Illyssa Russell

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply ready for a positive change in your life, taking the step to reach out is a brave first move. I’m Illyssa Russell (she/her), a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Supervisor (LPCC-S) in Kentucky. I’m deeply passionate about helping individuals and families—from young children, preteens, and teens to adults and older adults—find emotional healing, improve their relationships, and boost their overall quality of life. My own life experiences have given me a genuine understanding of the common patterns and challenges we all face. Whether you are navigating anxiety, depression, parenting struggles, relationship obstacles, substance use, or life transitions, my core promise is simple: I will meet you right where you're at to help you get where you want to be.

With over 16 years of clinical experience supporting clients across every stage of life—from early childhood and adolescence to adulthood and older age—I strongly believe that therapy is never a one-size-fits-all experience. Every person's story is unique, which is why the techniques and modalities we use are tailored specifically to you and your individual needs.

To provide the best possible care, I firmly believe that continuous learning and professional growth are essential to being a great helper. In our sessions, we pull from a versatile range of evidence-based practices depending on what you're facing. For example, when working with families on relationship dynamics or behavior, we might draw on Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) techniques to build concrete parenting skills and strengthen connection. If you're navigating anxiety, depression, substance use, or major life changes, we might integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address unhelpful thought patterns, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills to manage stress and emotions, or Motivational Interviewing to help you uncover your internal drive, work through mixed feelings, and break through feeling stuck. Whatever tools we choose together, they are adapted flexibly to empower you with actionable strategies for real life.

Your initial appointment is a convenient, secure virtual session conducted entirely online from the comfort and privacy of your own space. We’ll start with brief introductions and cover the basic housekeeping—like making sure your video and audio are working comfortably—before diving in. From there, we’ll take a low-pressure approach to talk through what brought you to therapy, explore your background, and discuss your personal goals. There’s no test to pass and no pressure to share every detail right away; we’ll move strictly at your pace. By the end of our time together, you’ll have a clear picture of how our telehealth sessions work, practical immediate steps to focus on, and a compassionate plan for our upcoming visits.