The purpose of Union County Counseling Service is to assist in the efforts of individuals residing in the county to improve the quality of their lives by providing services that support maximum independence and autonomy in decision making. UCCS further strives to assist individuals in reaching full recovery from mental illness and to reside in the community setting of their choice.
Services Offered
Adult - Counseling is available to people over the age of 18 who are experiencing various difficulties ranging from daily problems and life stressors to severe mental illness. This program offers individual, family, and/or group counseling, as well as family support and psychiatric services.
Child and Adolescent - This program offers individual, family, and/or group counseling focused on the needs of those children and adolescents who are experiencing problems with school, family, and peers. Case management services for status offenders and/or runaways may also be provided. Referrals are accepted from schools, law enforcement agencies, courts, DCFS, parents and other providers.
Fees and Payment
We accept Medicaid, All Kids, Medicare, and Private Insurance.
For many services, we have a sliding scale that adjusts the fee based upon household income.
No one is denied services on the basis of inability to pay a fee.
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.
