Counseling and Therapy Services
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) provides mental health services across Chicago through several programs.
Portage Cragin Counseling Center
Serving the Portage Park and Belmont-Cragin neighborhoods of Chicago at 4840 W. Byron St., LSSI offers individual therapy, marriage and couples counseling, and family counseling in English, Spanish, and Polish. Call for more information about other languages that may be available. LSSI’s social workers and counselors use evidenced-based therapeutic techniques to teach you new skills, help make painful experiences more bearable, and help you change negative thinking and irrational behavior patterns. Call 833.610.LSSI (5774) for more information.
The Welcoming Center
LSSI’s Welcoming Center offers therapy and counseling for those who need immediate behavioral health care. Whether you are unable to access psychiatric services in a timely manner or have been discharged from the hospital and need to follow-up for behavioral health treatment, the center offers access to immediate assessment and treatment, counseling, support groups, and peer counseling. Services are geared toward many common issues including anxiety, depression, bi-polar disorder, alcohol or drug problems, post-traumatic stress, domestic violence, and other emotional stressors.
Group Therapy
LSSI’s Journeys program helps people build life and social skills through groups, real-life situations, and individual consultation. The program helps clients with concentration, problem solving, planning, and organization. Life skills that may be gained are doing laundry, meal-planning, and budgeting. The program may help guide you to make healthy decisions including coping with symptoms, mindfulness, and teaching you to manage doctor appointments and medication. Program staff do all this while helping you foster friendships and community as well as helping you hone your communication skills. Call 833.610.LSSI (5774) for questions or to schedule an appointment.
School-Based Counseling
LSSI’s Step-Up School-Based Counseling Program serves nearly 60 Chicago Public Schools by offering counseling for students, family therapy, emotional support during periods of anxiety (like test-taking) and skill building (help with organizing, building coping skills, and self-esteem). To learn more about Step-Up and see if LSSI is contracted with your CPS school, visit our Step-Up page.
Need immediate assistance? Call 988.
If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis, call 988 for assistance. You will get immediate attention over the phone from a trained professional no matter where you are in the United States. For more information on the federal 988 program, click here.
LSSI values your privacy and the confidentiality of your services. We want you to feel safe and comfortable. Click here to learn more about how we keep your information secure.