Alisa Neary, LCSW

Illinois | Online sessions in Illinois | English | Book with Alisa »

Trauma-informed therapist focused on healing

Details

Name	Alisa Neary
Credentials	LCSW
Based in	Illinois
Licensed in	Illinois
Session format	Online
Languages	English
Years in practice	9

About Alisa

Alisa Neary is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who helps people find more safety and steadiness after difficult experiences. She focuses on reducing anxiety, depression, and symptoms related to trauma while helping clients rebuild self-esteem and stronger relationship patterns. Her tone is warm and direct, aimed at people who want practical change and clearer next steps.

Alisa uses Narrative Therapy to help people retell their life stories in ways that highlight strengths and agency.

Background and approach

She also draws on Client-Centered Therapy to create a nonjudgmental, empathic space where clients set the pace. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques are available to teach concrete skills for managing stress, unhelpful thoughts, and intense emotions. She has nine years of clinical practice and holds an Illinois LCSW.

Her background centers on supporting adults dealing with trauma and interpersonal violence, including sexual assault and domestic violence. She also works with concerns such as grief, parenting stress, career strain, and compassion fatigue. Sessions tend to focus on clear goals, practical tools, and building a clearer sense of personal boundaries.

Alisa helps people reduce self-blame, recognize unhealthy patterns, and make choices that reflect their values. She emphasizes collaboration and respects each person’s pace of change. People seeking help can expect straightforward conversation, skill practice, and reflective work on personal narratives.

Alisa aims to help clients leave sessions with at least one useful idea to try between meetings.

What this therapist works with

Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Relationship issues, Trauma and abuse among the things Alisa works with, alongside the areas below.

Approaches listed

Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Alisa among the ways she works.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Alisa among the ways she works.
Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Alisa among the ways she works.
Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Alisa among the ways she works.
Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Alisa among the ways she works.
Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Alisa directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.

Narrative Therapy in this listing

Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.

If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Alisa directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.

Online session options

How Alisa blends narrative, client-centered, and CBT online

Alisa commonly uses Narrative Therapy to help people examine and reframe the stories they tell about themselves. This work highlights strengths and shifts focus away from self-blame so people can make different choices. She also practices Client-Centered Therapy, offering empathy and nonjudgmental listening so clients can lead the process and set the pace.

She supplements those approaches with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy when clients want concrete tools to manage anxiety, depression, or unhelpful thinking. CBT work often means trying brief exercises between sessions to test new behaviors and notice changes in mood. Together, these methods give people both meaning-making and practical strategies.

Finding the right mix of approaches is collaborative. Alisa will talk with each person about their goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. She adjusts methods as needed so sessions stay focused on achievable steps and the client’s own priorities.

Online sessions are available by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to offer flexibility. Video sessions let people use visual cues and more conversational work. Phone sessions are helpful when bandwidth is limited or a quieter check-in is preferred. Live chat and text messaging can be used for brief updates, check-ins, or shorter conversations that fit into a busy day.

Common questions about this listing

What concerns does she commonly address?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship difficulties, grief, parenting strain, and issues like self-esteem and compassion fatigue.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

Her style blends Narrative Therapy and Client-Centered principles with CBT and mindfulness tools to create a supportive, practical approach focused on your goals.

What experience does she bring to sessions?

She has nine years of clinical practice supporting adults with trauma, interpersonal violence, and related mental health concerns.

What credentials and location are listed?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, licensed in Illinois.

Which languages are offered and can international clients join?

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

In what formats are sessions offered?

Sessions can be arranged as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on what works best for the client.

How are sessions billed or paid for?

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

What should someone do to begin working together?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a brief matching questionnaire, and scheduling according to therapist availability.

Contacting this therapist

Sessions with Alisa are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Alisa where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.

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