Groups

Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Group

The Kids Yoga Group supports somatic regulation and mindfulness through playful movement, breathwork, and age-appropriate yoga practices that help children build body awareness and emotional resilience.

The group is led by Ally Fein, a CorePower Yoga instructor and therapist at Inspire, blending clinical insight with yoga-based tools to help kids feel grounded, confident, and connected!

  • Sundays 11:30-12:30 pm
  • Inspire Counseling Northbrook (3100 Dundee Road, Suite 101, Northbrook, IL)
  • Led by Therapists: Ally Fein, MSW
  • Cost: $50 per session, no long term commitment needed.
  • To register: (847) 919-9096 or hello@inspirecounselingcenter.com

Chronic Health & POTS Teen Group

Living with a chronic health condition like POTS can impact far more than physical health—it often affects identity, relationships, school, and everyday life. Medical treatment alone doesn’t always address the emotional and social challenges that come with these conditions, especially when they are invisible or misunderstood.

This therapist-led group is designed for teens navigating chronic health issues, providing a safe and supportive space to connect with others who truly understand.

Together, participants will:

💙 Feel less alone

🌱 Build hope + confidence

🤝 Find belonging + support

🗣️ Share openly + be heard

🔑 Learn coping + advocacy skills

Our goal is to help teens move from feeling isolated to feeling supported, empowered, and understood.

  • Saturdays 1-2pm
  • Inspire Counseling Kenilworth (400 Green Bay Rd, Kenilworth, IL)
  • Cost: $50 per session, no long term commitment needed.
  • To register: (847) 919-9096 or hello@inspirecounselingcenter.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the magic of groups?
The real magic comes from hearing other people be *real* with their struggles. Knowing you are not alone, and that you have a safe & fun place to say anything you want–laugh, cry, and be understood. Hearing what other people are struggling with, their goals, their key learnings, somehow maximizes your own growth. Connection, belonging, laughter, normalizing, vulnerability — these are the things you can expect from an Inspire group. This is the magic that heals the spirit.

How do I join a group?
We have a proven formula for successful groups for you. Every participant of the group starts with an hour-long private session with the therapist who will lead the group. In this meeting, the group leader and therapist get to know you, your goals, your hopes about the group and make sure the group is the right fit.

How long do groups last?

If you and the therapist determine that a group is a right fit, you are welcome to come and go as you need. There is no long-term commitment needed. You’re welcome to come for one or two sessions, or stay as long as you’d like. The group is here for you, when you need it. For those who stay longer, it allows for deeper bonding, connections, and sharing life’s highs and lows.

What does it look like each week?
Each week, the lead therapist will introduce a topic of the week. Together, the group will discuss, share in a safe place to openly talk. The therapist will offer tools to help you overcome hurdles and thrive.

During the hour, you’ll be able to hear what others are going through, as well as learn clinical tools to help you survive & thrive–not only the challenges of today but for your whole future!

How much does a Group cost?

Groups are $50 per week. You are only charged for the groups you attend. You choose how long you participate. There is no long-term commitment.

Request to Register for A Group!

hello@inspirecounselingcenter.com or (847) 919-9096 ext. 1

How do I choose my Therapist?2024-01-24T17:27:07-06:00

You are welcome to search therapists by speciality type, location, service or insurance accepted by clicking here. 

We’re here to hold your hand! Choosing a therapist is a very personal experience. Scrolling through bios is helpful, but there’s a lot you can’t tell just by reading on the internet. Our Therapist Matchmakers are here to find the right fit with the right professional for your unique situation and personality style.

To talk to a LIVE human (and part of our Inspire intake team!) just call us at (847) 919-9096 ext. 1 or email hello@inspirecounselingcenter.com

We can’t wait to help you find the right match and get you started!! It’s our favorite part.

What will the first session be like?2023-10-25T02:13:43-05:00

The first session lasts approximately 60 minutes. You’ll have paperwork to complete virtually before your session. The therapist will spend time introducing themselves and getting to know you, your story and your dreams. At the end, you’ll have the option to schedule your next session based upon your availability and goals. There is no pressure to book another session. We’re here for you to come and go as you need.
FOR MINORS UNDER 18: If the session is for a child 12 years or younger, the first session is just with the therapist and parent (s) or guardian. If the client is 12-18, we ask that a parent (or guardian) attend the first session for the first 10-15 minutes. The parent will be able to meet the therapist and help make the child feel comfortable.
PLEASE NOTE: Please share any concerns about your child with the therapist or Intake Team prior to the session— not in front of your child in the session. This is to protect your child and foster a positive start to therapy!

What will all the other sessions be like?2023-10-25T02:14:39-05:00

The second session is our unique formula for goal setting. In this session, your therapist will help you connect and understand what your heart really wants in this life. The remainder of the sessions will then be working on skills to tackle any obstacles in the way of you living your best life. In order to see lasting results, a commitment to at least 8 weekly sessions is recommended. However, we are flexible and can work with you to accommodate your schedule and goals.

FOR MINORS UNDER 18: Parents will not be required to attend the sessions but must be available for the last 10 minutes of the session in case the therapist would like to touch base with you or for any scheduling changes.

How much does therapy cost?2023-10-25T02:16:18-05:00

Counseling is a fee-for-service program. Inspire accepts insurance and offers in-network and out-of-network benefits. We are in-network with BCBS PPO, Humana, Aetna, and UnitedBehaviorHealthcare. All billing policies and information can be found by clicking this link to our Rates & Insurances page.

 

 

 

 

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Halloween drama has already started… and it’s not even October. 🎃

Every year, we hear from parents whose child wasn’t included in the group costume… wasn’t invited to trick-or-treat… or suddenly realizes everyone else already has Halloween plans.

