Zaborac Counseling Group

07/03/2026

Project Fire Buddies is an incredible organization dedicated to helping critically ill children and their families by doing whatever it takes to ensure that they have “more good days.” We are honored to be a small part of giving back to keep them on mission. We are also honored to be listed along side these people and companies that have genuine hearts for helping: Rob Bogda, owner of Zark HVAC, Kevin Molloy, of State Farm, Ramzi Hassan, CEO of Edwards Reality, Kevin Gerardy, Owner of KG Concrete, and Danielle Abendroth, owner of Abendroth Accounting & Tax Services, Inc.

Project Fire Buddies needed new HVAC units at its headquarters. Businesses and supporters stepped up to make it happen.

05/26/2026

We are starting a grief support group on June 4th. Reach out to our office staff at 708-633-4533 to join!

08/30/2025

Who says spring is the only time for new beginnings, renewal, and growth? Any season is a great time for a fresh start, rejuvenation, and new perspective. At Zaborac Counseling Group we invite you to join us in making big changes that will make you even more awesome than you already are and that will make you FALL in love with your life! We have been working on refreshing the old with a brand new look! It’s a work in progress, but aren’t we all? Please excuse our dust as we work toward continuing to create a space that welcomes you like home and where you can find inspiration to be exactly what you want to be.

08/20/2025

BACK TO SCHOOL TIME CAPSULES! This is a fun activity to do with kids of all ages with some tweaks to make for age appropriateness. Each member of the family will need a container: a bottle, mason jar, shoebox, etc. Time capsules can be created at the start or just before the start of the school year with the intent to open at a future date, like the end of the year or at high school graduation. Time capsules serve as fun keepsakes and representations of personal growth over the year.

Things that can be included in time capsules: Wishes and Goals for the year, About Me facts, Favorites, Current Trends, Letter to Yourself, Letter from Parents, Artwork, Worries, Things You're Looking Forward to This Year, Predictions for the Year... The sky is the limit. Once completed, put the time capsules in a spot for safe keeping: top shelf of parent's closet, packed away in a bin in the basement, in a safe, some even bury them. Leave them sealed until the agreed upon date, and when that date comes, open them as a family. Time Capsules can create core memories and family traditions that are continued for generations.

08/19/2025

The social nature of lunchtime can be stressful for students who struggle with social anxiety. Lunchtime can also serve as a welcomed break for students who are not looking forward to the academic side of school. Up your lunch game and help your children get excited about lunch time by coming up with fun ideas to keep it fresh and different. Take some time to chat about favorite food items for lunches and make a list. Go for a family shopping trip to pick out all of the yummy stuff. Print inspirational, encouraging, or silly notes to sneak in their lunch bags. Wednesdays and Fridays are great days to add an extra treat to brighten their days and celebrate the halfway mark or the end of the week.

Talk to your child about any concerns he or she might have about lunch. Ask if you child would like some help or if it would be more helpful for you just to listen. Validate the concerns by saying things like, "Yeah, I see what you mean. That really stinks" or "That sounds tough. I'm sorry that you're feeling nervous about that." Then ask, "would you like me to try to help you find some solutions?" This is a great opportunity to ask questions that might help your child find his or her own solutions.
"What are your options if you don't know anyone at lunch?"
"What are some possibilities to connect with someone new who is in your lunch?"
"If the cafeteria is loud and chaotic, what could you do to get some peace?"
"Who are the people (cafeteria workers, volunteers, teachers, deans, etc.) at school that you feel comfortable going to if you need some help?"
"Are there items that you can bring to lunch that will make it more enjoyable or less anxiety provoking?" (Air pods, books, fidget, sketch book)

08/18/2025

Feeling unprepared is one of the most anxiety provoking parts of going back to school. This is a source of anxiety that parents can do something about! Help your child eliminate anxiety due to feeling unprepared by completing simple planning checklists, reviewing schedules, and writing out morning routine plans.

08/15/2025

The number one way to make sure your children are happy and living their best lives, is to teach them to love themselves. This is the keys to healthy relationships, positive choices, and mental/emotional wellness.

08/14/2025

Having fun and a sense of belonging are two of the most important needs for school-aged children. Fun shouldn't have to wait until after school. It can start first thing in the morning to start the day off right. Try setting up a fun morning schedule.
Monday: Picnic breakfast with cartoons or a movie
Tuesday: Play a quick board game or card game
Wednesday: Half way to the weekend celebration...Dessert for Breakfast
Thursday: Breakfast Charcuterie
Friday: Time to Party...Dancing, Karaoke, and/or Fun Decor

Make it easy for your children to feel a sense of belonging and connection by encouraging them to join a club or activity after school. By joining activities, children get the opportunity to socialize in a smaller group setting with peers who have common interests.

08/13/2025

Help your children start the school year off strong with a tool box of their strengths. When children are aware of their strengths, they are they are empowered to use them and to feel confident!

08/06/2025

Count Down to School Activity #1:
Nervousness about school starting begins with your child's mind creating pictures of all of the bad things. What if I don't have anyone to sit with at lunch? What if the kids don't like me? What if my teacher is mean? What if I get a ton of homework? What if someone makes fun of me? What if I am last on the bus and nobody will let me sit by them?

One way to combat escalating anxiety leading up to the start of school, is to take time to picture things going well. It is helpful to begin replacing some of the negative pictures with positive ones. Empower your child to identify and take charge of their power over their own thoughts and feelings. A lot of things may be out of their control (ENTER ANXIETY!), but helping your child to focus on the things that can be controlled can diminish anxiety.

Examples:
1.) Self-Talk: Not: This year is going to be awful. Instead: I'm going to make this school year a good one.
2.) Make a Plan: Kick the school year off with a favorite breakfast, fun activity, or even beginning a 1st day of school friends' morning hangout.
3.) Answer the what ifs? What if your teacher is mean? What will you do about it? What resources can you use to get support? Answering the what ifs makes the worst-case scenarios in a child's mind much more manageable.