Pregnancy Loss & Infertility Counseling

Wanting a child is one of the most powerful desires in a woman’s heart. We understand.

You are consumed by thoughts of getting pregnant. Will this be the month? Did it take? Do you feel any pregnancy symptoms? Counting the hours down until you can take a pregnancy test. Trying not to be stressed out — actually stresses you out. It’s overwhelming. And, of course, wherever you go–you run into pregnant women, strollers and beautiful babies–which all make your heart ache.

When you’re trying to get pregnant, have had a miscarriage, silent miscarriage, terminal prenatal diagnosis, or are struggling with infertility–it is only natural to focus on your attention on your physical health. But, don’t overlook the importance of your emotional health.

Are you struggling with infertility?

Are the hormones of infertility treatments and constant angst are taking a toll on you? Counting the DPO’s can slow down time to an excruciating crawl. If you have endometriosis, Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), are undergoing IVF, taking Clomid or Letrozole, we can hold your hand and help you remain positive, hopeful and your best self while undergoing these treatments.

Infertility brings several psychological impacts, according to the Harvard Medical School’s article, “The psychological impact of infertility and its treatment.”

For example, the synthetic estrogen clomiphene citrate (Clomid, Serophene), frequently prescribed because it improves ovulation and increases sperm production, may cause anxiety, sleep interruptions, mood swings, and irritability in women. Other infertility medications may cause depression, mania, irritability, and thinking problems.Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School, 2009

Does mental health impact your ability to get pregnant?

Research suggests that your mental health can impact your ability to get pregnant. A number of studies have examined stress and mood state as predictors of outcome in assisted reproduction. The majority of these studies support the theory that distress is associated with lower pregnancy rates among women pursuing infertility treatment (Boivin 1995, Thiering 1993, Demytenaere 1998, Smeenk 2001, Sanders 1999).

This research just shows us that it’s important to take care of your emotional health while trying to get pregnant. Most women worry and stress about pregnancy–that is okay! But, learning tools to manage your stress levels is important during this time.

Did you have a miscarriage, silent miscarriage, or terminal prenatal diagnosis?

Your dreams were starting to come true. You had a positive pregnancy test. You started to dream about the future. Your prayers were answered. Only to be dashed by the grief that comes with the loss of a baby. The loss of your dreams for that child. The loss of the dream of being that child’s mother. You are exhausted. Maybe you’re obsessively reviewing every food you ate, or activity you did, secretly wondering if somehow this was your fault? You know these things happen to many women, but it feels like you’re the only one.

We know because we’ve been there.

You may benefit from therapy if you are experiencing any of these common signs of depression:

– Anxiety, racing thoughts
– Depression
– Insomnia
– Loss of appetite
– Intense irritability
– Hopelessness
– Relationship challenges
– Depression, fear, or repeatedly going over thoughts
– Crying or irritability
– Lack of concentration or unwanted thoughts
– Anger, anxiety, guilt, hopelessness, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, mood swings, or panic attack

You’re managing the best you can. You’re taking care of your body. But, with counseling, your life can be so much better.

The benefits you’ll see from doing therapy at Inspire:
– You will feel heard and understood
– You will learn the benefit of taking care of yourself
– You will learn ways to communicate your needs
– You will create a clear plan for improving your mood
– You will begin to feel in control of your life
– You will start to feel freedom and peace
– You will be able to be present with the people you love
– You will feel confident in your decisions
– You will feel confident in yourself
– You will be empowered to say no or speak up for yourself
– Your relationships will be more satisfying
– You will know you matter, just for being you

What does the counseling process look like?
The counseling process is designed to help you understand your anxiety and empower you to live your best life, free of the things that hold you back. Together, with your therapist, you will learn how to address things that hold you back, learn coping skills to do at home, and ways to reduce the physical symptoms of depression.

