Profile / United States
Richard Watson, LCPC
Illinois
Illinois LCPC - Mood disorders and addictions
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Mindfulness based CBT
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
About Richard
Richard Watson is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with nine years of experience. He focuses on mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, and on substance use concerns. He also addresses stress, grief, sleep problems, ADHD, and intimacy-related issues among other struggles.
He works in a straightforward, skills-based way. Richard uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-based CBT, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and habits. He guides people to test different responses and practice new behaviors between sessions.
Sessions include clear steps: identify problematic thinking, try practical alternatives, and build routines that support progress. He frames discomfort as part of change and asks people to lean into difficult moments when it matters most. The work is collaborative; clients’ goals steer the process.
Richard also brings a trauma-informed perspective and pays attention to differences in life experience and resilience. He helps with issues linked to addiction, anger, compulsions, and problems that follow disasters or loss. He offers tools for coping with life transitions and caregiver stress.
He supports people working through isolation, guilt, shame, and questions about life purpose. In sessions he combines direct skill teaching with motivational interviewing techniques when readiness and decision-making are central. He encourages regular practice between meetings to make changes stick.
How his approaches translate to online work
Richard commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy online. CBT focuses on practical steps to spot and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can be taught with exercises and homework. ACT emphasizes clarifying values and taking committed action, often through in-session practice and between-session assignments. He also uses Mindfulness Therapy to teach simple attention and breathing exercises that reduce reactivity and improve focus.Choosing the best approach is part of the therapy process. He works with each person to match methods to their goals and preferences. Decisions about whether to emphasize CBT skills, ACT processes, or mindfulness exercises are made together and can change as progress is made.
The profile does not list specific session formats, so confirm available options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. These practical benefits help people try structured exercises, keep momentum between meetings, and apply new skills to everyday situations.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
9+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he address?
He helps with depression, anxiety, substance use, trauma and stress-related problems, plus sleep and intimacy-related issues.
How does he use CBT in sessions?
He focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, testing alternatives, and practicing new responses between sessions.
What is his clinical background?
He has nine years of clinical experience working with mood disorders and substance use concerns and uses several structured approaches.
What credential does he hold and where is he based?
He is an LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor) licensed in Illinois and practices from that state.
Are sessions offered in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English and he accepts international clients.
What formats are used for sessions?
The profile does not specify session formats; confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start working with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.