Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is what I tell the counselor kept private and confidential?

Your privacy is important to us and confidentiality is paramount for a positive therapeutic relationship. Colibrí Counseling follows the professional, legal and ethical guidelines of the American Psychological Association and the state of Illinois. This means that information about you or what is discussed in the session is not shared with anyone without your expressed written permission. There are some exceptions to confidentiality.

If there is the possibility of harm to the client or another person, or in cases of child or elder abuse, we are mandated to report certain information to the appropriate authorities. Your therapist will review confidentiality with you during the initial session and answer any questions you may have.

2. What does it mean to be a ¨culturally humble¨ counselor?

Cultural humility is an approach in which counselors emphasize understanding a client's background, ethnicity, and belief system. A culturally humble counselor will offer mental and emotional support in a way that’s relevant to your social and cultural background. A culturally humble counselor will accommodate and respect the differences in practices, traditions, values and opinions of different cultures and integrate those differences into counseling.

Colibrí Counseling is committed to Anti-Racism, Social Justice, and providing culturally humble care to our clients. We affirm, celebrate and honor people of color (POC), queer and trans communities, and other marginalized and misunderstood groups in society. Our aim is to provide a therapeutic space to help facilitate open and honest dialogue.

3. How do I make an appointment?

To schedule an appointment you may fill out the contact form, email us at colibrinow@gmail.com, or call at (312) 508-8676 or 401.663.4437. When calling, please leave a voice message and we will return your call as soon as we can.

4. Can someone else make an appointment for me?

The person interested in the appointment must call to make the appointment. Because the initial call involves a brief assessment, appointments cannot be made on someone's behalf.

5. When and where do sessions take place?

Our office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons and evenings. Session can take place in our office or via telehealth when possible. Our office is located in the Uptown Neighborhood.

6. What can I expect from the initial session?

The initial session is called an intake appointment. You will be asked to arrive 15 minutes early to complete initial paperwork. You can expect to meet with the counselor for 25-30 minutes, at which time the counselor will gather some additional information regarding the main concern for coming in. Your counselor will ask you to describe your current situation in detail.

The counselor will ask about how you are feeling, what is causing your pain and what you hope to change by engaging in counseling. Also during this visit the counselor will review some forms including the consent to treatment and privacy forms. You will then discuss next steps, including a method for working together and an individualized treatment plan.

7. How long will I be in counseling?

Colibrí Counseling uses a goal-focused, brief treatment model and does not have an explicit session limit for counseling. Goal-focused, brief therapy means that the counselors here help clients to address their immediate concerns using culturally responsive care. Session frequency varies depending on the needs of the individual/s. Many clients report feeling better after a few sessions, while other clients might be seen longer. You and your counselor will discuss the course and length of treatment throughout your care.

8. How can counseling help?

Perhaps the most important factor in determining if counseling will be helpful to you is whether you have a good relationship with your therapist. It is important that you feel safe, valued and respected during your sessions and that you trust your counselor. It is also necessary that you and your counselor agree on the goals of therapy and the method of working together.

We strive to create an open environment where you can safely explore thoughts, feelings and behaviors and work collaboratively to help you make changes. We will explore and identify underlying beliefs and recurring themes that may lead to unhelpful patterns. We may use a variety of techniques and strategies to help you translate your insight and understanding into action and change, learn new coping skills and improve your emotional well-being.

9. How can I make the most of my counseling experience?

There is no specific formula on how to make the most of counseling. However, the following are some ideas that could help:

Be as honest, open and vulnerable as possible. It’s okay to talk about things that feel embarrassing or scary.
Regularly attend your sessions and take an active part in them.
Be willing to explore new behaviors and solutions.
Be open and honest with your counselor about how the sessions are going for you, particularly if you don’t think you’re being helped.
Ask questions. If your therapist is talking about something you do not understand, or you feel uncertain about a particular suggestion, ask questions.

10. You don't see your question listed here?

If you have any other question feel free to complete our contact form, email us at colibrinow@gmail.com, or call at (312) 508-8676. When calling, please leave a voice message and we will return your call as soon as we can.