- CBT and client-centered
- Gottman-informed relationship work
- Mindfulness and motivation
About Russell
Russell Silver is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with 12 years of clinical experience. He works with adults on relationship concerns, self-esteem, career decisions, coping with life changes, stress and anxiety, and addictions. He also supports people dealing with parenting, intimacy issues, and family challenges.
Russell began his career in hospital-based outpatient care. He has worked with rehabilitation, mental health, and substance-use populations. That background informs how he helps people adjust after major life changes or new disabilities. He also has experience supporting people with serious mental illness and those maintaining recovery from substance use.
His approach is straightforward and strengths-focused. He uses client-centered methods alongside Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused techniques. Motivational interviewing and mindfulness tools are part of his work when they fit a person’s goals. He also uses elements of the Gottman Method for relationship concerns.
Russell draws on a practical view of systems and supports, including issues that affect families and blended households. He has experience with adoption and foster care matters, fatherhood concerns, fertility and pregnancy-related stress, and blended family dynamics. He also addresses money issues and process addictions such as pornography and gambling.
A U.S. Army veteran, Russell understands military and veteran culture and has worked within VA healthcare settings. He is married and part of a blended family that includes a child on the autism spectrum. He asks people to take time choosing a therapist and to ask questions to find the best fit.
How his approaches translate to online work
Russell commonly uses client-centered work and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in sessions. Client-centered work focuses on listening and helping a person set their own goals; it suits relationship issues, self-esteem, and navigating life changes. CBT looks at thoughts and behaviors and teaches practical skills for anxiety, stress, and addictive patterns.He also uses elements of the Gottman Method when couples or relationship issues are part of the work. Gottman-informed techniques focus on communication patterns, handling conflict, and rebuilding connection. These methods help with intimacy-related concerns, communication problems, and repairing trust after infidelity.
Finding the right approach is collaborative. He will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and what has worked or not worked before. Together they pick methods to try and adjust them over time if something isn’t helpful.
Confirm session formats before booking so you know what is offered. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into work, school, or parenting schedules and can allow shorter check-ins when time is limited. They also remove travel time and let people join from a quieter setting or when being on camera is not needed. Licensed professionals can adapt homework, mindfulness practice, and CBT exercises to an online setting to keep progress moving forward.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
12+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What issues does he help with?
He works with adults on relationships, self-esteem, career choices, stress, anxiety, addictions, parenting, and other life changes.
How does he approach therapy?
He uses client-centered work with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused techniques, plus motivational interviewing and mindfulness tools when useful.
How many years has he been practicing?
He has 12 years of experience, including hospital-based outpatient work in rehabilitation, mental health, and substance use.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) practicing in Illinois.
Does he work in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the U.S. work with him?
He is not currently accepting international clients.
How are sessions structured and what formats are available?
Confirm current session options before booking to see which formats he offers.
How does cost work and how do I start?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.