John Yoakum (Jack)

As the decision to attend and participate in regularly-scheduled therapy sessions becomes increasingly commonplace over time and the status of “being in therapy” fails to draw a fraction of the public scrutiny that it has in the past; it is still not uncommon to hear the sentiment echoed that “it just isn’t for me.”

To be clear, therapy is just as much for anyone as it is for everyone. Given that you, likely possess goals and aspirations for the future or recognize aspects of life that are difficult, frustrating, or otherwise less that satisfactory in your eyes; you can, and you will, benefit from therapy relative to the goal being accomplished and/or the annoyances being reconciled.

Client-centered therapy opens the door to those with specific hangups about the concept of therapy as a whole. In short, compared to whatever it is that you have yet to accomplish, but can, or that which continues to bother you, but doesn’t need to, therapy poses minimal risk to you and, as for the potential rewards/benefits from talking to a therapist every once in a while, you still have the opportunity to pursue whatever is you want in life.

Everyone, including yourself, is very much capable of accomplishing discrete goals, taking small steps toward self-actualization, making little changes that end up making a big difference, and/or acquiring permanent skills in emotional regulation.

Working together as a team, the concept of achieving lasting change is both far more plausible and considerably less daunting a task compared to that pursued in isolation.

Seeking out help is arguably the hardest part of this process and, given that you’re already on the website, I strongly encourage you to schedule an appointment and begin receiving the help and support you deserve as soon as possible. After all, everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and supported by others; as well as to know, understand, and recognize the value in oneself.

Clinical Areas of Interest and Training

With experience treating a broad range of populations varying widely diagnostics, race/culture/ethnicity/age (7-63), and symptom presentation; I am confident in my ability to adapt to a client’s needs such that therapy remains therapeutic process for all clients from all backgrounds.

Diagnostically speaking, I have significant experience treating/managing client symptoms related to Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, Major Depressive Disorder, Schizophrenia, General Anxiety Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Acute Psychosis, Complex Trauma, and PTSD.

My theoretical orientation of therapy is an eclectic mixture of three of those which are relatively well-established and researched: Adlerian (prosocial elements, emphasis on humor, focusing on that which is within the control of the client, parallels in “lifestyle” and quality of life, Judgement-free, Empathic, Supportive); Narrative Proactively making sense of the past to inform the present and influence the future); and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (reciprocal and observable intrinsic interactions occurring constantly among one’s thoughts. feelings, behaviors).

Ultimately, effective therapy takes many shapes; as, for instance, defining/reinforcing the locus of control respective to each client’s unique circumstance/experiences/goals is a noticeably distinct and personal process respective to each client.

However, treatment planning has been most efficacious in cases characterized by the collaborative efforts of the client and therapist aimed toward achieving specific positive outcomes largely defined and designated by clients at the onset of therapy.

Education

After graduating from high school in 2017, I pursued and ultimately earned my Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology from Boston College in 2021.

During the year that followed, I was able to secure two separate roles working in residential facilities oriented in promoting mental health and client safety.

Following a professionally foundational year working in distinct residential settings, I was happy to be accepted into the Master’s Program in Forensic Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP). I completed my postgraduate studies at TCSPP alongside the internship hours required by my program to graduate and a necessary step toward receiving state licensure. During such, I garnered experience as a student therapist operating in an outpatient setting. Working with dozens of clients over the course of the year, ages 7-63, I was able to shape and reshape my therapeutic style as necessary and, thankfully; was able to witness several clients’ experience highly positive treatment outcomes.

In 2025, I graduated from TCSPP and, following IDFPR approval to take the state licensure exam, secured my license to practice mental health counseling in Illinois as I now do today.

License

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) here in Illinois with an additional state license to practice in Ohio. My IDFPR license number is 178.023098.