Frequently Asked Questions

Call Platt Professional Counseling at 815-806-7560 to speak with our front desk team. We will collect basic contact, insurance,
and payment information; ask a few questions about what you are looking for in counseling, discuss your availability, and help identify a therapist who may be a good fit. You will then receive a link to complete your intake paperwork before your first appointment.
We consider several factors, including the concerns you would like to address, therapist areas of focus, scheduling availability, insurance or self-pay needs, and any preferences you share with us. Our goal is to help connect you with a therapist whose experience and approach may fit your needs.
People seek counseling for many reasons, including anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship concerns, major life changes, stress, family challenges, or simply wanting support while working toward personal growth. You do not have to wait until things feel overwhelming to get started. An initial conversation can help you determine whether counseling may be helpful for you.

Your first session is an opportunity for you and your therapist to begin getting to know one another. Your therapist may ask about what brought you to counseling, relevant history, current concerns, and what you hope to accomplish. You can also ask questions about the therapist's approach and what the counseling process may look like. Therapy sessions are 50 minutes in length.
The frequency of counseling depends on your needs, goals, availability, and your therapist's clinical recommendations. Many clients begin with weekly sessions and adjust the frequency over time as appropriate. Your therapist will discuss a plan with you.

Platt Professional Counseling accepts most major insurance PPO plans. Because coverage varies by plan and provider, please contact our office or your insurance company to confirm whether a specific therapist is in network and what your benefits may cover.
You can contact the member services number on your insurance card and ask about your outpatient mental health benefits, deductible, copay or coinsurance, and whether the therapist you are considering is in network. Our front desk team can also help you understand what information may be needed before scheduling.

Self-pay options may be available. Contact our office at 815-806-7560 for current rates and to learn which clinicians offer self-pay appointments.
We encourage clients to discuss insurance and payment information with our front desk team before the first appointment. Exact out-of-pocket costs can depend on your insurance benefits, deductible, provider network status, and type of service.

Our clinicians work with clients experiencing a variety of emotional, behavioral, relationship, and life concerns. These may include anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, relationship challenges, stress, anger, caregiver concerns, life transitions, and other issues. The best way to determine fit is to contact our office and discuss what you are looking for.
Yes. Platt Professional Counseling offers relationship-focused services for couples seeking support with communication, conflict, connection, life transitions, and other relationship concerns. We also use the SYMBIS Program with our pre-marital couples. Contact our office so we can help determine which provider may be a good fit.
Platt Professional Counseling offers services for different age groups (age 5 and up) including adolescents and young adults. Availability and areas of focus vary by clinician, so our front desk team can help identify an appropriate provider based on age, concerns, and scheduling needs.
Some Platt clinicians provide trauma-focused counseling, including EMDR. Because training and availability vary by therapist, please contact our office if you are specifically interested in EMDR or another trauma-focused approach so we can help connect you with an appropriate provider.

Yes. Counseling can provide a supportive space to process grief and loss, including the death of a loved one and other significant life losses. Our team can help identify a therapist whose experience aligns with your needs.
Faith can be an important part of a person's life and healing process. Most Platt clinicians can incorporate Christian or faith-based perspectives into counseling when requested by the client. Let our front desk team know if this is important to you when discussing therapist options.
Therapy is a clinical mental health service provided by qualified mental health professionals and may address emotional distress, mental health symptoms, relationships, trauma, and patterns affecting daily life. Coaching is generally focused on goals, personal development, accountability, and forward-looking change and is not a substitute for mental health treatment. Our team can help you determine which type of service may be more appropriate for what you are seeking.

Protecting client privacy is a fundamental part of counseling. Information shared in therapy is generally confidential, with certain exceptions required by law and professional ethics. Your therapist will review confidentiality, informed consent, and applicable limits with you as part of the counseling process.
When appropriate, a therapist may coordinate with another healthcare or professional provider after the necessary authorization has been completed. Your therapist can explain what information may be shared and what written permission is required.

Therapy and medication are different forms of treatment, and individual needs vary. Therapists do not make medication decisions unless they are separately qualified to prescribe. If medication may be relevant, you can discuss your concerns with an appropriate medical or prescribing professional. Some people use therapy alone, while others may use therapy alongside medication based on their individual needs and professional guidance.