Talking with a mental health professional can seem like a scary or unusual thing to do. It does take some courage to make that first phone call to a counselor for sure. Even so, the truth is that many people talk to a Psychologist or Professional Counselor everyday and in our experience most people report feeling safe, respected, and understood even after their first session. This is certainly our intention. Oftentimes, individuals and couples are experiencing stress in ways that cause them to feel stuck or overwhelmed. This kind of stress can create feelings of anxiety and depression, as well as other painful feelings. Our therapists are people who genuinely care about others, but who are also professionally trained to listen well and fully to each person’s concerns. We aim to understand each person deeply, and to share insights and action steps that might bring hope, healing, and better emotional well-being and overall health. Mental Health Professionals at Harris Clinical Group are prepared with a Master’s degree or a Doctoral degree and are each licensed by the state. This level of training ensures that each clinician has completed rigorous academic and clinical training programs to best ensure a confidential, ethical, and competent standard of care.

Therapy can last a only a short time for some people and for others it can go on for a much longer period of time depending on a person’s needs and goals. This is a common question that is best addressed after your counselor has had some time to fully understand your concerns and develop a recommended plan of treatment to address your needs. Sometimes people decide to stop after a short course of treatment once their symptoms abate. In other instances, someone might feel better after several sessions, but decide to continue their work in order to solidify their newfound personal understandings in the service of longterm personal development and growth. However long therapy goes on for you, it is important to remember that your counselor will respect and support you as the person who ultimately makes the determination of when to end treatment.

Appointments at Harris Clinical Group typically last almost an hour. Your first session will be a minimum of 75 minutes, but usually this session lasts for 90 minutes. Following sessions usually last between 53 and 55 minutes.

Harris Clinical Group is a PPO provider with Blue Cross/Blue Shield Illinois. We are out of network with other insurance companies. Even so, we can provide you with a statement called a ‘Super-bill’ that you may submit to your insurance company for reimbursement to you directly. In our experience most insurance companies will pay a portion of your bill after you have hit your annual deductible. It is a good idea to know your out-patient mental health benefits before you start therapy so that you will know what your portion of the bill will be. Our intake coordinator will discuss fees and insurance reimbursement with you upon first contact.