Getting Started in Therapy

To get started, please reach out to us through our Appointment Request form or leave us a voicemail at 847-568-1100. After receiving your message, LifeWorks’ Intake Coordinator, Angel Ziegler, LMFT, will call you for a 10-15 minute intake call. During this intake call, Angel will discuss with you your insurance, reasons for seeking services, preferred availability, and get a brief overview of your history.

You can generally expect a response to your Appointment Request or inquiry within 1-2 business days. If you would like to contact Angel directly to make sure we’ve received your inquiry, please send her an email at angel [at] lifeworkspsychotherapy [dot] com to make sure we’ve received your inquiry.

Lastly, please note that we’re not available at all times to respond to inquiries. If you are in any immediate danger to yourself or others, please go to your nearest emergency room.

What you’ll find here:

• Intake Process and Availability
• Accepted Insurance
• Telehealth
• Costs of Therapy Services

Request an Appointment or leave us a voicemail at 847-568-1100.

Intake Process and Availability

How long does it take to be matched with a therapist?

After you submit an Appointment Request, you can expect to receive a brief follow-up call from our Intake Coordinator within 1-2 business days. You will then receive an email within a week with information about a therapist match and their availability or about referrals if the Intake Coordinator was unable to match you.

Once you are matched with your therapist, Angel will email you a link or instructions for your telehealth sessions. Angel will also send you a link to complete and sign the Consent Forms Packet and any other information you need for your first session.

Availability and Waitlist

Each of our therapists have their own schedules, so there is a possibility to be seen on weekdays, weekends, mornings, afternoons, or evenings. Weekend and evening availability tends to be most limited since those times are in high demand.

LifeWorks does not currently have a waitlist. However, if we do not have the availability to see you for a specific modality or during a particular day/time, you are always welcome to reach back out in the future to re-inquire about availability.

Accepted Insurance

• Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO
• Blue Choice
• Northwestern University’s Aetna Student Health

Does LifeWorks accept my insurance plan?

We are currently accepting Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Blue Choice, and Northwestern University’s Aetna Student Health plans. Please be sure to call your insurance company to confirm your benefits for outpatient therapy before beginning therapy. When calling Blue Cross Blue Shield, please note that they spell our practice’s name as separate words: “Life Works Psychotherapy Center.” You can give them our Skokie address and our NPI number (1780955815) as a way to confirm our in-network status with your plan.

Other Insurance Types

If you have any other type of insurance, LifeWorks will be considered an out-of-network provider with your plan, and you will be expected to pay $175/session for individual therapy or $190/session for relationship therapy at each session. You will then have the option to make claims to obtain reimbursement from your insurance company. This is your responsibility. LifeWorks can, however, supply you with a superbill monthly to facilitate the reimbursement process. 

Out-of-Network Information

More information on out-of-network insurance and what questions to ask your insurance to understand your benefits can be found in this form: Out of Network Insurance Help (PDF download).

Telehealth

We are currently offering sessions by video or phone.

• Zoom
• Doxy
• Telephone

Please note that for the time being, LifeWorks is not offering in-person sessions. Our clinicians are only seeing clients virtually through the HIPAA-compliant video platforms Zoom and Doxy or by phone.

Once you are matched with your therapist, Angel will email you a link or instructions for your telehealth sessions. Angel will also send you a link to complete and sign the Consent Forms Packet and any other information you need for your first session.

Costs of Therapy Services

Fees without Insurance

The full fees for therapy at LifeWorks are $175/session for individual therapy and $190/session for relationship therapy.

Sliding Scale and Reduced Rate Services

The availability to be seen at a sliding scale rate is limited. Each of our staff psychotherapists see a set percentage of their caseload at a sliding scale rate, and whether our sliding scale waiting list is open is based on their availability. If you have questions or concerns about paying the full rate for services, please bring this up with our Intake Coordinator during your follow-up intake call after you request an appointment.

Accepted Payments

You are able to put a credit or debit card (including HSA/FSA cards) on file when starting therapy at LifeWorks. Our Billing Coordinator will then automatically collect payments for your sessions. We also accept checks by mail.

Once you are matched with your therapist, Angel will email you a link or instructions for your telehealth sessions. Angel will also send you a link to complete and sign the Consent Forms Packet and any other information you need for your first session.