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April Balzhiser

Therapist profile

April Balzhiser

Illinois

Compassionate counselor for practical change

Continue with April

Review online therapy options and next steps on BetterHelp.

  • Men's wellbeing focus
  • Goal oriented
  • Trauma-aware

About April

April Balzhiser is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) based in Illinois who supports people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, grief, addictions, and issues around intimacy and self-esteem. She also helps with bipolar-related challenges, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and coaching for practical next steps. April aims to create a calm space where people can speak honestly and feel heard.

She takes a straightforward, person-focused approach. April values meeting people where they are and building on their strengths. Sessions are conversational and practical, with an emphasis on clear goals and skills that can be used between meetings.

Her work draws on client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing. These methods are used to help people manage strong emotions, change unhelpful thinking patterns, and build better coping skills. April tailors these approaches to each person's needs rather than using a one-size-fits-all plan.

April brings 18 years of experience in social services and mental health settings. Her background includes work with domestic violence, sexual assault, child welfare and foster care, alternative schooling, and family systems. That experience informs a practical, trauma-aware perspective in sessions.

People can expect a respectful, steady presence and a focus on real-world steps. April aims to help clients identify small changes that lead to clearer thinking, improved relationships, and better day-to-day coping.

How April’s approaches work for online care

April often uses client-centered therapy to keep sessions focused on each person's goals and values. This approach emphasizes listening, reflecting what the client says, and shaping sessions around what matters most to the client.

She also draws on cognitive behavioral therapy, which looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors connect. CBT offers concrete tools for managing anxiety, depression, and unhelpful thinking patterns. Dialectical behavior therapy appears in her work as well, providing practical skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. April collaborates with clients to choose which methods fit their needs and goals. She adjusts techniques over time based on what helps most and what clients prefer.

Confirm current session options before booking to know how appointments are held. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow check-ins during a lunch break or between commitments. Some formats use less bandwidth or focus on shorter, targeted check-ins, which can suit people who need quick support rather than longer sessions. Licensed professionals will work with clients to pick schedules and formats that fit everyday life.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression

Also works with

AddictionsGriefIntimacy-related issuesSelf esteemBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

18+ years

Credentials

Illinois

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does April address?

She supports people with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship and family issues, addictions, grief, intimacy and self-esteem concerns, bipolar-related challenges, and coping with life changes.

What is her therapy style like?

Sessions are person-focused and conversational. April emphasizes meeting clients where they are and building practical skills for everyday life.

How much experience does she have?

April has 18 years of experience working in social services and mental health settings with a wide range of people and presenting issues.

What credential and location information is provided?

She holds an LCPC, which stands for Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and practices in Illinois.

Which languages are supported in sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Are international clients accepted?

International clients are not currently accepted.

How are session costs handled?

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

How do I begin working with April?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

April BalzhiserContinue with April