Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers about getting started, first visits, insurance, telehealth, and practical next steps. Can't find what you need? Contact Clara.
Direct answers first
These are the highest-intent questions people usually want answered before they decide whether to reach out.
How do I get started?
Start by filling out the contact form or calling the office. Clara will call you back to begin intake and help with next steps.
Start with contactCan I self-schedule online?
Not today. Clara uses a guided intake process instead of public self-scheduling so someone can help with fit, logistics, and questions first.
See how intake worksWhat happens in a first visit?
You talk through what brings you in, review expectations and confidentiality, and start identifying goals with your therapist.
Read the First Visit guideCommon misunderstandings before intake
People often wait longer than they need to because they assume they should already know the exact answer. Usually, they do not.
Common misunderstanding
I need to know exactly what kind of therapy I need before I reach out.
You do not need to self-diagnose or route yourself perfectly first. Clara can help you sort through whether individual, couples, family, or life-transition support is the best starting point.
Compare therapy pathsCommon misunderstanding
If I am reaching out for someone else, I should wait until I have every detail figured out.
You can still make first contact. Clara can explain what usually happens next for a child, partner, family member, or other loved one.
Ask Clara about next stepsCommon misunderstanding
Therapist fit means I have to make a perfect choice before I begin.
Fit matters, but it does not have to be solved like a puzzle before intake. A good early sign is feeling safe, heard, and understood enough to begin.
Review therapist profilesGetting Started
How do I get started?
The public intake flow is simple: submit the contact form or call our office, and someone from Clara will call you back to begin the intake process, answer practical questions, and help with next steps.
Can I self-schedule online today?
No. Clara does not offer public self-scheduling on the website today. To get started, submit the contact form or call the office, and a team member will call you to begin intake.
What should I expect during my first session?
Your first session is a chance to get settled, talk about what brings you in, review expectations and confidentiality, and begin identifying goals with your therapist.
How do I know if therapy is right for me?
If you are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship concerns, grief, life transitions, or simply want thoughtful support, therapy may be a helpful next step. If you are unsure, you can reach out and Clara can help you think through fit.
What if I am reaching out for someone else (my child, partner, or family member)?
You can still contact Clara. Share what you are seeing and who needs support, and the intake team can help you understand options for individual, child/teen, couples, or family care.
What if I am not sure what kind of therapy I need?
That is common. You do not need to choose perfectly before reaching out. Clara can help you sort through goals and decide whether to start with individual, couples, or family-focused support.
Can I get support in Spanish?
Yes. Clara supports bilingual English/Spanish care pathways. If Spanish support is important for you or your family, mention that when you contact the office so intake can route appropriately.
How should I think about therapist fit without overcomplicating it?
A good first step is to look for a therapist who feels safe, listens well, and understands your goals. Fit can be refined over time, and it is okay to ask questions during intake and in your first sessions.
Can therapy help if I lost my job or feel destabilized by AI changes at work?
Yes. Job loss, automation pressure, burnout, and identity disruption can all be part of a major life transition. Clara can support people who feel emotionally shaken by rapid work change, including AI-related disruption.
Was this practice previously called Guada Psychological Services?
Yes. Guada Psychological Services is now Clara Counseling & Psychological Services. Please use claracaps.com for the current website, contact information, and bilingual English/Spanish public pages.
Does ClaraCAPS mean capsules or supplements?
No 🙂 Easy misunderstanding, but ClaraCAPS is shorthand for Clara Counseling & Psychological Services. We are a therapy and mental health practice — not capsules, supplements, or a wellness product company.
Care Options
Do you offer telehealth?
Yes. Clara offers secure telehealth in Illinois as well as in-person sessions in Schaumburg. Telehealth is generally available when it is a good fit for the client and the clinical situation.
How long are therapy sessions?
Standard individual therapy sessions are usually 50 to 55 minutes. Couples and family sessions may be longer, typically 60 to 90 minutes.
How often will I need to attend therapy?
Session frequency depends on your goals, needs, and the treatment plan you build with your therapist. Many people begin weekly and adjust over time.
Do you work with children, teens, couples, and families?
Yes. Clara offers support across a range of needs, including individual, couples, and family work, along with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, life transitions, and related concerns.
Insurance & Billing
Do you take insurance?
Clara works with many major insurance plans. During intake, the office verifies benefits so you can better understand coverage, copay, deductible, coinsurance, and session details before getting started.
What insurance plans do you commonly work with?
Clara commonly works with many major plans, including Illinois Medicaid, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare plans such as Surest, UMR, and Meritain, plus several additional plans listed on the insurance page.
What if my insurance is not listed?
If your insurance is not currently listed, Clara can sometimes consider adding a provider. You can also ask about out-of-network reimbursement and superbills.
How do payments work?
Clara uses a secure client portal for payment logistics. Copays, deductibles, and other balances are processed securely through the portal, and receipts are sent by email.
Safety & Privacy
Is therapy confidential?
Yes. Confidentiality is a core part of therapy, with limited exceptions related to safety concerns or legal requirements. Your therapist will review those limits with you.
What if I am in crisis or having an emergency?
If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health emergency, call 911, go to the nearest emergency room, or call or text 988. Clara clinicians are not on call 24/7.
Still Have Questions?
Reach out and someone from Clara can call you back to begin intake and walk through the practical details.