Cornerstone Counseling Center of Chicago

What Cornerstone Counseling Center of Chicago does

Cornerstone Counseling Center of Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit mental health agency founded in 1974 and headquartered at 1111 N Wells St., Ste 400 in Chicago's Near North neighborhood. The organization provides faith-integrated, evidence-based counseling services to individuals, couples, families, and children/adolescents across the Chicago metropolitan area and statewide Illinois via telehealth. Its core service lines include individual therapy, couples and family therapy, child and adolescent therapy, psychological assessment (ADHD, cognitive, social-emotional, and personality), church partnership programs, and community presentations/workshops. Standard therapy sessions are priced at $180-$200 per 53-60 minute session, and the Client Access Program (CAP) offers $25 sessions delivered by supervised master's and doctoral-level therapists-in-training to serve affordability-constrained clients.

The clinical staff of approximately 11-50 licensed practitioners delivers care using a broad set of evidence-based modalities, including CBT, DBT, ACT, EMDR, EFT, Family Systems, IFS, IPT, Mindfulness, Psychodynamic/Psychoanalysis, Schema Therapy, Solution-Focused, Strength-Based, and Trauma-Focused approaches. Service delivery combines in-person appointments at the Chicago office — serving River North, Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, and Old Town — with statewide telehealth, including Spanish-language sessions. The practice is in-network with BlueCross BlueShield PPO, Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, PBA, UnitedHealthcare, and Optum, with out-of-network reimbursement support and a sliding-scale income-based fee structure; public aid is not accepted.

Revenue is generated through a mix of session-based fees, insurance reimbursement, sliding-scale payments, the subsidized CAP tier, and tax-deductible donations enabled by its 501(c)(3) status (EIN 36-3180656). The organization is independently governed by a Board of Directors with no parent company or subsidiaries, maintains HIPAA compliance, uses ClinicTracker as its patient portal, and supports an active blog plus social channels (Facebook, X, Pinterest) as its primary marketing surface. Operational maturity is reflected in its 51+ years of continuous practice, a formal Clinical Training Program, and community fundraising initiatives such as the 'Future in Focus' event supporting future therapist development.

Name

Cornerstone Counseling Center of Chicago

Legal name

Cornerstone Counseling Center of Chicago

Website

https://chicagocounseling.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cornerstone Counseling Center of Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit mental health agency founded in 1974 that provides faith-integrated, evidence-based counseling to individuals, couples, families, and children in Chicago and statewide Illinois via telehealth.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Counseling Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Outpatient Mental Health Clinics & Counseling Centers (HLAFACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mental Health Counseling & Psychotherapy Services (EDALAFAB), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK), Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) & Public Behavioral Health Providers (HLAFACAI)

Keywords

• Mental health counseling
• Individual therapy services
• Couples family therapy
• Psychological assessment
• Faith based counseling

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Therapy Sessions: Standard 53-60 minute therapy sessions charged at $180-$200 per session depending on therapist. Revenue generated through direct client payments, insurance billing, and sliding scale arrangements.
2. Client Access Program: Low-cost therapy sessions at $25 per session provided by supervised master's and doctoral-level therapists in training. Social justice initiative to remove financial barriers to mental health care.
3. Insurance Reimbursement: In-network provider status with BlueCross BlueShield PPO, Aetna, Cigna, PBA, and United Healthcare. Out-of-network reimbursement available with monthly statements provided for client submission.
4. Sliding Scale Fees: Income-based sliding scale fees for clients who do not have insurance coverage or whose plans are not accepted. Proof of income required for application.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Cornerstone Counseling Center of Chicago provides licensed counseling and therapy services to individuals, couples, families, and adolescents in the Chicago metropolitan area, combining evidence-based therapeutic modalities with an optional faith-integrated approach. Core offerings include individual therapy, couples and family therapy, child and adolescent therapy, comprehensive psychological assessments, and the Client Access Program that delivers supervised therapist-in-training sessions at $25 per session.

