Dolores "Del" Larkin , LCSW

Dolores "Del" Larkin is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 20 years of experience supporting individuals and couples through a wide range of life challenges. She focuses on helping people who struggle with perfectionism and persistent feelings of not being good enough, and she brings particular experience working with anxiety, panic attacks, depression, self-confidence and self-esteem concerns, substance-related issues, and relationship difficulties.

As an LCSW - a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - she combines practical, evidence-informed methods with a thoughtful, exploratory stance to therapy. Her toolbox includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), along with solution-focused techniques and psychodynamic ideas, and she adapts these approaches to fit each person or couple she sees. She aims to be a curious listener who partners with clients to identify and remove the barriers keeping them from becoming the person they want to be.

Del works collaboratively to tailor treatment to each client s goals and preferences, drawing on clinical experience to address issues such as stress, grief, trauma, family problems, addiction, ADHD, bipolar concerns, and difficulties with communication, intimacy, or commitment. Based in Illinois, she offers therapy to both local and international clients and is accepting new clients who are seeking a compassionate, experienced clinician.

Therapeutic approaches for online care

Dolores "Del" Larkin draws from several evidence-informed approaches suited to remote work. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relationship patterns influence current bonds and helps people address fears of abandonment, codependency, and intimacy struggles through new ways of relating. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can reduce anxiety, perfectionism, and depressive patterns by teaching practical coping skills. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness - tools that are useful for impulsivity, intense emotions, and relationship conflicts.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Dolores collaborates with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies over time so therapy remains responsive and client-centered.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility for people with busy schedules or geographic constraints. Video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging allow clients to engage in therapy from different settings while maintaining continuity of care. Working this way makes it easier to practice skills between sessions and to integrate therapeutic work into daily life with licensed professionals and therapists who can meet clients where they are.