Inspire Counseling Center

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or behavioral struggles require a full team of support to succeed. We get it! At Inspire, we collaborate with schools, pediatricians, case management agencies and families. We can also provide guidance and support for Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings with students, families and school personnel as well. Nothing makes a bigger impact, or is more important than the family in a child’s journey. However, when the family is working to support the child with ASD or behavioral issues, it can be stressful and easy to overlook the needs of the rest of the family. Tending to the needs of the parents and siblings is just as critical. Everyone deserves a safe place to say anything, grieve, normalize, laugh, cry, vent – to be their best. Leslie Guantt, MSW, is a mom of 2 young kids and through her work at the Pediatric Developmental Center and Esperanza Community Services, has a wide experience working with children ages 0-21 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Emotional Behavioral Disorder. She also specializes in supporting parents and siblings of kiddos with ASD or behavioral issues. Leslie understands the nuances of ASD and have developed and implemented curriculum for social skills groups for early intervention, middle school and high school groups. She's also provided individual & group support using evidence-based practices for children with Autism. She loves working with kids so much, she even completed a 40-hour training on music for early childhood development. Leslie loves seeing her clients (and their family!) gain confidence, independence and be able to enjoy their lives--as everyone deserves! To schedule, (847) 919-9096 x1 or https://lnkd.in/dGNKjGH2

The world of disordered eating is complex and ever-changing. Disorders with eating can be easy to disguise and difficult to manage, due to the fact that all humans need to eat for nourishment and sustenance. However, it is truly freeing when you’re able to navigate a healthy and balanced relationship with food and your body. Inspire therapist, Katie Stapelton, MSW brings extensive experience from an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), at Prosperity Eating Disorder and Wellness Center, where she provided individual and group support for a diverse group of people, including college students, international students, BIPOC and immigrant populations, LGBTQ+ individuals, adults and adolescents. She also has real-world experience helping children, navigate their relationship with food whether that be picky eating, ARFID tendencies, family meal times or just helping families explore more foods! As a nanny for 10 years, she understands the reality of challenges around meals, snacks and in the kitchen. She loves working with children and families to develop healthy, intuitive relationships with food so they can feel confident, trusting their bodies, unique strengths, and capabilities. Katie utilizes intuitive eating and health at every size principle (HAES) among other tools. If you or a loved one would like support to have a healthy relationship with eating, food and their body, Katie is available to help you find freedom and more peace in everyday life. To schedule, (847) 919-9096 x1 or https://lnkd.in/dGNKjGH2

Are you a nail biter? Do you have a child who twirls or pulls their hair, picks at their skin, scalp or bites their cheeks? Sometimes these behaviors can feel embarrassing and are easily misunderstood. People often blame themselves and feel like they should just “stop it.” Many people suffer in silence, but you are not alone. These can be considered Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRB’s for short). Anxiety can make us do many things, often mindless things, to comfort ourselves. Good news, there is help for these behaviors! Through a technique called Habit Reversal Training (HRT), a trained clinican can help you, or your child, develop alternative responses. Habit Reversal Training is a type of therapy focused on learning relaxation exercises and increasing awareness of cues for body-focused behaviors. Maria Urquiza LPC is not only bilingual, but has advanced training in Habit Reversal Training (HBT) and Comprehensive Behavioral Treatment (ComB) to help with body-focused repetitive behaviors like nail biting, trichotillomania (hair pulling) and skin picking, as well as experience with OCD. Maria has extensive CBT skills for anxiety. and has experience working with kids Autism Spectrum (ASD) at The Place for Children with Autism. Maria works with kids 3+, adolescents, young adults, adults and elders. Maria has evening, weekend and weekday openings available. Grab your spot now while they're still open!  To schedule, (847) 919-9096 x1 or https://lnkd.in/dGNKjGH2

