The Ins and Outs of Therapy.
What is therapy?
Therapy, also known as psychotherapy or talk therapy, is a mental health service that involves a trained professional (therapist) working with individuals and relationships to improve their mental and emotional well-being.
Our therapists work to help clients gain insight, heal past traumas, address self-destructive habits, repair and improve relationships, and develop skills to navigate challenging and painful experiences. Therapy may also include diagnosis and treatment of a mental health condition.
What sets The Expansive Group apart?
All of our services are rooted in queer-centered, anti-oppressive, and culturally responsive care. In practice, this looks like therapy that is sensitive, understanding, and embracing of your identities and background. From queer sex therapy to Black queer therapy for Black queer folks to neurodivergent care, we’re here for you. Over the years, we’ve been able to offer therapy both online and in person to a diversity of clients throughout the country.
Find a therapist that works for you.
You can match with a licensed provider in Illinois, New York, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania where we offer therapy services to clients located in these states. While most of our services are virtual, you can do in-person sessions at our offices in New York and Chicago–just indicate your in-person preference on your intake form! If you don't reside in these states, reach out to us and we can discuss your options.
Payment options for therapy.
We offer in-state therapy both virtually and in-person with insurance and sliding scale options. If you have insurance, check to see if you have an in-network insurance plan. Don’t see your plan? Reach out to us and we can discuss your options, including out-of-network benefits if eligible. For individuals without insurance, we have a spectrum of out-of-pocket fees available to fit different financial situations. If therapy isn’t a fit for you, please visit our coaching page to discover how to get support, regardless of location—we have worked with clients in 50 states and over 60 different countries.
"Best therapy I’ve ever gotten. I was matched to a great therapist and the administrative and insurance process has been very minimal since."
― Anonymous Client
Finding A therapist.
Finding a therapist can be a confusing and daunting process, so we try to make the process simple. Reach out to us today, and our Intake Coordinator will personally answer your questions and connect you to a therapist based on your specific identities, goals, and preferences in one to two business days. See if we’re right for you:
✔ Individual & Relationship Therapy
✔ $0 Consultation
✔ Insurance & Sliding Scale Options
✔ Virtual & In-Person Sessions
✔ Specialization in Gender & Sexuality
✔ Support with Depression, Anxiety, Trauma Recovery, & More
✔ Queer-Centered, Anti-Oppressive, & Culturally Responsive Care
OUR THERAPISTS FEATURED.
FAQs
Where can I view your team of therapists and coaches?
Please view our team of therapists and coaches on 'Our Care Team' page here.
What is sex therapy? What is queer sex therapy?
Sex therapy is a therapeutic intervention primarily focused on intimacy, identity, and a client’s relationship to sex and their body, and “queer sex therapy” refers to our LGBTQIA+ affirming lens. Our team advocates for expansive views of gender, relationship, and sexual exploration, and does not gate-keep identity, language, or behavior. You do not need to be in a relationship (or even sexually active) to seek sex therapy. Common reasons people seek sex therapy include:
- Desire discrepancy (struggles with sexual compatibility)
- Sexual trauma
- Relationship conflict & communication
- Gender identity exploration and/or transition
- Gender dysphoria
- Exploration of sexual orientation including gay, lesbian, asexual, pansexual, queer, and more
- BDSM and Kink
- Struggles with orgasm or inorgasmia
- Overcoming sexual shame and/or religious trauma
- Non-monogamy
- Chronic pain and/or sexual pain
- Body Image
- General couples or relationship therapy
What is the difference between therapy and coaching?
Therapy is a regulated mental health service provided by mental health professionals who have completed graduate training programs in counseling psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, and/or clinical psychology. Our therapists work to help clients gain insight, heal past traumas, address self-destructive habits, repair and improve relationships, and develop skills to navigate challenging and painful experiences. Therapy may also include diagnosis and treatment of a mental health condition. Due to professional licensing requirements, our therapists can only provide individual, relationship and group therapy services to clients located in the state/s in which they are licensed. Currently, The Expansive Group has licensed providers in Illinois, New York, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and can provide therapy services to clients located in these states.
At TEG, we define coaching as a service that works to help you identify and clarify your goals, recognize obstacles and problematic behaviors that stand in the way of achieving those goals, and create action plans to build the life you want. Coaching services are provided by coaches. At TEG, all of our coaches have been trained as therapists, so you can feel confident that they are experienced in providing attentive and affirming care. They are also uniquely equipped to connect you with additional support if the care you seek extends beyond the scope of coaching. Coaching services can be provided to clients regardless of location, and clients can join virtual support groups from any location, as well. Coaching and groups are not a substitute for therapy. If you are seeking treatment for a mental health condition, you should seek services from a therapist who is licensed in your state. To the extent that we have no therapists licensed in your location, we can support you in finding resources for local therapists in your area.
Can I seek services if I am not part of the LGBTQIA+ community?
Absolutely. While we center the queer community in our work, we believe that everyone can benefit from an expansive take on sexuality, gender and relationships. Many of our therapists and coaches work with cisgender, straight clients across a wide range of topics.
Can I seek therapy services from any location?
Due to professional licensing requirements, our therapists can only provide therapy services to clients located in the state/s in which they are licensed. Currently, The Expansive Group has licensed providers in Illinois, New York, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and can provide therapy services to clients located in these states.
Can I seek coaching services from any location?
Yes, our coaches are able to provide coaching services to clients from all states and countries across the world. Coaching is not covered by insurance, but we offer a sliding scale for out-of-pocket fees. If our coaches assess that your needs are better suited for therapy, they can support you in getting connected to therapy services in your area.
Do you accept my insurance?
For therapy services, we accept insurance from Illinois residents who have Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO or Blue Choice PPO and from New York residents who have Aetna. To ensure that we are in-network with your insurance, call the number on the back of your insurance card prior to your first session. We also have a Billing Coordinator who can assist you with insurance verification during the intake process after you reach out to us. If insurance does not cover the cost of your sessions, you will be responsible for the full charge.
Please note, we are not in-network with some independent licensees of BCBS. We're also not able to work with out-of-network providers for temporary coverage. Therapy clients are welcome to submit a bill to their insurance companies to seek out-of-network coverage. Additionally, you may call your insurance company to inquire about out-of-network benefits because you may be eligible for reimbursements after your therapy sessions at our practice.
Do you offer sliding scale?
Yes, if you’re paying out-of-pocket for therapy or coaching, we offer a range of session fees based on financial access. Please review our sliding scale here. When you reach out to us, please indicate your budget on the intake form and our team will assist you further.
What is Pleasure Mentoring?
Offered by the one and only Kiana Lewis, Pleasure Mentoring focuses on developing your understanding of sensuality and cultivating a practice with your erotic self. Different from therapy, Pleasure Mentoring offers short-term, pragmatic guidance. Kiana uses modalities including movement, visualization, writing, and vocalization to help you unearth your most pleasure-filled life. For Pleasure Mentoring, email Kiana@theexpansivegroup.com.
How is @queersextherapy related to The Expansive Group?
The Instagram page @queersextherapy was created by our founder and CEO, Casey Tanner, and is run by Casey and other TEG educators. Because we recognize not everyone has the time, energy or finances for sex therapy or coaching, we provide free sex, gender, and relationship education through this platform in an effort to make this unique work more accessible. While @queersextherapy offers brief tips and resources on these topics, many choose to work with a provider at TEG to explore what these topics mean in their lives.