New Patients
How to become a patient at Harborlight.
We've designed a straightforward intake process that moves at a reasonable pace — from your initial request through to your first appointment. Here's exactly what to expect at each step.
The full process from request to first visit typically takes a few business days depending on availability.
Submit a new patient request
Use the "Request Appointment" button on our website. You'll be directed to a brief screening form — this isn't a booking form, it's a short set of questions that helps us confirm Harborlight is a good clinical fit for what you're looking for.
You do not need a referral from a therapist, PCP, or other provider to request care with us.
What we're looking at: Whether your needs fall within our scope of practice, whether you're located in Illinois, and whether our services are a reasonable match for what brings you in.
Receive your acceptance letter
Once we've reviewed your screening form, you'll receive a shared document with a letter letting you know whether we're able to move forward. If accepted, the letter will include next steps. If Harborlight isn't the right fit, we'll let you know clearly and, where possible, help point you in a better direction.
Timing: We aim to review new patient requests within one to two business days.
Register for the patient portal
Along with your acceptance letter, you'll receive an email with a link to register for the Harborlight patient portal, powered by PracticeQ. Registration takes just a few minutes — you'll create your account and set up your profile.
The portal is where you'll book appointments, complete paperwork, send secure messages, view billing, and join telehealth visits.
Check your spam folder if you don't see the registration email within a few hours of your acceptance letter.
Book your first appointment
Once registered, log into the portal and use the Book button in the upper right of the screen to schedule your first appointment. Your first visit is always in person at our Chicago office — telehealth is available for most follow-up care after that.
A 25% deposit is charged at the time of booking to hold your appointment. The remaining balance is charged on the day of your visit.
Exception: QbCheck purchased as a standalone add-on or repeat assessment is charged in full at the time of booking.
Your appointment is confirmed — intake packet sent
Once we've reviewed and confirmed your booking, you'll receive an email notifying you to log into the portal, where your full intake packet will be waiting. This packet includes:
- Consent forms
- Notices of office policies
- A thorough patient history and intake assessment — plan for approximately 45 to 60 minutes to complete this carefully
Important: All intake paperwork must be completed and submitted through the portal at least 48 hours before your appointment. If the deadline is not met, the appointment will be canceled — your deposit will be held and applied to a rescheduled visit, or refunded if rescheduling is not completed within 30 days.
Your first appointment
Come to our Chicago office at your scheduled time. We'll have reviewed your intake paperwork in advance, so your appointment begins with real conversation — not re-entering information you've already provided. Plan for the full visit length: 60 minutes for a standard comprehensive evaluation, or 120 minutes if you've booked the Functional & Integrative Psychiatry Evaluation.
You'll leave with a clear picture of our initial impressions, a preliminary treatment plan, and next steps.
Balance payment: The remaining 75% of your appointment fee is charged on the day of your visit. If the charge fails, one additional attempt will be made — if that also fails, the appointment will be canceled.
Payment at a glance
Here's how billing works across the new patient process. HSA and FSA cards are accepted for all services.
All services use a two-part payment structure — a deposit at booking, balance on the day of your visit — with one exception.
All standard services
25% deposit charged at booking · Remaining 75% charged on the day of your visit · If the balance charge fails, one retry is made before the appointment is canceled
QbCheck (standalone)
Full cost charged at the time of booking · No split — payment in full upfront
Common questions about getting started
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You'll receive a letter letting you know clearly. If we're not the right fit, we'll do our best to point you toward a provider or resource that may be a better match for your needs.
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No. You can request care directly without a referral from a therapist, PCP, or other provider. If you're transitioning from another prescriber, we may request records to support continuity of care, but this is not a requirement to get started.
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Plan for approximately 45 to 60 minutes to complete the full intake packet carefully. It includes consent forms, office policy notices, and a thorough patient history. Completing it thoughtfully helps us make the most of your first appointment — we review everything in advance so we can begin with real conversation rather than administrative catch-up.
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If you cancel with at least 48 hours' notice, your deposit will be refunded in full. If you cancel with less than 48 hours' notice or miss the appointment entirely, your deposit will be held and the remaining balance will be applied to a rescheduled visit — or refunded if rescheduling is not completed within 30 days.
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Your first appointment is always in person at our Chicago office. After that, most ongoing care can move to telehealth for your convenience, as long as you're physically located in Illinois at the time of each visit.
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Check your spam or promotions folder first. If you still don't see it within a few hours of receiving your acceptance letter, contact our office directly and we'll resend it.
Ready to get a clearer picture?
We're accepting new patients. Telehealth and in-person options available.