Dr. Suzanne Degges-White

Experienced therapist emphasizing empowerment and skill building

LCMHC, LCPC Illinois

Experience: 24 years in practice
Focus areas: LGBT, Relationship, Family
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Suzanne

Dr. Suzanne Degges-White offers supportive therapy for people facing stress, relationship challenges, grief, addiction concerns, anxiety, depression, and other life transitions.

Background and approach

She centers the client's own knowledge of their story and works to build on strengths so that change feels possible and manageable. With 24 years of clinical experience, she encourages deliberate choices and practical steps to move toward greater satisfaction and emotional well-being.

Her approach emphasizes empowerment, coping strategies, and skill building for both planned and unexpected life changes. Drawing from humanistic foundations, she integrates techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, existential and Jungian perspectives when appropriate, and commonly assigns brief homework like journaling or bibliotherapy to reinforce progress between sessions.

Dr. Degges-White holds LCMHC and LCPC credentials and practices in Illinois, bringing a steady, collaborative presence to clients working on intimacy issues, family conflict, self-esteem, career transitions, caregiving stress, and related concerns.

Integrative Approaches and Online Therapy Options

Dr. Degges-White often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop practical strategies for changing behaviors and mood; this approach is useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and coping with life transitions. She also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which focuses on clarifying values, accepting difficult feelings, and committing to meaningful action even in the presence of discomfort, a helpful method for clients facing uncertainty or persistent emotional pain.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist works with each person to evaluate goals, preferences, and the issues at hand, adjusting methods over time so the work remains relevant and effective for the client's needs.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and access. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, support continuity during transitions, and allow for timely exchanges between appointments when homework or brief check-ins are helpful. Licensed professionals tailor the use of each format to what best supports progress and engagement.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns can be addressed in sessions?

Services cover a broad range including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family issues, grief, addictions, intimacy concerns, parenting and career-related challenges, and other listed focus areas.

How would therapy sessions typically feel or proceed?

Therapeutic work is collaborative and strengths oriented, often combining conversational exploration with practical techniques from CBT and ACT to build coping skills and new perspectives.

What is Dr. Degges-White's professional background?

She brings 24 years of clinical experience working with diverse concerns and uses a humanistic framework that draws on multiple therapeutic traditions to tailor treatment to each person.

Which credentials and location apply to this practice?

The therapist holds LCMHC and LCPC credentials and is based in Illinois, with the specific licence details noted as NC LCMHC 3879 and IL LCPC 180.012399.

Can sessions be conducted in languages other than English?

Sessions are offered in English only, and international clients are not currently accepted.

What session formats are available for working together?

Clients may choose from video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on preference and availability.

How is payment handled and what are costs like?

Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin therapy?

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

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

LGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteem Coping with life changes

Also works with

Stress, Anxiety Addictions Trauma and abuse GriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesDepressionCoachingCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressDivorce and separationEmptinessFirst responder issuesForgivenessInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPregnancy and childbirthSelf-loveSexuality

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Existential TherapyJungian TherapyMindfulness TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

24+ years

Licensed

Illinois, North Carolina, Indiana

Languages

English