Rev. Sergio Ayala, LCPC, LMHC - Therapist in Illinois

Stress and anxiety
Addiction and grief
CBT and EFT

About Sergio

Rev. Sergio Ayala is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Illinois and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Iowa with 10 years of clinical experience. He holds a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling and a Master of Divinity, and brings long experience from ministerial and pastoral roles. He works with young adults and others on issues like stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma, grief, depression, relationship and intimacy concerns, anger, career questions, and coping with life changes.

He uses straightforward conversation to help people identify what matters to them and what gets in the way. Sessions focus on practical steps and on recognizing strengths the person already has. He combines talk-based approaches with strategies drawn from cognitive behavioral work and emotion-focused methods.

His background includes clinical pastoral education and many years in pastoral practice, which shape his way of listening and responding. He also draws on existential ideas about meaning and Jungian perspectives on symbols and personal stories when useful.

Sergio offers services in English and Spanish and has experience helping people who care for others, including dementia caregiver stress and chronic illness issues. He supports people dealing with abandonment, attachment concerns, codependency, and complex relationship patterns.

He encourages clear goals for therapy and regular check-ins about progress. To begin, people complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session using the See online therapy options button. Costs vary by location and use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

Approaches used in online work and what they look like

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person's priorities and lived experience. The therapist listens with attention and helps the person name goals and next steps. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and teaches simple, practical skills to change them. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) helps people understand their emotions in relationships and learn new ways to connect and respond.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Sergio will discuss what seems most helpful and adjust methods based on your needs, goals, and preferences. This is a collaborative process where choices are revisited as progress is tracked.

The biography does not list which online session formats are used, so confirm current options before booking. In general, online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, or allow shorter check-ins when needed. It can also let people choose sessions in English or Spanish and move between therapeutic tools like CBT skill practice and emotion-focused conversations without changing location.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Addictions Trauma and abuse Grief Depression

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issues Communication problems Control issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgiveness Guilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivity Infidelity Isolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Men's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disorders Multicultural concerns Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacks PhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stress Prejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationTraumatic brain injuryWomen's issues Workplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyJungian TherapyMindfulness TherapyNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

10+ years

Listed in

Iowa, Illinois

Languages

English, Spanish

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does he help with?

He works with stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma, grief, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, anger, career questions, and coping with life changes.

What is his style in sessions?

He uses conversational, goal-focused sessions that mix client-centered listening with practical strategies from CBT and emotion-focused approaches.

How long has he practiced clinically?

He has 10 years of clinical experience plus over 15 years of ministerial and pastoral practice that inform his work.

What are his credentials and where is he based?

He holds LCPC and LMHC credentials, with licensure in Illinois (LCPC) and Iowa (LMHC), and practices from Illinois.

Can I work with him in English or Spanish?

Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.

What session formats are offered?

The original biography does not list specific session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.

How much do sessions cost?

Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I get started?

Use 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.