Question 1

How do I schedule a first appointment?

Accepted Answer

You can schedule your first appointment by contacting the Intake Department at (630) 281-2496, emailing intake@counselingworks.com, or filling out the online contact form. A team member will help match you with an appropriate therapist, schedule your first visit, and provide the necessary intake paperwork.

Question 2

How long are the sessions?

Accepted Answer

Standard therapy sessions are approximately 53 minutes and usually begin on the hour.

Question 3

What to expect in the 1st session?

Accepted Answer

In your first session, your therapist will focus on understanding your concerns, background, and goals for therapy. It is also a chance for you to get to know the therapist and see if they are a good fit. Together, you will begin developing treatment goals and talking about how therapy can help you reach them.

Question 4

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Counseling Works is in-network with BCBS PPO, BCBS Community, Aetna, Optum-UBH / United Healthcare, Medicare, Cigna, and offers self-pay options. If you have out-of-network benefits, they can provide a statement to submit to your insurance, but reimbursement is not guaranteed and depends on your plan.

Question 5

How do I know how much I will be charged for services?

Accepted Answer

If you use insurance, the Benefits team will verify your coverage and give you an estimate of your out-of-pocket cost per session, such as copays or coinsurance. This is an estimate only, so you are encouraged to confirm details directly with your insurance company.

Question 6

What types of payment do you accept?

Accepted Answer

A credit card is kept on file for out-of-pocket charges. Counseling Works accepts credit cards, debit cards, FSA/HSA cards, checks, and cash.

Question 7

When will payment be expected for services and when will my credit card be charged?

Accepted Answer

Payment is processed to the card on file the day after your appointment. Your card is charged your applicable copay, coinsurance, or self-pay rate based on your coverage and fee agreement.

Question 8

Where can I see my account information, statements, and receipts?

Accepted Answer

Clients can view their account details, receipts, and statements through the TherapyNotes client portal. If you need assistance logging in, you can call the office at (630) 281-2496.

Question 9

How do you choose the right therapist for me?

Accepted Answer

Instead of assigning you to the next available provider, Counseling Works considers your concerns, goals, and preferences to match you with a therapist whose style, training, and expertise align with your needs, so you feel supported and understood.

Question 10

What kinds of therapists do you have?

Accepted Answer

Counseling Works has therapists with specialized training in anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, relationship issues, substance abuse, grief and loss, eating disorders, postpartum issues, and gender-specific concerns. There are also clinicians who focus on men’s and women’s issues, LGBTQ+ experiences, and cultural or racial identity concerns. They use evidence-based and holistic approaches, including EMDR, DBT, somatic therapy, and mindfulness-based methods.

Question 11

How experienced are your therapists?

Accepted Answer

The team includes highly experienced licensed therapists as well as counseling associates who practice under close supervision. This mix offers a range of experience levels and perspectives, allowing clients to choose between seasoned expertise or a more emerging, closely supervised clinician.

Question 12

What if I don’t feel like my therapist is the right fit?

Accepted Answer

If you feel your therapist is not the best fit, Counseling Works will work with you to find another provider. Your comfort, trust, and progress are priorities, and it is important to work with someone who feels right for you.

Question 13

How long does therapy typically last?

Accepted Answer

The length of therapy varies depending on your needs, goals, and progress. Some people benefit from short-term, focused work, while others engage in longer-term therapy. Your therapist will collaborate with you to set goals, monitor progress, and adjust the treatment plan as needed.

Question 14

What types of issues do you treat?

Accepted Answer

Counseling Works treats a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, relationship issues, life transitions, substance abuse, grief and loss, eating disorders, and postpartum-related issues.

Question 15

What happens in therapy?

Accepted Answer

Before your first appointment, you will complete intake paperwork. During the initial session, the therapist reviews any questions, goes over practice policies, and spends time understanding your story and goals. Over the next sessions, you and your therapist collaborate to identify needs, build on strengths, and create clear treatment objectives that guide the work you do together.

Question 16

How often will we meet?

