Frequently Asked Questions

You don't have to have everything figured out before reaching out. QST works with people navigating all kinds of things, including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, identity, life transitions, substance use, sobriety, and simply feeling stuck or disconnected from themselves. We specialize in working with LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities, but you do not have to identify as queer or sober to work with us. More than anything, we're committed to creating a space where you can show up as your full self without judgment.

Not at all! Despite the name, sobriety is never a requirement for working with us. We recognize that everyone's relationship with substances is different. Whether you're sober, sober-curious, practicing harm reduction, questioning your use, returning to use after a period of sobriety, or not interested in changing your substance use at all, we'll meet you where you are. Our job isn't to tell you what your relationship with substances should look like. It's to help you explore what feels right for you.

Nope! QST was created with queer communities at its heart, but our doors are open to people of all identities. We believe everyone deserves affirming, culturally responsive care and a therapist who takes the time to understand who they are.

Therapy at QST is collaborative, human, and tailored to you. Your therapist may challenge you, make you think, celebrate your wins, sit with you through the hard stuff, and probably laugh with you sometimes too.

We'll start by learning a little about what brings you to therapy, what you're hoping to work on, your scheduling needs, insurance or payment preferences, and anything that's important to you in a therapist. From there, we'll recommend someone on our team who we think could be a great fit. You're always welcome to look through our therapist bios and request someone specifically, too.

Yes! We offer brief phone or video consultations so you can meet your potential therapist, share a little about what you're looking for, ask questions, and get a feel for whether working together feels right.

Yes! We offer telehealth throughout Illinois, and select clinicians offer in-person appointments in Andersonville, Chicago and Oak Park. Availability varies by therapist, so reach out and we'll help you find an option that works for you.

QST works with several major insurance plans including BCBS, Cigna, Aetna and UnitedHealthcare. Because coverage can vary significantly between plans, we'll help verify your benefits before you begin whenever possible. Insurance can be confusing, so you don't have to figure it all out by yourself. Reach out with your insurance information and we'll help you understand your options.

That's okay! We offer self-pay services, and some reduced-fee options may be available depending on the clinician.

Most individual therapy sessions are approximately 55 minutes. Session length may vary depending on the type of service and your individual treatment needs.

Most clients begin with weekly sessions, which gives us enough consistency to build momentum and establish a strong therapeutic relationship. That isn't a forever requirement. Frequency can change depending on your needs, goals, progress, availability, and financial considerations. We'll make those decisions together.

That's completely okay! You don't need a perfectly articulated treatment goal before starting therapy. Sometimes the starting point is simply, "I know something isn't working and I want things to feel different." We can start there.

We believe there are as many paths to recovery as people seeking it. Our therapists approach substance use with curiosity rather than shame. Depending on your goals, that might include harm reduction, exploring patterns of use, relapse prevention, building community, strengthening coping skills, or figuring out what role you want substances to have in your life. Your goals belong to you. We're here to help you understand your options and support you in making choices that align with the life you want.

Yes! Members of our team work with couples and people navigating all kinds of relationships. Couples and family therapy can help with communication, intimacy, conflict, trust, boundaries, major transitions, recurring patterns, and simply feeling more connected to one another. We welcome LGBTQIA+ relationships, friendships and diverse relationship structures and don't assume there is one "right" way for a relationship to look.

Yes. Protecting your privacy is an important part of therapy, and what you share with your therapist is generally confidential. There are specific circumstances in which therapists are legally or ethically required to disclose information, such as certain situations involving immediate safety concerns or abuse. Your therapist will review confidentiality and its limits with you before beginning treatment so you understand exactly how your information is protected.

Please tell us! Finding the right therapist can take time, and realizing that someone isn't the right match doesn't mean therapy isn't for you. We won't take it personally. If something isn't working, we encourage you to talk with your therapist about it. Sometimes those conversations actually become an important part of therapy. And if you'd be better served by someone else, we'll do our best to connect you with another QST clinician or an outside referral.

Reach out through our contact form and tell us a little about what you're looking for. We'll help you find a therapist whose specialties, personality, availability, and payment options fit your needs.