Psychology in Chicago

Psychology is a scientific discipline that studies the mind and behavior. It seeks to understand the mind, how it works, and how it affects behavior. It encompasses the environmental factors, social pressures, and biological influences that affect how people think, feel, and act. Since it is a broad and diverse field, there are numerous different subfields and specialty areas within psychology. Some of the major areas include clinical psychology, biological psychology, cognitive psychology, and developmental psychology.

A specialist or expert in psychology is called a psychologist. Licensed psychologists have professional training and clinical skills to do psychological testing, perform counseling and psychotherapy, and provide treatment for mental disorders. They are qualified to help people learn to cope more effectively with mental health problems. However, they are not medical doctors. This means that psychologists typically cannot perform medical procedures or write prescriptions. A psychologist will work in association with a psychiatrist or other medical doctor who provides medical treatment for mental illness, while the psychologist provides psychotherapy. 

There are numerous different styles of therapy, but the psychologist will identify the best approach to address the person’s problem that fits the characteristics and preferences of the patients. Some common types of therapy are behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, psychoanalytic or psychodynamic therapies, integrative or holistic therapy, and humanistic therapy.

Psychologists can help a wide variety of people and treat many types of problems. They can help those with mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and phobias. Psychologists can also help with rehabilitation and adjustment to chronic illness or disability. In some cases, people also talk to a psychologist to help overcome addictions, cope with stressful situations, or navigate through short-term problems, such as grieving the death of a family member or feeling overwhelmed by a new job. 

How Long Should I Stay in Chicago?

You usually do not need to stay in Chicago any longer than you want to after each treatment session. However, since psychotherapy usually requires more than one session, you can choose to stay in Chicago until you complete all of your sessions, so you do not have to travel multiple times. Some types of psychological treatment last only a few sessions, but others can take months and even years.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Recovery time depends on your specific condition. Most of the time, no recovery time is needed after a psychological test or treatment. You should be allowed to resume your normal routine and even go back to work immediately after. If the treatment makes you feel exhausted, you can take the rest of the day off. 

What Aftercare is Required?

Your psychologist will give you a set of aftercare instructions. The instructions are specifically designed for your individual case and are aimed to prevent relapse. You may also be recommended to live an active and healthy life, such as exercising regularly and to eat a healthy diet. 

What's the Success Rate?

Psychology is always growing and evolving. New discoveries and applications of psychology are always being uncovered. This helps psychology tests and treatments to become more successful, accurate, and safe. Today, psychologists can use evidence-based techniques to make treatment more efficient and effective. With psychology, people can improve their decision making, behavior, and stress management based on understanding past behavior to predict future behavior. Psychological treatments can have some side effects, such as becoming sad or fearful, an increase in anxiety, negative changes in the family, or relapse.  

Are there Alternatives?

There are numerous types of mental health professionals you can see to help with mental health problems. You can choose to see a psychiatrist, licensed mental health counselor, mental health nurse, or clinical social worker. In many cases, these mental health professionals work together to deliver the best treatment plan.

Psychology in and around Chicago

About Chicago

The city of Chicago is the third-most populous city in the United States of America, with a population of over 2.7 million people. The city is located on the southwestern shores of Lake Michigan and is known as the “Windy City.” It is an international hub for culture, finance, commerce, technology, telecommunications, transportation, and industry. The city offers visitors a wide range of things to do. Whether you want to dine in its exquisite restaurants, have fun in the jazz clubs, wander around the green space, admire its architectural beauty, or go shopping. The city also provides top-notch medical centers that attract medical tourists from around 140 countries, especially from the Middle East region. These medical centers have world-class specialists and advanced technologies. Many patients come for cancer, orthopedic, or other complex treatment that they might not be able in their home country. 

