Dolores "Del" Larkin, LCSW

Dolores "Del" Larkin is an Illinois licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with 20 years of experience. She works with adults on problems like anxiety, depression, relationship strain, addiction concerns, and anger. Del often sees people struggling with perfectionism, low self-esteem, or feeling they are not good enough.

Del describes her role as a curious listener who helps untangle what gets in the way of daily life. She uses clear, concrete methods and talks through practical steps rather than offering vague promises. Sessions focus on identifying unhelpful patterns and building skills to handle stressful moments and emotional spikes.

Her background includes approaches drawn from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), attachment-based work, client-centered methods, and emotionally-focused techniques. She adapts tools from these approaches to each person. That can mean learning new coping skills, practicing distress tolerance, or looking at how early relationships shape current reactions.

Del also helps with issues tied to family of origin, codependency, communication problems, infidelity, grief, and career pressures. She pays attention to impulsivity, control issues, and feelings of emptiness that often underlie anger and relationship conflict. Work in sessions can include skill practice, reflective discussion, and concrete behavior changes.

People who choose to work with Del can expect straightforward, practical talk. She supports goal setting and follows a problem-solving approach alongside deeper emotional work. Sessions aim to reduce overwhelm and help people act differently when stress or anger builds.

How her approaches translate to online sessions