Frequently Asked Questions

Where is your office located?

My office space is located in an office within Church Street Square, a plaza in downtown Champaign that faces Church Street. The address is 206 N. Randolph Street, Suite M106 - Champaign, IL 61820

How do I make an appointment?

Call, email, or text me, or fill out the contact form at the bottom of my website. I am almost always able to respond to you within 24 hours, if not within just a few hours. You can email me atterri@claritycounselingservices.com, or call me at217.390.6819

How will I pay for my session?

There are a variety of ways to provide payment for your counseling session. You can pay by cash, check (in-state), or with a credit card. Additionally, many insurance companies will provide full or partial coverage for mental health services. See below for more information. If providing payment upfront is an issue for you, I am happy to discuss other options such as a payment plan. I will try to assist you in any way possible. I accept cash, personal checks (in-state), Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.

What are your fees?

I charge $180 for a 60-minute session.

Do you take insurance?

Yes! Clarity Counseling Services is an approved mental health provider agency on several managed care panels, including:

• Aetna
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Christie Clinic Employee Health Plan
• Cigna
• Healthlink
• Humana
• Immergrun
• Magellan
• Meridian Health
• United Healthcare

I am working to add new insurance panels all the time, so please contact me if you do not see your insurance company listed. If you are insured with any insurance company that I don’t currently work with, it is my preference that you pay for your session at the time of your appointment. I will complete the insurance claim form. You send that form to your insurance company, and they will reimburse you according to your plan. If providing payment upfront is an issue for you, I am happy to discuss other options such as a payment plan. I will try to assist you in any way possible. I accept cash, personal checks (in-state), Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.

Should I contact my insurance company before I meet with you?

Yes! Please contact your insurance company or employer to see if you have mental health coverage or an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). It’s a good idea to do this before your first appointment. When you contact your insurance company or employer, ask:

• What types of behavioral issues are covered?
• How many sessions are covered?
• Do I have a deductible? Has it been met?
• What is my co-pay?
• Is authorization required?

How do I cancel an appointment?

A 24-hour notice of cancellation is required, otherwise you will be charged the full fee for the session.

Please Note: Insurance companies will not reimburse for this fee.

Do you do workshops?

I conduct workshops on a range of topics including parenting skills, managing stress, and improving communication. If you are interested in having a workshop conducted at your organization please contact me.

Do you work with couples too?

Yes. The bulk of my work is with individuals, but I am happy to work with couples as well.

Do you keep what happens in therapy sessions confidential?

Yes, I do. When I work with teens and adolescents, I am able to discuss with parents what, generally, we talked about, while keeping details confidential.

Do you give therapy homework?

I do not give traditional homework. Many times, when a client is dealing with anxiety or depression, assigning homework right away is not a good thing. My practice really focuses on working with each of my clients, not demanding that they do things. When a client is ready and interested, we might identify some goals or techniques that they’d like to practice during the week. Perhaps they’ll work to develop better sleep hygiene. Maybe they’ll identify some tools to help them respond to anxiety, and then will practice between our sessions by doing specific things when they start to feel anxious. Our “homework” is identified and agreed upon together, and there’s no penalty or chastising if you don’t do it.

Do you work with people from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, and belief and value systems?

Yes. My therapy is not driven by any particular faith or belief system. My clients and experience are as diverse as our Champaign-Urbana culture, and I’m happy to work with anyone.

What strategies do you use?

I draw from a number of different strategies and philosophies of counseling for my practice. One of my favorite go-tos is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which works to identify and change the patterns of behavior or thinking that are negatively affecting our mental wellness. I choose other approaches based on each patient’s needs, include Adlerian techniques, Gestalt therapy, solution-focused therapy, and play or art therapy for children and adolescents.

What makes you different than any other therapist?

I see my approach as a collaborative approach, not driven by me telling or teaching you what to do. I’m not singly committed to any one kind of therapy and draw on several disciplines to work with each client’s specific needs or style. I’m good at thinking on my feet, and I have a good sense of humor (when appropriate). I’m very approachable; I put people at ease. More than anything else, I’m told that people feel really comfortable with me.

What’s your office like?

Here are a few pictures: