Anxiety Insights
AB Portrait of April Balzhiser

April Balzhiser, LCPC

Practical support for stress and anxiety

18 years in practice · based in Illinois · sessions in English · online sessions

Book with April

We will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you.

About April

April Balzhiser is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) based in Illinois who helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship concerns. She draws on 18 years of experience in social services and mental health to offer steady, practical support. April aims to make therapy straightforward and approachable for people who feel overwhelmed by life changes or painful past experiences.

April focuses on creating a respectful space where clients can speak openly.

Book with April Now Review online therapy options and next steps.

Background and approach

She centers sessions on the person's goals and pace, starting where each person is and building from there. Her style is warm and direct, with an emphasis on listening first and then working together on small, doable steps. Her background includes long work in domestic violence, sexual assault, child welfare and foster care, trauma and family systems.

That hands-on experience informs how she responds to complex stress, attachment concerns, abandonment issues, and caregiving strain. April also supports people facing addictions, chronic health challenges, body-image and intimacy struggles. In sessions she mixes practical strategies with reflective conversation.

Techniques often include thought-focused work, skills for managing strong emotions, and mindfulness practices to reduce reactivity. She also uses motivational interviewing to help people move toward change when they feel stuck. April describes the therapeutic relationship as collaborative.

She helps people recognize what is getting in the way, choose small experiments, and track what helps. The aim is clearer thinking, calmer reactions, and more satisfying connections with others.

Approaches that translate well to online care

April commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness Therapy in online sessions. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them with small experiments to reduce anxiety and improve mood. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to help people notice emotions without acting on them, which can ease reactivity and stress.

She also uses Client-Centered Therapy to shape the relationship in a way that feels supportive and respectful. That approach emphasizes listening, empathy, and tailoring work to each person's goals. Choosing the right mix of approaches is a collaborative process; April will talk with each person about goals, try techniques, and adjust based on what helps most.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs. Video sessions are useful for deeper conversation and skills practice. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text work well for ongoing coaching, brief check-ins, or reminders between longer sessions. These options give flexibility to fit therapy into busy lives while keeping focus on concrete progress.
Book with April Now Review online therapy options and next steps.

Questions people ask

What concerns does April commonly address?
She supports people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, trauma and abuse, grief, addictions, and issues around self-esteem and intimacy.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
April practices a client-centered and collaborative style. She listens first, then works with clients to set practical goals and try small, clear steps.
What is her clinical background?
She has 18 years of experience in social services and mental health, with extensive work in domestic violence, sexual assault, child welfare, foster care, and family issues.
What licensure and location apply to her practice?
April is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, LCPC, licensed in Illinois and practices there.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats does she use online?
She meets with people through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging.
How are sessions priced?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing the short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to therapist availability.

What this therapist works with

Most often

Also listed

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
18 years
Licensed
Illinois
Languages
English

We will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you.