Elizabeth (Betsy) was trained at Kansas State University (M.S.) and McCormick Theological Seminary (M.Div.) in counseling and psychotherapy. She is licensed to practice in the state of Illinois and is a member of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.

She practices the art and science of psychotherapy which is a form of listening and reflecting that engages our capacity to heal and transform the conditions and problems that undermine our mental health and wellness. It is useful for individuals, families and couples. It creates a safe space where the story of one’s life can unfold and become open for change.

As a health care justice advocate she articulates the moral imperative for faith communities to respond with integrity to the multitude of stigmatized diagnoses and health care gaps facing our poor and disenfranchised neighbors globally and across the Chicago metro area. Her experience has included building services addressing compromised mental health, the HIV epidemic and those facing AIDS, breast cancer, diabetes, asthma, infant mortality and teen pregnancy. She designs and implements model programs integrating spiritual care, mental health, education and community outreach into comprehensive, community based treatment programs.

She is a leader and ally for faith communities seeking to build health ministries and healthy congregations, especially as a response to disparities in resources and outcomes for chronic diseases, mental health and addiction issues and the crisis in access to health care..

A native of rural Kansas, she is an ordained minister in the American Baptist Churches of the USA, a pastoral counselor and a licensed clinical professional counselor in Illinois. Previously Betsy directed Midwest Resources, a church-based counseling practice with nine locations in metro Chicago and the AIDS Pastoral Care Network at Access Community Health Network.

HIPAA: Rules about the use and protection of your private health information:

At your first visit you will be required to sign a statement that you have received information about your rights under HIPAA. This is now a routine practice for all health care visits, including counseling and mental health care. It sets national standards for the use and protection of your confidential health information. (more…)

As a pastoral counselor, I am a specialist in helping people connect their faith to their efforts to improve their emotional or psychological wellbeing. Many people have had very bad experiences with religious folks imposing their own beliefs upon them, and condemning them for having questions, doubts or different experiences and beliefs. This sort of religious intolerance is the farthest thing from the practice of pastoral counseling, and often causes serious damage to human wellbeing.

Pastoral counselors practice (more…)

The introductory session will give you an opportunity to get to know how the therapist works and to share your concerns with them. In my practice, I spend a few minutes up front clarifying the basic expectations of therapy by putting them in writing (see new patient info) and discussing any questions that you might have about confidentiality, payment etc. Then I ask some basic questions that are geared toward helping us both assess what you need from therapy and whether I can provide it. I might say “what brings you in right now?” or something similar to help you explain why you are coming in and clarify (more…)

Will my health insurance pay for counseling?

Although most providers require you to take ultimate responsibility for paying your bill, health insurance may reimburse you or your healthcare provider for medically necessary treatment for covered, diagnosed conditions that impair your ability to function. They do not generally pay for counseling to relieve stress, enhance or maintain wellbeing or prevent problems down the road.

The exception to this rule is that some employers provide employee assistance programs which offer limited counseling for short term problems or crisis. Often these programs are limited to three sessions and then they refer you on to another provider for further treatment, which, if it is medically necessary may be covered by insurance.

That means you must (more…)