Frequently Asked Questions
What insurance do you take? Currently, Catharsis takes BCBS PPO and BlueChoice PPO insurances, Aetna, United, and does sliding scale.
Do you offer sliding scale? We do! CCAT has a limited number of slide scale slots so please inquire with our first steps coordinator to discuss further what would work best for you and if we can accommodate.
What is the process of starting therapy? Please reach out to us, either via email or phone: firststeps@ccatchicago.com (872) 246-0466. We will schedule a 15 minute phone call to discuss your needs and next steps, including how to schedule your first session.
How do I contact you for services? firststeps@ccatchicago.com or (872) 246-0466. Additionally, on our Contact page, we will soon have a direct link to our client portal, which will be accessible to you once you engage services.
What do services entail? The short version is: you call, we chat about what questions you have or what you’re looking for, we set up an intake session, and from there we build out a treatment plan that is individualized to your needs. See our Services page for a much more in depth overview!
Cancellation policies We understand that sometimes life just happens and you will need to cancel or reschedule. The first time you need to cancel with less than 24 hours notice, there is no fee. However, after the first time, you will be responsible for the full $200 session fee, which insurance does not cover. If you cancel or reschedule with more than 24 hours notice, there is no fee at all.
Who can I contact for billing questions? assistance@ccatchicago.com
How do I access the client portal? Follow this link: My Best Practice – Client Portal Login, which is also posted on the “Returning Clients” section of our Contact page.
What is Art Therapy? Oh, we could talk for a long time about this – see our Services page for more information! In short, it’s an additional tool to talk therapy that can be used to improve self understanding, explore issues occurring in our lives, and build tools to use outside of therapy.
What should I expect in my intake session? Therapy is a partnership between yourself and your clinician. You are the expert on your life, and the therapist is the expert on therapeutic techniques – but there’s no stamp therapy that works for every person. With that in mind, our intake session is a 50 minute conversation where we get to know you better, and you get to know us better. We will discuss what brought you to reach out, pertinent facts in your life, and you have space to ask questions and get to know us a little better as well. We build some starting goals together, and begin the therapeutic partnership!
How do I make therapy goals – what does that mean? This question comes up for a lot of people, usually with a little panic! Often times people reach out to a therapist because they don’t know what to do, or what they’ve tried in the past to feel better and more comfortable in their lives hasn’t “worked.” We build therapy goals together based on our conversations in session, and adapt as life continues! Some people build goals related to specific areas of their life – such as feeling more comfortable in group situations, setting boundaries, or how to cope with change or grief. Some people build goals around feeling more comfortable in their bodies, or in their relationships with others. You are the expert in your life, and we are simply here to support you in the life you want to live. Did reading this inspire a goal you may be interested in making?
Do you do virtual or in person sessions? We currently take both!
How long are sessions? Sessions are typically 50 minutes.
What are your office hours? Monday-Friday by appointment. Your individual therapist will confirm what days they work, but you can general expect a response from someone within 24 business hours.
Can I call my therapist outside of sessions? If you are having an emergency, call 911, do not reach out to your therapist. For non emergency outreach – absolutely! We are available via calls and emails, although please keep in mind, we may be in session when you call and will have to call you back. It is best to reach out via email to your individual therapist if you need to.
How do I know if I need therapy? If anything you’ve read so far piques your interest, please reach out to us. Some people wish to have a therapist for a long time, and others want therapy for a specific short term issue. You can always call and see what the process is like for yourself, we look forward to getting to know you.
