Therapeutic and Clinical Services

UCAN’s Behavioral Health Services provide outpatient therapy to people who have experienced trauma. Working with youth, adults and families in a variety of settings, UCAN’s culturally diverse counselors and youth development specialists help consumers address such complex issues as abuse, neglect, behavioral problems, separation and loss. We create individualized treatment plans to meet their needs.
Our core services include:
• Family Separation / Disruption: Specialized therapy services to individuals and families affected by the trauma of separation and loss (e.g., loss of custody, death of a parent or child, divorce).
• Family / Community Violence: Individual, group, couples and family therapy.
• Sexual Abuse: Intervention, education and support to people who have suffered sexual abuse, for other family members impacted by the abuse, and for those who have committed sexual abuse.

The UCAN Behavioral Health Services  program serves all consumers regardless of inability to pay. Discounts for essential services are offered based on family size and income. For more information about our services or to make a referral, please contact our intake coordinator at ucancounseling@ucanchicago.org or 773.429.9346.

Phenomenal Woman is a female mentoring program, the name of which is inspired by a Maya Angelou poem. This program is offered as a means to help young ladies navigate the sometimes difficult journey into womanhood. Through participation in group mentoring workshops, young ladies will:

• Strengthen their self-esteem through self-affirmation and healthy self-image development
• Learn how to approach relationships in ways that are healthy and supportive and create positive experiences
• Spend time thinking about their future and imagining greatness for themselves
• Have access to an adult coach who can offer guidance and be an objective listener
• Eligibility: Young women between the ages of 13-24

For more information, please e-mail ucancounseling@ucanchicago.org.

UCAN Academy, comprised of two campuses across Chicago, is an innovative 1st through 12th grade year-round therapeutic day school. A special education curriculum is used by experienced staff to help students who have experienced difficulties in previous school settings and who benefit from a smaller, more individualized classroom setting. As the largest and one of the most recognized therapeutic day schools in the area, each child enrolled in UCAN Academy comes to us with a unique set of needs. We use a staff-intense environment for more one-on-one attention. Our students, while coming from diverse and distinct backgrounds, have all experienced difficulties in public or private school settings. Many have become discouraged about learning. We help them to see schooling in a positive light and to reach their highest potential.

Our Core Mission states that “UCAN Academy aims to meet the unique educational, social, and emotional needs of our diverse learners in order to achieve success.” Teaching behavioral expectations and appropriate responses is an important aspect of assisting students whose behavior has interfered with their participation in a traditional public-school setting. The Academy’s behavior management program incorporates PBIS, Restorative Justice, Behavior Referrals & Resolutions, Response to Intervention (RtI), and Sensory Supports to aide students in maintaining relationships with others as well as allowing them to focus on their academics in a safe environment. The emphasis is on teaching positive expectations and re-teaching appropriate coping skills as needed. This incorporates coaching students to self-regulate, self-reflect, self-monitor as well as to advocate for their needs. Students are provided a small, structured setting with certified professional staff who are trained in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention