Frequently Asked Questions
About Our Therapy / Counseling
Do you accept insurance?
Yes, you may use your insurance benefits.
It is important you know that in order to use your health insurance benefits, all counselors/therapists are required to diagnose you with a mental illness. This diagnosis remains on your health record for life and may be considered a pre-existing condition that could make you uninsurable in the future. Further, you may not want your health record to reflect a mental illness diagnosis if you seek help with a life crisis such as relationship difficulties, empty nest issues, job loss, or other life coping problems or transitions.
What about Employee Assistance Programs?
We are service providers for many Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). These programs allow us to provide you with short-term counseling/psychotherapy that is paid for by your employer without using your health insurance benefits. There is no direct costs or co-pays for you. You need to check with your employer to see if you are eligible for EAP services through NOVO.
What if I don’t have health insurance?
NOVO: Renewing Joy in Life offers extended payment plans and/or reduced fees for those with financial need.
Get more details by calling NOVO’s information line at 630 297-3617. Reduced fee space is limited, so don’t delay!
What is your expertise?
Our counseling team has a broad range of experience that enables each to assist you with your needs. All have advanced education and a state license, LCSW, LCPC, LMFT, or LPC. Each has expertise in adult, adolescent, and/or child counseling/therapy. Each also specializes in specific treatment modalities including individual, couple, family, and group.
Explain your counseling approach for couples with relationship problems?
We provide two options for couples experiencing relationship difficulties.
The first option is traditional couple counseling where the couple meets with one therapist on a regular basis, usually weekly, to discuss and work through the problems they are experiencing. The second option is a unique approach to helping couples find appropriate solutions to their problems. Both individuals in a couple are not only dealing with relationship dysfunction but their own individual issues that impact the functioning of the relationship. We believe that allowing both individuals to experience individual counseling on their own, each can be better equipped to restore the relationship. Periodic joint counseling sessions become more productive because both have identified individual issues that impact the couple dynamic.
About our Therapists/Counselors
Who are our therapists/counselors?
Our therapists/counselors have advanced education and are Illinois state licensed (LCSW, LCPC, LMFT, LPC). Each has significant experience and specialized education in their chosen areas of practice. Visit the Biography page for more detailed descriptions.
What kind of services do they provide?
Their services include: psychotherapy, counseling, consultation, life coaching, facilitating group experiences, such as, workshops and roundtable discussion groups, and community education, to name some of their skills and services.
Who do they work with?
Our clinical team provides services to children and adults of all ages from all parts of society and from varied income brackets.
Who are Licensed Clinical Social Workers?
Licensed Clinical Social Workers, (LCSW), provide mental health services for the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders in individuals, couples, families, and groups.
Clinical social workers must obtain a Master degree (MSW or MA) or a doctorate (Ph.D. or DSW) from an accredited graduate school of social work. Besides the educational requirements, to be eligible for the LCSW designation the individual must document 3,000 hours of clinical practice supervised by an LCSW and pass the Illinois state LCSW exam.
Who are Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors?
A Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) is a mental health professional who provides services for clients in the areas of assessment, diagnosis and treatment. They can conduct individual, couples, family or group therapy. LCPCs have a minimum of a Masters degree in counseling or psychology from an accredited institution of higher education. Graduates must complete the equivalent of two years of full-time satisfactory supervised experience working as a counselor/therapist under the direction of a qualified supervisor before being eligible to take the national licensing exam. Once obtaining an LCPC license, ongoing Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are required to maintain licensure and the license must be renewed every two years.
Who are Licensed Professional Counselors?
Licensed Professional Counselors, (LPC), is a licensure for mental health professionals. The designation requires a Masters degree in counseling from an accredited college. To become an LPC, one must also obtain supervised clinical experience and pass the Illinois state licensing exam.
Who are Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists?
Marriage and family therapists are mental health professionals with a minimum of a master’s degree and two years supervised clinical experience. Marriage and family therapists (commonly referred to as MFTs or family therapists) are trained and licensed to independently diagnose and treat mental health and substance abuse problems. Marriage and family therapy is one of the core mental health disciplines and is based on the research and theory that mental illness and family problems are best treated in a family context. Trained in psychotherapy and family systems, marriage and family therapists focus on understanding their clients’ symptoms and interaction patterns within their existing environment. MFTs treat predominantly individuals, but also provide couples, family and group therapy. Whomever the client, Family Therapists treat from a relationship perspective that incorporates family systems.
About Our Group Experiences
What are Group Experiences?
NOVO groups experiences include workshops that educate, motivate, and inspire through interactive activities and learning experiences. The workshops are led by our knowledgeable professional therapists/counselors.
Also included in our group experiences are our Roundtable Discussion Groups. These are small groups that include participants who are facing the same issue or life challenge. Example include: Parenting of Special Needs Children, Managing Your Diabetes, Managing Your Anger, and Dealing with a Substance Abuser.
Do you provide services out in the community?
Yes! Our clinical staff are expert speakers and provide dynamic educational presentations to community organizations and groups though the NOVO Speakers Bureau. Check out the Speakers Bureau page on this website or call us at (630) 297-3617 for more information.
