A number of benefits can come from participating in therapy. Therapists provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, trauma, grief, and stress management.

Many people also find that therapy can be helpful for personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the stressors of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution.

Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

*Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and your values

*Developing skills for improving your relationships

*Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy

*Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety

*Managing anger, depression, and other emotional pressures

*Improving communications and listening skills

*Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones

*Discovering new ways to solve problems in your relationships

*Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

During our intake session, we gather background information and a detailed history to inform our collaborative work on therapy goals. We typically start with weekly sessions lasting 50-55 minutes. We will focus on your unique circumstances and goals.

Much of the progress in therapy happens outside our sessions, as we focus on building better relationships with ourselves and others. We always strive to create a safe environment in our sessions, reflecting a compassionate and respectful approach.

We are an in-network provider for with Blue Cross and Blue Shield PPO, Blue Choice PPO, and Aetna PPO. We also accept HSA/FSA plans.

If you have another insurance provider, we accept out-of-network benefits. We want to increase access to affordable therapy.

We work with Mentaya, a platform that helps clients get money back on out-of-network therapy sessions. To see if you qualify for reimbursement, click below.

Out-of-Network Benefit Checker

We are more than happy to assist you with verifying your outpatient therapy benefits including deductibles, co-pays, co-insurances and out-of-pocket maximums before beginning therapy.

Our rates vary by provider. More on our Rates & Insurance page.

The cost of therapy is a big worry for many. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, depression, changes in life, the stresses of everyday life, or other mental health concerns, understanding how much therapy costs is really important.

Read more in our blog.

We are a telehealth only practice at this time. We do not offer in-person sessions. All of our therapists are able to see clients in Illinois. Dr. Steele is licensed in Illinois and authorized as a PSYPACT member, so she can see clients in over 40 states.

Determining how many therapy sessions you'll need to start feeling better depends on different things like what your concerns are, what you want to achieve in therapy, what type of therapy is best for you, etc. Therapy is a teamwork thing between you and your therapist, and it's different for everyone.

When you first start therapy, it's important to talk with your therapist about what you hope to get out of it and how long you think it might take. Together, you and your therapist can come up with a plan and set some goals. Your therapist will keep checking in with you to see how you're doing and if anything needs to change. It can usually take between 4-6 sessions to begin building a relationship with your therapist and building comfort.

Some people start feeling better after just a few sessions, while others might need more time and sessions to see a difference. It's important to talk openly with your therapist throughout the process so they can help you get what you need out of therapy.

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and psychotherapist. As mental health professionals, we are legally and ethically bound to maintain confidentially and normally everything we discuss will be held confidential. Unless you provide a signed authorization, I will not speak to, or correspond with, anyone about you. However, state laws and ethics, including standards of practice, either mandate, or permit therapists to break client confidentiality under certain circumstances.

Some exceptions to confidentiality include situations in which there is reasonable suspicion that any of the following has ever occurred or is occurring now:

*You present a danger to yourself or others

*If there is reason to suspect child abuse (anyone under 18 years old)

*If there is reason to suspect dependent adult abuse

*If there is reason to suspect elder abuse (anyone 65 years or older)

*The court of law orders information from treatment to be released as a part of a legal proceeding

In any of above circumstances, we will make every effort to alert you before releasing confidential information.

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy.

Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.

People have many different motivations for coming to counseling. Some may be going through a major life transition, or are not handling stressful circumstances the way that they would want to. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem, addictions, relationship problems, and identity issues. Therapy can help provide some much needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods. Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life. People seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives in a different way and are ready to make changes.

Therapy is generally terminated when the agreed upon goals have been reached. We can discuss this at the beginning of therapy and re-evaluate throughout the course of treatment. You always have the right to stop treatment at any time. If you make this choice, referrals to other therapists can be provided if desired. I typically ask clients to attend a final termination session to acknowledge the work accomplished in therapy and discuss any unfinished work.