Lake County is located in northeastern Illinois, with Lake Michigan to the east, Wisconsin to the north and the City of Chicago to the south. The county's communities include picturesque rural communities, highly developed urban centers, and tourist communities.
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Services Offered
Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Staff provides treatment, training and support services to persons experiencing problems related to emotional and mental illness, or drug and alcohol addiction.
Addictions Treatment Program (ATP) The Addictions Treatment Program (ATP) is a 24-hour chemical dependency program providing inpatient detoxification and rehabilitation services, as well as continuing care. Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health Services (CABS) CABS provides individual, family, group, respite and crisis counseling. Services are provided to youth and their families that reside in Lake County.
Crisis Care Program (CCP) CCP provides a variety of services to individuals facing a crisis. A mental health crisis could include overwhelming depression, thoughts of suicide, poor concentration, disturbing thoughts, or feeling out of control. Sometimes people find themselves crying a lot, feeling anxious, or having trouble thinking clearly.
Outpatient Mental Health Services The purpose of this program is to prevent and treat chronic/severe emotional and psychiatric disorders. It is the belief of the Health Department and Community Health Center that quality mental health care is a necessary part of total health care and should be readily accessible to all Lake County residents. Outpatient Substance Abuse Program (SAP) This outpatient alcoholism and drug abuse treatment program provides a variety of drug-free treatment modalities and medication assisted addiction treatment using methadone and Suboxone to treat opioid addiction
Fees and Payment
BHS:Fees are partially covered by Medicaid, Medicare, or insurance, and a sliding fee scale will be used based on individual circumstances. Payment of your portion of the fee is required at time of service.
ATP: Fees are based on the client's income level and number of dependents. A sliding fee schedule, based on national poverty levels is available. No client will be refused services based on the inability to pay. ATP also accepts Medicaid.
CABS: Fees for CABS services are based on level of income and number of dependents. A sliding fee schedule based on national poverty levels is available for Lake County residents. The program accepts Medicaid/Kidcare.
CCP: Fees are based on level of income and number of dependents. A sliding-fee schedule based on national poverty levels is available for Lake County residents.
Fees for outpatient mental health services are partially covered by Medicaid, Medicare, or insurance, and a sliding fee scale will be used based on individual circumstances. Services are not free. If you are uninsured, you will be assessed a $5 co-pay fee for each psychiatric visit. Payment of your portion of the fee is due at the time of service.
Fees for substance abuse treatment services are based on level of income and number of dependents. A sliding fee schedule based on national poverty levels is available for Lake County residents.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: Sliding Scale Medicare Medicaid
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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.