Skip Dettman, LCSW

Skip Dettman is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, and the effects of trauma and abuse. She focuses on practical steps people can use right away to feel steadier and more in control. Her approach is grounded in empathy and respect for each person's story.

Dettman works with people on relationship strain, parenting concerns, grief, and issues tied to identity such as LGBT concerns. She also supports those managing addictions, codependency, dissociation, and problems rooted in family of origin. She pays attention to how past experiences shape present behavior and choices.

In sessions she uses a mix of approaches to fit each person's needs. She draws on client-centered methods to keep the work focused on the client's goals. She uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify patterns of thinking that cause distress and DBT skills to build emotional regulation when needed.

For trauma-related work she integrates EMDR and other trauma-focused strategies to help people process difficult memories and reduce their hold on daily life. She also brings existential ideas when clients want to tackle meaning, values, or life transitions.

Dettman has 13 years of clinical experience and holds LCSW credentials. She practices in Illinois and offers sessions in English. To begin, a person completes a short matching questionnaire and schedules based on the therapist's availability.

How therapeutic approaches shape online work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and following the client's priorities. The therapist creates space for people to name goals and steer sessions while offering reflection and support to clarify next steps.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at thoughts, feelings, and actions. It helps people spot unhelpful thinking patterns and try small behavioral changes to reduce anxiety, depression, or stress symptoms.

EMDR is used when trauma memories continue to cause distress. In plain terms, it pairs structured processing with targeted attention to help reduce the intensity of those memories and the reactions they trigger.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what feels most helpful, then adapt methods as therapy progresses in a collaborative way.

Session formats are not listed here, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into busy days, reduce travel time, and allow quicker check-ins when problems spike. It can also allow someone to choose a quieter setting, use audio-only if video feels too draining, or schedule shorter sessions for a focused check-in rather than a full hour.