Nicole Kough, LCPC

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

Compassionate counselor focused on practical change

Details

Name	Nicole Kough
Credentials	LCPC
Based in	Illinois
Licensed in	Illinois
Session format	Online
Languages	English
Years in practice	15

About Nicole

Nicole Kough is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with 15 years of experience. She practices in Illinois and brings a calm, practical style to sessions. Her approach is supportive and non-judgmental, and she aims to tailor therapy to each person's needs.

Nicole helps people who are coping with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship strain. She also addresses concerns like low self-esteem, anger, intimacy challenges, and life transitions. Parents or individuals facing blended family issues, communication problems, or divorce-related stress can expect focused, down-to-earth conversations.

Background and approach

In sessions she combines clear problem-solving with attention to personal stories. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people notice and change unhelpful thinking patterns. Solution-Focused Therapy emphasizes small, practical steps to move toward goals.

Narrative Therapy is also part of her work and is used to look at the stories people tell about themselves. That approach can shift how someone sees difficult events and their own role in them. Nicole listens first, then helps reframe issues into manageable pieces.

Appointments are offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. She speaks English and works with adults on a range of life and relationship struggles. Therapy is organized around the person in front of her, with plans adjusted as progress is made.

What this therapist works with

Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Relationship issues, Grief among the things Nicole works with, alongside the areas below.

Approaches listed

Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Nicole among the ways she works.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Nicole among the ways she works.
Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Nicole among the ways she works.
Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Nicole 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 Nicole directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.

Online session options

How Nicole Uses Different Approaches Online

Nicole integrates Narrative Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy into online work. Narrative Therapy looks at the stories people tell about their lives and helps reframe those stories to open up new possibilities. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening deeply, offering empathy, and building a trusting relationship so people feel heard. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps identify specific thought patterns and behaviors, then tests small changes to reduce symptoms like anxiety or panic.

Choosing the best approach is a collaborative process. Nicole will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t worked before. Together they decide which mix of methods fits best and adjust the plan as progress is made.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy easier to fit into life. Video is useful for face-to-face conversation, phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited, live chat can be a shorter check-in, and messaging supports ongoing reflection between meetings. These options aim to provide flexibility and consistent access to care.

Common questions about this listing

What kinds of problems does she address?

Nicole works with common concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship strain, self-esteem, and trauma and abuse. She also helps with issues like anger, career challenges, and coping with life changes.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

Her style is supportive and non-judgmental. She listens first, offers understanding, and then works with people to find practical steps forward.

How much professional experience does she have?

Nicole has worked in the field for 15 years, bringing long-term clinical experience to sessions and to problem-solving around relationships and personal struggles.

What credentials and location should I know about?

She holds the LCPC credential and practices in Illinois. The profile lists her as an Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor.

Can I work with her if I live outside the United States?

Sessions are offered in English and she is not accepting international clients at this time.

What formats are available for sessions?

Sessions are available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and preferences.

How are fees handled?

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

How do I begin a therapy match?

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

Contacting this therapist

Sessions with Nicole 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 Nicole where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.

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