I am happy to report that Inner Choice Psychotherapy is turning five. I have taken this moment of marking time to reflect on all that has evolved since Inner Choice’s inception in 2021. 

Billing

As many of you know Alisa is our billing manager, and she is also my sister. Ever since we were small, we always knew we would work together on something, but we could never imagine what it would be. When I decided to open my own practice, I called her up and asked her to join me. I knew she had all the skills necessary. Working together has been a dream come true for both of us. We both share values and beliefs on how to treat people; we both believe in transparency, accuracy, and honestly, making sure billing is transparent for the clients as well as for the therapists working at Inner Choice. 

A beloved supervisor of mine from years ago, she knows who she is, once told me that “money is clinical.” This has always stayed with me, and I have never understood this more than when I began my own practice. Because of this belief, Alisa does not initially communicate with clients. At Inner Choice our therapists talk to their clients about money. They communicate about insurance benefits before a client’s first session and help them navigate thoughts and feelings around the financial component of therapy. Alisa makes sure our therapists have all the information they need to make communication happen with their clients and reaches out to insurance companies to make sure our clients’ benefits are as clear and accurate as possible. 

Space and Therapists

In 2021 I opened Inner Choice remotely in my bedroom office during an earlier dark time, Covid. We literally had no space for the business and I was working remotely without a lot of personal space. People were so afraid for their lives and the lives of their loved ones. It was a privilege then, as it is now, to be there for those who are suffering. 

In May of 2021 we found our physical space in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago. The space feels as significant now as it did in 2021 and part of that is because of the two therapists who now work at Inner Choice Psychotherapy and help fill the space with energy, intentionality, and community. When I open the office door on Wednesday morning and see that Holly is already inside the office, caring for people, it brings me a sense of joy. In the afternoon when I know I will open my office door to see Elizabeth greeting the next human she is caring for, it brings me peace. Both Holly and Elizabeth have helped make Inner Choice Psychotherapy the practice it is today. I have so much respect for them both as people and as therapists. I value their insights, perspectives, and knowledge. Their work with clients is impactful and aligned with the values of Inner Choice Psychotherapy, where we believe in seeing the whole person, including their culture, and the systems they are navigating. Both of them have taught me new ways of seeing the world, seeing clients, and seeing myself. 

Dark Times

I hesitated to post this blog because of the dark days we are in, a time when there is so much unrest and so many are not feeling safe to exist, but then I realized that maybe this is why it is so important to post this blog. I became a therapist because I wanted to be able to be there for people in a manner that was grounded in history, theory and self. I wanted to be able to see the core of all people as fully as possible and help them move away from distress and towards wholeness. During COVID, the seriousness of this mission was made evident and now feels even more crucial. If you are looking for therapeutic care, please know that the therapists at Inner choice are here.