Lori Cheek Gilroy

Compassionate, experienced guidance for life transitions

LCSW Illinois

Experience: 26 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Lori

Lori Cheek Gilroy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Illinois who welcomes people ready to address stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, parenting challenges, trauma, and caregiver fatigue.

Background and approach

With 26 years of combined counseling and life coaching experience, she supports clients facing a broad range of concerns including grief, career questions, self-esteem struggles, chronic illness, and issues tied to family of origin and adoption or foster care.

Her approach centers on the client and draws from several evidence-informed methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), client-centered practice, motivational interviewing, solution-focused techniques, and trauma-focused work. Lori frames therapy as a collaborative process that attends to mind, body, and spirit, helping clients identify practical goals and develop skills to manage symptoms and navigate life transitions.

She has worked across settings including child welfare, family counseling, perinatal services, crisis intervention, and mental health clinics, bringing that varied experience to individualized care. Clients can expect respectful, compassionate interaction and guidance aimed at uncovering strengths and building workable strategies.

Lori invites people who are ready to make changes to take the next step toward clearer goals and improved coping.

Approaches to Change and How Online Sessions Help

Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathetic listening and collaborative goal-setting so the therapist follows the client's lead while helping clarify values and priorities; it is useful when someone wants support that respects their pace and personal strengths. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, offering practical tools for managing anxiety, depression, and stress-related symptoms. Motivational interviewing is a brief, goal-oriented method that helps people explore ambivalence and strengthen commitment to change, often useful for life transitions and behavior shifts.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Lori works with clients to match methods to their needs, goals, and preferences, and adapts strategies over time so therapy stays practical and focused on achievable progress.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it possible to continue regular sessions from home or other convenient locations, support ongoing skill practice between appointments, and accommodate clients who prefer alternatives to in-person meetings.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Lori commonly address?

She works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, relationship and family difficulties, parenting challenges, and caregiver stress.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her style is client-centered and collaborative, using practical methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, motivational interviewing, solution-focused strategies, and trauma-informed techniques to set goals and build coping skills.

How long has she practiced?

She brings 26 years of experience working as a counselor and life coach across settings like child welfare, family counseling, a family birthing center, crisis intervention, and mental health clinics.

What credentials and location are listed?

She is an LCSW licensed in Illinois with licence number IL LCSW 149.007215 and practices from Illinois.

Does she offer services in other languages or to international clients?

Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.

Which session formats are available?

She provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as session options to fit different preferences and schedules.

How does cost and scheduling work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin working together?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Self esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse GriefParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesCoachingCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterEmptinessFamily of origin issuesForgivenessGuilt and shame Isolation / lonelinessLife purposeVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disorders Post-traumatic stress Social anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Motivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

26+ years

Licensed

Illinois

Languages

English