Accepted Answer

Session frequency is based on your needs and goals. Many clients begin with weekly appointments, then adjust to biweekly or another schedule as they make progress. Best outcomes are often associated with at least eight sessions and consistent attendance.

Question 17

Can a parent accompany their child for sessions?

Accepted Answer

In many cases, therapists invite parents to join for about the first 15 minutes of a session, then meet individually with the child, and may include the parent again for the last portion of the session if it is considered helpful. The exact structure depends on the therapist’s clinical judgement and the family’s needs.

Question 18

How do I get to your office?

Accepted Answer

Counseling Works has offices in Naperville, Frankfort, Lemont, and Shorewood, Illinois. Locations can be found via the address links on the website, including Google Maps directions. For example, the Naperville office is at 1979 N Mill Street, Suite 105, Naperville, IL 60563.

Question 19

Do you provide teletherapy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Counseling Works offers teletherapy, also known as telehealth, online counseling, or video therapy. These virtual services allow new and existing clients to meet with their therapist remotely, which can be more convenient or necessary when you cannot attend in-person. Appointments can be scheduled by phone, through the website contact form, or via the online patient portal.

Question 20

How do I cancel or reschedule my appointments?

Accepted Answer

To cancel or reschedule, you should contact your therapist directly, preferably by secure text message using the Spruce app or by email. You can also call the main office line at (630) 281-2496, but messages left there are processed by administrative staff during business hours, so your therapist may not receive them immediately.

Question 21

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Counseling Works has a 24-hour cancellation policy. If you cancel less than 24 hours before your appointment or do not show up for a scheduled session, a $100 flat fee is charged to you, not your insurance. This policy helps ensure consistent attendance and keeps time slots available for clients who need them.

Question 22

Is therapy confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes, therapy sessions are confidential, with a few legal and ethical exceptions. Therapists may be required to break confidentiality in situations involving risk of serious harm to yourself or others, suspected abuse or neglect of children or vulnerable adults, certain court orders or subpoenas, and for insurance billing purposes where a diagnosis may be disclosed.

Question 23

How do you protect my privacy?

Accepted Answer

Counseling Works follows HIPAA standards to protect your privacy. This includes secure electronic health records, encrypted video platforms for telehealth, private office spaces, and strict confidentiality policies followed by all staff and clinicians.

Question 24

What if I have an emergency or call after hours?

Accepted Answer

Calls and messages are monitored during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and staff aim to respond within one business day. If you contact the office outside these hours, a response may take up to 48 hours. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, you should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room rather than waiting for a return call.

Question 25

What is a Counseling Associate at Counseling Works?

Accepted Answer

A Counseling Associate at Counseling Works is a clinician who has completed a bachelor’s degree and is currently enrolled in a CACREP-accredited master’s counseling program. They have completed most of their coursework and may have already finished a practicum experience, and they see clients under close supervision.

Question 26

What are the benefits of working with a Counseling Associate?

Accepted Answer

Working with a Counseling Associate offers several advantages: they are trained in the most current counseling methods, receive extensive supervision both at Counseling Works and at their university, are highly motivated and eager to help clients, often maintain smaller caseloads that allow more preparation time for each session, and may be able to offer a reduced sliding-scale rate, such as a community rate of around $40 per session for eligible clients.

Question 27

Why does my Counseling Associate want to record sessions?

Accepted Answer

Counseling Associates may request permission to record sessions in order to review their own clinical skills and improve their effectiveness. The focus of the recording is on how the associate conducts the session, not on evaluating the client. Any recordings are treated as confidential and stored in a HIPAA-compliant manner.

Question 28

What type of supervision do they receive?

Accepted Answer

Counseling Associates receive extensive supervision, both on-site at Counseling Works and through their graduate programs. They regularly consult with licensed supervisors to review cases, discuss interventions, and ensure they are providing high-quality, ethical care using up-to-date training and best practices.

Question 29

Will their supervisor be in session with me as well?

Accepted Answer

No. Supervisors are not in the room during your sessions with a Counseling Associate. Sessions are conducted one-on-one between you and your assigned Counseling Associate, unless you have agreed to a different format for a specific clinical reason.

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