Rev. Sergio Ayala, LCPC, LMHC
Licensed counselor integrating clinical and pastoral care
- Bilingual English and Spanish
- CBT and client-centered therapy
- Accepts international clients
About Rev. Sergio Ayala
Rev. Sergio Ayala is a licensed mental health professional practicing in Illinois with 10 years of clinical experience. He holds the credentials LCPC and LMHC - LCPC stands for Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and LMHC stands for Licensed Mental Health Counselor - and combines formal clinical training with pastoral experience to support clients through complex life challenges.
He earned a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling and a Master of Divinity, including four units of Clinical Pastoral Education, and brings more than 15 years of ministerial and pastoral practice to his work. This blend of clinical and pastoral background informs a compassionate, strengths-based approach aimed at helping people manage stress and anxiety, cope with addictions, process trauma and abuse, navigate grief and loss, and address caregiver strain related to dementia.
Rev. Ayala approaches each person as the expert of their own story and focuses on building from existing strengths to create lasting change. He emphasizes courage and practical steps, guiding and empowering clients as they pursue a more fulfilling and balanced life. Rev. Ayala provides services in English and Spanish and is available to work with clients both within the United States and internationally.
He earned a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling and a Master of Divinity, including four units of Clinical Pastoral Education, and brings more than 15 years of ministerial and pastoral practice to his work. This blend of clinical and pastoral background informs a compassionate, strengths-based approach aimed at helping people manage stress and anxiety, cope with addictions, process trauma and abuse, navigate grief and loss, and address caregiver strain related to dementia.
Rev. Ayala approaches each person as the expert of their own story and focuses on building from existing strengths to create lasting change. He emphasizes courage and practical steps, guiding and empowering clients as they pursue a more fulfilling and balanced life. Rev. Ayala provides services in English and Spanish and is available to work with clients both within the United States and internationally.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationTraumatic brain injuryWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Existential Therapy Jungian Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Narrative Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Rev. Sergio Ayala have?
Rev. Sergio Ayala has 10 years of professional clinical experience.
Is Rev. Sergio Ayala a licensed therapist?
Yes. He holds the credentials LCPC and LMHC. License details are IL LCPC 180016866 and IA LMHC 094835.
In which languages does Rev. Sergio Ayala provide therapy?
He provides therapy in English and Spanish.
Where is Rev. Sergio Ayala located?
He is located in Illinois.
How can I work with Rev. Sergio Ayala as my therapist?
You can work with Rev. Sergio Ayala through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Rev. Sergio Ayala work with international clients?
Yes. Rev. Sergio Ayala works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Rev. Sergio Ayala cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire to help match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic approaches and online care with Rev. Ayala
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating a respectful, nonjudgmental atmosphere where the therapist follows the client's lead, helping people explore their feelings and find their own solutions - this approach often suits those working through grief, life transitions, or relationship concerns.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) examines how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact and offers practical strategies to change unhelpful patterns; it is commonly used for anxiety, depression, stress, and coping with addictions.
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) helps partners and families identify and express underlying emotions to rebuild connection and address intimacy and relationship difficulties.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Rev. Ayala works with clients to determine which combination of methods best fits their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds.
Online therapy offers flexible options including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, making it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, to access care from different locations, and to maintain continuity of support during life changes.