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RW Portrait of Richard Watson

Richard Watson

Compassionate CBT-informed counseling for life challenges

LCPC Illinois

Experience
9 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages
English
Continue with Richard

About Richard

Richard Watson is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) based in Illinois who centers his work on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy while also drawing from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness approaches.

Background and approach

He frames therapy as a collaborative process in which the client’s perspective and goals guide the work, and he helps people practice noticing, challenging, and changing unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavior that maintain distress.

His focus includes mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, substance use concerns, and a broad range of related difficulties including stress, grief, intimacy-related struggles, and sleep problems. With nine years of clinical experience, Richard uses trauma-informed principles and emphasizes authenticity, openness, and a willingness to lean into discomfort when growth requires it.

He also addresses issues such as caregiver stress, codependency, communication problems, impulsivity, and obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Richard accepts international clients and provides services in English, guiding people toward greater resilience and clearer choices as they work toward relief and restoration.

Using CBT, ACT, and Mindfulness in Online Care



Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors that contribute to anxiety, depression, addictive patterns, and other concerns; sessions often include practical exercises and skill-building to create measurable shifts. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy encourages people to clarify their values and take committed action while learning to make room for difficult thoughts and feelings, which can support coping with grief, chronic stress, and mood challenges. Mindfulness Therapy trains present-moment awareness and nonjudgmental noticing, which can reduce reactivity and improve sleep, emotion regulation, and concentration.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each client to explore their goals, symptom patterns, and personal preferences, and then adapt methods from CBT, ACT, or mindfulness-based practices to fit what seems most helpful. This flexibility helps ensure that interventions align with the person’s needs rather than a one-size-fits-all model.

Online sessions are available by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make scheduling and participation more convenient. These options offer flexibility for people managing busy lives, caregiving responsibilities, travel, or geographical distance, while still allowing licensed professionals to provide consistent therapeutic support and structured skill work.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?
He works with a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, anger, depression, grief, intimacy-related issues, sleeping problems, self-esteem, bipolar mood concerns, and ADHD.
What therapeutic approaches does he use?
His practice is based largely on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and incorporates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, and trauma-focused ideas to tailor interventions.
What is his clinical background and experience?
He has nine years of professional experience helping people with mood disorders and substance use concerns, applying trauma-informed methods and skills-based interventions.
Where is the therapist licensed and what credential does he hold?
He holds the credential LCPC and is licensed in Illinois under IL LCPC 180013962.
Does he work with nonlocal or international clients?
Yes, he accepts international clients and provides services in English to people outside his state as well as those in Illinois.
Which session formats are available for online work?
Sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different communication preferences and schedules.
How are sessions priced and billed?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are delivered through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working together?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseAnger managementDepression

Also works with

Family conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersSelf esteemBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

Caregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDrug and alcohol addictionForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMen's issuesVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

9+ years

Licensed

Illinois

Languages

English