Patti Hampsten

Patti Hampsten is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) based in Illinois. She brings a warm, down-to-earth style to sessions and focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, addictions, eating and food-related concerns, depression, and relationship issues. Her approach aims to meet people where they are and build practical skills for everyday life.

She begins therapy with a client-centered stance that emphasizes acceptance without judgment. Patti often uses motivational interviewing early on to clarify goals and support readiness for change. From there she selects strategies that fit the person's needs, drawing on cognitive behavioral methods, dialectical behavior techniques, solution-focused ideas, and mindfulness practices.

Patti has three years of experience as an LCPC and a longer history working in community mental health and addiction treatment. That background includes work with drug court, mental health court, and veterans court clients, and she also provides clinical supervision in those settings. Her past roles shaped a practical, skills-oriented way of working with people facing complicated life challenges.

Sessions are conversational and practical. Patti prioritizes validating feelings and helping people understand the logic behind their behavior. She aims to leave clients with at least one useful coping tool after each visit.

People who are looking for a collaborative counselor who combines acceptance with hands-on strategies may find Patti approachable. She accepts clients from Illinois and also works with international clients; sessions are conducted in English.

How core approaches guide online therapy

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening without judgment and helping the person set their own goals; it helps when someone needs a calm, steady space to figure out next steps. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions connect and teaches practical tools to change patterns that cause distress; it is often used for anxiety, depression, and eating concerns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers concrete skills for managing strong emotions, tolerating distress, and improving relationships, which can help with anger, mood swings, and impulse challenges.

Choosing the best approach is a joint process. Patti will work together with each person to identify goals, try out methods, and adjust the plan as progress happens. That collaborative stance helps match tools to what a person actually needs and prefers.

Many people find online sessions help fit therapy into busy lives by reducing travel time and making it easier to schedule brief check-ins or regular weekly meetings. If you are interested in remote care, confirm available session formats before booking so you know what will be offered. Online work can make it simpler to use CBT worksheets, practice mindfulness, or review DBT skills between meetings without changing daily routines.