The image of an open window, ‘finestra’ in Latin, represents our dedication to offering our clients the opportunity to find new perspectives and experiences that have been clouded by caregiver stress, loss, medical issues, trauma, and everyday work and family life. "
Services
The Finestra Center prides itself on it’s experienced, diverse clinical staff. We offer therapy in English and Spanish.
Find the services that are right for you:
Assessment and therapeutic services to address a wide range of issues that many caregivers and adults share; depression, anxiety, challenges in intimate and family relationships, loss of meaning and direction in life.
Time and limited budgets too often keep people with busy lives away from the help and support that they need. The Finestra Center specializes in short term and results based therapy utilizing a combination of relation based, family systems, behavioral and cognitive therapies.
Even the best parents can benefit from working with a therapist to address their child's develpment and obstacles to transitioning.
Our therapists work to support children and adolescents through life changes and other challenges by building self esteem and developing positive communication through creative, age appropriate modalities.
We know that at times, adding another thing to our already hectic lives feels stressful. We believe that therapy should work for you, and as such are committed to thinking outside of the box as to how best to meet your needs.
When clinically indicated, we are happy to provide support by phone if traveling to the office for an appointment is not feasible.
Other services:
Trainings catered to the needs of your organization. We have provided programs to professional and private groups on a range of topics. These include topics such as leadership, Conflict Resolution, Improving Communication in a Diverse Work Environment, Burnout & Workplace Stress.
Supervision services to Social Workers working towards their advanced level of clinical licensure.
Contact us
About Us
Our collective clinical social work experience in mental health, community based therapy, and medical settings have shown us time and again that people who care for others, whether in a personal or professional capacity, are in need of quality, short term, results-based therapy that is affordable and able to address their unique needs.
We have worked with caregivers in many areas; mothers, fathers, and friends of children with medical and developmental issues, medical and allied health professionals, police and EMS staff in our emergency rooms and the community, parents or children with mental illness and behavior problems, and other therapists who work in extraordinarily stressful and traumatic situations.
Together, we offer more than 15 years of clinical experience that has been developed at agencies including Metropolitan Family Services, The Johns Hopkins Hospital System, Community Counseling Centers of Chicago, The Center for Conflict Resolution, and Children's Memorial Hospital.
We also offer biligual services in English and Spanish, and offer telephone appointments to established clients when appropriate. We are eager to bring our knowledge and passion for growth and change to the Finestra Center.
Justine McBride is an LCSW who focuses on short, measurable goals while providing a warm, nurturing and comfortable therapeutic environment. Justine has over eight years of experience working with children and families in crisis at the Community Counseling Centers of Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (formerly Children's Memorial Hospital). She began her career in mediation and communication at the Center for Conflict Resolution.
Justine specializes in assisting clients in improving their communication and problem solving skills in order to enhance their personal and professional relationships.
Kate Blanco is an LCSW with over 9 years of experience. She practices both in English and in Spanish and also is trained in Hypnotherapy. Kate has experience working with adults and children at Metropolitan Family Services and Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (formerly Children's Memorial Hospital) where she is skilled at helping families and children through crises as well as assisting families adjust to their caregiving roles when faced with a chronic illness. Her treatment approach is customized to each individual client, and integrates the theories and models most appropriate to achieve emotional health and well-being.
Julie Donahoe is an LCSW with over nine years of experience working with people who have suffered interpersonal trauma, grief, and other loss in both childhood and adulthood. Julie has worked with children and families who have experience interpersonal violence, trauma and loss at the Rainbow House Shelter, Hepzibah Home and Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (formerly Children's Memorial Hospital).
Julie utilizes a variety of modalities specific to each client’s unique needs with the belief that a caring, trusting and collaborative alliance is at the core of an effective therapeutic relationship.
Alfred Howard is an LCSW who has ten years of experience working with individuals and families struggling with relational issues, coping with acute and chronic disease, and other mood, attention and family challenges. Alfred has practiced at the Family Systems and New Life Programs (VA), Lutheran Social Services, and Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (formerly Children's Memorial Hospital).
Alfred’s therapeutic style is rooted in strengths-based and goal oriented modalities. His sessions are focused, supportive, with a focus on reaching an emotionally gratifying level of self-awareness and forgiveness.
Insurances & Payment Options
The Finestra Center are in-network providers for a variety of insurance carriers and Employee Assistanc ePrograms (EAP).
These include:
We accept self-payment for services rendered and are happy to offer a sliding fee scale on a case by case basis. If we are unable to accommodate your for any reason, we will help you find a provider who can.
If your insurance carrier is not listed here, please speak with us about accessing your out of the network benefits. We know how confusing the insurance reimbursement process can be, and are happy to walk you through it to maximize your usage of your benefits. Contact us
Counseling Q&A
Q: Is therapy right for me?
A: There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected life changes, such as loss of a family member or friend, divorce, unexpected move, school or academic challenge, or other transition. Many seek the advice of a therapist as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges.
Q: What is social work?
A: The social work profession promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Utilizing theories of human behavior and social systems, social work intervenes at the points where people interact with their environments. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work. (Taken from www.ifsw.org “The Definition of Social Work”)
Q: Why therapy? I can usually handle my own problems.
A: Everyone goes through difficult situations in life. While you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
Q: What is therapy like?
A: Every therapy session and therapist is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. It is standard for therapists to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around fifty minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions.
Contact Us
The Finestra Center is located in the
heart of
the Ravenswood neighborhood in Chicago,
convenient to Metra and CTA train and bus lines.
Click on the map to get directions
Finestra Center
4659 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Chicago, IL 60640
Phone/Fax: 773-435-6740 Consultation: info@finestracenter.com
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