- Client-Centered Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Guilt and shame focus
About Andrea
Andrea Knepper is an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) practicing in Illinois with five years of clinical experience. She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem, and coping with life changes, and also focuses on family of origin issues, forgiveness, guilt and shame, multicultural concerns, post-traumatic stress, and prejudice and discrimination.
Andrea started her professional life with a BA in Music from Oberlin College and earned her MSW from Loyola University. She founded Chicago Adventure Therapy and led the organization for many years, bringing outdoor-based programming to marginalized young people. That leadership work influenced how she practices therapy today.
Her background includes case management with people experiencing homelessness, clinical work, and many years as a sea kayak instructor and wilderness guide. Those experiences shaped a practical, down-to-earth style that blends real-world problem solving with client-centered listening.
Andrea draws on Client-Centered Therapy and Motivational Interviewing to guide sessions. She tends to focus on what a person wants to change, what gets in the way, and small steps that can feel possible to take. Sessions aim to be engaging and straightforward rather than abstract or overly technical.
She also brings experience addressing how discrimination and oppression affect mental health. That perspective can be useful when guilt or shame is connected to family roots, cultural expectations, faith, or encounters with prejudice.
To get started Andrea asks people to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session. The practice uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time, and costs vary with location.
How her approaches guide online sessions
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting what matters to a person. It is about understanding a client's perspective and helping them name what they want to change. This approach can be useful for working through feelings of guilt or shame and for sorting out personal values.Motivational Interviewing looks at a person's own reasons for change and gently builds commitment. It uses open questions and partnership to move from ambivalence to actionable steps. That can help when someone feels stuck between wanting to change and fearing the consequences of doing so.
Andrea treats finding the right approach as a collaborative process. She will talk through goals and preferences with the client and adapt techniques based on what feels workable. The early sessions are used to figure out which mix of listening and practical steps fits best.
The biography does not specify which online session formats are offered, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, whether that means shorter check-ins during a work break, not needing travel time, or choosing an audio-only meeting when bandwidth is limited. Licensed professionals use these practical advantages to help maintain consistency while addressing stress, trauma, guilt, or life transitions.
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
5+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem, and coping with life changes. Additional focus areas include family of origin issues, forgiveness, guilt and shame, multicultural concerns, post-traumatic stress, and prejudice and discrimination.
How does she approach therapy?
She uses Client-Centered Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Sessions emphasize listening, clarification of goals, and identifying small, practical steps forward.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has five years of documented clinical experience as an LCSW. Her broader background also includes many years leading outdoor programs and earlier work in case management and guiding.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an LCSW licensed in Illinois. Her practice and professional activities are based in Illinois.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. She is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How does payment work and what does it cost?
Costs vary with location and the practice uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact pricing is provided during the onboarding steps.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.