You do not have to wait until something is “wrong” to seek therapy. As with any medical issue, prevention and maintenance of your health and well-being are key. You can seek therapy when you notice that there are areas of your life that you would like to improve, when you are feeling down or stuck, when you’d like to work through things that are bothering you from the past or in current situations. Here are a few examples when to seek therapy: You do not feel like yourself You feel angry, scared, sad, hopeless, anxious, irritable on a regular basis You have experienced a traumatic event that still impacts you You are having a hard time adjusting to a life transition and it’s affecting your personal and professional life - You want to break unhealthy patterns in your relationships

Psychotherapy, delves into emotional healing and understanding past experiences to improve current mental health using evidence based therapeutic techniques. Life coaching focuses on personal growth towards one’s future, goal-setting and improving specific areas of one's life through action-oriented plans and accountability.

Insurance we take in Illinois - Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Blue Cross Blue Shield Community Health, Optum/Unitedcare Health PPO, Aetna HMO & PPO, Cigna HMO & PPO along with out-of-pocket rates. Insurance we take in Georgia - Blue Cross Blue Shield & Anthem PPO, Optum/Unitedcare Health PPO, Cigna, Oscar Health & out-of-pocket rates.

Most insurance companies do not cover coaching services at all. However, always check to make sure is the case with your insurer.

Cash and all major credit cards accepted for payment. Payment is due at the time that services are provided. ​

The first session is the intake session. In your first session, your therapist will review your paperwork with you and inform you about your client rights and responsibilities. Your therapist will ask you many questions during your first session because they want to make sure they understand your goals, concerns, day-to- day functioning, and your history. The first 1-2 sessions are more question heavy because your therapist really wants to get a sense of who you are and how your concerns are impacting you. Your therapist will also want to collaborate with you to identify your treatment goals.

This is very dependent on your therapeutic needs and your personal journey. While this determination is typically made from the initial intake session, we do recommend that clients make the investment into their mental wellness by attending session every week in the beginning of treatment for the first 3 months to build rapport their therapist and to be given adequate support in beginning treatment.

Services may be covered in full or in part by your health insurance or employee benefit plan. Please check your coverage carefully by asking the following questions: Do I have mental health insurance benefits? What is my deductible and has it been met? How many sessions per year does my health insurance cover? What is the coverage amount per therapy session? Is approval required from my primary care physician?

Reduced fee services are available on a limited basis. Sliding scale is available for those individuals, couples and families that are in need of services at a reduced rate or are unable to meet high deductibles for their insurance plans.

If you do not show up or cancel at the last minute for your scheduled therapy appointment without notifying us at least 24 business hours in advance, you will be required to pay a $125 no show/late cancellation fee.

Cultivate Your Essence was created to center the healing and mental wellness of Black women and Black girls, and our care is culturally responsive by design — we understand the specific experiences, pressures, and strengths our community carries, and we build our therapy and coaching around them. At the same time, we never turn anyone away. If our approach resonates with you and you're seeking support, you're welcome here. Our heart is for Black women and girls, and our doors are open to everyone who wants to do this work with us.

Yes. We provide secure, HIPAA-compliant online therapy and coaching, so you can meet with us from wherever you feel most comfortable. We serve clients throughout Illinois and Georgia, with a presence in the Chicago and Atlanta areas. Telehealth makes consistent, culturally responsive care accessible no matter where you are in either state.

We support Black women and girls through a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, burnout and overwhelm, perfectionism and people-pleasing, relationship and family challenges, life transitions, self-esteem, and identity. Whether you're navigating something specific or simply feel like something has to change, we'll meet you where you are and build your care around what you're carrying.

Yes. Because our work centers Black women and Black girls, we regularly support teens and adolescents alongside adult women. We're also glad to talk with you about couples or family support and help you find the right fit for your situation. If you're not sure where to start, reach out and we'll point you toward the care that makes the most sense for you and your loved ones.

Getting started is simple. Reach out through the contact form on our website or book a consultation, and we'll match you with the therapist or coach who best fits your needs. From there, we'll schedule your first session and walk you through insurance, scheduling, and what to expect. Taking that first step can feel big — we're here to make it feel safe and supported.

Individual therapy sessions are typically 50 minutes. Your first session may run a little longer as we get to know you and understand what brought you in. Coaching sessions and specialized services can vary in length, and we'll always let you know what to expect ahead of time.

Yes. Your privacy is deeply important to us. What you share in sessions is confidential and protected under HIPAA. There are a few narrow legal exceptions — such as a risk of serious harm to yourself or others — that we'll always explain clearly at the start of our work together, so you know exactly how your information is kept safe.

Becoming H.E.R.® is our signature framework for helping Black women heal, grow, and step fully into who they're becoming. It blends culturally responsive therapy and coaching to move you from simply surviving to truly thriving — honoring your story, your strengths, and your goals along the way. It's the heart of how we walk alongside clients toward lasting wellness and self-defined success.

Yes. Beyond individual care, we partner with organizations to bring culturally responsive mental wellness into the workplace through corporate wellness workshops, trainings, and speaking engagements. Led by our founder — a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and sought-after speaker — these sessions help teams address burnout, psychological safety, and well-being. Reach out through our site to talk about bringing this work to your organization.