Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect from my first session?

Prior to your first visit, our administration team will send you a secure link to set up your electronic client portal. Once you have done so, you will be asked to complete DASC’s intake paperwork using this secure electronic client portal. We ask that you submit the completed intake paperwork at least 24 business hours prior to your first session time, so that our team has enough time to review it. Once this has been completed, our clinicians will confirm your initial intake session appointment, and provide you with information about how to attend your first session (directions to the physical office if meeting in-person, or a secure virtual link if meeting via telehealth).

Your initial 1-2 appointments will be for assessment purposes, and will feel unlike any of your other therapy sessions. To best serve you, we need to know a little about you, your history, and what brings you to our center. 
Once the initial assessment has been completed, our clinicians will collaboratively support you in creating goals for your time in therapy together. All subsequent sessions will be spent working towards the goals that you have identified, and continuing to build a supportive relationship with your therapist.

What is your cancellation policy?

If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please let your therapist know with 24 hours notice for daytime appointments (before 5:00 pm). For evening (5:00 pm and later) and weekend appointments, please provide at least 48 hours notice. Evening appointments are in very high demand. Please only book these appointments when you are sure you can attend. Your appointment times are reserved exclusively for you, and we promise to never double-book an appointment time. When you cancel your appointment without providing adequate notice; it does not allow your therapist adequate time to offer that session to another client who could have utilized your time slot. 
With this in mind, we require the above specified notice for cancellations. If you do not provide the appropriate notice as outlined above, you are responsible for the full fees for that appointment (the amount that we would bill to your insurance for the session, not just your co-pay; as insurance companies generally do not reimburse for missed appointments).

Do you take my insurance?

If you have Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO, Aetna, Optum, or Medicare; we are contracted providers. Some of our clinicians are also in-network with TriCare. Please check with our billing team regarding which specific clinicians at DASC accept each insurance, as not all of our clinicians can accept all of the insurance providers listed here. The insurance that each clinician accepts is also listed on their individual clinician bio. You will receive “in network benefits” at this center. Our billing team will ask that you provide your insurance card information prior to your first session. Your co-pay (which varies based on your plan) is due at the time of service. The amount that you owe for a co-pay is determined by your insurance company; our center does not set the prices for your co-pay.

What if I don’t have one of the insurance plans listed above?

If you have any other health insurance not listed above, you might need to do a few things to see if your plan will reimburse for services at DASC. While we are willing to assist you in the process of being reimbursed for services, payment is due at the time of service.
If you want to see if your insurance company will reimburse you for our services even if we are out of their network, start with the following:
  1. Please contact your insurance company to see if you have out-of-network benefits (OON) to be sure the services here will be covered under your plan and to find out what your co-payment will be. Mental health coverage is often different from coverage for other types of health care.
  2. Ask if there is any limitation to the number of visits they will cover.
  3. Inquire if “pre-certification” is required for continued treatment. We will call the insurance company to obtain pre-certification, if needed, but it is ultimately your responsibility to secure reimbursement.
Our administrative team is available to support you in navigating this process as best they can. Once you have completed the above steps, please let us know what you’ve learned and we will do our best to support you in getting started with services at DASC.

What if I don’t have insurance?

For those who do not have health insurance, DASC is committed to serving as many of our community members in need as we can. We do not believe that quality mental health care should only be available to people who can afford to pay full fees. We are proud to offer a variety of reduced rate and sliding scale fee options to those in need and those without insurance. To see if you qualify, simply fill out our contact form and mention in your message that you would like to apply for a reduced fee or sliding scale rate. Our highly trained intake coordinator will get back to you quickly and help you apply!

Will the end to the Covid emergency order affect my telehealth coverage?

The federal and Illinois COVID emergency order ended on May 11th, 2023.  While we have not received any specific information from insurance providers, this could impact your insurance and telehealth coverage.  We suggest reaching out to your insurance provider to get clarification around whether or not your telehealth coverage will be impacted. We will notify you if we become aware of any changes to your telehealth coverage.

Are you offering in-person services? 

DASC is currently offering both in-person services, as well as telehealth sessions using a HIPAA-compliant version of GoogleMeet. Please let our intake coordinator know if you prefer in-person sessions, and we will do our best to match you with a clinician who is currently offering in-person sessions.

Please be aware that insurance coverage and co-pays vary based on your specific plan, and your plan’s specific coverage for in-person versus telehealth sessions.

DASC is currently recommending that masks be worn in the common spaces of our physical office (the hallway, waiting room, bathrooms) in order to ensure the safety of our staff and community members.

What is an Advanced CBT Fellow?

DASC’s Postgraduate Advanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Fellowship Program is designed for highly qualified individuals, early in their careers, dedicated to expanding their knowledge of evidence-based practices. This exceptional group of clinicians treat clients while participating in an intensive training curriculum to expand their ability to connect with, assess, and effectively treat clients. Our year-long Fellowship program runs from July to July; if you work with one of our Fellows, please be aware that you may be transitioned to another provider at the end of their program.

 

What is a Therapist-in-Training?

DASC is a training clinic for master’s and doctoral students fulfilling their degrees in social work, clinical mental health counseling, and clinical psychology. DASC accepts students with a drive for learning about evidence-based practices and cutting edge treatments from University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice and Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. DASC’s therapists-in-training receive between 5-8 training hours per week, consisting of both individual and group supervision as well as didactic seminars in order to receive extensive training and support in learning and implementing evidence-based practices.
Our therapists-in-training can accept Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO insurance plans, and can also offer low reduced rate / sliding scale services.

 

What if there is an emergency? Do you provide emergency services?

This treatment center is not properly equipped to handle psychiatric emergencies. If you are in a crisis, please reach out to one of the hotlines listed here. If you need to speak with someone immediately, please go to the nearest emergency department. If you are not in a crisis situation and would like to speak to your therapist as soon as is possible, you can contact them directly with the contact details that they have provided to you, or call our main line at (773) 494-5505. Our goal is to return your call as soon as possible, usually within the same business day.

Do you prescribe medication? 

We do not prescribe any medications at DASC, as psychotropic medication is prescribed by psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners. We are familiar with some medications, however we are not able to provide guidance or tell another practitioner what to prescribe. If you request it, we can provide a referral for you to see a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner; or if you sign a release of information form (written permission for us to communicate with your providers) we’d be happy to collaborate with your prescriber about your care and treatment at DASC.

For any other questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us and leave us a message at (773) 494-5505. We will do our best to get back to you as soon as we are able (within 24-48 business hours)!