involve talking through communication problems, codependency, feelings of emptiness, and issues around abandonment or blended families. She also addresses forgiveness, guilt and shame, and the strain of caregiving or compassion fatigue.
Her approach draws on several clinical methods. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to help people spot and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Psychodynamic ideas are brought in to trace long-standing patterns back to early relationships and meanings.
Trauma-Focused Therapy is included when past hurt needs focused attention, and Systemic Therapy informs work with family patterns and roles rather than focusing only on one symptom. She adapts the mix of approaches to what a person says they need.
Dr. April has worked with a broad range of adults across cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. She communicates plainly and keeps sessions focused on practical steps people can use between meetings. If family of origin questions are at the center of concern, she frames the work around current life goals and manageable changes.
How her approaches translate to online work
CBT focuses on identifying thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going. Online sessions can include guided exercises, thought records, and practical behavioral goals to try between meetings. Psychodynamic therapy looks at how early relationships influence current patterns; in remote sessions this can mean tracing repeated roles and reflecting on recurring emotions together. Finding the right approach is part of the work. She will discuss goals and preferences and then recommend which methods to use. That decision is collaborative and can change as progress is made. Confirm current session options before booking so you know which formats are offered. Online work can make regular appointments easier to fit into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. It can also let a person speak from wherever they are most comfortable and shift between more or less structured sessions depending on what helps in daily life.Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with adults on family issues, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, anxiety, stress, addictions, relationship challenges, anger, self-esteem, and compassion fatigue.
What is her general therapeutic style?
The style is practical and direct, mixing talk about past family patterns with tools to change current thoughts and behaviors.
How much experience does she have?
She has 30 years of counseling experience working with adults from varied cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is an Illinois LCPC and practices in Illinois.
Which languages are offered?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.