Like many others, I often start my day by scrolling through a couple of my favorite social media sites as I enjoy my morning coffee. One recent morning though, I had just had enough. I thought about how many times I spent picking up my phone throughout the day and how those minutes were taking […]
Sure, we’ve all made New Year’s resolutions. I too have promised myself that I would start eating healthier, join a gym, and finally organize that hallway closet on January 1st only to have my goals fall short. Rather than making individual resolutions this year, consider making resolutions as a family. Sit down together to brainstorm […]
Dear Friends of GCC, It’s been an extraordinary privilege and responsibility to partner with all of you in helping to serve the individuals and families in our community for over three decades. 2016 is the year we celebrate our 30th year as Gurnee Counseling Center. We’ve seen the tremendous growth of this community – Gurnee […]
It’s no secret that people often struggle with change. Leaving behind what is familiar and venturing into unknown territory can be scary. The stage of change model, developed by James Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente in the 1970s, indicates that there are five stages that one goes through when making a significant change. Precontemplation I see no need to […]
Six years ago our oldest, Gina, went off to college among the Minnesota bluffs of the Mississippi River. When she chose Winona State, I was reminded of the comment someone had made about finding a wedding dress: when it’s the right one, you’ll feel it. After several road trips to try on universities, Gina had that […]
As your child moves through elementary, middle, and high school they will need a strong support system. Throughout my 9 years as a school social worker, I’ve worked with many parents who struggle with how much or how little they should be involved in their child’s education. Below are some tips on ways in which […]
Clients often come to me with concerns regarding a family member’s substance use. It can be challenging to live with or to set boundaries with someone in the midst of an addiction. Loved ones are often confused, frustrated, and unsure how to respond to addictive behaviors. While not easy, there are things to consider and some concrete steps […]
In my work as a therapist, I enjoy using various assessments and personality tests that can aid clients in their journey to self-awareness and personal growth. The Enneagram is a personal favorite of mine and can be a great tool to help you delve into a deep understanding of yourself. The enneagram helps us understand our compulsive, unconscious drives. […]
Often I meet parents who are worried, sad, and even confused about their child’s mood. They feel like they can’t keep up, or they don’t understand where the mood changes are coming from. This leads to more frustration and feeling helpless. A good place for families to start is with mood tracking. Mood tracking is […]
Ariele is the embodiment of motion – graceful, focused, and determined – she brings a new dimension of skills to the Gurnee family. A registered dance/movement therapist, licensed professional counselor, she is also a yoga and prenatal yoga teacher. Through her practice, Ariele guides her clients to try on new qualities of actions and behaviors […]