Heal Today. Hope for Tomorrow.
Guiding Clients in Illinois and Pennsylvania Toward a Brighter Future with
Individual Telehealth Counseling.
Welcome to Hope Alliance Counseling Services.
Dr. Dana Allen is the founder, owner, and sole practitioner at Hope Alliance Counseling Services (Hope ACS). Thank you for visiting the site to learn more about the practice!
Hope ACS is a virtual, telehealth counseling practice offering individual counseling to clients in Illinois and Pennsylvania, specifically targeting adults aged 25 to 75.
Dr. Dana is a participating provider with Aetna, Cigna, Carelon Behavioral Health, Optum, and various Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). Clients also have the option to pay privately at $170 an hour.
It is a big step to move from considering entering counseling to actively seeking a counselor who understands your unique circumstances. Dr. Dana recognizes the time and mental strength it takes to find the right fit, and she sincerely congratulates you on taking the first step toward prioritizing yourself.
Perhaps you find yourself at a crossroad where:
- The pressures of life have exhausted all you know to do, or
- Family and friends are helpful but offer a limited perspective, or
- You are strong for others but have a short list of people you can confide in.
Dr. Dana welcomes the opportunity to partner with you by providing sound, objective, and competent counseling services. At Hope ACS, she offers a collaborative counseling experience with fresh perspectives and hope toward lasting change on topics such as:
- Chronic pain,
- Depression,
- Life stage transitions,
- Military sexual trauma,
- Parenting,
- Post-traumatic stress disorder,
- Racial trauma,
- Religion and spirituality (including church hurt),
- Self-esteem and personal growth,
- Women's mental health, and
- Work and family relationships.
Dr. Dana applies Adlerian Theory, Cognitive Behavioral Theory, and Positive Psychology theoretical approaches based on each client's needs.
Some values that guide her counseling approach are:
- The counseling alliance (trust and mutual respect) is the foundation for exploring sensitive topics.
- Many times, we already know the answers, but we may lack the language and professional support to articulate and act upon them.
- Also, the client does not need to be fixed, but rather exposed to a reframed perspective specific to their unique circumstances.
Dr. Dana walks with you to identify patterns of behavior with authenticity, confidence, warmth, and honesty. The ultimate goal is for the client to increase their self-awareness, autonomy, and confidence to apply the fresh insights and skills learned.
Schedule a free, 15-minute consultation to learn more about HOPE ACS
Join the Waitlist for Hope Alliance Counseling
Currently not accepting new clients - please email me at DrDana@hopeacs.com to be placed on the waitlist for the next available opening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach out at drdana@hopeacs.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Counseling sessions are conducted via video as the primary mode. Telephone sessions are an option if the client experiences technical difficulties. Clients can conveniently receive mental health care without the hassle of gas, tolls, drive time, or available parking.
HOPE ACS is a private practice that utilizes a therapy platform company to assist with billing, referrals, and scheduling clients. The therapy platform is HIPAA-compliant, and data encrypted for both, secure messaging with clients and conducting video counseling sessions. The client will receive a secure link to join the sessions. The counseling sessions are not recorded.
HOPE ACS also utilizes ZOOM Workplace Pro with a special Healthcare HIPAA Business Associate Agreement (BAA) added to conduct the free 15-minute consultation sessions.
Both platforms are HIPAA compliant with the utmost precautions to safeguard the client's privacy. The free consultations and counseling session are not recorded.
HOPE ACS is a sole-owner-operated counseling practice. Generative AI note-taking tools are not used, nor are notes stored in the cloud. In the event a health insurance company conducts a claim audit, a trained associate from the therapy platform will assist with supplying the audited file(s) and following up on any outstanding insurance requirements for billing purposes.
UnitedHealthcare, Oxford Health Plans, Cigna, Aetna, UMR, Oscar, UHC Student Resources, AllSavers UHC, Meritain, Nippon, United Healthcare Shared Services, Allied Benefit Systems - Aetna, Surest (Formerly Bind), UnitedHealthcare Global, Christian Brothers Services - Aetna, Luminare Health - Aetna, Trustmark Health Benefits - Cigna, Trustmark Small Business Benefits - Aetna, Health Scope - Aetna, Carelon Behavioral Health, Inc., Optum, Luminare Health - Cigna, Lucent Health Solutions - Cigna, EVHC - Cigna, EVHC - Aetna, Centivo, Johns Hopkins Health Plans, Allied Benefit Systems - Cigna, Sutter Health Plan
There is a Private Pay option at $170 an hour.
No. Clients must physically reside in PA or IL to receive counseling services from Dr. Dana, @HOPE ACS.
A consultation is a short conversation to help you determine if a therapist is a good fit for ongoing care. The counselor will want a brief overview of your concerns and background. And, you will get the chance to ask questions as well (e.g., schedule days/hours, soonest availability, what sessions typically look like, cancellation policy, etc.)
Prospective clients are advised to pay attention to how they feel during the consultation and whether or not they feel comfortable with the therapist’s overall communication style. The counselor will also determine whether their experience or therapeutic approach will be helpful. In any event, the lack of ‘fit’ or compatibility is not a negative statement about you as the client.
Mendelsohn, E. (2024, Dec 12). What to expect from a therapy consultation. Alma Blog:
Starting therapy. https://helloalma.com/blog/what-to-expect-therapy-consultation/