About Us, Virtual Counseling Services, and Community Involvement
Virtual Counseling Services
Based out of DeKalb County, Illinois, Emerald Cove Counseling offers fully virtual counseling services in Illinois and New York. We serve clients throughout all of Illinois with a focus on Chicagoland and an emphasis on the surrounding areas of Champaign, Rockford, and Aurora. Emerald Cove Counseling was born of a collective of therapists with similar visions for helping others to heal and prosper mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. We offer a safe haven for clients to explore their inner world and to nurture areas of growth. We specialize in compassionate and personalized mental health therapy, with a focus on women’s mental health, depression, anxiety, recovery counseling, adoption services, couples counseling, and relationship coaching. Practicing from a place of gentleness and working with our clients’ strengths, we deliver evidence-based treatments tailored to each individual. Our virtual model makes therapy more accessible to those in rural areas, individuals with disabilities, or anyone facing transportation or mobility barriers. In the spirit of our roots in Social Work, we offer fair sliding scale fees and pro bono sessions for those with limited resources. We are licensed to practice in the states of Illinois and New York, with our home office based in Sycamore, Illinois.
What Should I Look For In A New Therapist?
Degrees, licenses, certifications. A qualified therapist needs to hold a Masters Degree or higher, or be working toward those degrees with adequate supervision. Therapists must be licensed in the state in which their clients reside in order to treat them. Some therapists are licensed in multiple states. Insurance will not cover an unlicensed clinician to practice independently without supervision. Many therapists will also hold certifications in specific areas, such as recovery counseling services, or they may be certified in specific treatment modalities.
Experience. Therapists gain experience by treating clients with different needs, but most have certain areas of expertise. Inquire about their experience in working with your specific concerns.
Insurance and/or cost per session. This question doesn’t necessarily help you to get to know a therapist, but it’s good to know upfront before you start building rapport with someone. Different therapists take different insurance plans. Self-pay rates vary somewhat, approximately $120-$250 per session, depending on a number of factors. You should always be provided with a good-faith estimate. You’ll also want to inquire about no-show fees and/or late cancellation fees.
Insurances We Accept
- Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO
- Blue Cross Community
- Aetna
- Cigna
- Medicare
- Medicaid – No wait list!
- United Healthcare
- Self Pay/Sliding Scale (must meet eligibility requirements)
- Pro Bono (must meet eligibility requirements)
Rooted in Community
Although Emerald Cove Counseling is fully virtual, we’re deeply connected to the Sycamore community we call home. We believe in supporting the people and organizations that make this area special. Recently, we were proud to participate in the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce’s 78th Annual Golf Outing—an event that brings together local leaders and businesses in a spirit of fun and collaboration.
As we continue to grow, we’re committed to giving back through community partnerships, local events, and mental health education. Whether it’s showing up, sponsoring, or simply connecting with neighbors, we want to be a supportive and visible part of Sycamore’s future.
Fathers of Faith Inc. & Emerald Cove Counseling: A New Mental Health Advocacy Partnership
We are proud to announce an official partnership between Fathers of Faith Inc. and Emerald Cove Counseling, marking a major step forward in our shared commitment to mental health, healing, and faith-based support for fathers throughout the region.
This collaboration strengthens our ability to reach fathers who are experiencing emotional, psychological, and spiritual challenges. Together, we are creating access to meaningful, professional care designed to meet the complex needs many fathers face today.
What This Partnership Offers
Through this alliance, we are expanding our services to include:
- Direct referrals for professional mental health and trauma counseling
- Faith-informed clinical support rooted in compassion and understanding
- Licensed therapists who specialize in grief, depression, custody struggles, identity loss, and more
- Seamless access through our Project D.A.D.™ outreach initiative
This partnership goes beyond encouragement. It is an intentional act of advocacy and intervention, providing fathers with the tools and support they need to move forward in strength and healing.
A New Standard of Support for Fathers
With this collaboration, Fathers of Faith becomes one of the few father-centered nonprofit organizations in Illinois offering professional mental health advocacy as an integrated part of its mission.
We are deeply grateful to Jill Early-Gillies and the entire team at Emerald Cove Counseling for their dedication to this work and their belief in the importance of supporting fathers in crisis. Together, we are helping to break the cycle of silent suffering and redefine what fatherhood support looks like.
Learn More or Get Involved
Visit Project D.A.D.™ to learn more about the program and how to access services.
To support this ongoing mission, please visit our donation page.