I once casually mentioned my therapist to a friend who flinched, shocked that I was so open about being in—hushed tone—therapy. Listen, I’ve been through some shit in my life, and I’ll shout from the rooftops that my amazing therapist is the only reason I’m not shouting from the rooftops.
I met my therapist at Womencare Counseling Center in Evanston (she’s since gone into private practice; don’t ask for her name because I’m not sharing her), and at the time I was drawn there as much by their sliding scale pricing structure as their commitment to feminist-focused mental health services.
Individual counseling sessions with postgraduate therapists start as low as $25 per 50-minute session, and sessions with the staff therapists range from $90 to $200, according to the website. All of Womencare’s fees are based on clients’ ability to pay, and I can attest that they take people’s financial circumstances into account.
In addition to individual counseling, they offer couples, family, and group counseling, as well as community and professional workshops. I’ve taken advantage of almost every kind of service they offer, and friends and I have regularly swapped recommendations for counselors.
If you’re new to or returning to therapy, the rule of thumb I’ve heard is to interview at least three providers before you commit to one, and it’s definitely worth a trip to Womencare to see if one of their folks is a good fit for you. I’d highly recommend them if you’re navigating current or past trauma, if you have pesky patterns in your life you’re looking to upend and/or if you need a growth-focused therapist you can’t outsmart. Womencare’s tough-love therapists aren’t here for your “let’s just talk about my cat for 50 minutes every time,” and I’ve appreciated the focus on healing and progress. All at a price I could afford. v