Dr. Gregory J. Harms 655 W. Irving Park Rd. Ste. 209 Chicago, IL 60613 773-983-1479 gjh1975@peoplepc.com
I enjoy working with couples to help them create a
relationship in which they both feel loved and valued by the other and
feel like a team as they go through life. I offer both traditional
couples counseling and pre-marital counseling. I work with all couples;
straight, gay/lesbian, or other non-traditional arrangements. However,
I only work with adult couples ages 18+.
Couples Counseling
As with individual services, I use a Reality Therapy approach in couples counseling. This approach focuses on identifying what each person wants from the relationship and finding ways to go about getting it that bring both people closer together instead of continuing to push them farther apart.
Couples Counseling: Traditional couples counseling is usually initiated when one or both members of the couple feel that something is "wrong," such as increased arguing, increased emotional distance, or changes in longstanding routines with no explanation. Some couples come in upon the discovery of an affair by one or both members. Oftentimes, regardless of the reason, the couple is on the verge of ending the relationship and want to make one more effort to save it. My job as a couples counselor is to help press the pause button and spend some time exploring what it is that each person wants from the relationship, evaluating how they are going about getting it, and identifying the impact that it is having on the relationship. Once each person knows what they want, we work together to find ways to get it that help strengthen the relationship rather than harm it. My goal is to bring the two individuals closer together and to save and improve the relationship. I only meet with both members of the couple together, I do not do individual sessions with each person. Couples counseling works best when we are all on the same page at all times. A couples counseling session lasts approximately 50 minutes.
Pre-Marital Counseling: Marriage does change a relationship, no matter how much a couple doesn't think it will. Pre-marital counseling offers an opportunity to explore potential changes as well as what the couple doesn't want to change, and identify strategies for handling those changes. I offer a 6 session pre-marital counseling package called Gate 14, developed by Second Story Counseling, which helps couples discuss 14 areas that are often difficult for newlyweds to navigate. By identifying potential problems areas up front, we are able to develop strategies to successfully handle them when they arise. The program is flexible enough that if the couple is coming in with particular concerns not on the list, we have plenty of time to address those as well. If it seems like additional discussion would be helpful beyond the 6 sessions that comprise Gate 14, we can extend the counseling until we all feel that the foundation for a lifelong successful marriage has been established. Each pre-marital counseling session lasts approximately 50 minutes.
Fees & Insurance
Couples Counseling: The cost for a 50 minute couples counseling session is $150. I accept cash, check/money order, or
credit/debit
cards, subject to the ability of my credit card processor to process
them. If you are using an HSA (Health Savings Account) card, please be aware that they tend to
be hit or miss when it comes to being able to be processed. If your
card is declined, you can pay by another method and I will provide you
with a receipt/superbill that you can send to the plan and they will
reimburse you directly.
I currently accept BCBS PPO, Aetna PPO, Imagine Health, Multiplan (excluding UnitedHealthcare/United Behavioral Health
partnerships), First Health, and Medicare Part B insurance plans (excluding United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plans). Please note that not all insurance plans will cover
couples counseling. If you wish to use insurance, your out
of pocket cost will depend on your deductible and co-pay. Please inform
me when scheduling your appointment if you wish to use insurance. I
can pre-verify your benefits and provide you with an estimate of your
out of pocket cost. Depending on your financial circumstances, I
am willing to discuss a temporary sliding scale fee for these services.
Pre-Marital Counseling: The cost for
Pre-Marital counseling is $750 for the six 50 minute sessions and I
offer a 10% discount for pre-payment. Otherwise, the costs can be
spread over the 6 sessions. I accept cash, check/money order, or credit/debit cards, submect to the ability of my credit card processor to process them. I do not accept HSA (Health Savings Account) cards for pre-marital counseling as it does not meet most plans' criteria for reimbursable treatment.
I do not accept insurance for pre-marital
counseling as it does not meet insurers' requirements for medical
necessity. I am happy to provide you with a
receipt/superbill so that you can check with your insurance or HSA to
see if they will reimburse you for part or all of the cost.
Scheduling
Couples Counseling: An
initial session does not obligate you to continue in couples counseling. It is
important that we feel that I am able to help you and you both feel
comfortable with me as your couples counselor. Determining this is one of
the most important functions of an initial session.
Pre-Marital Counseling: After the
first session, if we feel that this is a good fit and the program meets
your needs, I do ask for a commitment to attend the remaining sessions
as a sign of your commitment to your lifelong relationship with each
other. However, as always, I can be very flexible with scheduling.
Some couples go through all 6 sessions in 6 weeks while others might
spread them out anywhere from once every other week to once a month.
Please see the
FAQs page for answers to common questions about couples counseling. If you have
any other questions or would like to schedule a session, please give me a call at 773-983-1479 or send me
an email at gjh1975@peoplepc.com. You can also click on the Client Portal button on the left to directly schedule an appointment. Note that only one person needs to set the appointment, although both of you can create a client account to fill out the intake paperwork. Once both of you have accounts set up, I will link them to create a group account so that you can both view and change appointments. I'm looking forward to hearing from
you.
Illinois License Number: 071.009626 Indiana License Number: 20043088A Wisconsin License Number: 3500-57 California License Number: PSY 29793 New York License Number: 025033 Washington License Number: PY 61278750 Florida Telehealth Provider Registration Number: TPPY2093 (https://flhealthsource.gov/telehealth/) PsyPact E-Passport Number: 5999
The
information contained in this website is presented to acquaint you with
my services. It does not constitute actual or implied treatment nor an
offer to provide treatment. If you wish to initiate treatment, please
contact me to set up an appointment. If you are experiencing a medical
or psychiatric emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest
emergency room.
