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Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve Got Answers

Starting therapy brings up a lot of questions — about cost, process, what to expect, and whether it's even right for you. We've tried to answer the most common ones honestly here.
If something isn't covered, just reach out and ask us directly.

Your Questions, Answered

How to start therapy at Resilience Rising

  • The first step is simply getting in touch. You can fill out our contact form, send us an email, or call us directly. You don't need a clear reason or the right words — "I think I need to talk to someone" is enough. We'll take it from there.

    Ways to reach us:

    Contact form on our website  · 

    Email: intake@resiliencerising.org  · 

    Phone: (773) 948-9295

  • Once we hear from you, one of our client advocate Josie will get in touch — usually within one business day. This is a real person whose job is to make the process easy for you. They'll ask a few basic questions to understand what you're looking for, check your availability, and get a sense of what kind of support would be the best fit.

    What they'll cover

    What's bringing you in  ·  Your availability and scheduling preferences  ·  Whether you'd like to use insurance  ·  Any preferences you have about your therapist

  • If you'd like to use insurance, our client advocate will verify your benefits on your behalf before your first appointment. We'll let you know what your plan covers, what your copay or deductible looks like, and what to expect cost-wise before you commit to anything. No surprises.

  • Depending on what feels right for you, we can go one of two ways from here. If you already have a sense of who you'd like to work with — or if we've identified a strong match — we can schedule you directly with that therapist for your first session. Or if you'd like to meet someone before committing, we can set up a free 15-minute consultation call first. Either way works and there's no pressure either direction.

    Two paths forward

    Book directly — Skip the consultation and go straight to your first session with your matched therapist.

    Consultation first — Have a free 15-minute call with your potential therapist before committing. A chance to ask questions and get a feel for the fit.

  • We will reach out with any intake paperwork before your first appointment. The first session is relaxed — mostly a conversation about what's bringing you in, a bit of background, and what you're hoping for. You don't need to prepare anything. Just show up.

cost of therapy and insurance

  • Your cost is primarily determined by your insurance plan. Before your first session, our client advocate will verify your benefits and let you know exactly what your copay, coinsurance, or deductible looks like — so there are no surprises. If you're not using insurance, we offer a sliding scale fee between $30–$150 per session, based on your personal budget. We'll find something that works. We don't want finances to be the reason someone doesn't get support.

  • If your plan isn't listed, you may still have out-of-network benefits that cover a portion of the cost. We can provide a superbill — an itemized receipt — that you submit to your insurer for reimbursement. Ask us and we'll help you figure it out.

    Cigna / Evernorth

    Blue Cross & Blue Shield

    Optum / UHC

    Aetna

  • We handle that for you. Once you reach out, our client advocate will verify your insurance benefits before your first appointment — including your copay, whether your deductible applies, and how many sessions your plan covers per year. You'll know the full picture before you commit to anything.

  • Find your insurance card

    Locate your insurance card — physical or in your insurer's app. You'll need your member ID number and the name of your plan.

    Call the member services number

    Flip your card over and call the Member Services number. Ask specifically about your mental health or behavioral health benefits — these are sometimes handled separately from your main medical plan.


    Check online too

    Most insurers have an online portal or app where you can view your benefits, check your deductible balance, and search for in-network providers. Log in and look for "Mental Health" or "Behavioral Health" under your benefits summary.

    Ask these specific questions

    The questions below will give you the full picture of what your plan covers for outpatient therapy.

    • Do I have outpatient mental health benefits?

    • Is Resilience Rising or [therapist name] in-network with my plan?

    • What is my copay or coinsurance for outpatient therapy sessions?

    • Do I have a deductible? How much of it have I met so far this year?

    • Do I have a limit on the number of therapy sessions covered per year?

    • Do I need a referral from my primary care doctor to see a therapist?

    • Do I need prior authorization before starting therapy?

    • What are my out-of-network benefits if my therapist is not in-network?

    Even if we are not in-network with your plan, you may still have out-of-network benefits that cover a significant portion of your session cost. Ask your insurer about your out-of-network deductible and reimbursement rate — many clients are surprised by how much their plan covers. We can provide you with a superbill (an itemized receipt) that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.


