At a glance
Best fit for: Trauma and PTSD, substance use, anger, multiracial identity, anxiety, depression; kids, teens and adults.
Approaches: CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing.
Who Am I?
Hello! I’m Javon Billingsley, a therapist who works with children, teens, and adults. As a multiracial person, I understand the push and pull of life, and I bring that into my practice. Together we can break things down and better understand where you are, where your experiences come from, and how to use that understanding to grow. I can never fully understand your experience, and naming that helps us begin with openness and curiosity. You’re the expert on your life. I come along for the ride, offering guidance and direction.
I specialize in working with:
- Teens and adults dealing with life transitions, anxiety, depression, and substance use
- Children going through a rough time
- Anyone searching for a place where their voice is heard
- People living in the middle of multiple identities
How I help
I want to create a space where ideas, thoughts, and grievances are welcomed. The uncertainty in your relationship, the frustration with your boss, or the frustration you hold toward yourself are all fair game. When those come up, we put them on the table and examine them: why do I feel this way, why did I react that way, what happened? Then we problem-solve together. My role is to provide the tools and skills for you to figure it out, and I’ll play devil’s advocate to surface perspectives hiding in the shadows. I use CBT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing, often mixing and matching, since I’m a conversational person. I often help people with anxiety and substance use.
What a session with me is like
I like to get to know someone before we dive in. Expect an energy like chatting with that one friend who truly listens (and if you haven’t had that before, expect it here). We’ll crack jokes, talk about what interests you, and level with each other. We’ll also go deep and get passionate about what matters. The space reflects the complexity of people, the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. It’s meant to be a mentally colorful place, full of emotion, thought, and honesty.
A little more about me
I’m an identical twin, believe it or not. I enjoy creating music, annoying my friends, and being a source of comfort for the people I care about. Therapy is a mentally stimulating job for me, so I get a lot out of working with people from many different perspectives and experiences. I’d say I’m part of a new generation of therapists working on new issues, and I thrive on trying to understand them. Honestly, I just love the work and the people I do it with.
A few common questions
Are you accepting new clients?
yES
Do you offer virtual sessions?
Yes, I see clients virtually across Illinois, and in person at our Portage Park office.
What do you help with most?
Anxiety, depression, life transitions, substance use, and identity, for kids, teens, and adults.
What insurance do you take?
BCBS PPO, Aetna, BCBS HMO Endeavor, and Optum.
- AetnaBCBS PPOEndeavor/Northshore HMOOptum/United
