About Counseling at CWHC

We engage with the impact of trauma and systems of oppression such as racism, ableism, classism, fatphobia, transphobia, and homophobia.  

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

We currently 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.

The easiest way to reach us is to complete our Contact Request Form. You can also reach us by email at counselinginfo@chicagowomenshealthcenter.org or by phone at 773-935-6126 extension 200.

We have open availability through our Trans Greater Access Project to provide zero-cost letters of support for gender affirming surgeries. Please email us at counselinginfo@chicagowomenshealthcenter.org or fill out the Contact Request Form for more information. 

Group Therapy

We are now offering therapy groups! Therapy groups offer an opportunity to connect with people with shared experiences, receive and provide emotional support from peers, and practice skills in a supportive environment.

• Starting on Wednesday, November 20th, we will be offering a virtual Drop-in Holiday Support Group. Join our Counseling Staff on Wednesdays from 7pm to 8:30pm. Click here to learn more about the drop-in counseling opportunity.

Fees for service

The full cost of sessions is $150 for individual and partners counseling, and $75 for group counseling. We are in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO insurance for all counseling services. We know that the full fees are not affordable to most people on a weekly basis, so we offer counseling services on the following sliding scales:  

• Individual and partners counseling: $150 to $30 

• Group counseling: $60 to $15 

 We encourage clients who can afford to pay more to do so, to support access to mental health services for those who need to pay less. We are committed to making mental health services accessible, so we invite you to speak with the Intake Specialist to set a fee that feels manageable.  

Location

Counseling sessions can be in-person at our center in Uptown, or virtual via secure telehealth. The decision to come in-person or virtually is up to you, and you can discuss options with our Intake Specialist or with your counselor. CWHC patrons and staff continue to wear masks in the building, and we have air purifiers running in every room. 

Interning with CWHC’s Counseling Program

Counseling interns receive training and support in providing counseling from a feminist-relational perspective. Counseling interns provide individual, partners, 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 for the 2025-2026 school year will be accepted starting on January 10, 2025. The deadline for applications is January 26, 2025.

Click here to learn more about internships and for application instructions.