If symptoms are hard to deal with, it's time to get help. If you are having unhelpful or negative feelings a lot of the time, counseling can be an invaluable resource. You may have uncontrollable emotions, fighting or frustration in your relationships, sadness, fear, or even physical symptoms like insomnia and stomach pain. Counseling is worth your time and effort, and you deserve to feel better than you are currently feeling. We are here to help.

Mood issues, emotional problems, behavioral problems, relationship problems, fears, excessive stress, sleep problems including nightmares, eating issues, motivation problems, attention issues, self-esteem concerns, sadness and grief can all be treated in counseling.

Insurance generally covers the major cost of counseling. We accept most insurances and can check to see what your portion of co-pay or co-insurance will be. We work with your deductible, if you have one. You will get an email before your first appointment explaining what your portion of the payment will be if you are using insurance. If you don’t have private or company sponsored health insurance, we have a sliding scale from $80-120 to help you meet your needs. Payments can be made in our on-line portal, or you can put a card on file. Please contact us with any questions about payment so we can make counseling a possibility for you.

Yes! The office can set up a 20-minute phone call or in-person consultation with a therapist before you make any decisions. There is no charge and no up-front commitment until you decide to schedule an appointment.

The quickest way to get an appointment is to call the office at (224) 232-8057 during business hours, 9am-5pm on weekdays. You can also fill out the form on our website, and we will call and/or email you back. Once we have connected, we will discuss availability and which therapist you can see. We will gather additional information, do an insurance benefits check and email you before your first appointment detailing what you can expect to pay for each session. You will also receive a link in your email to fill out paperwork online before your first appointment. There are 3 forms for adults and 4 forms for anyone under 18.

Our therapists have regular parent sessions to help everyone work together. These are held every 4-8 weeks throughout your child’s treatment. Your child may or may not be present during these parent sessions. Parent sessions are the standard 53 minutes. Minors between the ages of 12-17 do have the option, by law, to not involve their parents in counseling. In that case, we can talk to you about appointments and billing only. However, most minors are okay with their parents having access to some additional information. Your therapist can talk with you more about the information you will receive.

Doctors do make counseling referrals at times, but you don’t have to have a referral. You can call the office to set up services on your own. If you need help, a primary doctor is a good place to ask questions about the benefits of counseling for you.

The first 2-4 sessions are an assessment period, where your therapist gets to know your history and concerns. After the assessment period, they will treat your symptoms with a variety of methods: talk, play, teaching, practicing skills, activities and just supporting you through your journey.

Each session is 53 minutes. The number of sessions depends on your symptoms and your ability to engage with counseling. Therapy is generally not short-term unless you have only one issue to be treated. Your therapist will talk with you about your treatment goals and plans. You will likely see changes after a couple of months, but many people need extended treatment to resolve their concerns.

Yes! If that counselor has openings and matches your availability and insurance requirements, you may certainly have your preference!

As licensed counselors and/or licensed social workers, our therapists cannot prescribe medication. However, we are happy to refer you to someone who can prescribe medication for your symptoms as needed.

You can enter our waiting room from the outside doors on the south side of the building. Directions to our building are in the directions tab on this website. In the waiting room, you will check in on the iPad by selecting your therapist’s picture on the screen. Your therapist will meet you in the waiting room and take you to their office. Your therapist will share some information about the process of counseling. Then they will get to know you and conduct an assessment. You can share all your concerns at this time. Then, you are ready to start your work together!

You will receive a text and email with your telehealth appointment link for your video session. Click the link to join the sessions a few minutes prior to the start time. If you are using a phone or tablet, it will prompt you to download the Simple Practice Telehealth app before you can join your session. Your therapist will share some information about the process of counseling. Then they will get to know you and conduct an assessment. You can share all your concerns at this time. Then, you are ready to start your work together!

No, your counselor will be able to help you with a treatment plan and ways to move forward. If you have a treatment modality you’d like to try, please let the office staff know that preference when you make your first appointment. We are happy to explore with you what would help you best.

Unfortunately, it is not feasible for us as a small practice to be included in-network with state-funded plans like Medicaid, Aetna Better Health, BCBS Community Health Plans, Meridian, Molina and Youthcare. If you have these insurances, we encourage you to participate in the Upward Program to help you cover your costs. Please call to learn more and be placed on the waiting list.

All of our counselors are compassionate, skilled and reliable. However, you are always welcome to call the office and ask to be switched to another counselor or be given an outside referral. We don’t want you to continue in sessions if it is not working for you.

You can call the office at (224) 232-8057 or let your therapist know by email at least 24 hours before the appointment, and we will help you reschedule. A "late cancellation" is one that happens 0-24 hours in advance. The first 3 "late cancellations" per calendar year have no penalty. Additional late cancellations per calendar year will be charged $100 per cancellation. A "no show" is when you don’t attend your appointment without cancelling or you cancel after the start time. There is a $100 fee for all "no shows".

Yes! Many people see improvements in mood, self-esteem, stress-management, sleep, relationships, and their ability to manage their lives. Counseling is very valuable to help people feel happier and have a life full of the things they desire. We also help you determine if seeing a prescriber can improve your mental health.