Oakbrook Counseling + Wellness

05/12/2026

Hey all! Here are some local resources to aid those in an active crisis, non crisis contexts, and peer support. Mental health support shouldn’t feel impossible to find. Whether someone is in crisis, overwhelmed, isolated, or just needs somebody to talk to, Illinois has free support lines and community resources available. Sharing these resources because access to support and knowing where to start can make a difference.

05/04/2026

Hey Y’all! Wanted to share information on this cool Ted Talk related to relationships and how they influence our mental and physical health!!
For most of our lives, we’re socialized to chase achievement, more money, more success, more status. But one of the longest-running studies from Harvard University tells a different story. The Harvard Study of Adult Development found that the strongest predictor of a long, healthy, and meaningful life isn’t what you accomplish, it’s the quality of your relationships.

In this TED Talk, Robert Waldinger explains that close relationships don’t just make us feel good in the moment, they actually protect our mental and physical health over time. But that kind of connection doesn’t happen passively. It’s built in the small, everyday moments where we choose to listen, to be present, and to repair when things feel off instead of pulling away.

Because loneliness isn’t just about being alone, it’s about feeling disconnected, even when you’re surrounded by people. And the antidote isn’t perfection in relationships, it’s investment. Real, sometimes uncomfortable, consistent investment.

At the end of the day, the question isn’t just what you’re building for yourself, but who you’re building it with. Ted Talk Link:https://youtu.be/8KkKuTCFvzI?si=IWwqnpVLbSBAEs7v

04/30/2026

Hi Y’all! Wanted to give some psyched on the Gottmans Four Horsemen concept that ha shaken to predict the course of the direction of relationships by 90%.

Most couples don’t struggle because they fight…They struggle because of how they fight.

According to John Gottman and Julie Gottman, there are 4 patterns that quietly destroy connection over time:

⚠️ Criticism → attacking your partner’s character⚠️ Defensiveness → refusing responsibility⚠️ Contempt → sarcasm, eye-rolling, disrespect⚠️ Stonewalling → shutting down or withdrawing

But here’s the shift most people miss:Healthy relationships don’t avoid conflict—they fight to understand, not to win.

Try this instead:

→ Replace criticism with a gentle start-up(“I feel overwhelmed and could use help” vs. “you never help me”)

→ Replace defensiveness with accountability(“you’re right, I could’ve handled that better”)

→ Replace contempt with respect + curiosity(“help me understand what you meant”)

→ Replace stonewalling with intentional pauses(“I need 20 minutes to calm down so I can be present”)

Conflict is inevitable.Resentment is optional.

The goal isn’t to prove your point, it’s to protect the connection while you’re making it in a healthy way.

&Wellness matters.

04/23/2026

Jeffery Siddall, Licensed Professional Counselor, specializes in sexual identity, polyamorous relationships, bisexual relationships, non binary, kink, and open relationships. He accepts insurance and offers a free consultation. He is available via telehealth and has immediate availability. 🏳️‍🌈

04/16/2026

Some info on natural and logical consequences ;
Natural and logical consequences are tools used to help individuals understand the impact of their behavior in a way that promotes learning and responsibility.

Natural consequences occur without any outside intervention. They are the direct, real-world result of an action. Because they happen organically, they provide immediate and often powerful feedback.

Logical consequences are structured responses that are intentionally applied by a caregiver, educator, or therapist. They are most effective when they are directly related to the behavior, reasonable, and delivered in a respectful manner.

From an Adlerian perspective, these approaches are used to support insight, encourage accountability, and foster a sense of capability—rather than relying on punishment or control.

04/16/2026

Community is healing. Community is self-care. Finding warmth within a community is innate and craving connection makes sense. The resources are out there. Please reach out if you need help finding more connection and community.

04/06/2026

Healing happens with safe relationships 💗

Healing Begins With Safety

You were never broken, damaged or unworthy. You were always lovable and enough. Your trauma began when your body felt unsafe. Your nervous system did the best it could with the resources it had available at the time. It was never your fault.

Your childhood, relationship or the battlefield didn’t break you. You showed immense courage, bravery and strength to survive when the odds were against you. You endured what no one should ever have to, but you fought, and you made it through the other side.

The ghosts may still haunt you, noises make you flinch and you built your walls so high to keep the danger out. But you’re still here.

Where there is life, there is hope. Hold On Pain Ends. You were never meant to face your demons alone. Healing starts when there is safety. Healing starts with connection.

Connection. The thing that terrifies you most. There is healing in connection, there is healing in safety. Your trauma began when you felt unsafe, but today, today your healing begins.

Here you are seen, heard, understood; and never alone. Together let’s make this a safe space to start healing. Together we can journey safely, knowing we’ll never be alone.

I’ve got you 🫶🏻

Katie

🩵

04/03/2026

Clinician spotlight: Meet Jeffery, LPC, NCC ⭐️

His clients receive a solution-focused approach combined with evidence-based interventions. Jeffery has several years of experience working with couples and individuals, including those on the autism spectrum, as well as those navigating substance use, anxiety, and depression.

Jeffery is passionate about supporting the LGBTQ+ 🏳️‍🌈 community and has extensive experience working with transgender and non-binary clients. He also works with individuals and couples across a wide range of identities and relationship dynamics, including bisexual, q***r, polyamorous, open relationships, and kink-affirming care. His approach is inclusive, affirming, and tailored to each client’s unique lived experience.

He also brings experience in foster care and adoption-related concerns.

Insurance is accepted (Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna & sliding scale). Anyone in Illinois is eligible to meet with Mr. Siddall virtually via Telehealth. He offers day, evening, & weekend availability.

Call 224.241.2197 to schedule a free consultation.

03/23/2026

We are excited to offer mental health services from Adler University graduate intern, Lou Miller III. Lou is seeing adults and teens for emotional regulation, anxiety and stress management, depression, life transitions, identity exploration, grief and loss, as well as behavioral health concerns. Lou offers 6 pro bono sessions and a sliding scale, to make therapy accessible as possible.

Lou also has a special interest in working with athletes, focusing on the mental side of performance, mindset, and life balance both on and off the field.

To learn more about Lou or how to connect virtually or in person, click the link in our bio or call 224.241.2197. Please share with anyone who might benefit. Thank you! If you are dealing with a mental health crisis please text, chat, or call 988 to speak to someone immediately.

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