However, in my personal opinion, all that really matters is that they have a Bachelor’s degree or higher and that you feel comfortable working with them. My personal preference is to work with people who already have their Master’s degree under the assumption that they have some work experience.

Bachelor’s Level
- Bachelor of Arts: BA or AB
- Bachelor of Science: BS
- Bachelor of Social Work: BSW
This means they completed undergrad. They may or may not have any experience. You are probably unlikely to have a therapist how only has this degree.

Master’s Level
- Master’s of Social Work: MSW or MA / AM depending on the school
This means they completed their Master’s program. They may also be able to list themselves as LSW or LCSW, but choose not to do so in order to confuse non-social workers.
- Licensed Social Worker: LSW
This means they have passed the licensing exam after graduation. They are likely still being supervised by someone with more experience.
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker: LCSW
The means they have undergone two years of clinical supervision and have passed another licensing exam.

Other relevant Master’s degrees:
- Master’s of Counseling Psychology (or some other form of psychology)

Doctoral Level
- People in a PhD or PsyD program are called “doctoral students.” They might also have the title of “extern” and generally have more experience providing counseling than someone in a Master’s program. Someone who is in a doctoral program will have already earned their Master’s degree and thus might have some of the initials listed above (MSW, MA, LSW, etc) after their name. If you are working with a doctoral student, their externship may only last for a year, which means that at the end of their school year, you will likely need to see someone new.
- Doctorate: PhD
This degree is generally more research focused than a PsyD.
Your therapist might have either degree.
- Doctorate of Psychology: PsyD
This degree is generally more practice focused than a PhD. Your therapist might have either degree.
- Doctorate of Social Work: DSW
- Medical Doctor: MD
This is the degree your psychiatrist has and is what allows them to prescribe medication.

Please note:

Social workers offer therapy and/or case management services. You will likely encounter them a lot if you are going to social service organizations.

Psychologists offer therapy. They cannot prescribe medication, but often work with psychiatrists who can. You will most often find them in private offices or hospitals.

Psychiatrists can prescribe medication. If they wish, they can also offer therapy. Like psychologists, you will most often find them in private offices or hospitals.

Choosing a Therapy Doc, Or Is That A Dodo Bird?

[...]

Bottom line? If you don’t feel a connection with your therapist after the second visit, if you don’t feel you can relate, then you probably should discuss it to see why you may not make a good team. There isn’t a therapist on earth who relates to everyone, and that’s as it should be.

Now. Armed with that very limited treatment overview, that first phone call should go as follow:

Patient: Hi, I got your name from ________ and wondered if you were taking new patients.

Therapist: Sure, but first, very briefly, tell me what you’re looking for.

Then the patient provides a brief summary of the problem, i.e., I want to save my marriage, or I lost my mother, or My wife if cheating on me, or My kid is thirty and won’t leave home, that sort of thing. Whatever it is. Brief.

The therapist then hopefully responds with an empathetic remark, like, Oh, dear. That must not feel so good. Let me see what I have for you, see if our schedules match up, if I can get you in. When did you want to come in? What day/time is best for you?

IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE ANY MORE COMPLICATED THAN THAT.

Then, at the set appointment time, the patient discusses the problem and the goals and objectives of the therapy, assuming that these are actually important to him. Sometimes they’re not. Sometimes people really do just want to talk, and talk, for weeks and months, indefinitely, and that’s fine, too.

But if a patient has something in mind, certain goals to accomplish, the therapist should somehow communicate that these can be accomplish. The therapist should have a clue as to how. Because face it, the patient doesn’t.

It’s like a first and second date. You really don’t have to see a person a second or third time if you know, deep down, that it’s not a good fit. ….”

——-

My two cents:

Oftentimes your first meeting with a therapist is an intake, during which the therapist may do little more than take notes, so it may take several meetings with him or her to decide if you like the therapist.

While it is troublesome and time consuming to switch therapists and go through the intake process all over it again, it is likely better than staying with a therapist that you think is not helpful to you. If the therapist has a practice with other therapists, you may be able to switch therapists without going through the intake process all over again.

Some helpful hints:

- Research different forms of therapy to see which forms you may like better and which ones you do not think will work for you, then ask the therapist (or the receptionist) if the therapist practices that form of therapy. Unfortunately, the receptionist will probably not know and the therapist might just say he or she is eclectic, but it is worth asking.

- ALWAYS make sure that you understand the billing process. Does the therapist take your insurance(s)? If not, what is the fee? Is there a copay? How is payment made? This should be done for any medical appointment.

