Dolores Larkin

I am Dolores (Del) Larkin and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Illinois. I became licensed in 2001. I focus on issues of anxiety, depression, stress reduction, grief, adult ADHD, relationship issues substance/alcohol use, and codependency.

My approach

I work with each client to best match the intervention used specifically for them. I interventions I use most often include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution Focused and Psychodynamic therapy (talk therapy), or a combination of interventions

My focus

I work with clients with mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression, stress-related problems, relationship or work problems, past trauma issues, grief, life transitions, adult ADHD and substance/alcohol use, and codependency. I have over 20 years of experience treating individuals with these problems.

My communication style

I tell each client that the therapy session is theirs and that we always need to address what is important to them. So I am an excellent listener. But I am not afraid to ask questions or give suggestions. Most of my clients comment that I am easy to talk to.

My journey to mental healthcare

Around 1994 I decided I want to change careers. I knew I wanted to help people but did not want to do anything medical ( like being a nurse). I was in my own therapy at that time and explored what a change to social work would require. I went back to school to get a Master's degree in social work and have not regretted that decision.

My goals for you

I encourage clients to have one or two goals that we work on together, and then add others as we progress in therapy. Establishing goals is always client driven.

My first session with you

I ask each client to tell me a bit about themselves, why they have come to therapy, and what they hope to accomplish. My goal for my first session is to help each individual to feel a bit more comfortable after this first session than when they started the session.