Our Counseling Services in Chicago
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy, also known as psychotherapy or counseling, is a form of mental health treatment where a trained therapist provides one-on-one support and guidance to help an individual improve their emotional and psychological well-being. It typically involves meeting with a therapist on a regular basis, usually weekly or bi-weekly, and discussing a wide range of issues and concerns, such as depression, anxiety, stress, relationships, self-esteem, trauma, and other mental health issues.
During individual therapy, the therapist may use various techniques and approaches to help the client identify and understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and to develop new coping skills and strategies. This may include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), psychodynamic therapy, or other types of therapy.
Individual therapy can be helpful for people who are experiencing a wide range of emotional and psychological issues, and can provide a safe and supportive space for individuals to explore their thoughts and feelings, and work towards positive change and personal growth.
We do not believe in the “copy paste” approach and therefore spend the first 2-5 sessions working together at a pace that feels safe and comfortable for you while we explore getting to know you and your history. This ensures each session will be attuned, relevant, and personalized to you and your needs. Individual therapy can either be aimed at working through and healing from your past or preparing for anticipated stressors in your future, or a combination of both.
Couples Therapy
Couples therapy, also known as marriage counseling or couples counseling, is a form of therapy that helps couples improve their relationship and resolve conflicts. It involves meeting with a trained therapist or counselor, typically on a regular basis, to discuss issues that are causing problems in the relationship.
During couples therapy, the therapist works with both partners to identify and address any issues that may be negatively impacting the relationship, such as communication problems, trust issues, financial stress, infidelity, or other conflicts. The therapist may use various techniques and approaches to help the couple improve their communication, deepen their understanding of each other’s needs and feelings, and learn new ways of relating to each other.
Couples therapy can be beneficial for couples who are struggling with a variety of issues, from minor conflicts to major relationship problems. It can provide a safe and supportive space for partners to express their concerns, learn new skills and strategies for improving the relationship, and work towards a healthier and more fulfilling partnership.
We use evidence-based approaches to work with a variety of couples’ concerns, including but not limited to:
- Communication difficulties/differences
- Conflict Management
- Relationship Trauma
- Family Planning Stressors
- Extended Family Dynamics
- Intimacy difficulties/differences
- Life Transitions and Adjustments
- Multi-Cultural/Racial Individuals and Couples
- Pre-Marital Counseling
Group Therapy
Group therapy is a form of mental health treatment where a trained therapist provides mental health support and guidance in a group setting. It typically involves meeting with the group on a regular basis, usually weekly or bi-weekly, and discussing a wide range of issues and concerns, such as depression, anxiety, stress, relationships, self-esteem, trauma, and other mental health issues. For a list of our current group therapy offerings, please visit the group therapy page.
During group therapy, the therapist leading the session may use various techniques and approaches to help group members identify and understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and to develop new coping skills and strategies using their expertise and the shared experiences of the other members in the group. Group therapy is confidential for all members and is a great way to heal in a community and combat the loneliness that often accompanies mental health struggles.
Group therapy can be helpful for people who are experiencing a wide range of emotional and psychological issues, and can provide a safe and supportive space for individuals to explore their thoughts and feelings, and work towards positive change and personal growth with others facing similar challenges.
Not sure if group therapy is for you? You can reach out to our team for more information or start your healing journey with individual therapy, leaving the door open for group therapy at a later time if it feels right. Our focus is always that our clients are seen and cared for at a high level, no matter where they are on their journey or how they choose to heal.
Yoga for Mental Health
Yoga for Mental Health is an evidence-informed therapeutic practice that integrates movement, breathwork, and mindfulness to support emotional balance and psychological well-being. Unlike traditional yoga classes focused solely on fitness, yoga for mental health is designed to complement psychotherapy, helping individuals manage symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma through body-based practices that promote calm and connection.
Our certified yoga therapists guide participants through gentle physical postures, breathing exercises, and guided relaxation techniques. These practices help regulate the nervous system, increase self-awareness, and build resilience; all of which are skills that can enhance traditional talk therapy and extend healing beyond the therapy room. Sessions often include reflection and self-care strategies that clients can integrate into daily life, supporting consistent progress and emotional stability.
Yoga therapy can be beneficial for anyone seeking a more holistic approach to wellness, whether you are new to yoga, currently in therapy, or looking for additional tools to manage life’s challenges. Each session offers a safe, inclusive, and trauma-informed environment where healing unfolds at your own pace.
We know how hard it can feel to reach out and connect for the first time. To get the process started, click here to schedule a free 15-minute consult call where we can chat about your therapy needs and expectations and how we approach the therapeutic relationship to assess if we would be a good fit. It would be an honor and privilege to be a part of your wellness journey and we look forward to connecting with you.
For Fellow Clinicians
Consultation and Supervision
We provide clinical and diagnostic consultation to other clinicians with a specialization in multi-cultural/racial individuals and couples, mood and anxiety disorders, and clients navigating immigration and acculturation transitions. We also provide supervision to LPC clinicians in need of weekly supervision to meet licensure requirements as well as clinicians needing guidance and support in preparing to apply for and obtain full licensure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept my insurance plan?
We are paneled with BCBS PPO and Blue Choice Plans, United Health Care, and Aetna. We encourage you to call the number on the back of your insurance card to ensure your particular plan is in network with us, as well as confirm with your representative what your copay/coverage for mental health care is. If you are not in-network with BCBS, we are able to provide a bill to your insurance that provides reimbursement through your plans out-of-network benefits fund.
What is the self-pay/out-of-pocket session rate?
If you are not in network with us or prefer to pay out-of-pocket for therapy, below are our self-pay rates.
