Everything You Need to Know About Counseling: FAQs

General Counseling Information

  • Mental health counseling is a service and resource that is rendered to individuals, couples, families, and groups in need who are seeking guidance to help navigate through life's challenges. These challenges include but are not limited to behavioral, vocational, relational, and emotional matters.

    Mental health therapists are professionally licensed individuals who use various techniques to diagnose and treat clients using a collaborative approach. In doing so, therapist and client work closely together to help alleviate or minimize psychological, emotional, or personal conflict.

  • This depends on various factors, including the individual's specific needs, the type of therapy, and most importantly, the client’s willingness to engage in the therapeutic process. Therapy can offer valuable tools for coping with mental health challenges, improving self-awareness, and developing healthier behavior patterns. However, the effectiveness of therapy largely hinges on the client's openness, commitment, and active participation in their own healing journey. Without this engagement, the benefits of therapy may be limited, as much of the progress is driven by the client's readiness to explore and implement change.

  • I specialize in the following:

    • Anxiety, stress, burnout, and fear

    • Discomfort with being mentally and emotionally vulnerable

    • Identifying unhealthy and unhelpful patterns

    • Relationship and intimacy conflict

    • Work conflict

    • Self-esteem and self-worth

    • Grief and loss

    • Assertive communication and self-advocacy skills

    • Substance use challenges


  • I utilize a variety of therapeutic techniques including:

    (1) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): This technique focuses on teaching skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. It is largely used to help manage intense emotions and behaviors.

    (2) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors via cognitive challenging, cognitive refocusing, and cognitive reframing. It is commonly used for anxiety and depression.

    (3) Person-Centered Therapy: This is a non-directive approach that emphasizes empathy and unconditional positive regard, allowing clients to lead the therapy session while fostering self-actualization.

    (4) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): This technique encourages accepting negative thoughts and feelings rather than avoiding them, while committing to actions that align with personal values.

    (5) Humanistic & Experiential Therapy: This approach focuses on personal growth, self-awareness, and the client's subjective experience, aiming for self-discovery and achieving one's full potential through authentic emotional expression.

  • Sessions last 50 minutes, which allows me to get ready for the next session.  If I am running late, I will ensure that you get the full 50 minutes.  However, if you are running late, I will still end our session at the designated time.

  • In your first session, you can expect to be introduced to the practice's policies, to review consent forms, and to be briefed on informed consent. I will ask you intake questions in an effort to gather background information and understand your presenting concerns and what is prompting you to seek therapy. This session is primarily focused on getting to know you and to start building rapport. Establishing a strong therapeutic alliance is crucial for future sessions, as it sets the foundation for trust, open communication, and collaboration which is imperative for our journey together.

  • Authentic Insights Counseling provides services for individual clients. 

Appointments and Scheduling

  • You are also able to schedule via the “client portal” on the Authentic Insights Counseling website.  I will do my best to ensure that my schedule stays up to date, but sometimes scheduling can change suddenly so I appreciate your flexibility in advance.  In the event that the time slot you want is no longer available, I will reach out to offer alternative times. 

    Alternatively, you reach me via phone (312-530-9828) or via email (katya@authentic-insights.com).

  • No.  At this time, Authentic Insights Counseling only offers services Monday through Thursday.

  • I offer both telehealth and in-person sessions. My office is located at 405 W Superior St, Suite 421, Chicago, IL 60654.

  • Communication is key! If you need to miss a session for whatever reason please let me know as soon as possible so as to avoid the late cancellation fee.

  • Any session cancelled with less than 24 hours notice or a “no show” will be charged $100.

    This fee is not billed to your insurance so it is your responsibility to pay it when charged.

  • This depends on your schedule, needs, and reason for seeking therapy.  I typically recommend that we start with a once per week cadence, but sessions can also be done every other week or even once monthly.  We will discuss cadence preference and recommendation during the intake session. 

Payment and Insurance

  • Initial Consultation: 15 minutes at no charge

    Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation: 60 minutes at $175

    Psychotherapy: 50 minutes at $150

    Late Cancel / No show: $100

  • Yes. Authentic Insights Counseling is currently in network with BCBSIL PPO, BCBSIL Blue Choice, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna PPO, and Cigna PPO.

    Please be advised that insurance coverage is never guaranteed.  When coverage does not cover the costs of therapy, you will be responsible for the full payment of services offered. I do not provide the service of reaching out to your insurance to figure out what your copay or coverage is. It is strongly encouraged that you check with your insurance companies, prior to our first meeting, to determine what they cover in terms of mental health therapy (this is dependent on the plan that you are enrolled in). This can be done by calling the number on the back of your insurance card.

  • Authentic Insights Counseling accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Discover, and Diners Club cards, as well as FSA and HSA cards.

    Alternate payment options include checks.

  • At this time, Authentic Insights Counseling does not offer sliding scale fees or financial assistance options.

Crisis and Emergencies

  • If you are in a mental health crisis or emergency, it is important to seek immediate help. During off hours, you are encouraged to call emergency services, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact a mental health crisis hotline. If you are in the U.S., you can call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for 24/7 support.

  • While I work to deescalate any immediate danger to self or others during a crisis, I do not provide ongoing crisis counseling services. In cases of imminent risk, my priority is to ensure your safety by helping to stabilize the situation. However, I would ultimately refer you to a higher level of care, such as emergency services, to provide the immediate and intensive support necessary during a mental health emergency.