For all of my "planners" out there, I see you! While I'm all about soaking up every bit of summer possible, I also know how quickly fall comes....AND, how good it feels to have your schedule locked in place. While you're mapping out your fall, this is a friendly reminder to snag your therapy appointment that best fits in your schedule. We are now pre-booking for fall appointments....and they go fast! Fall appointments are given as a first-come, first-serve basis to existing and new clients.  After-school and weekend appointments are the HOT commodity. We're ready for you! Many therapists still have openings and we hired several new therapists, expanding our specialties and services. New services include: Disordered Eating, OCD, Phobias, Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors like nail biting, trichotillomania (hair pulling), Nail Biting, Skin Picking, Career Counseling, Executive Functioning--just to name a few!). We'll be introducing our newest therapists this week, so stay tuned! Schedule your fall sessions now, so you can relax & enjoy the rest of summer knowing you're ready for whatever is ahead this busy fall. To schedule, call (847) 919-9096 x1 or https://lnkd.in/dGNKjGH2 We've got you this fall!!  Hugs & love, Lauren Schifferdecker owner of Inspire 

Secondary trauma can happen when someone is exposed to disturbing descriptions or visuals of traumatic events. This not only impacts us-- but our kids too. It’s important to know that kids process trauma and feelings differently through their different ages and phases of life. Whether a child has personally experienced trauma, has seen it on TV, or heard it discussed by adults, it’s important to be aware of different reactions they may experience. Some kids will have immediate reactions. Some kids may process their feelings in a few weeks or months. We’re here to empower you to talk with them and watch for any signs of troubling behavior. We have a blog post with behaviors to watch for wtih your kids, depending on their age, along with tips for how to talk to them. As a parent, you have a big impact on helping your kids navigate this tricky world and making sense of it. Reassurance is the key to helping children through a traumatic time. Very young children need a lot of cuddling, as well as verbal support. Answer questions about the event honestly, but do not dwell on frightening details or allow the subject to dominate family or classroom time indefinitely. Encourage children of all ages to express emotions through conversation, writing, or artwork and to find a way to help others who were affected by the event. Try to maintain a normal household routine, and encourage children to participate in recreational activity. When to Consider Professional Support? For some children more active interventions may be required, particularly if they were more directly affected by a traumatic event. The family, as a unit, might consider counseling. Traumatic events often reawaken a child’s fear of loss of parents (frequently a child’s greatest fear). A good rule of thumb is, when in doubt, check it out. If you would like to discuss professional support for your kids, our therapists are here to support your family.

With the Former-President shooting this weekend, I wanted to take a moment to check-in and see how you're doing? I hope you're being gentle with yourself, and your family and friends. Witnessing events like these (even on the news, TV and social media!) can result in Secondary Trauma. Secondary Trauma is a real thing. It can impact us unconsciously and trigger old memories and traumas. It can rattle our feeling of safety, and create extra anxiety. ⭐The tricky thing about secondary trauma is that you may not be fully aware of the impact it is having on you or your family. ⭐ Symptoms can include feelings of helplessness, anxiety, hyper-vigilance, fatigue, feelings of isolation, sleep disturbances or emotional numbness, among others. It's important to notice any changes for yourself, or your loved ones. We have a couple blog posts with quick tips & tools to help deal with Secondary Trauma and how to talk to your kids about traumatic events. To highlight, the ABCs of managing Secondary Trauma are Awareness, Balance, and Connection. Being aware of how events can impact us, and finding a sense of balance and connection, can prevent us from experiencing secondary trauma and any harmful effects. ➡️Read the blog for more things to watch for, and free tips and tools you can use. If you're not on our e-newsletter list, you can add yourself for more support & love delivered right to your inbox. :) And, as always, we're here for you if you need some extra support. We have open appointments and can schedule something for you this week! Above all else, take care of your self and the people you love. Life is an unpredictable journey, but also a beautiful one. Sending hugs & love, Lauren #SecondaryTrauma #MentalHealthAwareness #TraumaSupport #EmotionalWellness #FamilySupport

