01 · Who Alyson works with

Alyson works with addictions, self esteem and depression

Alyson lists 11 specialisms and 8 further focus areas. Specialisms are the subjects Alyson chose to list first, which is the closest a listing gets to “this is my actual practice”.

02 · In Alyson's own words

What Alyson says about the work

Reproduced in full and unedited - not summarised, not tightened, not rewritten in a house voice.

I am happy that you have taken the first step to make life a little different! I understand how life can be challenging, yet also fulfilling and joyful from the inside out. We are all worthy of love and belonging, and we will work together to find the best fit. None of us are alone in any this, and it may be surprising to see how we all help each other at the same time. In addition, each one of us has our own struggles. We also have our own strengths to overcome these barriers and make life worth living! I respect that you know yourself the best, and I look forward to helping you tap into your own strengths get to where you want to be, one piece at a time.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and live in Northern Illinois. I have helped people get in the right state of mind to enjoy life since my first job at age 15 years old. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Recreation and a Masters Degree in Social Work. Even more, I have many experiences in both areas and combine them to brighten life for everyone involved. My goal is to make the most out of each day, starting now.

Alyson Johnson, on the BetterHelp listing · read 9 Oct 2026

03 · How Alyson works

The 5 approaches Alyson lists, in plain English

These are the clinical methods Alyson lists. The descriptions are Maker Therapy's, not Alyson's - a general explanation of what each method is, so the list means something before you have spoken to anybody. They are not a claim about how Alyson runs a session.

Client-Centred TherapyPerson-centred · Rogerian

The therapist does not steer toward a technique or a diagnosis. They offer sustained, non-judgemental attention and reflect back what they hear, on the premise that people find their own direction when they are genuinely listened to. Often what people mean by “someone who just gets it”.

Cognitive Behavioural TherapyCBT

Structured, present-focused work on the loop between what you think, how you feel and what you then do. Usually means noticing a thought pattern in the room, testing it against evidence, and practising something different between sessions. Among the most heavily researched talking therapies for depression and anxiety.

Dialectical Behaviour TherapyDBT

A structured skills-led adaptation of CBT built around holding two things at once: accepting yourself as you are and working to change. Teaches concrete skills for distress tolerance, emotion regulation and relationships. Developed for people whose feelings arrive at overwhelming intensity, and strongest-evidenced there.

Motivational InterviewingMI

A way of talking about change with somebody who is genuinely in two minds about it. The therapist does not argue for the change; they help you say your own reasons out loud, which is the part that predicts whether it happens. Common around substance use and health behaviour.

Solution-Focused Brief TherapySFBT

Starts from where you want to end up rather than from how you got here. Sessions look for the times the problem is already smaller and work out what is different about those, so the number of sessions tends to be short and the work concrete.

04 · What happens next

From this page to a first session

Alyson practises through BetterHelp, so the route in is BetterHelp's. This is that sequence, written by Maker Therapy from the platform's published process - not a description of Alyson's own practice, and not a promise about how quickly anything happens.

1. A questionnaire, not a booking form

   BetterHelp opens with a set of questions about what you are dealing with, what you want from therapy, and any preferences on the therapist. You are not booking Alyson at this point.

2. Naming Alyson specifically

   BetterHelp matches algorithmically by default, so asking for Alyson is a step you have to take. There is a field for requesting a specific therapist during sign-up, and you can switch afterwards from your account. Starting from a link on this page does not by itself assign you to Alyson.

3. If the caseload is full

   You will be offered somebody else rather than put on a waitlist. Worth knowing, because it is easy to assume a match is the person you asked for.

4. The first conversation

   A first session is typically history and orientation: what brought you, what has been tried, what you want to be different. It is also where the questions in the next section belong.

5. If the fit is wrong

   Changing therapist on BetterHelp does not need a reason. A first session that does not click is common and is not a verdict on therapy. That option existing is the main practical difference between a platform and a private practice.

05 · Before you commit

2 questions worth asking Alyson

Built from what Alyson actually lists, so they are answerable and specific rather than generic. Maker Therapy's, not Alyson's - Alyson has not seen them and is under no obligation to answer any of them.

• “You list both Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Client-Centred Therapy. Which do you lean on with someone like me?”

  Those two point in different directions - one structured and led by the therapist, the other led by you. The answer tells you what the sessions will actually feel like.

• “How do you handle the gap between sessions if something comes up?”

  On BetterHelp this varies a great deal by therapist. Better to know the rhythm now than to discover it on a bad week.

06 · Practical details

Credentials and licensing

Credential

LCSW

Licensed in

Illinois

Licence

UT LCSW 13884535-3501, IL LCSW 149023407

Licence number

149023407

Licence expires

30 Nov 2027

NPI

1881029114

Years in practice

12

Gender

Female

Languages

English

International clients

Accepted

Listed since

15 May 2026

07 · Provenance

Where every line on this page came from

Alyson's name, credential, state, subjects, approaches and biography are read from BetterHelp's therapist roster, which Maker Therapy re-reads once a day; this page reflects the reading taken on 9 Oct 2026. The licence number and NPI are cross-checked against public registers.

The plain-English method descriptions, the first-session walkthrough and the questions are written by Maker Therapy and labelled as such wherever they appear.

Maker Therapy is not BetterHelp, does not take bookings, and has not met Alyson. There are no reviews or ratings on this page because we have no way to verify one. If you start therapy through a link here, we may be paid a commission - it does not change your price and it does not affect who appears here or in what order.

Something on this page wrong or out of date? Report it and it will be checked against the source.