FAQs
What Makes Christine H. Stryjewski Different from Other Therapists in greater Chicagoland area?
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Behavioral Science Professional and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), I bring a unique combination of expertise in trauma-informed psychotherapy and substance use counseling. This dual-specialty allows me to provide integrated care that addresses not only anxiety, depression, and relationship stress, but also complex co-occurring issues, such as substance use intertwined with trauma, grief, or chronic medical stress.
Unlike most therapists who focus exclusively on either mental health or addiction, I specialize in dual diagnosis therapy, helping clients address the full picture of their emotional and behavioral health. I also have advanced experience supporting caregivers, teens, and adults navigating life transitions, providing highly personalized, practical, and evidence-based interventions.
In addition, Affirm Behavioral Health, PLLC is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), demonstrating a commitment to ethical, transparent, and professional care. I am also an active member of Chamber 630, which connects me with the greater Chicagoland area and western suburbs community and reinforces my dedication to local support and engagement.
Whether you are seeking anxiety therapy in Illinois, depression treatment in greater Chicagoland area, substance use counseling, or trauma-informed care for co-occurring issues, my holistic approach allows clients to tackle challenges that other therapists might treat in isolation. By combining trauma-informed psychotherapy, CADC expertise, and a commitment to professional and community standards, I provide comprehensive, individualized care that supports lasting recovery, emotional growth, and resilience.
Do you provide online therapy in Illinois?
Yes. I offer secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth therapy to adults located anywhere in Illinois. Online therapy provides flexibility and privacy while maintaining the same level of clinical care as in-person sessions.
Telehealth therapy can be especially helpful for:
Busy professionals
Individuals with chronic illness
Clients undergoing medical treatment
Caregivers with limited time availability
Do You Accept Insurance?
Affirm Behavioral Health, PLLC offers both insurance and private pay options for psychotherapy services in Illinois. Because insurance participation can change, I encourage you to contact the office directly to discuss current in-network plans and fee structure.
If I am considered an out-of-network provider under your plan, I can provide a detailed detailed receipt upon request for you to submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. Many clients receive partial reimbursement depending on their behavioral health benefits.
I strongly recommend contacting your insurance provider prior to your first appointment to verify coverage for outpatient mental health services, deductible requirements, co-pays, co-insurance, and out-of-network benefits.
If you have questions about navigating insurance for therapy in Illinois, I am happy to help guide you through the process.
What is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), and how does it affect my care?
As a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), I am professionally trained and credentialed to provide assessment, counseling, and treatment for individuals struggling with alcohol and substance use disorders. This certification ensures I have specialized knowledge in:
Understanding the psychological, behavioral, and physiological aspects of addiction
Evidence-based approaches for relapse prevention and recovery support
Supporting individuals with co-occurring mental health conditions (dual diagnosis)
Developing personalized treatment plans for long-term recovery
In therapy, my CADC expertise means you receive care that is trauma-informed, structured, and tailored to the unique challenges of substance use and recovery. Whether you are seeking support for alcohol use, drug use, relapse prevention, or co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, or trauma, I can help you build coping skills, emotional regulation strategies, and a sustainable path to recovery.
Being a CADC allows me to integrate substance use expertise with my broader experience in trauma-informed psychotherapy, life transitions, and mental health treatment—ensuring comprehensive, compassionate care.
What services do you provide?
At Affirm Behavioral Health, PLLC, I provide individual psychotherapy for teens and adults, as well as therapy for families and couples throughout Illinois. Services are available via HIPAA-secure telehealth statewide and in-person in greater Chicagoland area.
I specialize in helping clients navigate anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship stress, medical diagnoses, caregiver fatigue, and trauma-related stress. Treatment is trauma-informed, collaborative, and tailored to each client’s unique goals and lived experiences.
With advanced experience in oncology social work, I provide counseling for individuals coping with cancer diagnoses, chronic illness, grief, anticipatory loss, survivorship concerns, and complex medical stressors. I also support caregivers experiencing burnout, emotional exhaustion, and the psychological impact of long-term medical caregiving.
Whether you are seeking anxiety therapy in Illinois, couples counseling in greater Chicagoland area, depression treatment, trauma-informed therapy, or oncology-focused counseling, care is personalized and grounded in both clinical expertise and compassionate understanding.
What Is Trauma-Informed Care?
Trauma-informed care is an approach to therapy that recognizes how past experiences—including childhood adversity, relationship trauma, medical events, grief, or systemic stress—can significantly impact emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. Rather than asking, “What’s wrong with you?” trauma-informed therapy asks, “What happened to you?”
This framework acknowledges that trauma can affect the nervous system, relationships, coping patterns, and overall mental health. Symptoms such as anxiety, depression, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, and difficulty trusting others are often protective responses to overwhelming experiences.
In our work together, trauma-informed care means creating a safe, collaborative, and empowering therapeutic environment. You will not be judged, rushed, or pressured to disclose more than you are ready to share. We move at your pace, prioritizing emotional safety, nervous system regulation, and skill-building before processing deeper experiences. Your story is honored, your autonomy is respected, and your healing unfolds in a way that feels manageable and supported.
This approach is especially beneficial for individuals coping with anxiety, depression, medical trauma, cancer diagnoses, chronic illness, grief, or significant life transitions.
Affirm Behavioral Health, PLLC provides trauma-informed online therapy to adults throughout Illinois, including Chicago and surrounding communities.
What Can I Expect in the First Therapy Session?
Your first therapy session is a supportive, collaborative space designed to help us get to know one another and determine whether we are a good therapeutic fit. Whether you are beginning anxiety therapy, depression treatment, couples counseling, or support for medical-related stress, the initial session focuses on understanding your unique story.
During this appointment, we will review your personal history, current concerns, symptoms, and goals for therapy. We may explore patterns contributing to anxiety, depression, trauma-related stress, relationship challenges, or adjustment to life transitions or medical diagnoses. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions about my approach, trauma-informed care, confidentiality, and what the therapy process typically looks like.
There is no expectation that you “have it all figured out.” Many clients begin therapy feeling overwhelmed or unsure of where to start. We begin wherever you are, moving at a pace that feels safe and manageable. The first session lays the foundation for a thoughtful, individualized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
How Long Does Therapy Last?
The length of therapy is individualized and depends on your goals, symptoms, and the complexity of what you’re navigating. Some clients seek short-term therapy in Illinois for support during a specific life transition, relationship concern, or period of increased anxiety or depression. Short-term work may focus on building coping skills, improving communication, and developing practical strategies for symptom relief.
Other clients benefit from longer-term therapy to address deeper patterns, trauma-related stress, chronic anxiety, depression, or the ongoing emotional impact of medical diagnoses, cancer treatment, or caregiving responsibilities. Longer-term work often allows for more comprehensive healing, nervous system regulation, and sustained personal growth.
Throughout the therapy process, we regularly review progress and collaborate on adjustments to your treatment plan. Therapy is not open-ended without intention—it is guided by your goals, your readiness, and measurable clinical progress.
Whether you are seeking brief support or more in-depth trauma-informed therapy in Illinois, the pace and duration of treatment are always tailored to you.