Happy Friday! Today, I'd like to introduce you to Jared Pulley. Jared is a seasoned professional for nearly 15 years. He also brings a lot of life experience as a husband and dad. He's real about his personal experiences and challenges that have led him to this career and success today. He loves helping kids, adolescents, college students, parents, adults and couples. He specializes in a variety of challenges including: Chronic Illness, Career Counseling, Infertility, Life Transitions, Couples, Men’s Issues, Relationship Issues, Self Esteem, Spirituality, Stress, Substance Use, Trauma informed care, LGBTQIA+ affirming. People struggling with ADHD, can rest assured Jared understands. In his junior year of college, with a friend’s support, he was tested for ADHD. Learning about ADHD was helpful, but it didn’t make the symptoms disappear. Through his experience, he's learned to reduce its impact and even harness its strengths. He gets that every person’s experience with ADHD is different and is able to tailor his approach for each unique person's experience. He also has a personal compassion for people dealing with chronic illness or infertility and grief. He and his wife experienced infertility and loss before having their first child. He can understand in a very real way the pain and grief that comes with that experience. As a male, he often felt like just a number at the clinic, not a patient going through this experience alongside his wife. Infertility and loss can be particularly stigmatizing due to the turbulent political culture we find ourselves in. Jared is booking clients in Northbrook (including Sundays!) and accepts many insurances. To schedule an appointment call (847) 919-9096 x1 or hello@inspirecounselingcenter.com

Parents, you are going to love Sarah Fitzgerald! Sarah grew up in Connecticut, attended University of Alabama (Roll Tide!) and moved to Chicago for her Social Work masters at DePaul. In addition to counseling, Sarah is an Orange Theory fitness instructor and believes in the power of the mind & body connection. Needless to say, she has experience with a lot of different people and walks of life. Sarah loves helping Jr High, High School, College and Young Adults. She helps with people dealing with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Sports Anxiety, Stressful Life, Transitions, Autism, ADHD, Career Stress, Disordered Eating, Divorce, Women’s issues, Relationship Stress, Self-esteem. What drew her to counseling was seeing the power of therapy in her childhood when her parents divorced. She knows--personally and professionally-- how difficult divorce can be, for everyone involved. It also was an opportunity for to experience firsthand the power of therapy. She saw how the power of counseling helped many of her family members heal, grow and gain resilience in a new chapter of life. It was so impactful, that from that day on, she wanted to become a therapist, giving back and help others blossom through challenging times. Sarah is accepting new clients in Evanston (including Saturdays!) and accepts many insurances. To book a session with her, call (847) 919-9096 x1 or hello@inspirecounselingcenter.com

We are excited to introduce to you Aimee Kackley, LCPC! Not only is Aimee a 30-year Evanston resident, and seasoned professional, she's a mom who is hilarious and fun. She loves humor and believes that sometimes laughter can be the best medicine. In fact, she was actually trained to clinically use improv for anxiety! Aimee is passionate about supporting the LGBTQIA community. As a mother to a non-binary college student, she's learned firsthand about the importance of growing, becoming, and speaking one’s truth. She's been honored to help many adolescents overcome struggles with ADHD, ASD, Executive Functioning, OCD and Panic Disorders, difficult life transitions, friendship challenges, avoiding or difficulty in the classroom, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and traumatic events. Aimee's also passionate about Woman’s Issues. As a wife of nearly 30 years and a parent to a college-age adult, she knows clinically and personally about the rewards and challenges of being a mother, partner and woman. Women have such a unique feminine power which impacts everyone around them. She loves helping women find their voice, feminine power and thrive. Not only does it improve their life-- but all those they love. Aimee is booking clients in Evanston and accepts many insurances, to snag your spot, call (847) 919-9096 x1 or hello@inspirecounselingcenter.com

Join us TOMORROW!!!! Wednesday, June 26 at 9am Inspire Counseling Evanston 911 Church Street, Evanston IL We cut the ribbon with Mayor Biss -- to celebrate the newest office serving the vibrant and beautiful community of Evanston. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tour the beautiful new build out, as the practice is open by appointment only. Located in the old Urban Outfitters building, right by the AMC Theater, Egg Harbor and Sky Zone. The space is a brand new build out, with 12 beautiful offices, in the heart of downtown Evanston. All are welcome to help with the Grand Opening and supporting mental health.