William Russell, LPC

(He/Him)

Therapy for teens and young adults who want to better understand themselves and move through life with more confidence.

If you’re a teen or young adult struggling with ADHD, anxiety, executive function challenges, or pressure to perform in school, sports, or work, therapy can be a place to slow down, make sense of what’s going on, and build a plan that feels both realistic and supportive. You may be someone who cares deeply about doing well, but still finds yourself feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of how to move forward. My approach is playful, authentic, grounded, and direct. Clients often share that sessions feel like talking to someone who cares enough to be honest, while still bringing humor, encouragement, and warmth to the process.

Specialties:

ADHD
Anxiety
Confidence and skill building
Adolescent identity formation
Mental performance in sports, school, or work

What To Expect

I tend to work in a more open-ended way because I want you to feel ownership over your growth. In our work together, we’ll check in on what has happened since we last met, talk through any new insights or challenges, and decide whether to stay with the plan or shift based on what feels most important that day. If nothing urgent is coming up, we’ll continue digging into the bigger picture together. You can expect a strong emphasis on trust, honesty, and accountability, with space to be real about what feels hard while also staying focused on where you want to go. In the first session, we’ll spend time reviewing confidentiality, your rights in therapy, your past experiences, and what you’re hoping to get out of the process. Depending on your age and what feels most comfortable, that may also include casual conversation or even a game to help build rapport early on. Between sessions, you may leave with a plan of action tailored to your goals, whether that means tracking patterns, journaling, reflecting on what worked and what did not, or trying a practical strategy in everyday life.

We might be a fit if you often think…

“I care so much about doing well that I get in my own way.”
“I have my whole life ahead of me, but I’m not sure what I want to do with it.”
“My thoughts tend to run away from me, and I wish I could understand why my brain acts like this.”

A Little About Me

I take an eclectic approach to therapy, drawing from strength-based, acceptance and commitment, psychodynamic, Adlerian, and cognitive behavioral approaches depending on what fits you best. At its core, my work is about helping you understand why things are happening the way they are, recognize the strengths you already have, and build a purposeful plan for moving forward. I believe getting out of your own way starts with understanding how you got there in the first place. Over time, clients often notice a stronger understanding of how their mind works, more confidence in themselves and their decisions, and greater clarity, follow-through, and sense of direction.

I became a therapist after realizing I found more meaning in helping others grow than in competing myself. My grandmother, who is still a practicing psychotherapist in her late eighties, introduced me to mindfulness and self-awareness early in life, and that stayed with me. Outside the therapy room, I’m recently married and live in the Arlington Heights area with my spoiled Labrador. I enjoy gardening, basketball, woodworking, cooking, chess, and whatever new hobby I’m trying on that month. If you’re looking for therapy that is thoughtful, grounded, and growth-oriented, I’d love to work with you.

I may not be the best fit for eating disorders, couples therapy outside of parent sessions, specialty care for very young children or older adults, severe personality disorders, or severe depression in adults.

If you’re looking for a therapy space that feels supportive, honest, and growth-oriented, I’d love to work with you.

Schedule a Session