- As you people you trust for suggestions, whether they be a friend, fellow support group member, or a professional you are already seeing. Word of mouth is an excellent way to quality therapists, psychiatrists, social workers, etc.

- Be open to seeing a student who offers sliding-scale fees if you cannot afford a licensed therapist. Usually, the student is being supervised by a licensed clinician. While a Master’s student is not likely to have a lot of experience, a Doctoral student might.

- To figure out what degree your potential or current therapist has, please see my post “Understanding Those Letters that Come After People’s Names.” Of course, you can always ask them directly.

One of the services I was offered was help paying for school. However, two counselors told me that DRS was unable to pay toward grad school or a second bachelor’s. However, you might be able to get help paying for your first Associate’s or Bachelor’s. I strongly suggest asking your counselor if you have any questions about this as soon as possible.

At least at the offices I went to, it was clear that the counselors were only equipped to help people looking for entry-level minimum wage jobs and/or help review a cover letter or resume. However, if you’re affiliated with a college or university, I suggest contacting the Career Services office there first because they’re more likely to get back to you in a timely manner than DRS simply because they’re likely to have a smaller caseload.

DRS can also help you attain some of the specialized equipment you need for school and/or work that is related to your disability. For example, a friend of mine with severe visual impairment was able to have DRS cover the costs of the computer software she needed. However, she told me that it was a very lengthy and difficult process to get this done.

Overall:

Like with any other official documentation you receive, you should respond as soon as possible to any notices or letters instructing you to contact or meet with your DRS counselor. Oftentimes, failure to do so by the deadline can result in changes being made to your benefits and/or ability to get benefits.

Also, it’s probably worth giving your DRS counselor a try to see if she or he can help you. If you’re having a difficult time with your assigned DRS counselor, you might want to request to see a different person or even to go to a different office.

Groups exist nationwide, and you can even start your own group if you don’t have one in your area. Most Meetups are free or a few dollars to attend. The purpose of Meetup.com is to help people with similar interests meet up in person to share their interests, whether it be cooking, hiking, dogs, or something else. To find a support group, you will need to conduct a search using the website. Joining Meetup.com and creating a profile is free.

It may also be helpful to contact your local NAMI and DBSA to ask if they know of any groups. DBSA also has a Meetup mental illness support group.

http://www.howardbrown.org/hb_services.asp?id=45

I’m not familiar with these groups nor do I know how long it’s been since they were updated.

To save you some time from scrolling, there’s the mental health-related entry:

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
Weekly support group for LGBT individuals diagnosed with depression or bipolar disorder. Meetings, which are moderated by chapter leaders, are dedicated to improving the lives of individuals living with mood disorders. Meets Saturdays 11:00 am -12:30 pm at Howard Brown Health Center.
contact: Rob at 773-274-1461 or blanchetaughtme@yahoo.com

- free and sliding-scale mental and physical health clinics, including psychotherapy and treatment for addiction
- programs for free prescription medication
- list of generic psychiatric medications
- challenges with finding mental health providers that take Medicaid and/or Medicare
- more support groups
- nursing homes and assisted living
- hospitals that have in-patient and out-patient psychiatric services
- a condensed version of five earlier posts on Stroger Hospital’s Walk-in Clinic

Health Insurance

- more on Medicaid and Medicare
- more on programs like the Pink Card
- high risk medical pool
- COBRA
- mental health parity laws
- state health insurance exchanges

Supportive Employment Programs for People with Disabilities

- Department of Rehabilitation Services
- Ticket to Work program
- organizations with employment specialists
- paid work programs to help people with disabilities develop relevant skills

Transportation

- Circuit Breaker

Help with Household Bills

- emergency housing and rental assistance programs
- more on LINK
- more on food pantries
- free cell phones
- heating bill assistance – LIHEAP

Legal Assistance

- free or sliding-scale legal services for a variety of issues including Medicare applications, wrongful termination, arrests, and domestic violence

I welcome suggestions on other topics I should write about.

Applying for a Reduced Fare RTA Pass

The process of getting a reduced fare RTA pass can be time consuming but relatively simple.

To get the pass, you have to get the application from downtown. The location is RTA’s Customer Service Center at 165 N. Jefferson in Chicago. Their hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

If you are affiliated with a social service they might already have some in their office for their clients or can help you get one. You will need to ask though.

Once you have the application, you fill it out and have your doctor write a brief letter about your condition and/or diagnosis. Psychiatric conditions do appear to be covered.

There does not appear to be an income or resources limit.

With the filled out form and a copy of your state ID, you then need to get a photo ID. You can get this done at multiple places, including having a passport photo taken. See http://www.rtachicago.com/CMS400Min/uploadedFiles/Sr_Registration_Centers.pdf for a list of locations to get your photo taken and drop off your application.

