Cassandra Sissom
LPC, LCPC (she/her) · Owner & Clinical Director · Therapist in Missouri & Illinois
You know what would help. You still can't do it.
Online therapy for high achievers in Missouri and Illinois · Leadership coaching in any state · In-network with most major insurance plans
Who I Work With
You spent your life being the responsible one: the dependable kid, the overachiever, the emotional caretaker. You learned early how to perform under pressure, and it worked, until it didn't. Now you're a capable adult running on shallow sleep, a clenched jaw, and constant irritability. You hold it together all day, then unravel at night. You've read the books and understand the frameworks, but insight hasn't changed how your body lives.
I work with high-achieving adults who look like they have it together and are exhausted by the effort it takes to keep it that way. Executives and leaders carrying more than anyone around them realizes. First and oldest daughters who have been the responsible one for so long they've forgotten what it feels like not to be. Adults who were called gifted, mature, or "the smart one" growing up and are now burning out under the weight of potential they never asked to carry.
Many of my clients also have ADHD, diagnosed or suspected, often later in life. They've spent years building workarounds that work just well enough to keep them functional and not well enough to feel free.
I also work with people in high-stakes roles where composure is part of the job: nurses, physicians, engineers, and others who can handle a crisis at work and can't shake the flatness at home. Nobody clocks it because you don't let them. That includes medical professionals and others in high-stakes roles who are working to maintain sobriety while managing the pressure and visibility of their work.
And I work with LGBTQ+ individuals who want a therapist who doesn't just tolerate their identity, but actually gets it.
If you're tired of being the most capable person in every room and the most depleted person in your own life, this is the place where that changes.
I see clients online anywhere in Missouri and Illinois, including St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia, Chicago and the suburbs, Springfield, and Champaign.
My Approach
Therapy with me is active, structured, and direct. I will absolutely call it out when I see it, with enough humor to make that feel like a relief instead of a threat. I'm quick to see patterns and help interrupt them before they turn into another spiral.
We focus on restoring nervous-system steadiness, reducing internal pressure, and helping your mind and body work together again, without relying on willpower or pushing harder. Sessions are efficient and evidence-based, drawing on approaches like CBT, ACT, DBT, and IFS, and grounded in research on stress physiology and nervous-system regulation. We identify what's actually driving your stress response and target specific points of change, not just talk about them.
I bring more than 15 years of clinical experience, plus an MBA and executive leadership background, so I understand the environments you're navigating.
Over time, your breath slows without forcing it. Mornings feel quieter. You pause before reacting and choose rest without guilt. My clients want therapy that works, not therapy that wanders. If that's you, we'll be a strong fit.
Coaching, too. If what you need is leadership or organizational culture coaching rather than therapy, I offer that as well, for individuals and teams in any state. Learn about coaching →
Areas of Focus
ADHD and executive functioning | Burnout and chronic stress
Trauma and PTSD | Neurodivergence | First and oldest daughters
Formerly gifted adults | Executives and leaders | Identity and self-esteem
Anxiety and worry | Depression | Medical and high-stakes professionals
People-pleasing and boundaries | Life transitions | LGBTQ+ affirming care
Tap a topic to learn more
Why Clients Choose Cassandra
Direct, Not Judgmental
I'll tell you what I notice with honesty, compassion, and enough humor that insight feels empowering instead of overwhelming.
Active & Structured
Sessions are focused, collaborative, and goal-oriented with practical tools you can apply immediately.
Executive Perspective
An MBA and leadership background provide firsthand understanding of high-pressure careers and workplace dynamics.
Lasting Change
Our goal isn't simply getting through the week. It's helping your nervous system settle, reducing burnout, and creating a life that feels sustainable.
Credentials & Licensure
Cassandra Sissom, LPC, LCPC
Owner & Clinical Director, CLS Counseling & Consulting, PLLC
Licensed Professional Counselor, Missouri #2016036039
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Illinois #180.016374
Master of Arts in Counseling, Saint Louis University
Master of Business Administration, Missouri Baptist University
Specialized training: trauma-focused therapy, CBT, neurodivergent-affirming care, addiction counseling and recovery support, clinical supervision (LPC)
Practicing since 2010
Sessions: online by secure video, for clients in Missouri and Illinois
Availability: early morning and daytime appointments, Monday through Thursday and some Friday mornings
Insurance: in-network with most major insurance plans. Superbills are available. See rates →
Common Questions
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Structured and focused. We check in on what you tried since last time, work through what got in the way, and you leave with a specific next step.
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Both are available, as separate services. Therapy is for your own burnout, anxiety, ADHD, or identity work, and can use insurance. Leadership and organizational coaching is more practical and team-focused, isn't billed to insurance, and is available in any state. I'll work with you in one role, either therapy or coaching, not both. Your free consultation helps figure out which fits.
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That's common in my practice. Many clients were diagnosed as adults or strongly suspect ADHD. I can assess for ADHD and provide a diagnosis as part of treatment planning, along with letters based on that diagnosis. CLS doesn't offer formal psychological testing, but if you need a full evaluation, we can help you find one.
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No. What you share in therapy is confidential, and I don't contact employers or licensing boards. There are a few legal exceptions, like an immediate safety risk, and we'll go over those at your first session. If you use insurance, your plan receives limited information, like dates of service and a diagnosis, so some clients choose to self-pay for extra privacy.
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Yes. I’m in-network with many major plans. We'll confirm your coverage on your free consult, and self-pay and superbills are available too.
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Yes. Sessions are online, so there's no commute, and I offer early morning and daytime appointments Monday through Thursday, plus some Friday mornings. Many clients meet before work or between meetings. Once things feel steadier, we can space sessions out.
Ready to get started?
You don't have to have it all figured out before you reach out.
Start with a free 15-minute consultation or chat. No paperwork, no commitment, just a real conversation to see if we're a good fit.
