Connecting Pazos

You deserve love that just feels right

FAQs

The initial intake appointment will be between 45 to 55 minutes. We understand that the first appointment might be a little nerve wracking. It is completely normal to feel nervous before a first appointment, here are a few things to keep in mind to help ease that anxiety:

  • You are not alone: Almost everyone feels some level of apprehension about opening up to someone new. Feeling a little nervous is completely normal! Connecting Pazos therapists are trained to make you feel comfortable, listen without judgment, provide support and to help you find a path forward.
  • You set the pace: You do not have to share everything at once. The first appointment is often just about getting to know each other and establishing a rapport. The first session is also the time for you to see if the therapist is a good fit for you.
  • Prepare a few notes: If you are worried about forgetting things, write down a few questions or key points you want to discuss beforehand. 
  • And most importantly, be yourself!

Yes, Connecting Pazos Therapists are in-network with:

  • BCBS PPO
  • Aetna PPO
  • UnitedHealthCare PPO
  • URM PPO
  • Oscar (Optum)
  • Oxford (Optum)
  • Quest Behavioral Health
  • Optum

Connecting Pazos will submit insurance claims on your behalf. Any portion owed by you will be due at the time of your appointment. 

Super Bills

If we are not in-network with your insurance plan, you can inquire about using your out-of-network benefits. We will provide you with a super bill that you may send to your insurance company for direct reimbursement.  

Some clients prefer to pay for therapy out-of-pocket for various reasons (confidentiality, not wanting to receive a diagnosis or create a record, avoiding billing hassles, and other personal reasons). Effective 10/01/2025, the current rates are:

Individual and Couples Therapy

Therapy sessions typically run 45-55 minutes in length. In compliance with the No Surprises Act, we will provide a Good Faith Estimate to clients who choose not to use insurance benefits.

  • Individual Intake Session: $175
  • Individual sessions: $165
  • Couples Intake Session: $200
  • Couples session: $185

Yes, Connecting Pazos offers limited slots for clients paying on a sliding scale. This offering is not intended for individuals who are able to pay standard fees or use their insurance without financial burden. A sliding scale is specifically for those who would not otherwise be able to receive therapy.  Please contact your therapist directly for more information.

  • Credit/Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
  • Health Cards: HSA and FSA cards are accepted.
  • Cash and personal checks are accepted

No, Connecting Pazos therapists do not provide or perform evaluations for custody, visitation or other forensic matters. 

The minimum charge for a court appearance is $1000 and there is a separate cost for court preparation time (including submission of records and preparation of court reports and letters), phone calls, depositions, mileage, time away from the office and filling documents to the court. 

Please contact your therapist directly for more information.

Connecting Pazos therapists will not complete any FMLA, disability, other paperwork or letters of support unless they have met with you for at least 6-8 sessions. 

Connecting Pazos therapists will not complete any FMLA, letters or disability paperwork if there is no evidence that supports the need for the request, based on what you have presented at intake and during sessions. 

  • Medical Necessity/Leave of Absence documents: $150 per hour, the minimum charge is $150
  • Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Letters or Letters of Support: $150 flat rate fee

We require a minimum of 24-hours for any cancelled appointments. For appointments cancelled with less than 24-hours notice or no shows, we charge a $150 late cancellation fee.

Insurance does not cover late cancellations or no show fees, late cancel and no shows are billed directly to you.

Yes, in-person therapy is available only on Tuesdays in downtown Chicago.  The office is located at 70 N Lake Street, suite 1220, Chicago IL 60601

Our practice is located in Illinois. Clients must be a resident of Illinois to receive online therapy from our IL Licensed Therapists.

No Surprises Act

The No Surprises Act, part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, created protections against out-of-network balance billing and established an Independent Dispute Resolution process.  Under the No Surprise Act, health care providers, including therapists,  are required to give patients who do not have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. 

Good Faith Estimate

If you are not using health insurance to pay for therapy, you have the right to request a “Good Faith Estimate” before you schedule a consultation or an appointment. A Good Faith Estimate is a document that explains how much your medical and mental health care will cost.

A good faith estimate is not a bill,  a Good Faith Estimate shows the list of expected charges for items or services from your provider or facility. Because the good faith estimate is based on information known at the time your provider or facility creates the estimate, it will not include any unknown or unexpected costs that may be added during your treatment

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises, review the Fact Sheet https://www.cms.gov/files/document/nosurpriseactfactsheet-whats-good-faith-estimate508c.pdf or call (800) 985-3059; they can help you in English, Spanish and over 350 other languages.