Individual therapy intake session: $175
Individual therapy session: $165
Couples therapy intake session: $185
Couples therapy session: $175
We do offer a limited amount of discounted session rates to clients with financial limitations. Please contact us via email for more information regarding the rate and availability of these sessions.
What times and days do you provide therapy?
We are open Monday – Friday and offer morning, afternoon, and evening sessions with 7pm being the latest appointment time.
What happens after I schedule my first session?
Once you have scheduled your first session with us, we will email you our intake paperwork that can be completed and uploaded electronically to your portal. It is essential that this paperwork is completed 24 hours prior to your session so that your therapist can review it and prepare to meet with you.
What can I do to prepare for my virtual therapy sessions?
One of the many benefits of virtual therapy is that you are able to choose and curate your therapy setting. We recommend taking the 5 senses (sight, smell, touch, taste, sound) into account and ensuring your space allows you to feel safe and comfortable while prioritizing your confidentiality – this may look like having a weighted blanket on your lap, a softer dimmed light, your favorite candle burning through session, or even your favorite non-alcoholic drink of choice. The options are endless and we encourage you to create a routine on where you take your sessions to support creating a ritual of connection. We also understand sometimes life can get busy and sessions may need to take place in the car at times; if this is the case, please ensure your car is parked and you are in a safe location.
What will the first session be like?
In your first session your therapist will cover the confidentiality policy, cancellation/reschedule processes, and any other administrational aspects. You will then begin the intake process where your therapist will ask you about the different parts of your history that together create your story. This can take up to 5 sessions as the therapist will work at a pace that feels safe and comfortable for you. The intake is crucial as it provides the therapist will all the information and context needed to provide you with a personalized and attuned treatment plan. In the first session you will also be asked what brought you to Serengeti Wellness and what you hope to achieve through therapy; this begins the collaborative process between you and your therapist creating your therapy treatment goals and working as a team towards them.
Are sessions confidential?
Absolutely! Confidentiality and safety are the two priorities of mental health care and all sessions are facilitated through a HIPAA compliant platform. Your therapist will ensure from their end that no one can hear or see you throughout the session and we encourage you do the same from your end (as much as possible in your living/working space).
How many sessions does it take to see and feel a difference?
This is such a common question as we live in a world where we can have almost anything with next day delivery. Therapy, like any other medical service, takes some time. Typically, you should start to feel better equipped to manage your mental health and see the early signs of deepened self-awareness between 5 and 7 weeks after starting therapy. If you are unsure about your therapist and whether you are a good fit, we recommend giving it 2 to 4 sessions to see if the rapport between you two will build. If not, we can easily refer you to another therapist that will be better suited to your needs and expectations.
What modes of therapy do you use with your clients?
Our approaches are grounded in an eclectic blend of various scientific evidence-based theories and will pull from CBT, ACT, DBT, Relational Cultural Theory, Psychodynamic, Trauma-Informed, and Mindfulness practices to find the best combination for each individual client. We do not believe in the “copy paste” approach and therefore spend the first 2-5 sessions working together at a pace that feels safe and comfortable to you while we explore getting to know you and your history. This ensures each session will be attuned, relevant, and personalized to you and your needs.
How often will I have my sessions?
We typically recommend weekly sessions, especially in the beginning as your therapist gathers your information and the relationship between you two begins to build. As the clinical need decreases over time, it is very normal for clients to transition to an every-other-week session. If you are unable to commit to weekly sessions due to scheduling difficulty, we will try our best to accommodate your needs.
What do I do if I don’t feel like my therapist is a good fit for me?
If you are unsure whether your therapist and you are a good fit, we recommend giving it 2 to 4 sessions to see if the rapport between you will build. If not, we can easily refer you to another therapist that will be better suited to your needs and expectations. It is very normal for clients to try a few therapists before finding “the one” – we always say “there is a certain type of therapist for every type of client” and we would be happy to help you find that fit and support you in your wellness journey.
Can my therapist prescribe medication for me?
No, therapists cannot prescribe medication; however, we work closely with a variety of psychiatrists who are able to prescribe and would be happy to refer you to them. Your therapist would also be able to coordinate care with them if you would like – this would entail you signing an ROI (release of information) in session authorizing your therapist to speak with them.
Will the therapy sessions be in person or online?
Serengeti Wellness offers both in-person and virtual services. Our offices are located in the Loop and our virtual clients can see us from anywhere in Illinois.
Can I do online therapy from anywhere in the U.S?
Therapists have licenses connected to specific states and at Serengeti Wellness we are currently only able to provide therapy to people living in Illinois and Florida. We plan on expanding to additional states in the future and will update our website accordingly. Please note that when traveling due to insurance, licensure, and liability limitations you are unable to have your sessions if you are physically outside of Illinois or Florida.
How do I cancel/reschedule a session?
As soon as you know you will need to cancel or reschedule a session (no matter how far in advance), we encourage you to email your therapist and they will provide you with alternative session times for a reschedule or cancel the sessions to avoid the late cancellation charge.
What is the cancellation policy?
To honor the efficacy of weekly therapy and respect the therapists’ time, we require that sessions are canceled with advanced notice of a minimum of 24 hours. Clients that cancel sessions with less than 24 hours’ notice will be charged the full session rate. We understand that advanced notice is not always possible and ask that you email your therapist to see if a reschedule is possible which would avoid the cancellation fee.
What do I do in an emergency?
In the event of an emergency, please seek the help you need either by calling 911, going to your nearest ER, or using the emergency resources provided by clicking here.
Emotional wellbeing is just as important as breathing.
Not sure where to get started? Reach out to us and we’ll discuss your needs and figure out a plan that works your you.