What To Expect From Your First Therapy Appointment
Takeaway: Starting therapy can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. At Feel Good Counseling Center, we’ve made the intake process simple and accessible. From flexible scheduling to Medicaid coverage, our intake staff is ready to help make this first step easier.
Starting therapy doesn’t have to be intimidating:
Trying something new can be intimidating — especially when it involves your mental health. At Feel Good Counseling Center, we understand that taking the first step into therapy can feel overwhelming. That’s why our team is committed to making the process as easy, welcoming, and accessible as possible — starting with your very first appointment.
How to Make Your First Appointment
Whether you’d rather chat by phone or connect via email, we’re here to communicate in the way that feels most comfortable for you. Just reach out, and a member of our administrative team will respond with a few simple questions to get you started.
What We Will Need From You:
Your contact information
Date of birth
Insurance information (We accept all Medicaid plans and Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO)
Once your information is confirmed, we will email you your intake paperwork. We use a secure, HIPAA-compliant electronic health record (EHR) system called Ensora Health, which makes it easy to complete your forms electronically—right from your phone or computer.
Before your first appointment, we also ask that you send us a photo of your ID and insurance card so we can keep your records up to date.
Next, we’ll get some information from you to schedule you with a therapist. We'll ask about your availability, preferences (virtual or in-person format, therapist gender, and/or therapist specialties/interests), and match you with a therapist that fits your needs. First appointments are usually scheduled 1-2 weeks in advance. However, we are happy to accommodate sooner appointments if needed.
Virtual and In-Person Options
Once your first appointment is scheduled, your assigned therapist will reach out and invite you to join Spruce, our HIPAA-compliant app for secure communication, using the phone number you provided us. This will allow you to communicate with your therapist if you need to contact them. If you choose to have virtual sessions, your therapist will reach out directly through Spruce before your session.
Prefer to come in person? Our South Barrington office has ample parking right outside. When you arrive, you will be greeted by your therapist or a member of our administrative team. To make therapy easier to get to for more people, we are opening another office in Park Ridge, IL at the end of the summer.
What to Expect in Your First Session
Once you're settled in, your therapist will introduce themselves and begin the intake session — a relaxed conversation where you’ll talk about many things such as what brought you in, your goals, and what you’re hoping to get out of therapy. If you are a Medicaid client, your first session can be up to two hours long. You’ll be given the time and space you need to get comfortable.
Want a sneak peek of our space? Visit the Locations section of our website to see the space and get in-depth directions.
We’re Here When You’re Ready
Reaching out for therapy is a brave first step — and you don’t have to do it alone. Our team at Feel Good Counseling Center is ready to help you feel supported, seen, and empowered from the very start. For any questions regarding your first appointment, Contact Us, to request an appointment, you can call, email, or click “Request An Appointment” to get started. Our administrative team typically responds within a few hours on weekdays. On weekends, we’ll do our best to get back to you as soon as possible.