Product overview

Cornerstone Counseling Center of Chicago is a mental health agency offering a comprehensive suite of counseling services. The core service portfolio includes Individual Therapy, Couples & Family Therapy, Child & Adolescent Therapy, and Psychological Assessment. The center also provides specialized programs including the Client Access Program (CAP) for affordable care and Church Partnerships for faith-based communities. Services are delivered through both in-person sessions at their Chicago location and Telehealth video appointments. The practice incorporates various evidence-based therapeutic modalities including CBT, DBT, EMDR, and others. Founded in 1973, the center has been serving the Near North neighborhood of Chicago for over 51 years.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Individual Therapy One-on-one therapy sessions between a client and a licensed therapist addressing personal challenges such as depression, anxiety, grief, life transitions, trauma, self-esteem issues, and personal growth. Sessions last 53-60 minutes and are charged at $180-$200 depending on the therapist.
• Couples & Family Therapy Counseling services focused on improving communication, conflict resolution, and relational dynamics for couples and families experiencing marital discord, parenting challenges, or other relationship concerns. Includes marriage counseling, premarital therapy, and family systems work.
• Child & Adolescent Therapy Specialized therapeutic services for children and adolescents addressing behavioral issues, ADHD, anxiety, trauma, social skills deficits, and developmental challenges, with family involvement in the treatment process.
• Psychological Assessment Comprehensive psychological evaluations including ADHD, cognitive, social-emotional, personality, and neuropsychological assessments used to diagnose conditions and inform treatment planning, often for medical professional referrals.
• Client Access Program (CAP) Social justice initiative providing affordable therapy at $25 per session with supervised master's and doctoral-level therapists in training. Includes income-based sliding scale options to remove financial barriers to mental health care.
• Church Partnerships Collaborative mental health services for churches and faith communities including pastoral care support, leadership training, team building, and congregation workshops on mental wellness topics.
• Presentations & Workshops Educational presentations and workshops on mental health topics delivered to schools, organizations, and community groups covering stress management, coping skills, and emotional wellness.
• Telehealth Therapy Virtual therapy appointments delivered via video conferencing across Illinois, including Spanish-speaking therapist services, allowing clients to receive counseling from home with geographic reach beyond Chicago.

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Lyra Health: Lyra Health is a venture-backed mental health provider offering in-person and virtual therapy, coaching, and psychiatric care primarily through employer-sponsored benefits. Comparable as an outpatient mental health provider, but with an enterprise GTM motion rather than direct-to-consumer.
• Two Chairs: Two Chairs is a venture-backed outpatient therapy provider combining in-person clinics (including in Chicago) with virtual care and a therapist-matching model. Closest direct competitor in therapist-matching philosophy and Illinois presence.
• Charlie Health: Charlie Health is a virtual and residential mental health provider specializing in teens, young adults, and families dealing with moderate-to-severe mental health conditions. Comparable as a family- and youth-focused outpatient provider with virtual delivery.

Broad incumbents

• Talkspace: Talkspace is a national online therapy platform offering virtual individual and couples therapy via in-network insurance and direct pay. Comparable as an outpatient mental health provider serving individuals and couples, but at national digital scale rather than a single geography.
• BetterHelp: BetterHelp is the largest direct-to-consumer online counseling platform, offering subscription-based individual therapy, couples therapy, and teen counseling. Comparable core service offering (individual and couples therapy) but at global digital scale and very different pricing structure.

Direct peers

• Metropolitan Family Services: Metropolitan Family Services is a Chicago-area nonprofit providing counseling, mental health, and family support services. Comparable as a community-rooted Chicago outpatient mental health and family services provider with sliding-scale fees.
• Rosecrance: Rosecrance is an Illinois-based nonprofit behavioral health organization offering outpatient counseling, residential treatment, and substance use services. Comparable as an Illinois-headquartered outpatient mental health nonprofit with a broader continuum of care.
• Josselyn Center: Josselyn Center is a North Shore Chicago nonprofit mental health agency offering outpatient counseling, psychiatry, and community-based mental health services across the lifespan. Directly comparable to Cornerstone as a community-rooted Illinois outpatient mental health provider with a similar sliding-scale model.
• Family Service Center of Wilmette / Pillars Community Health: Pillars Community Health is a Chicago-area nonprofit offering outpatient mental health, counseling, and family services across multiple suburban locations. Comparable in operating model — a multi-site Illinois outpatient counseling nonprofit serving individuals, couples, and families.
• Thresholds: Thresholds is a large Chicago-based nonprofit providing mental health, substance use, housing, and employment services to adults with serious mental illness. Comparable geographic footprint and outpatient/community mental health mission, though it serves a higher-acuity population.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses2 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/chicago_counsel

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cornerstone Counseling Center of Chicago