Therapists in Charleston, IL

Hi. My name is Gayle Lewis, and I am a Licensed Social Worker. My deepest passion is to help people heal from past experiences that have hindered growth and kept them from thriving emotionally, relationally, or professionally. I do this by taking a client-centered, strengths-based approach, listening with empathy and unconditional positive regard. While prioritizing your strengths and desires, I will walk alongside of you as we together, map out a pathway forward.

Are you feeling overwhelmed or exhausted? Do certain patterns in your life seem to persist, causing pain, discomfort, and frustration? Maybe there are past life experiences that feel hard to break free from. Therapy is a helpful tool in seeking relief from the things that hold us back emotionally, and it is my goal for each person who walks through my door to find support, empathy, and clinical expertise to achieve their mental health goals.

Taking the first step reaching out to a counselor can be difficult, however, Ashley loves meeting new people and quickly is able to put people at ease. She finds great enjoyment hearing other people’s stories. Her approach with children and teens includes a lot of humor and is lighthearted with lots of play and silliness. Her approach with adults is unconditional positive regard seeing them through the lens of grace. She always offers encouragement and hope with a side of gentle challenging of unhealthy patterns.

Elissa has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and Master’s Degree in Divinity. Currently, Elissa is a student at Capella University working towards a Master’s of Mental Health Counseling. She has worked as a chaplain in a trauma level 1 hospital, as a substitute teacher, and a youth director. Elissa works with individuals of all ages and has served alongside families from birth to death. Elissa has spent much of her career walking with families in the grief process. She works with all faith backgrounds including the "nones" and "dones". Elissa also currently works as the Stated Clerk of her local denomination.

Are you struggling to navigate a difficult situation that has occurred within your family or your relationship. Maybe you recently experienced a loss within your family, or maybe you are experiencing issues within your relationship. Maybe you are having a difficult time managing a healthy relationship with one of your loved ones? Everyone needs a sounding board from time to time, if this resonates with you, then take the first step with getting guidance by reaching out for help.

It takes a lot of strength and courage to seek help when you are hurting, feel like things are falling apart, confused, scared, and feel like things are out of control. I am here to help you through the process of regaining control of your life, learning healthy ways of coping, healing, recovering, resolving conflict, growing and becoming the best version of you. I work with children, adolescents, emerging adults, adults, couples and families. I provide therapy to people who are struggling with a range of concerns, including trauma, grief and loss, behavioral challenges, mood disorders, anxiety, and relationship problems, etc.

I specialize in working with people around issues of shame that result from addictions, co-dependency, trauma, adoption related issues and more.

We strive for happiness and avoid discomfort. I am passionate about helping you with your discomfort using various theraputic methods to find your happier place. Working in a private practice allows me to utilize many techniques of counseling and psychotherapy. Clinically, I adapt a treatment approach based on client goals or goals we set together. I believe one's life story as it relates to his or her behavior is a fascinating self-exploration exercise that everyone should have the chance to experience - especially given the fact that understanding self is imperative to acceptance and/or change.

I believe that we are all placed in a specific place and time for a greater purpose. Life is hard and many of us lose our way and this leads to confusion, lonliness and often we develop addictive and maladaptive behaviors to deal with our issues. Our issues are real but we go about solving them in a nonproductive way. I help a client look at alternative ways of living often pulling from his strengths and encouraging him to incorporate spirituality as a guide. I am a Christ follower and incorporate His teaching into my own life and therapy.