For example, at the Levy Center on Aging in Lincoln Square, you get your photo taken on a digital camera (so it was a color photo) and pay the person $1. They then submit you application and ask you to wait 4-6 weeks to receive your card.

Using the Card

One you have your card, you can load money onto the card and pay a reduced fare on the CTA. It’s 85 cents for a ride and 15 cents to transfer. Second transfers are free.

You can also use it on the Metra and PACE because it is part of RTA. However, they have different rates.

Monthly Reduced Fare CTA Passes

In addition, you can also purchase a separate reduced fare pass. Unfortunately, the only reduced passes are monthly passes, which are $35. There are no reduced passes for day, week, etc. To get this pass, you can get it where CTA passes are sold or purchase it online. To buy it online, visit http://faremedia.chicago-card.com/store/main.aspx?DepartmentId=34

When using the monthly pass, you first insert your monthly pass into the machine then your photo ID reduced fare pass. You have to keep your reduced fare pass on you even if you are using the monthly pass. If you accidentally insert your photo ID reduced fare pass first you will get charged and the money is unlikely to be refunded.

The Free Transit Card

There is also a People With Disabilities Ride Free program. This can be extremely difficult to get because you first need to be awarded Social Security Disability, then successfully enroll in Circuit Breaker, which does have income and assets guidelines, and then you are eligible for the free card.

I’ve personally confirmed that Wal-Greens, CVS, Target, Trader Joe’s, Jewel, Dominick’s and even Whole Foods takes LINK. Online I’ve seen BJ’s, Sam’s Club, and Costco referenced as well. Many local non-chain stores do as well. Just call to confirm.

They have social workers that do case management, an extremely limited food pantry, a tiny amount of free clothes, a jobs program, and the Uptown Cafe (free lunches and dinners). They also have a Tenant Support Project, Job Readiness Training through Jewish Vocational Services (JVS, another Jewish-affiliated group that serves people regardless of religion), a Russian Senior Center, Chevrah Community Living Skills Groups, a Healthy Advantage Nutrition Program, Housing Locator, and EZRA Social Action Group.

They currently are out of rental and utility assistance funds for non-Jews. They appear to have separate funds for Jews, but this is extremely limited. You have to go through an intake for this.

You seem to need to go through an intake for all services, separately. For whatever reason, the Uptown Cafe meals are a separate intake from the intake for rental assistance, even though both will ask about your financial status.

Ezra doesn’t have a website. They close early on Fridays for Shabbat.

Ezra
909 West Wilson Avenue
Chicago, IL 60640
773-275-0866

If you have any experience with EZRA, please leave a comment.

The Ark

http://www.arkchicago.org/

6450 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60645
773.973.1000
Fax: 773.973.4362
ark@arkchicago.org

The Ark has regular business hours, is open later on Wednesdays for dinner and medical services, and closes at 2pm on Fridays. It is closed Saturday, Sunday, and during Jewish holidays.

Getting There

Bus: 155 Devon bus to California or 93 California bus to Devon
El stop: None nearby
Parking: Has its own free parking lot and some street parking. Please read signs carefully.

Social Services

Medical Doctors
- Primary care, psychiatrist, dental, and some other specialists
- On-site pharmacy that dispenses free prescription medications and some over-the-counter medications
- People with health insurance are ineligible for these services

Psychological Services
- Individual and couples therapy with licensed social workers
- Outpatient day program with therapy groups including art therapy
- People with health insurance may be ineligible for these services

Kosher Pantry
- Clients can use the pantry once a month at specific times

Kosher Meals
- Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday lunches
- Wednesday dinner at 5pm
- Can request vegetarian meals
- On certain holidays, meals are delivered to clients’ homes

Thrift Store
- Located in Wicker Park, accessible by the blue line, buses, with limited parking by other stores
- Depending on your eligibility, it is possible to get vouchers for the thrift store in order to get household items for free

Homeless Shelter
- The Ark also runs a homeless shelter

Becoming a Client

To become eligible for the above services, you go through an intake where they verify that you are Jewish, financially needy, and assess what services you need. They serve all types of Jews (Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, etc) though they are associated with an Orthodox synagogue. The workers appear to follow a conservative dress code, though this is not true of the people who utilize their services.

Religious Services

The Ark also offers talks on Jewish issues, services, and some holiday celebrations. The Rabbi gives talks as part of the Tuesday and Thursday lunches and is often present during the day.

If you go to The Ark for services, please feel free to leave a comment about your experiences.