Start Your Journey Towards Generational Health

At Alkeme, we believe in the practice of evidence-based care, which relies on data. As such, we rely on a variety of relevant clinical scales to support your providers’ decision making as well as to ensure that we are delivering effective clinical care that is helping you improve. By filling out check-in forms from time-to-time, your provider can tailor your sessions to best meet your up-to-date needs.

We serve all patients who are seeking care. However, our platform was designed to primarily service Black individuals who are seeking to connect with Black therapists. To that extent, you will find that most of our therapists are Black, however the network reflects the same variety of diverse backgrounds, experiences, identities, and languages that exist in the Black population. 

Alkeme does not dictate how our therapists run their practices. Therapists join Alkeme to get support like help working with insurance companies, submitting claims, and connecting with new clients like you. Once you start seeing a therapist, you may receive notification emails from Alkeme about invoices, upcoming sessions, and to hear feedback, but otherwise you will interact with your therapist directly.

You and your therapist will work together to decide how often to meet for therapy. Once a week is typical, especially in the beginning of care when you’re still getting to know each other.

Every therapist will have their own policies and procedures about how they communicate with clients between sessions, but most use text or email.

Therapy is about exploring behaviors, emotions, and thought patterns to help you better understand yourself and make changes that will serve your life and goals. Some therapists take an unstructured approach, allowing you to explore whatever is on your mind and gain insights over time (i.e., psychodynamic therapy). Other therapists use a goal-oriented method (i.e., cognitive behavioral therapy), which may include homework between sessions. Many use a combination of both. Based on how you’re most comfortable learning and communicating, one approach may be better suited to your needs than another. Consultations will help you determine what’s best.

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Many therapists at Alkeme offer instant booking for consultations, so you can find a time that works for both of you directly on their profile. Therapists who don't offer instant booking typically respond to consultation requests within two business days. If you don't hear back within that time frame, we recommend reaching out to another therapist at Alkeme who fits your needs.

A consultation is not a first appointment — it’s a short conversation to help you determine if a therapist is a good fit for ongoing care. No two therapists approach consultations exactly the same way, but you can expect it to feel like a brief introduction to get to know one another and understand the therapist’s approach. They will want to learn a bit more about your concerns and background, and you’ll get the chance to ask questions about their experiences and approach to care. You may not click with the first therapist you meet, and that’s okay. Please note, this trial consultation is completely optional and is not required to get started.

No, Alkeme does not offer in-person therapy at this time – but there are many benefits to online therapy!

Alkeme specializes in online therapy – giving you the flexibility to meet with your therapist from wherever you’re most comfortable. We’ll send you an appointment reminder containing a secure link to your scheduled video conferencing session approximately 24 hours before your session.

It depends on your personal preferences and goals. Whether you’re seeking a therapist who specializes in certain mental health conditions, shares your racial background, has shared experiences or identifies in a similar way, or is available to meet at your preferred time – Alkeme makes it easy to search and filter by what matters most to you. If you don’t feel like your first choice was a match, don’t worry – we’ll help you switch to a different therapist in our network.

Therapists in Alkeme’s network are available to meet via live video as soon as tomorrow, within a minimum lead time of 24 hours. Click here to explore therapists and book your first session in minutes.

Absolutely. Alkeme’s network of licensed therapists make it easier to find a culturally aligned therapist for the care you need. Once you provide us with some basic information, we’ll generate a list of in-network therapists who are licensed in your state and accepting new patients.  From there, you can filter by what matters most to you and explore individual biographies until you find a match.

Alkeme does not currently participate in EAP networks, but we are in-network with most major insurers. You can also use your HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Savings Account) to cover eligible out-of-pocket expenses.

Yes! You can use your HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Savings Account) to cover out-of-pocket expenses. You’ll have the option to enter your card as the payment method on file, or you may submit a receipt to your HSA/FSA provider for reimbursement.

Although Alkeme is in-network with many major insurance plans, we understand that not everyone is covered by insurance. Alkeme offers a cash pay option with prices as listed on the therapist profile pages. You can also use your HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Savings Account) to cover out-of-pocket expenses.

If you have a PPO plan, you may have out-of-network benefits that allow you to receive care from providers who do not accept your insurance plan. If that’s the case, Alkeme will charge you the cash rate and you may submit a receipt to your insurer for potential reimbursement.

Alkeme patients typically pay $15-20 per session, although your individual cost may vary based on your insurance benefits and deductible. As a benefit of using Alkeme, we’ll contact your insurance carrier and provide you with an estimate of your per session cost before your first appointment!

No, Alkeme does not charge any fees. You’re only responsible for any applicable out-of-pocket expenses determined by your insurance – for example, if your plan requires a $20 copay, that’s the most you would pay.

Yes! Therapists on the Alkeme platform are in-network with many major insurance plans and the list of insurances we accept is growing. Your individual cost may vary based on your insurance benefits and deductible. Visit the Alkeme’s search and select your insurance from the drop-down menu to see available therapists who offer in-network care. We’ll work with your insurance to confirm your estimated per session cost before your first appointment.

Alkeme Health is making it easier than ever for Black individuals to find therapists who truly understand their experiences. By prioritizing connections with culturally-aligned therapists who accept insurance, Alkeme was founded on the belief that therapy should reflect and respect the lived experiences of Black Americans. We connect you with therapists who not only understand your cultural background but also accept your insurance, making it easier than ever to access the care you deserve. Our platform is built to address the specific challenges you face, ensuring that your mental health journey is supported by professionals who truly get it.

Alkeme was founded on the critical importance of cultural competence. Black Americans face different kinds of stress and inequalities in their lives, yet the mental health industry doesn’t always reflect or “see” their experience. Alkeme Health is specifically developed by Black practitioners and respected experts and provides real tools that lead to better mental health outcomes. Studies like this one have shown that mental health treatments can be more effective when a client feels their therapist values their culture. By exploring topics that go deeper and addressing the influences of culture, economics, and generational trauma among others, Alkeme provides healing for the whole.

Individuals age 18 and older are eligible to receive care in any state where Alkeme is available. At present time, Alkeme is only serving Illinois residents but we look forward to expanding in the future. Join our mailing list to be the first to know when we are serving additional states.

Providers in Alkeme’s network are specialized in individual therapy, couples therapy, and family therapy.

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