Misty Spencer , LCSW

Misty Spencer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who focuses on helping people regain hope, calm, and connection. She aims to help clients communicate more clearly, build self-compassion, and move forward from painful experiences. Misty writes short, practical steps people can use between sessions to support steady progress.

She brings seven years as an LCSW and a longer background in social work to her practice. Misty uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help identify unhelpful thoughts and change patterns that fuel anxiety and low mood. She also uses Solution-Focused Therapy to set clear, achievable goals and track practical changes week to week.

Her work covers many everyday struggles, including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, parenting strains, grief, sleep problems, and difficulties tied to trauma and attachment. She pays attention to caregiver stress, adoption and foster care concerns, and issues like codependency and isolation that make life harder.

Misty emphasizes a strengths-focused, goal-oriented style. Sessions include straightforward skills, mindfulness practices, and tools clients can try between meetings. The process is collaborative: she helps people pick approaches that match their situation and pace.

She practices in Illinois and holds an IL LCSW credential. Sessions are offered in English and are available through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

How evidence-based approaches translate to online care

Misty commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, panic, and many everyday worries because it breaks problems into manageable steps and teaches practical exercises.

She also draws on Solution-Focused Therapy to set clear, short-term goals and track small wins. This approach helps when someone wants quick, practical change for issues like communication, motivation, or coping with life transitions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Then they’ll try methods that fit the person’s needs and adjust as progress is made in sessions.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video allows face-to-face conversation and visual cues, while phone can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and messaging work well for quick check-ins, notes between sessions, or when someone prefers written communication. These options aim to make therapy flexible and easier to fit into busy schedules.