About Bernice
Bernice Banks is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship trouble, grief, addictions, and major life changes. She speaks plainly and meets people where they are. She aims to build a practical plan so clients can manage day-to-day struggles and feel more stable.
With 18 years of experience in mental health, Bernice draws on a long career in both public and personal settings. She earned a Master’s degree from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor’s degree from Roosevelt University, both in Illinois.
Background and approach
Her background includes work across social services and mental health roles. Bernice uses client-centered methods to make sessions feel collaborative and respectful. She also incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques to identify unhelpful patterns and practice new ways of responding.
Sessions tend to focus on clear goals and usable tools. Parents and individuals often come to her for help with parenting strain, communication problems, depression, trauma and abuse, or coping after loss. She also supports people dealing with anger, bipolar mood concerns, social anxiety and phobia, and career stress.
In conversation she emphasizes skill-building and practical steps. The goal is to leave each session with something that can be tried in everyday life. Bernice aims to help clients gain insight, make clearer choices, and strengthen coping skills.
Approaches that guide online sessions
Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and understanding the person as an individual. Sessions emphasize the client's own goals and build warmth and collaboration, which helps when addressing issues like self-esteem, communication problems, and life purpose.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts and behaviors keep problems going. It uses simple, practical exercises and small experiments to change unhelpful habits and reduce anxiety, low mood, or anger. Clients leave with specific skills to try between sessions.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will help you choose or combine methods based on your needs, goals, and preferences. This is a team effort where you test what helps and adjust the plan as you go.
Online sessions use video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy more flexible. Video works well for conversation and nonverbal cues. Phone can be a good choice when video is difficult or bandwidth is limited. Live chat and messaging let you check in between sessions or use shorter, focused check-ins when schedules are tight. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent while fitting it into daily life.
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Bernice often help with?
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How much experience does she have?
What are her credentials and where is she based?
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Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
Also works with
- Addictions
- Anger management
- Bipolar disorder
- Career difficulties
- Communication problems
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Forgiveness
- Grief
- Life purpose
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Trauma and abuse
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 18 years
- Licensed
- Illinois
- Languages
- English