COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT)

IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL SESSIONS IN ILLINOIS

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Lasting Change

NOT STAYING STUCK IN PATTERNS

At Lily Counseling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to help you make sense of the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Many people find themselves stuck in patterns that feel automatic, such as overthinking, avoidance, anxiety cycles, or self-criticism, without fully understanding how those patterns developed or how to change them.

CBT offers a structured, practical approach to identifying these cycles and learning how to shift them in a meaningful, sustainable way.

Identifying and Restructuring Unhelpful Thought Patterns

CBT focuses on identifying patterns such as cognitive distortions, avoidance behaviors, and automatic thought responses that influence how you experience daily life.

Together, we work on developing more balanced thinking, strengthening coping strategies, and practicing new behavioral responses in real-world situations.

CBT sessions are structured, goal-oriented, and tailored to your individual needs (whether in-person or online) so you can apply practical skills directly to your everyday life.

If desired, we also offer faith-informed integration to support your therapeutic journey in alignment with your beliefs.

WE take insurance

Relationship Therapy

Signs CBT May Be Right for You

Many of the challenges people bring to CBT aren’t always obvious on the surface. You may appear to be functioning well externally while internally feeling stuck in unhelpful patterns of thinking, feeling, or behaving.

Here are common reasons people seek Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at Lily Counseling:

  • Frequent overthinking, rumination, or difficulty “turning off” your thoughts
  • Feeling stuck in cycles of anxiety, stress, or emotional overwhelm
  • Noticeable patterns of avoidance that interfere with daily life or goals
  • Difficulty managing perfectionism or feeling pressure to always get things right
  • Struggling with boundaries or finding it hard to communicate needs effectively
  • Persistent self-criticism or harsh internal dialogue
  • Feeling like you repeat the same emotional or relational patterns without knowing how to change them

a partnership for progress

At Lily Counseling, our goal is to help you understand and change the patterns that keep you stuck. Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we work together to build insight, develop practical skills, and create lasting change in how you think, feel, and respond. Here’s how we support your growth:

CBT-Based Insight Work: We help you identify the core beliefs, thought patterns, and learned responses that shape your emotional experiences and begin to shift them in a healthier direction.

Faith-Based Support: For those seeking spiritually integrated care, we offer a compassionate approach grounded in Christian and Catholic values.

Behavioral Skills and Performance Strategies: Practical tools to help you manage anxiety, improve focus, reduce avoidance, and respond more effectively in high-pressure situations.

Action-Oriented CBT Practice: Structured, goal-focused work that helps you apply new skills in real life, strengthening coping strategies, communication, and emotional regulation.

Comprehensive Evidence-Based Care: A full-spectrum CBT approach that integrates thought work, behavior change, and skill development to support meaningful, sustainable progress.

Relationship Therapy

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We offer online and in-person therapy for individuals and couples.

We offer practical strategies to help you manage the day-to-day while working toward deeper resolution.

For information on our therapists visit “ABOUT US”.

do you take insurance?

We are in-network (INN) with BCBS PPO and Blue Choice, United Health Care, AETNA, and SANA. INN client-payment responsibility varies based on plan. We can obtain a quote from your insurance company.

We are OON with all other insurance plans. If you are OON, you still may be eligible for reimbursement and we offer options to make services affordable— see below for details.

HSA/FSA is accepted to cover the cost of sessions (INN and OON). You or a family member may have HSA/FSA benefits through your employer. You also may have OON benefits and be eligible for reimbursement. Please contact your insurance company to inquire about your OON benefits. We can provide necessary documentation to submit claims to your insurance company.

• Session frequency is up to you (e.g. weekly, biweekly, monthly)

can i choose between in person and virtual sessions?
What can CBT help with?

CBT is commonly used to support concerns such as anxiety, stress, overthinking, avoidance, low mood, perfectionism, and difficulty managing emotions. It is also helpful for improving coping skills and changing long-standing behavioral patterns.

What does a typical CBT session look like?

CBT sessions are structured and goal-oriented. You and your therapist work together to identify current challenges, explore thought and behavior patterns, and practice specific strategies you can apply between sessions in your daily life.

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Take the first step today

Step 1

Fill out the Form:

Reach out to us by completing the form to get started. If you’re ready, you can also book your free consultation.

step 2

Start Your Counseling Journey Today:

After your consultation and intake is complete, you’ll begin your regular sessions with your counselor.

step 3

Find Your Balance:

Your journey to feeling like yourself again begins.

Helping you go from looking “put together,” to feeling “put together”

“…not only just listens and validates, but helps me understand why I’m stuck in my patterns and gives me the tools I need to change my ways…”

“…I love all the ways I’ve learned to apply the strategies to real life situations. It’s helped me gain new perspective and I’m not as stressed about tiny things anymore…”

“I’m getting better and better each week”

WORK WITH US

connect with us

Instagram: @lilycounseling

EMAIL: Billing@lilycounseling.com

TEXT or call: 312-248-3567

Lily Counseling & Consulting

Chicago, IL

Psychiatric services are provided by Lily Medical, PC