Works with
How Lori works
Practical facts
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in
- Illinois
- Years in practice
- 26
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Lori
Lori Cheek Gilroy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Illinois with 26 years of counseling and coaching experience. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, low self‑esteem, depression, grief, anger, and the strains that come with life changes. Lori aims to create a respectful and compassionate space where clients can talk through struggles and find practical ways forward.
Her work often focuses on everyday problems like parenting pressure, career uncertainty, caregiver stress, and relationship tensions.
Background and approach
She also supports people coping with trauma, chronic illness, adoption and foster care concerns, and difficulty finding meaning or connection. Lori combines attention to emotional, physical, and spiritual needs in sessions. Lori practices from a client-centered frame, treating each person as the expert in their own life.
She uses solution-focused ideas to set clear goals and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Motivational Interviewing techniques help when someone needs support finding and maintaining motivation. Her background includes roles in child welfare, family counseling, a birthing center, crisis intervention, and community mental health.
That variety has shaped an approach that is practical, strengths-based, and attuned to real-life demands. People who choose Lori usually want straightforward guidance, an emphasis on values, and a calm partner in problem solving. She works with clients to develop manageable steps, build skills, and track progress over time.
What Lori works with
Everything Lori lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Lori's practice.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Career difficulties
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- Adoption and foster care
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Communication problems
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Mood disorders
- Post-traumatic stress
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Lori lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How Lori uses therapy approaches online
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and responding to each person's priorities. Lori follows the client's lead, reflects concerns back, and helps clarify what matters most to the person seeking support. This approach is useful for building trust and setting goals that fit the client's values.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors connect. Lori uses CBT techniques to help people spot patterns that feed anxiety, low mood, or anger, and then practice different responses to change results. This can be helpful for stress, mood concerns, and problem solving.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Lori will discuss options, try methods that match your goals, and adjust plans together based on what helps. Clients play an active role in choosing and shaping their work in sessions.
Online therapy offers flexible ways to meet. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and screen sharing for worksheets. Phone sessions can be a good fit when bandwidth is limited or a camera-free check-in is preferred. Live chat and text messaging work well for shorter check-ins, coaching-style support, or when written reflection feels easiest. These formats make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules and to keep therapy consistent over time.
Questions people ask about Lori
What issues does Lori commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, anger, relationship concerns, parenting challenges, trauma and caregiver strain among other issues.
What is her general therapy style?
Her style is client-centered and solution-focused, emphasizing respect, collaboration, and practical steps to reach goals.
How long has she been practicing?
She has 26 years of experience as a counselor and life coach in a range of community and clinical settings.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in Illinois and practices from that state.
Can people meet with her in other languages or from other countries?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not accepting international clients.
Which session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.
How does pricing work for sessions?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are needed to begin therapy?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on therapist availability.