(HE / HIM)
LICENSED CLINICAL PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR
MASTERS IN DIVINITY
Manvel
Christopher
Chris specializes in working with individuals and couples (straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and nonbinary) who are dealing with a range of issues in their lives and is particularly interested in exploring the effects of religious trauma (an issue especially prevalent amongst the LGBTQIA2S+ community) while reconciling issues of faith and sexuality.
Chris is dedicated to working with diverse populations and serving those members of society who are often overlooked or marginalized and is an ally for anyone who seeks to express their non-traditional sexuality, including those in open relationships or who prefer other forms of non-monogamy.
Approach.
Chris fully believes that his clients are the experts on their own lives and his integrative approach to therapy is grounded in a client-centered theoretical framework while incorporating CBT, DBT, narrative therapy and mindfulness interventions.
For Chris, a meaningful, authentic client-therapist relationship is of the utmost importance, and he strives to create safe and welcoming spaces for all by fostering an environment of empathy, openness and honesty.
Clients who see Chris receive compassionate care without negative judgment, creating opportunities to make meaning of the events of their lives.
As a therapist, Chris attempts to hold up a mirror for clients to better see and understand themselves, helping them to increase their capacity for self-awareness and self-compassion.
For Chris, therapy is about creating a foundation for positive change; one that is conducive towards self discovery, personal growth and clients fulfilling their potential.
About.
Chris is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with dual master’s degrees in counseling and divinity from Loyola University Chicago.
He is a queer-identified therapist with extensive experiences working in private practice, with LGBTQIA2S+ social service agencies, as a hospice bereavement counselor and as a hospital chaplain.
His license number is 180.016062.
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Therapy sessions are billed at a rate of $160 per 55-minute session.
Initial diagnostic assessments are billed at a rate of $180 per 55-minute session.
Other services are billed at a prorated rate of $160 per hour.
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Chris is currently an in-network provider with:
Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO Plans
Blue Choice PPO Plans
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If your health plan is not listed above, you may contact your insurance provider to inquire if they provide out-of-network benefits and to learn how to access those benefits.
A specialized receipt called a superbill can be provided upon request to submit with out-of-network claims.
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In compliance with the No Surprises Act, clients who are self-pay or do not utilize insurance for payment will be provided a Good Faith Estimate explaining the expected cost of care.
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If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please notify Chris directly within 24 hours of your appointment start time.
Missed appointments or cancellations made within 24 hours of scheduled appointment time will be charged a $80 fee that cannot be billed to insurance. -
Chris offers in-person sessions at the Ravenswood office location on Thursdays.
Telehealth sessions are available Monday - Friday.
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The Ravenswood office is located at the northeast corner of Lawrence and Ravenswood, across from the Ravenswood Metra station, a Divvy station, 81 Lawrence Bus and 9 Ashland Bus.
The Damen Brown Line station, 50 Damen Bus and 22 Clark Bus are about a 10-minute walk to the office.
Free parking and bike racks are available in the front of the building.