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Bernice Banks

IL LCSW 149009745
Credentials
IL LCSW 149009745
NPI Number
1710160932
Location
Illinois
Languages
English
Bernice Banks

Accepting new clients

18 years experience | Counselor of Color
Work with me

About Bernice Banks

I am a licensed clinical social worker with an extensive and diverse experience working with adults, children, couples, and families. I earned my master’s degree from the University of Chicago in Illinois in 1997. I also hold a Bachelor’s degree from Roosevelt University in Illinois with a major in psychology. I enjoy the work I do and have worked in both the public and private sectors in the fields of social services and mental health.

Having worked with children and families and the many challenges they face for more than 20 years, I know that the decision to seek professional help can often be a very difficult one. If you are trying to make that decision right now, it may help you to know that I am someone who is not here to judge you, and who really believes that there is a way out for you that together we can find. You have already taken the most important step by acknowledging that, for now, this is something you cannot handle alone.

I have been in private practice for the past 12 years and currently specialize in marriage, couples and family therapy. I also have a background in child and adolescent mental health and have worked with families extensively around these issues. Other areas of expertise include Grief and Loss, Depression, Stress, and Anxiety,

My approach to therapy is that it should be used as a tool to provide the knowledge, help, and support needed to understand problems and develop skills to cope with them. I use Cognitive Behavioral techniques to help clients develop insight and new skills..

Most importantly, I want to empower my clients so that they are able to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences, make informed choices about what actions they need to take, and develop skills that will help them handle difficult situations in the future. Working together, I believe we can accomplish those goals.

Licenses

LCSW
149009745

Professional experience

  • Addictions
  • Anger management
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Career difficulties
  • Coping with life changes
  • Depression
  • Family conflicts
  • Grief
  • Parenting issues
  • Relationship issues
  • Self esteem
  • Stress, Anxiety
  • Trauma and abuse

Additional Focus Areas

  • Communication problems
  • Forgiveness
  • Life purpose
  • Self-love
  • Social anxiety and phobia

Clinical Approaches

  • Client-Centered Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Languages

  • English

15 Reviews

“Mrs. Banks has a calming and professional manner, which makes our sessions run smoothly. I look forward to our sessions and I leave with a variety of meaningful strategies.”

“I was a bit skeptical at first with both tele-health and who I was paired with. This was partly due to negative past experiences with an EAP at work. Fortunately I was wrong on both fronts. Tele-health, specifically BetterHealth, has been extremely convenient and surprisingly effect. Bernice has been absolutely amazing. She has exceeded all my expectations. In the short time I have been paired with her, she has been responsive, interactive during our sessions, and most importantly, kind and supportive. I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking therapy. She listens, responds appropriately and is very positive and encouraging. I look forward to my continued sessions with her.”

“Bernice is a wonderful woman and a wonderful counselor”

“I’ve appreciated Bernice’s advice and direction so far in our sessions.”

“Mrs. Bernice is knowledgeable, empathetic and asks powerful thought provoking questions. She has helped me during the hardest times of my life and I forever grateful.”

“Bernice is awesome. <br /> I love working with her. Sometimes. I feel bad sometimes because I feel needy at times. And I don't want to feel like I am being a bother. Especially when I was grieving a relationship. She was kind and patient with me and caring. She is always encouraging. She really does a great job. If she can get a hot mess like me to get over an abusive relationship and childhood. She can help anyone get better. She has been a God send to me.”

“I have been paired with Bernice for at least 2 years and she has helped me immensely. Opened my eyes to different perspective and helped me see myself in a new light”

“Bernice is a great counselor. She's empathetic and offers wonderful advise as well as insight. Highly recommend her!”

“Ms Bernice is awesome. I feel supported, and I feel like i'm making progress. I would highly recommend Ms Bernice and Better Help.”

“So far I think she is doing a great job. I just started my counseling so I feel it is too early to give a complete analysis. However if it continues like it is I am sure that things are going to work out great.”

“Bernice is awesome, she's a great listener, she understands, I never feel judged, and she has a way of helping you keep things in perspective. She's amazing at what she does.”

“Bernice is a godsend. A true professional, so compassionate, and understanding. Her counseling has been really helpful for me when I went through a really difficult time in my life. Thank you Bernice.”

“My time with Bernice has been such a delight. I feel so calm and confident sharing with her and her guidance is always so helpful. She holds me accountable for all the things I said I’d work on which I need and appreciate. I’m so glad to have a counselor I can laugh with and also feel comfortable crying in front of (via the phone). She is always accommodating when finding a time to meet and responds to messages VERY promptly. I’m very thankful for Bernice.”

“Very supportive and fast reply!”

“Bernice is a wonderful counselor. She listens and offers great advice. I highly recommend her to anyone seeking counseling or wanting to gain some perspective in their lives.”

These reviews represent a few of the most recent positive reviews from the therapist's clients on BetterHelp. Some people's experience may be different.
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