Popular Areas in Chicago

• Millennium Park is one of Chicago’s most popular attractions located on Michigan Avenue. Here, tourists can discover a collection of architecture, art, and landscape design. The park includes Pritzker Pavilion, an amazing silver bandshell that hosts free weekly concerts every summer; Cloud Gate ‘the Bean’ mesmerizing silvery sculpture; Crown Fountain, an imperative work of public art and video sculpture; McCormick Tribute Ice Rink for skaters in the winter; and the tranquil Lurie Garden filled with stunning flowers.
• Art Institute of Chicago was founded in 1879 and is the oldest museum in the city. It houses more than 300 thousand pieces of art and has the largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art outside the Louvre. Tourists can get intimate views of some of the world’s most popular artworks, from Pablo Picasso’s The Old Guitarist to Etruscan pottery. Other important artworks in the museum’s permanent collection include Nighthawks by Edward Hopper, American Gothic by Grant Wood, Rainy Street; Rainy Day by Gustave Caillebotte, and Day of the God by Paul Gauguin.
• Navy Pier was initially constructed as the world’s largest pier in 1914. It was built for shipping and entertainment. During World War II, the pier serves as a training place for pilots. Today, it has become a famous location for tourists to enjoy the cool breeze from the lake. Ride the Centennial Wheel which offers an astounding view of Chicago. The pier also hosts seasonal fireworks and concerts. Tourists can also find public arts on the pier, such as the Captain of the Helm Statue, Bob Newhart Statue, and Crack the Whip Statue.
• Wrigley Field is located on the North Side of Chicago. It is the home to one of the city’s Major League Baseball franchise, the Chicago Cubs. Fans of baseballs will be happy to visit and watch a game here. It was built in 1914 and is one of the oldest major league ballparks. It was the first ballpark to let fans keep foul balls. 

Weather and Climate in Chicago

Chicago experiences four distinct seasons.

• Spring is from April to June. The temperatures are good and enjoyable, making it the best time to visit the city. The average high in May is around 21°C. However, keep in mind that rain showers can occur.
• Summer starts in July and ends in August. The weather can be hot and humid, especially in August. The city is filled with tourists and families during this season. 
• Autumn starts in September to November and the weather is at its best in September, and there are fewer crowds in this season. The temperatures will slowly decrease, sometimes dipping to 4 °C at night.
• Winter will start from late November to March. The winter is cold and snowy, but December is known to be a wonderful time to visit the city because many holiday events and festivals transform the city into a winter wonderland. 

Getting Around in Chicago

O’Hare International Airport is the 3rd busiest airport in the United States. It serves domestic and international flights to many cities in the world, including London, Shanghai, Delhi, and Auckland. Low-cost carriers, such as Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, and Spirit Airlines, are a good and affordable option to travel to and from Chicago. 

Traveling around Chicago is fairly easy since the city has numerous public transportations. The buses and trains are operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and they are fast and inexpensive. The trains are known as the “L” trains and it is best to buy a CTA Visitor passes, which has unlimited rides on all CTA trains and buses. A 1-day pass is $10, a 3-day pass is $20, and a 7-day pass is $28. 

Taxis can be found easily throughout the city. They can get a bit expensive, but they provide a convenient way to get around the city. The fares depend on gas prices and the number of passengers. Apps like Lyft and Uber are more cost-effective and are plentiful.

Tourists Visas in Chicago

Visa exemption access is given to Canada, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, and Bermuda. Citizens of 38 countries (including Australia, Japan, Singapore, and the United Kingdom) are selected for the Visa Waiver Program. Citizens from other countries not listed in the visa exemption and visa waiver agreement are required to apply for a visa. Visitors may stay in the United States for 90 days. It is best to check the visa policy at the nearest United States Embassy.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The official currency is the US dollar ($). For the current exchange rate to your local currency, check XE.com.
2. Money & Payments: Tourists can easily find ATMs in almost every part of the city. Credit and debit cards are accepted in almost every restaurant, shop, and hotel. Tipping can be mandatory in Chicago, tipping at least 18% is generally expected in restaurants.
3. Local Language: The main language is American English and many people can also speak Spanish.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Christianity is the biggest religion in Chicago, followed by Islam and Judaism.
5. Public Holidays: Some of the major public holidays in Chicago are New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.