"I Can't Afford Therapy" Not A Valid Excuse

By Margaret Lyons in Miscellaneous on Dec 19, 2007 4:38PM

We know winter can be a bummer. And sometimes ... it can be more than a bummer. Chicagoist heartily endorses getting some therapy — help helps, cupcakes — but we know $150 per session can be prohibitive. Luckily, there are other options.

There are some pretty great shrinks-in-training at The Family Institute at Northwestern, for example, where you can see a student therapist for as little as $5 or $10 per session, depending on your income. When you call for an appointment, the intake coordinators will discuss your insurance and financial situation with you and determine what kind of session fee you can manage. Your therapist will call you back within 48 hours to set up an appointment. There are Saturday and evening hours available, and locations throughout our area.

Another option is Chicago Community Counseling Centers (C4), with locations close to public transportation routes, bilingual services, and fee determined by a sliding scale. There usually aren't student therapists interning here, but the centers are committed to serving the community regardless of ability to pay, so your fee will reflect what is feasible with your income. You may have to wait for a few weeks for your appointment, but the appointment will be made the day you make the phone call. We love C4's motto; they are in the business of "the art of healing life." Life certainly is an art, and we could all use a few lessons.

And yet a third option: keep yourself company with the sad puppies on Flickr. — Tracy Leman

Image via Joyce.