FAQs
What can I expect from a session?
Our sessions blend accountability + action with warmth + insight. It is our goal to meet you where you are at, challenge you where needed, and get you where you want to go in your life as efficiently as possible. We believe in collaborating, providing objective and direct feedback, developing key insights, and working through varying obstacles to elicit long-lasting change. You can expect to leave each session with quality strategies that you can implement immediately to help you gain more clarity, success, freedom, happiness, and healing.
Where do sessions take place?
We are based out of the River North area of Chicago and provide both in-person and telehealth options (in-person options to be discussed with assigned therapist).
Do you accept insurance?
We are currently in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Blue Choice PPO, United/Optum, select Aetna plans, and Lyra**. We are currently considered an "Out of Network" provider for other insurance plans; however, we are happy to provide a detailed statement with all of the information needed to submit to your insurance provider for direct claim reimbursement. We accept all major credit cards and HSA/FSA cards.
**Claudia Minner, LMFT is the only Dagny Counseling provider in-network with Lyra at this time
(Insurance not applicable to Executive Coaching)
Do I have to have a major problem in order to book a session?
No - therapy and coaching sessions are beneficial for a variety of reasons beyond helping you work through big presenting problems. Just as you get an annual checkup, services can be used for skill refinement, prevention strategies, preparation for pivotal life events, and even just as a space for you to process thoughts, emotions, and actions without judgment.
What is the difference between therapy and executive coaching?
Coaching and therapy have many similarities but also exhibit key differences:
Unlike a licensed therapist, though a coach may be certified, anyone is allowed to call themselves a coach without appropriate, professional training due to the lack of a state regulatory board for coaches. Because of this, coaches have limitations in terms of the scope and competency of their work, especially when working with you on your more personal challenges. Coaches do not attempt to treat mental health issues, diagnose, provide mental health care, etc. Coaches may also set a strict boundary with you between working on career issues and personal issues, typically only tackling one versus the other.
A licensed therapist holds the appropriate degree, clinical training, and respective licensure required in order to practice within their state, and are trained to treat presenting problems in regards to mental health competently. Therapists attempt to diagnose, treat, prevent, and provide comprehensive mental health care for presenting problems. However, therapists may not always be able to provide the strategies and consistent action-level feedback you may be looking for (especially as it pertains to your professional life) as a majority are trained to focus on longer term work that cultivates insight through an exploration of the past as it relates to the present and future.
How do I decide whether therapy or executive coaching is a better fit for me?
In summary: are you wanting to engage in longterm work to process mental health issues or shorter term, holistic skill building sessions to achieve the next level of professional success?
An executive coach devotes more attention to providing you the strategies and other top-level solutions necessary for desired change within your professional life, not treating anything mental health related. Though your emotions are a critical part of unlocking peak performance and maximizing your potential professionally, executive coaching is a better fit for you if you are looking for quality tools for growth without treating a mental health diagnosis. Therapy will be a better fit for you if you are looking for deeper, more long-term work in which your emotional and mental health is at the forefront. Skills are also cultivated in a therapy context; however, it will be within more of a mental health treatment model (i.e. providing a mental health diagnosis, billing through insurance, etc.)
Is our work confidential?
All of our work is confidential. We hold a safe space in which everything you say stays between us. Ultimately, it is your choice whether you would like to discuss the nature of our work with others, but we will always maintain your confidentiality (including in any written testimonials) within our ethical and legal guidelines.