Therapists, clients protest close of North Side counseling centers

CHICAGO (WLS) -- After 45 years, Community Counseling Center of Chicago is closing its locations on the city's North Side.

Almost two weeks ago workers and clients learned C4, as it's called, was closing its doors for good at the end of the month. Therapists said they have not been told why one of the largest mental health providers in the city is closing.

"We need to know what happened, why it happened and what's going to happen now?" therapist Maya Joseph Brooks said.

Workers marched to C4 administrative offices to demand answers on Tuesday. Employees said they were given four days' notice that their own health insurance would be cut off. The 45-year-old organization employs 300 people and serves more than 10,000 at-risk individuals and their families.

"I have a child who has been hospitalized eight times in two years. What is she going to do without her psychiatrist, medications, therapists whom she depends upon? Please consider these things," one woman who said her family has gone to C-4 for 24 years said.

With already closed city mental health clinics and Governor Bruce Rauner's proposed cuts that may affect many more clinics, therapists worry about where their clients can continue to get the help they need.

"We specialize in child/ adolescence services, psychiatry, a lot of Spanish speaking staff and things that don't exist elsewhere," Max Beshers, therapist, said.

Therapists say most of their clients are low income, at risk families that need the continuity of the same doctor and therapist. In her statement, C-4's CEO said here is not a specific transition plan for the clients. However, C-4 has reached out to city, county, state and their peer providers for help.