About Counseling at CWHC

We engage with the impact of trauma and systems of oppression such as racism, ableism, classism, fatphobia, transphobia, and homophobia. CWHC has provided counseling services since 1989.

Counselors are licensed staff members, clinical interns completing their graduate level training, and volunteer counselors donating their time in the counseling program. Our approach to counseling is feminist-relational and anti-oppressive. CWHC counselors view themselves as supporters and collaborators rather than experts.

Getting started

As of Spring 2024, we have limited availability for new clients in the Counseling Program. If we are unable to accommodate you as a client, we are always happy to provide referrals to other values-aligned practices.

If you are interested in counseling, and would like to be contacted by a counselor, the easiest way to reach us is to complete this Contact Request Form. You can also reach us by email at counselinginfo@chicagowomenshealthcentrer.org.

When emailing, you are encouraged to share what feels appropriate to you to help us cater our referrals to your needs as best as we can. In particular, please let us know whether you are seeking sliding scale services or have a specific insurance provider, and, most importantly, the specific days and times when you would be available for ongoing counseling. This information will help us connect you with services if we have availability, or offer more specific referrals.

Please note that we are only in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans.

We also have availability through our Trans Greater Access Project to provide no-cost letters of support for gender affirming surgeries. Please email us at counselinginfo@chicagowomenshealthcenter.org for more information.

Please note that, because the Counseling Program remains remote, we recommend email and the Contact Request Form as the best ways to contact us, if you have access to the email or the internet. To reach the Counseling Program by phone, please call 773-935-6126 Ext. 200.

Fees for service

We provide counseling on a sliding scale and encourage clients who can pay more to pay more, so those who need to pay less are able to access mental health services. Our fee is $150 per session and we slide based on total household income and the number of people supported by that income. We are committed to making mental health services accessible, so we invite you to speak with the intake counselor to set a fee that feels manageable. We are also in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois PPO plans. See our Paying for Services page for more details.

Interning with CWHC’s Counseling Program

Counseling interns receive training and support in providing counseling from a feminist-relational perspective. Counseling interns provide individual, couples, and group counseling services.

Counseling at CWHC is provided from a feminist-relational perspective, and the values of client self-determination and empowerment are seen as an integral part of the therapeutic relationship. Essential to this position is a commitment to anti-oppressive practices and racial, gender and disability justice. Hours are flexible, and we work Monday-Friday.

Internships are open to second-year Master's social work, counseling, or clinical mental health students with relevant experiences such as: direct service provision, crisis hotline work, community organizing, case-management, or other advocacy work. Applicants will demonstrate critical self-reflexivity and humility. Prior experience with trans and gender non-conforming / gender-expansive / queer folks, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities is preferred.

Counseling Internship applications are currently closed.