Business Details
Empowering Mental Health Through Compassionate Therapy
Couch Clarity is a private mental health practice dedicated to empowering individuals through empathetic and compassionate care. Our team of licensed therapists specializes in individual, couples, family, group, and walk-and-talk psychotherapy, offering flexible scheduling including evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays. Founded on principles of destigmatizing mental health care, we provide a nonjudgmental environment where clients can explore personal challenges and achieve meaningful change. With locations along the Illinois Prairie Path, we combine therapeutic expertise with accessible outdoor sessions to support holistic well-being.Our clinicians hold advanced degrees and certifications in specialized areas such as trauma-informed care, addiction counseling, and LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy. We accept most BCBS PPO plans, out-of-network insurance, and self-pay options with multiple payment methods. Through community outreach initiatives like free yoga classes and teen art therapy groups, we extend our commitment to mental health enrichment beyond traditional therapy sessions.
Services
Individual Therapy
Couples Counseling
Family Therapy
Walk-and-Talk Sessions
Group Workshops
Teletherapy
LGBTQIA+ Support
Trauma Recovery
Substance Abuse Counseling
Parenting Guidance
Highlights and features
- We offer 24/7 teletherapy and flexible in-person session scheduling
- Our therapists hold advanced certifications in trauma, addiction, and specialized populations
- Multiple locations with accessible outdoor walk-and-talk therapy options
- We provide evidence-based modalities including CBT, DBT, and polyvagal-informed practices
- Our team includes specialists in LGBTQIA+ care, athlete mental health, and cultural competency
What people say
Empathetic staff
Flexible scheduling
Effective treatment
Safe space
Specialized expertise
Services
Individual Therapy
Personalized mental health treatment addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. Our licensed therapists employ evidence-based approaches like CBT and DBT to help clients develop coping strategies and achieve personal growth. Sessions occur weekly or biweekly based on client needs, with options for traditional office visits or nature-based walk-and-talk therapy.
Walk-and-Talk Therapy
Holistic therapy combining mental health treatment with physical activity along the Illinois Prairie Path. This approach reduces stress and improves mood through endorphin release while addressing anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. Sessions maintain therapeutic confidentiality while utilizing natural environments to enhance emotional processing and self-awareness.
LGBTQIA+ Support
Specialized counseling for LGBTQIA+ individuals and teens using trauma-informed, culturally responsive methods. Our art therapy group for queer youth fosters identity exploration and community building. Therapists maintain current competency in gender-affirming care and intersectional identity challenges through ongoing professional development.
Polyvagal Yoga
Body-based stress management combining polyvagal theory with yoga practices. This class series addresses trauma symptoms and chronic stress through vinyasa, hatha, and restorative poses. Led by a licensed clinical social worker with yoga therapy certification, sessions include breathwork and meditation techniques to regulate nervous system responses.
Substance Abuse Counseling
Comprehensive treatment for substance misuse and co-occurring mental health conditions. Certified alcohol and drug counselors employ motivational interviewing and relapse prevention strategies. Services address both immediate addiction concerns and underlying psychological factors through individual and group therapy modalities.
People
Melissa Bercier
Founder & President
Clinical social worker with 29 years experience, certified compassion fatigue specialist, and collaborative divorce coach. Developed Couch Clarity's therapeutic model combining traditional and walk-and-talk sessions. Holds PhD in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago.
Nicole Bialek
Therapist
Licensed clinical professional counselor specializing in anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges. Uses evidence-based practices including CBT and narrative therapy. Master's degree in Counseling from Adler University with forensic psychology specialization.
Lauren Black
Therapist
Licensed clinical social worker with addiction counseling certification. Specializes in trauma-informed care and chronic health condition support. Holds Master's in Social Work from The Catholic University of America and over a decade of patient advocacy experience.
Jenni Sefcik
Therapist
Licensed clinical social worker and registered yoga teacher. Specializes in trauma recovery using polyvagal theory and somatic practices. Combines 200-hour yoga certification with clinical expertise in nervous system regulation techniques.
Danna Herbach
Therapist
Licensed clinical professional counselor and art therapy registered provider. Specializes in LGBTQIA+ affirming care and creative expression therapy. Holds Master's degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from Southwestern College in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Questions
What therapy formats does Couch Clarity offer?
We provide traditional office sessions, walk-and-talk therapy along the Illinois Prairie Path, and teletherapy options for client convenience.
Do you accept insurance?
We accept most BCBS PPO plans, out-of-network insurance, and offer self-pay options with flexible payment methods.
What mental health specialties do your therapists have?
Our team specializes in anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, LGBTQIA+ care, athlete mental health, and relationship counseling.
Are evening and weekend appointments available?
Yes, our therapists offer sessions during evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays to accommodate different schedules.
What community programs do you provide?
We offer free polyvagal yoga classes, LGBTQIA+ teen art therapy groups, and kids yoga sessions focused on anxiety reduction.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Complete our online intake form or call our intake coordinator at 844-984-7252 ext 1 for therapist matching.
