What happens in a first appointment?
Our first appointment is an assessment where we gather information about you: what brings you to therapy, what you’ve tried in the past that has worked or hasn’t, how is your day-to-day functioning impacted by the issue with which you are struggling? This appointment is a little longer than typical sessions. We then create a plan for moving forward. If it’s determined that The Balanced Center is not the right spot for you, we’re skilled in providing referrals in the community and will assist you in finding support.
How do I know whether therapy is working?
Whether or not therapy is helpful to you is something we are always evaluating. Generally speaking, after about four sessions, we create a treatment plan to help guide our work together. The treatment plan outlines your goals you’d like to work on, in your words. Together, we create objectives to help meet these goals. There may be times that this guide needs to be rewritten or updated. Our goal is for you to always feel comfortable engaging in conversation with us about what is helpful and what isn’t.
Do you accept insurance?
All of our providers are in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Blue Choice, Blue Choice Preferred and Cigna/Evernorth. Katie McCarthy and Nina Esshaki are also in network with Lyra. If you have another type of insurance, we'd be considered an "out-of-network provider." In this case, we do require payment at the time of service, and are happy to provide superbills for you to submit to your insurance for out-of-network reimbursement.
As of January 1, 2022, if you are paying out of pocket, you are entitled to a "Good Faith Estimate" listing costs of services under the "No Surprises Act" (OMB Control Number: 0938-1401) prior to beginning treatment.
We always recommend that you start with understanding what your benefits are. At any time, you can call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask them to explain your benefits, whether we are in network or out of network for your insurance. Good questions to ask are:
Please explain what my behavioral health benefits are.
Do I have a deductible to meet prior to my sessions being covered?
After my deductible has been met, do I have a copay or coinsurance?
Are there any session limits or preauthorizations required?