Frequently Asked Questions

Virtual therapy is counseling provided through a secure online platform, allowing clients to attend sessions from home or another private location. It offers the same therapeutic support as in-person counseling while increasing accessibility and flexibility for clients across Illinois.

Sessions can support a wide range of concerns, including trauma, ADHD, relationship stress, anxiety, emotional overwhelm, and life transitions.

Virtual therapy sessions are provided through Grove Counseling Center using SimplePractice, a secure HIPAA-compliant platform designed for mental health services.

Clients can attend sessions from a private location using a phone, tablet, or computer. The platform is also used for scheduling, intake paperwork, and secure client communication.

Virtual therapy can be a good fit for teens and adults who prefer the flexibility of meeting from home, have demanding schedules, or feel more comfortable opening up from a familiar environment.

It may be especially helpful for individuals who:

• work full-time

• are balancing parenting or caregiving responsibilities

• experience transportation or scheduling barriers

• want greater privacy and convenience

• prefer consistent support without commuting

Virtual therapy has been shown to be effective for many concerns, including anxiety, trauma-related stress, depression, ADHD-related challenges, and relationship issues.

For many people, virtual sessions make therapy easier to maintain consistently. The effectiveness of therapy depends on the therapeutic relationship and treatment approach—not simply where the session takes place.

I work with teens and adults navigating:

• trauma and childhood experiences

• ADHD and executive functioning challenges

• anxiety and chronic stress

• emotional overwhelm

• relationship difficulties

• parenting stress

• life transitions

• identity shifts

• self-esteem and relational patterns

Services are provided through Grove Counseling Center.

Accepted insurance plans may include:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO

• Aetna

• Cigna

Insurance coverage varies by individual plan. Verification can be discussed before scheduling.

Yes. I am currently accepting new clients for virtual therapy across Illinois and may have immediate availability depending on scheduling needs and appointment times.

I currently work with teens and adults seeking support for trauma, ADHD, relationship concerns, anxiety, emotional overwhelm, parenting stress, and life transitions.

Availability can vary throughout the week, including daytime and limited evening appointments. Scheduling is coordinated through Grove Counseling Center.

Yes. Self-pay and limited sliding scale options may be available depending on current openings and circumstances.

Accepted forms of payment may include:

• American Express

• Discover

• Mastercard

• Visa

• Zelle

• Health Savings Accounts (HSA)

Questions regarding rates or payment options can be discussed prior to starting services.

I provide therapy through Grove Counseling Center, a group private practice based in Downers Grove. While I maintain my own professional website and areas of specialization, scheduling, billing, and clinical services are coordinated through Grove Counseling Center.

Trauma can affect much more than memories of difficult events. It can influence relationships, emotional reactions, self-worth, stress responses, and the ways people cope in everyday life. Many individuals seek therapy not because they identify with the word “trauma,” but because they feel stuck in patterns such as overthinking, people-pleasing, emotional overwhelm, or difficulty trusting themselves.

Working with a trauma-informed therapist means exploring these patterns with an understanding of how past experiences, chronic stress, and relationships may continue shaping the present. Therapy can help increase insight, emotional regulation, and healthier ways of responding moving forward.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois and provide services through Grove Counseling Center. In Illinois, LPCs practice under clinical supervision as part of the licensure pathway toward independent clinical licensure.

Clinical supervision supports professional development, consultation, and quality care. This structure allows therapists to continue strengthening clinical skills while ensuring clients receive ethical, informed, and supported treatment.

My individual work with clients remains confidential, collaborative, and tailored to each person’s needs, while also benefiting from the accountability and guidance that clinical supervision provides.

Current appointment availability may include:

Monday

• 9:00 AM–2:00 PM

• 4:00 PM–7:00 PM

Tuesday

• 10:00 AM–1:00 PM

• 5:00 PM–7:00 PM 

Wednesday

• 9:00 AM–11:00 AM

• 4:00 PM–7:00 PM

Thursday

• 9:00 AM–2:00 PM

• 5:00 PM–8:00 PM

Availability may change over time. Appointment openings are confirmed through Grove Counseling Center at the time of scheduling.

If you are interested in beginning therapy, you can reach out through Grove Counseling Center to discuss availability, insurance, and whether virtual therapy may be a good fit for your needs. You may also email me directly at HSmith@GroveCounselingCenter.com 

The first step typically includes reviewing scheduling options, completing intake paperwork, and discussing goals for treatment.