Rima Mickus , LCPC, LPC

Rima Mickus is a licensed clinical counselor practicing in Illinois and Arizona, holding LCPC and LPC credentials that indicate state licensure to provide clinical counseling. She has 17 years of clinical experience and earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Benedictine University. Since 2013 she has worked in private practice and completed post-graduate training in couples counseling, relationship coaching, domestic violence, wellness coaching, and non-drug treatment for insomnia using CBT-I. She trained directly with Dr. Gregg Jacobs of Harvard Medical School in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, a structured 5-6 week program that uses weekly sleep logs to improve sleep patterns and can support tapering from sleep medications when coordinated with a medical provider.

She works primarily with adults on relationship challenges, anxiety, stress, sleep problems, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting concerns, self-esteem, career issues, and life transitions. Much of her practice focuses on relationship work - exploring communication styles, personality differences, family-of-origin influences, and patterns such as codependency or unhealthy dynamics. She helps clients define healthy relationship boundaries and identify abusive or disrespectful behaviors.

In addition to relational and emotional concerns, she brings wellness coaching to support mood, fitness, and weight-management goals through practical interventions. Her approach emphasizes active collaboration; she expects consistent client participation and maintains regular communication, checking messages at least twice daily. Her general hours are Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm Central Time, with occasional weekend message checks and sessions.

Therapeutic approaches for online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients clarify their values, accept difficult thoughts and feelings, and commit to actions that move them toward a meaningful life. It is often useful for stress, anxiety, and navigating life changes where avoidance has become a barrier.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT techniques can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and include specialized protocols such as CBT-I for insomnia to improve sleep patterns.

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, active listening, and collaboration, creating a space where clients develop insight and self-directed goals. This approach supports work on self-esteem, relationships, and decision-making.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. The therapist will work collaboratively with each person to select and adapt methods that match their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies as progress is made.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging make it easier to fit care into a busy life, reduce travel barriers, and maintain continuity when schedules or circumstances change. Licensed professionals can use these formats to deliver evidence-informed interventions while tailoring pace and communication style to each client.