- CBT strategies
- DBT skills
- Attachment focus
About Dolores
Dolores "Del" Larkin is an Illinois LCSW with 20 years of clinical experience. She works with adults who struggle with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, self-esteem, addictions, and family-related concerns. Del also helps people coping with life changes, grief, anger, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and issues tied to family of origin.
Del uses a mix of practical, skills-based tools and relational approaches. She draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to challenge unhelpful thoughts and on dialectical behavior strategies to teach emotion regulation and distress tolerance. She also uses attachment-based and emotionally-focused ideas to look at how early relationship patterns shape current behavior.
Sessions tend to focus on clear, achievable steps. Del talks with clients about patterns that get in the way, such as perfectionism, fear of abandonment, codependency, control issues, or communication problems. She helps people notice where those patterns started and practices different ways of reacting in daily life.
Her style is collaborative and direct. She listens to what is hard and then offers concrete strategies to try between meetings, such as behavioral experiments, mindfulness practices, or communication skills. When needed she blends short-term problem solving with deeper exploration of recurring themes.
Del has worked with individuals and couples over two decades and brings practical experience to common struggles like infidelity, impulsivity, isolation, guilt and shame, and commitment concerns. People who want to address family of origin issues and how those early roles still affect adult life often find this focus in her work.
How her approaches translate to online work
Attachment-Based Therapy looks at recurring relationship patterns and how early bonds influence current connections. Online sessions can be used to notice those patterns and practice new ways of relating in day-to-day interactions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors; it often uses homework like behavior experiments or thought records that clients can complete between sessions. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) concentrates on emotions in relationships and helps people name and shift emotional responses to improve closeness and communication. Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Del will discuss goals and preferences and suggest which methods to try first. The process is collaborative - she mixes skills and exploration based on what the client needs and how they respond. The biography does not list specific remote formats, so confirm the session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, and reduce travel time. It can also let clients practice communication or emotion-management skills in contexts closer to their daily life. Talk with her about practical arrangements and which ways of meeting best fit your schedule and needs.Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, self-esteem, addictions, and family-related issues including family of origin concerns.
What is her therapeutic approach like?
Her work blends cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior techniques with attachment and emotionally-focused ideas. The aim is to combine skill building with attention to relationship patterns.
How much experience does she have?
She has 20 years of clinical experience as an LCSW practicing in Illinois.
Where is she based and licensed?
She is licensed in Illinois as an LCSW and practices from that state.
Which languages are offered?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
Session formats are not specified in the biography; please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
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