Frequently Asked Questions

Starting therapy for the first time can feel vulnerable, but our clinicians provide a warm, collaborative, and entirely non-judgmental framework. You only share what you feel comfortable sharing. Our therapists listen carefully to your goals and match their recommendations to your needs, focusing on practical tools to reduce stress and enable sustainable change.

Yes, telehealth is highly effective. Recent clinical studies confirm that online therapy matches the outcomes of traditional in-person care. It allows you to access support without the added stress of commuting, parking, or traffic. All you need is a private space, a reliable internet connection, and a smartphone, tablet, or laptop to log into our secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform.

Yes. To make mental health care accessible, our therapists reserve a limited number of appointment slots for clients experiencing financial hardship. We utilize a sliding scale based on household income and family size. Please contact our office directly to submit an Application for a Reduced Rate. Please note that these slots are limited and qualification is not guaranteed.

We highly encourage you to review our clinician profiles on the Meet Our Team page to learn more about their unique personalities, specializations, and clinical styles. We also offer a complimentary 15-minute phone or video consultation to ensure a great therapeutic fit. Because our clinicians maintain dedicated caseloads, availability can vary. If your preferred therapist is full, we can place you on their waitlist or connect you with another excellent team member.

Yes, we provide specialized youth counseling. Clients over the age of 12 typically meet individually with their therapist to establish a safe, confidential space for growth, though parents or guardians are invited to join on occasion. For children under 12, we actively collaborate with caregivers. Because behavioral shifts in young children are often tied to family dynamics, we frequently recommend starting with couples or family therapy to build a strong support system around the child.

It is common for one person in a relationship or family system to be ready for therapy while others feel hesitant. Because meaningful clinical progress requires active engagement and effort, therapy is most effective when all participants are fully willing to attend. If your partner or family members are not currently ready to participate, we highly recommend initiating individual therapy to focus on your own growth and coping strategies in the meantime.

Our clinicians do not prescribe medication. Our treatment focuses strictly on counseling techniques, therapeutic tools, and behavioral strategies to improve your relationships, reduce anxiety, and navigate life transitions. If you and your therapist determine that medication could be a helpful complement to your treatment, we will happily provide a professional referral to a trusted psychiatrist or your primary care physician.

There is no "typical" timeline for therapy because every client’s personal goals and circumstances are unique. Some individuals achieve their objectives through short-term care over a few months, while others utilize long-term relational support to process ongoing life transitions. Sessions are usually scheduled on a weekly basis, though this frequency can transition to bi-weekly or monthly as your symptoms resolve and your confidence grows.

Family therapy focuses on understanding communication patterns and dynamics within the household system. Because conflicts, grief, or trauma affect every family member differently, the entire group rarely needs to attend every single session. While the process may include occasional full-group meetings, the majority of the clinical work is broken down into smaller, focused combinations (such as sibling sessions, parent-child dyads, or brief individual check-ins).

Navigating insurance can be confusing, but understanding these four key terms will help you anticipate your therapy costs:

• Co-payment (Copay): A fixed dollar amount you pay at each session. This amount varies by plan, even among clients using the same insurance company. 

• Deductible: The amount you must pay out-of-pocket each year before your insurance starts covering costs. Some plans have no deductible, others require thousands of dollars, and some waive it entirely for mental health services.

• Coinsurance: Your share of the costs, calculated as a percentage (e.g., 20%), after you have met your annual deductible.

• Out-of-Pocket Limit: The maximum amount you will pay in a calendar year. Once you hit this limit, your insurance plan pays 100% of the allowed cost for your services.

We highly recommend calling your insurance provider before your first intake session. You can find their phone number on the back of your insurance card (usually listed under "Member Services" or "Mental Health/Behavioral Health").

When you call, ask the representative these specific questions:

1. Do I have mental health benefits for outpatient psychotherapy? If so, what will be my cost for CPT codes 90791 and 90837 for individual therapy or 90791, 90847, and 90846 for couples or family therapy?

2. Is Leap Therapy Chicago (NPI #1730861337) considered an in-network provider under my specific plan?

3. Do I have a deductible to meet before my insurance pays for sessions? If so, how much is left?

4. Once my deductible is met, what is my copay or coinsurance percentage per session?