Today we’d like to introduce you to Janelle DiMichele.
Janelle, please share your story with us.
Janelle, LCSW & Associates, LLC was founded in 2006, after I had been in private practice as solo practitioner for 4 years and realized I could expand my services by working with other qualified therapists. Forming this group of talented professionals has allowed us to offer a wide range of therapies to children, adolescents, adults, couples, families and groups. Our practice believes that each person should be able to utilize their insurance benefits to maximize their treatment; as such we accept most major insurance plans as in-network providers.
Staying relevant on current strategies in our field is one of the ways we can provide our clients with the best treatment options. Since there are 5 therapists on staff, we can offer day, evening and weekend appointments to accommodate our clients. We have a billing department that handles all of our insurance needs, so the therapist and client can focus on their treatment together. We pride ourselves in being responsive, supportive and effective therapists.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting your own business is never easy, but I am lucky enough to say it has certainly been rewarding! Getting on all of the insurance panels and creating group contracts was challenging and time consuming. Since, I strongly believe that clients should be able to use insurance benefits for treatment, I completed this process. With each individual insurance company.
Finding the right office space that was conveniently located near highways and major roads that could offer our clients a safe place to attend therapy was also important to me. We have been fortunate to have a warm and welcoming office space that is easy for clients to find!
Most importantly is the selection of therapists to provide our services. Throughout the years, we have enjoyed working with a diverse group of professionals who each have their own style of providing effective therapy.
Janelle DiMichele, LCSW & Associates – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Janelle DiMichele, LCSW & Associates, LLC is a private practice with a staff of 5 licensed clinical therapists who provide therapy to people struggling with a variety of mental health disorders, substance abuse, trauma, or any life transition where they may need support. We all specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, but use a variety of other modalities like Mindfulness, Client Centered and Solution Focused to get the job done!
I am fluent in American Sign Language, so treating the deaf and hard of hearing population is one of my specialties. Jennifer Pfaff, LCSW is a Registered Play Therapist and enjoys working with children and their families. Barbara Acker, LCSW is our couple’s expert. She utilizes the Gottman Method to help couples heal and develop healthier relationships. Evan Lerman, LCSW focuses his treatment with adolescents/young adults. He is remarkable at helping them through this challenging life phase. Marilyn Ferri, LCPC brings a wealth of experience in the field and works with adults and couples to find their path to healing.
Being an insurance-friendly practice really sets us apart from other practices. Having a billing service to navigate each of our clients’ insurance plans and handle billing is one less burden for our clients.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Being able to take my solo practice and develop it into a successful group practice has been the proudest moment of my career. It takes a lot of hard work, determination, and continued perseverance to have a thriving practice.
Pricing:
- With insurance, most clients only pay between $7-$50 per session
- We offer free phone consultations to help clients connect with a therapist
- We are in-network with most major insurance companies, including Medicare.
Contact Info:
- Address: 960 Rand Road
Suite 215
Des Plaines, IL 60016 - Website: www.chicagotherapist.net
- Phone: (847) 699-2100
- Email: jd@chicagotherapist.net
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