Latechia Hester , LCMHC, LCPC

Latechia Hester is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) who centers therapy on practical, people-focused methods. She draws on 24 years of experience to help people face stress, anxiety, addiction, depression, trauma, and relationship or intimacy concerns. Latechia brings a direct and caring style to sessions and aims to help clients find steady, realistic steps forward.

She began work in 2001 as a group home counselor supporting at-risk young men and their families. That early work included substance use support, life skills coaching, job readiness, and helping LGBTQ people with independent living. She then moved into addiction-focused roles, working with DUI cases, court-ordered anger management, and family interventions for people struggling with dependency and codependency.

Later training and practice expanded her outpatient work to mood and thought disorders, grief, suicide prevention, PTSD, and dual diagnosis cases. She also earned a second master’s degree in school counseling and supported students facing body image concerns, self-harm, ADHD, trauma, and abuse. These roles shaped a broad, hands-on background in both clinical and school settings.

In sessions she uses client-centered thinking along with cognitive behavioral strategies, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused tools. She adapts these approaches to each person's needs and works together with clients to set clear, achievable goals. The focus is on building coping skills, improving communication, and strengthening self-worth.

Latechia often supports people navigating parenting, blended family challenges, adoption and foster care issues, and identity-related concerns including LGBT matters. She practices in Illinois and offers services in English, including online formats to fit different schedules.

Therapeutic approaches and what online sessions can offer

Client-centered therapy focuses on the person’s own goals and perspective. The therapist listens closely and follows the client’s lead, helping people make sense of their feelings and decide what matters most. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches practical exercises to change unhelpful patterns. Motivational Interviewing helps people find their own reasons to change and build momentum for making decisions about substance use, routines, or relationships.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals, past efforts, and personal preferences to create a plan that fits. Together they try approaches, track what helps, and adjust strategies so work feels useful and relevant to day-to-day life.

Online sessions are offered by licensed professionals using video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Video is helpful for longer sessions and face-to-face conversation. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to use video. Live chat and text messaging work well for shorter check-ins, scheduling, or ongoing support between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives and varied routines.