  • Most sessions are 55 minutes and happen weekly, especially at the start. There's no script — therapy is a conversation, not a lecture. Your therapist will ask questions, listen carefully, and help you explore what's going on beneath the surface. Over time you'll start to notice patterns, build new skills, and feel less alone with what you're carrying. It sounds simple, but it's real work — and it's worth it.

  • It really depends on what you're coming in for and what you want out of it. Some people come for a focused period — a few months around a specific life transition or challenge. Others stay longer because they find ongoing support genuinely valuable. We don't have a fixed timeline. What matters is that you're getting something meaningful out of it, and we'll check in on that regularly.

  • Progress in therapy isn't always linear — some weeks feel like breakthroughs, others feel slow. But over time you might notice you're reacting differently to situations that used to derail you, feeling more clarity about what you want, or finding it easier to talk about things that were once hard to name. We'll check in periodically about how things feel, and you can always bring it up if you're not sure the work is landing.

  • It can be helpful but not if you don't want to. Some approaches to therapy do explore early experiences because they shape the patterns we carry into adult life — but we follow your lead. If you want to focus on the present, we focus on the present. If something from the past feels relevant and you want to go there, we can. You're always in the driver's seat.

  • Collaborative, honest, and straightforward. We're here to guide the process, bring ideas to the table, and keep things moving.

  • The first session is mostly about getting to know each other. Your therapist will ask about what's bringing you in, a bit about your background, and what you're hoping to get from therapy. You don't need to have it all figured out — you don't even need to know exactly why you're there. 'Something feels off and I want to understand it better' is a completely valid starting point.

  • That's completely okay — and more common than you might think. The therapeutic relationship matters enormously, and fit isn't always immediate. If after a few sessions something feels off, tell us. We'll talk it through and if needed, match you with someone else on our team or find someone outside the team that does. The goal is for you to get good care, not to stick it out with the wrong person.

What will sessions be like?

Should I choose in person or Telehealth?

  • Yes — we offer telehealth sessions for anyone in Illinois. Online therapy happens over a secure video platform and is just as effective as in-person for most people and most issues. It's especially convenient if you have a busy schedule, work from home, or simply prefer the comfort of your own space.

  • For most people and most issues, yes. Research consistently shows that telehealth therapy produces comparable outcomes to in-person. The main thing that makes therapy work — the relationship between you and your therapist — translates well to video. That said, some people simply prefer being in the room, and we offer that too at our Logan Square and Avondale location.

  • Absolutely. A lot of our clients mix it up — coming in when they can and switching to telehealth when life gets busy. Just let us know in advance so we can make sure everything is set up on our end. Flexibility is one of the advantages of working with us.

  • We're located at 3411 W. Diversey Ave, Suite 14 & 15, in Chicago's Avondale neighborhood — right on the border of Logan Square. We're accessible by public transit and have street parking nearby. If you have any questions about getting here, just ask when you schedule.

Is therapy really confidnetial and Private?

  • Yes — everything you share with your therapist is confidential. We take privacy seriously, and your information won't be shared with anyone without your written consent. There are a small number of legal exceptions — for example, if there is an immediate risk of harm to you or someone else, or if a court orders disclosure — but these are rare, and your therapist will always be transparent with you about how confidentiality work

  • No. If you use insurance, we share the minimum required for billing — typically a diagnosis code — but the content of your sessions is never shared. Your employer has no access to your therapy records whatsoever. What happens in the room stays in the room.

  • Yes. We use a HIPAA-compliant video platform for all telehealth sessions, which means your sessions are encrypted and secure. On your end, the main thing to think about is finding a private space where you feel comfortable speaking openly — somewhere you won't be overheard. A lot of clients use their car, a quiet room at home, or headphones to create that privacy.

  • Your records are kept securely in accordance with Illinois state law and professional ethical standards. You have the right to request access to your records at any time. If you ever want to transfer your care to another provider, we can facilitate that with your consent.

Ready when you are

Reaching out is the hardest part. We'll handle everything else from there.

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