Making an appointment?

For those looking to schedule an appointment, we will spend 5-10 minutes over the phone gathering specific concerns and reasons for coming in. All information received over the phone is confidential and placed in your clinical file if you become a client. Clients over the age of 18 years old must schedule their own appointments. Family members may call for information or provide details, yet the client must call to schedule for individual counseling. If marital or family counseling is desired, only one adult attendee needs to call to schedule. If you are needing a service we do not have available at this time, we will attempt to provide courtesy referrals if available.

What is professional counseling?

Counseling is a collaborative effort between the counselor and client. Professional counselors help clients identify goals and potential solutions to problems which cause emotional turmoil; seek to improve communication and coping skills; strengthen self-esteem; and promote behavior change and optimal mental health.

What does counseling entail?

A single counseling session is typically fifty minutes long, and many clients choose to have sessions on a weekly basis. However, the frequency, duration, and focus of therapy will all depend on your personal goals and concerns, which you will discuss with your counselor. Counseling is collaborative, so while your counselor is there to support and facilitate your healing process, your therapy will be most successful if you are willing to take responsibility for your own change and growth. Your counselor will do his or her best to provide a kind, safe environment in which to pursue greater insight and care in regards to your own story.

How long does counseling take?

Ideally, counseling is terminated when the problem that you pursued counseling for becomes more manageable or is resolved. However, some insurance companies and managed care plans may limit the number of sessions for which they pay. Check with your health plan to find out more about any limitations in your coverage.

Outpatient Christian Counseling?

The primary goal of Christian Counseling is to provide biblically based, clinically competent, and Spirit-sensitive counseling, promoting the emotional, psychological, and spiritual health of individuals, marriages, and families. Counseling seeks to help with personal and interpersonal problems through the application of biblical truths. The Bible and the Holy Spirit are the primary agents in counseling and teaching. Complete healing takes place when all aspects of a person’s life are addressed. Every client receives personally designed care to treat the entire person – emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Through developing an individual treatment plan, issues are dealt with effectively to help clients move forward in life and find the restoration they are seeking. People are finding ways to cope with ongoing health concerns, medical management care to address the physical component of their illness, action plans to help them turn their lives around in the right direction, new and effective ways to communicate with loved ones and co-workers, solutions to mending damaged relationships, improved self-image, the courage to stop destructive behaviors, the ability to give and receive forgiveness, new insights into their faith, and much more.

Will insurance cover my visit?

In Network with BCBS IL PPO, United Healthcare PPO and Aetna PPO

Many of our clients do have insurance policies that cover their visits. However, benefits vary greatly so we always suggest that you check your benefits booklet, call your insurance carrier, or talk to your employer. Mental health benefits are not always as clear cut as major medical benefits. Your mental health benefits may be administered by a different plan than your major medical. If we are not contracted with your insurance plan, you can chose to private pay, and we will give you a coded receipt to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Currently all outpatient counseling services are being done through First Baptist Counseling Services.