We Provide Mental Health Counseling for All, Regardless of Your Ability to Pay
To get started, contact our Client Care Team by calling 847-733-4300 or by using the chat function in the lower right corner of this webpage.
Through the Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic, we offer a safe space for healing and well-being.
The Clinic’s mission is simple:
ensure no one is left behind on their path to better mental health.
Individuals, couples, families and children
anxiety/panic, communication problems, depression, emotional dysregulation, low self-esteem, trauma, life transitions and couple and family distress or conflicts
Appointments can be scheduled within 24-48 hours
In-person or telehealth appointments are available. Therapy is also offered in Spanish and Mandarin
Do I Qualify?
Our Bette D. Harris Clinic is for clients who either don’t have BCBS PPO or Blue Choice or Medicare as their insurance provider. Services are offered at no cost to those who are eligible based on our clinical screening process (see our FAQ below). Our therapists-in-training — Northwestern graduate students — provide services in the Clinic, under the close supervision of an experienced, licensed mental health professional.
Research conducted at The Family Institute at Northwestern University has found that therapy provided by our graduate student therapists is effective in reducing client distress and improving their relationships.
How Do I Start My Free Counseling?
Frequently Asked Questions
What determines my eligibility for services through the Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic?
Our Clinic services are provided by our graduate student trainees under the close supervision of an experienced, licensed mental health professional. We aim to provide the highest quality care by matching individuals with services that best meet their needs. Some situations require a higher level of support or more specialized care than our Clinic services can provide. In these cases, we will share other appropriate resources with you.
Our Clinic services will not be the best fit if:
- There are recent and/or ongoing challenges with drug or alcohol use.
- There has been a psychiatric hospitalization in the last 12 months.
- There is legal involvement (court-ordered treatment, DCFS).
- Psychotic symptoms like hallucinations or delusions are present.
- You have a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder with psychotic features.
- You need intensive support for anorexia or bulimia.
- Severe suicidal thoughts or behaviors are present.
- There’s a history of violent behavior or need for crisis intervention.
What types of services are offered through the Bette D. Harris Clinic?
We provide therapy for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, trauma, and life transitions. Services are offered in individual, couple, and family formats.
What platform do I need for my first teletherapy session?
If you have a teletherapy appointment, your therapist will send you a secure link before the session. If you don’t already have Zoom downloaded, you can visit zoom.us/support/download to install it on your computer or find it in your mobile or tablet app store. Review this quick guide to learn more about how to access your teletherapy appointment.
What time do I need to arrive for my first in-person therapy session?
If you are seeing your therapist in person, please arrive 15 minutes early to check in with a receptionist. Click here to learn more about our locations including directions and parking options.
What if I need to cancel my appointment?
We request the standard 24-hour notice when canceling an appointment.
What do I do if my therapist-in-training and I are not a good match?
We want to ensure that your therapy experience is impactful and provides the tools you need to make a difference in your life and with your relationships. If you feel like you may benefit from a different therapist-in-training, please contact 847-733-4300.
How long should I expect to be in therapy?
Therapy is different for everyone. Some people are in therapy for 1-3 months and others for over a year. There is no time limit, and our team will work with you to ensure your therapy journey feels right for you.
What happens when my therapist-In-training completes their rotation in the Clinic?
When your therapist-in-training completes their rotation (typically within one to two years), you will be matched with another therapist-in-training based on your needs. Our client care team will assist you with this transfer process.