Todd Nelson, LCPC

Todd Nelson is an Illinois-based licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) with three decades of experience in mental health. He draws on a straightforward, person-centered style to help people handle stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and changes in life. His approach aims to meet people where they are and work together on practical steps forward.

He spent ten years on active duty in the Air Force and later built a long clinical career in outpatient and inpatient settings. His background includes work with youth, time at the Illinois Department of Corrections as a mental health professional, and roles in community clinics. Those experiences shape a calm, grounded way of working with people facing complex situations.

Todd uses Client-Centered and Solution-Focused methods and also draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Internal Family Systems. In session he prefers plain language over technical terms and focuses on clear, manageable goals rather than theory. Sessions often look like listening, reflecting, and trying small, practical changes between meetings.

He helps people dealing with trauma and abuse, post-traumatic stress, first responder and veteran issues, mood disorders, obsessive and compulsive concerns, relationship and family stress, parenting challenges, workplace strain, and matters such as forgiveness, guilt, and self-worth. He also supports those coping with sleep problems, anger, and self-harm thoughts.

Outside of counseling, Todd enjoys motorcycling and woodworking. For someone who wants a steady, no-nonsense guide through difficult times, he aims to be that steady presence and practical problem-solver.

How therapeutic approaches guide online care

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and following the person's lead. The therapist offers empathy, reflection, and collaboration so people can make sense of their concerns and decide on next steps. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and behavior; it uses clear exercises to test unhelpful thoughts and try new coping skills. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) provides practical tools for managing intense emotions, improving relationships, and handling crisis moments.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and then suggest which methods to try. This is a collaborative process and can change as needs evolve.

Confirm the session formats before booking, since the biography does not list specific formats. In general, online therapy can make it simpler to fit sessions into a busy life - it can remove travel time, allow quicker check-ins, or make scheduling around work or caregiving easier. Some formats can be less dependent on bandwidth or on-camera time, which helps when a shorter update is all that is needed. Ask about available options when you set up the first appointment so sessions match your daily routine and goals.