And Halloween can make friendship struggles feel especially painful.

Because unlike a sleepover or birthday party, there isn’t an obvious limit.

You can trick-or-treat with one kid… or 20.

So when your child is the one left out, it can feel VERY personal.

And as parents, our instinct is often to FIX it.

Text the other parents. Find out what happened. Make new plans. Tell them those kids aren’t worth their time.

But before you fix anything… listen.

Try:

“That really hurts. I can understand why you feel left out.”

Sometimes these painful moments give us an opportunity to connect with our kids in a way we can't when everything is going well.

And then — as hard as this part is — let them experience some of the discomfort.

Because one of the most important things kids and teens can learn is:

“I can go through something hard… and I can handle it.”

We don’t build resilience by making sure our kids never feel rejected, disappointed, embarrassed, or left out.

We build it by staying beside them while they move through those feelings.

Halloween might feel huge right now.

But knowing, “I can handle hard things”?

That lasts a lot longer than Halloween. ❤️
Is your kid's friend group changing? 💔

When you hear, “They don’t like me anymore” does your heart skip a beat? Do you get fired up? Most parents feel something in the fight-flight range of reactions. We want to protect our kids from all pain. 

Maybe your daughter comes home crying. Her best friend is suddenly hanging out with someone else. She wasn't added to the new group chat. Maybe everyone was invited somewhere except her.

And every parental instinct in you says:

FIX IT.

Should you call another parent? Contact the school? Tell her those girls aren't worth her time?

Sometimes the best first step is actually much simpler:

Listen and connect. 

Friendships can change during the tween and teen years. Kids are figuring out who they are, where they belong, what they value in relationships, and how to navigate conflict, rejection and repair.

That doesn't make the heartbreak any less real.

Instead of immediately jumping into problem-solving mode, try:

💛 “That sounds really painful.”
💛 “Do you want me to listen, or would you like help figuring out what to do?”
💛 “What do you think happened?”
💛 “What would you like to happen next?”

Giving your child room to navigate age-appropriate friendship struggles can help them build confidence, boundaries, communication skills and resilience. So they can navigate age-appropriate struggles as they grow older. 

But stepping back doesn't mean ignoring everything.

If you're seeing persistent bullying, harassment, threats, online cruelty, significant school avoidance, increasing isolation, or major changes in your child's mood or behavior, it may be time for adults to become more involved.

Perhaps one of the hardest parts of parenting is recognizing that our job isn't to protect our kids from ever experiencing rejection. 

It's to help them realize they can handle it, and they are resilient. Also, they can learn that you are a safe person they can return to when it happens. ❤️

#TeenFriendships #MiddleSchool #MiddleSchoolFriendships #TweenParenting #ParentingTeens #TeenMentalHealth #FriendshipProblems #TeenAnxiety #ParentingTweens #InspireCounselingCenter
“I love my child…but I don’t fully understand.”

If your child or teen tells you they’re LGBTQ+, you may experience a lot of emotions at once. ❤️

You may worry about saying the wrong thing. You may have questions. You may need time to understand what your child is experiencing.

You don’t have to have all the answers to be a safe, supportive person in your child’s life.

Start with:

🌈 Listen before trying to solve
🌈 Stay curious
🌈 Ask what support looks like to them
🌈 Educate yourself rather than expecting your child to explain everything
🌈 Repair and try again when you get something wrong
🌈 Most importantly, remind them that your love isn’t conditional

Sometimes the most powerful thing a parent can say is:

“I may not understand everything you’re experiencing yet, but I love you, I’m listening, and we’re going to figure this out together.”

Our therapist Shannon Sabol, MS, has a special passion for supporting children, teens, young adults, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Shannon is an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist with professional experience supporting transgender and gender-nonconforming clients in both therapy and neuropsychological settings.

She also works with parents who want a supportive place to ask questions, learn, and strengthen their relationship with their child.

✨ Shannon is accepting new clients at our Evanston office and virtually.

Read Shannon’s full blog, “How Can I Support My LGBTQ+ Child—Even If I Don’t Fully Understand?” at the link in our bio.

#LGBTQYouth #LGBTQTeens #LGBTQParents #ParentingTeens #TeenMentalHealth #LGBTQMentalHealth #AffirmingTherapy #EvanstonTherapist #ChicagoTherapist #InspireCounselingCenter
Homecoming isn't fun for everyone. 💛

While some teens are excited about dresses, dates, pictures and the dance, others may be quietly worrying:

• What if nobody asks me?
• What if I don't have a group?
• What if my friends make plans without me?
• What if I hate how I look?
• What if I don't know what to do at the dance?
• What if everyone else is having more fun than I am?

And thanks to social media, teens don't just hear about what they missed anymore—they can watch the pictures, parties and group plans unfold in real time.

For parents, it can be tempting to say, “It's just Homecoming!” or “Just go and have fun!”

But to a teenager, Homecoming can feel like something much bigger: a very public measure of whether they belong.

So if your teen is struggling, try this instead:

💛 “I can understand why that hurts.”

💛 “What part are you most nervous about?”

💛 “Do you want me to listen, or do you want help figuring out what to do?”

And remember: A great high school experience doesn't require a picture-perfect Homecoming.

Our latest Inspire blog shares more about Homecoming anxiety, FOMO, friendship groups, dating pressure, body image—and how parents can help without trying to fix everything.

Read: “My Teen Is Anxious About Homecoming. How Can I Help?”

#Homecoming #HomecomingAnxiety #TeenAnxiety #TeenMentalHealth #ParentingTeens #SocialAnxiety #FOMO #TeenFriendships #BodyImage #InspireCounselingCenter
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