The first session will be approximately 60 minutes. There will be paperwork to complete and questions the therapist will ask to get to know you, your history, and your present situation. The second session is our unique formula for goal-setting. In this session, you will connect the desires of your goals with your heart and deeper desires in this life. The remainder of the sessions will then be working on skills to tackle your anxiety and 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 best. We are flexible and can work with different situations. However, to make an impact, it is important to recognize that change of any kind, requires attention and time. After your 8 sessions, you can work with your therapist to determine the next steps (reducing therapy to biweekly/monthly or terminating).

How much does therapy cost?

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 United Behavior Healthcare. We recommend at least an 8-week commitment to begin seeing lasting results.

All billing policies and information can be found by clicking this link to our Rates & Insurances page.

About Inspire Counseling Center

We’ve been waiting for you! You are the reason we wake up every morning, passionate about our jobs. You want to live a great life–and we want that too. We want you to feel the freedom, joy, and connection counseling can bring.

Not sure how this works? Not sure which therapist to pick? No worries. We will personally walk you through the process.

Take the next step. Start living your best life. Don’t wait any longer!

To schedule an appointment, call (847) 919-9096 ext. 1 or email hello@inspirecounselingcenter.com.

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.

 

 

 

 

Take the Next Step

Request an Appointment

✨ WELCOME TO INSPIRE, SAMARA! ✨

We’re so excited to welcome Samara Whitney, MA, ALMFT to the Inspire team in Northbrook! 💛

A Glenview mom and Marriage & Family Therapist, Samara brings a warm, thoughtful, and down-to-earth approach to therapy — along with a wonderfully unique background spanning the arts, education, child advocacy law, and entertainment law.

Samara works with children, teens, adults, couples, parents, and families, with special interests in:

🌿 Anxiety & Depression
🌿 Emotional Regulation
🌿 Pregnancy, Postpartum & Motherhood
🌿 Parenting Stress & Family Relationships
🌿 Couples & Relationship Stress
🌿 Grief & Loss
🌿 Trauma & Life Transitions
🌿 Women’s Issues
🌿 Faith-Based Counseling

As a wife and mother herself, Samara is especially passionate about supporting moms and parents through the beautiful, complicated, and sometimes overwhelming seasons of growing and raising a family.

She also loves working with couples to strengthen communication, navigate conflict, deepen emotional connection, and feel more understood by one another.

And for our younger clients, Samara brings years of experience with children through her background as a theater teacher and in child advocacy law. She understands how powerful it can be for kids and teens to have a safe adult in their corner. 💛

Samara believes that meaningful change begins when people feel genuinely seen, understood, and supported — and that healthy relationships are built intentionally, not perfectly.

📍 Now accepting new clients at Inspire's Northbrook office 
✨ Children • Teens • Adults • Couples • Parents • Families

We’re so happy to have you at Inspire, Samara! 💛

#MarriageAndFamilyTherapy #NorthbrookTherapist #AnxietySupport #PostpartumCare #ParentingSupport #CouplesTherapy #TraumaRecovery #EmotionalWellness #ChildTherapy #FamilyCounseling
Does anyone else feel like back-to-school season goes from 0 to 100 overnight? 😅🎒

One minute it’s summer, and the next you’re managing earlier bedtimes, morning routines, homework, practices, carpools, lunches, school events—and approximately 47 different sign-up requests.

And while you’re trying to hold all of that together, you may also be helping a child who is nervous about a new teacher, friendships, academics, sports, or simply going back to school.

Back-to-school anxiety isn’t just for kids. Parents feel the transition, too.

So here’s your reminder as we head into another school year:

💛 You don’t have to volunteer for everything.
💛 Your child doesn’t have to sign up for everything.
💛 Your new routine doesn’t have to be perfect on Day 1.
💛 Your child’s anxiety doesn’t always need to be “fixed.”
💛 And taking care of your own mental health matters, too.

Give your family permission to ease into the school year rather than racing into it.

And before adding one more thing to the calendar, ask yourself:

Does our family need more right now—or could we use a little less?

Sometimes the healthiest thing you can add to the calendar is nothing at all. 💛

🔗 Read our latest blog for more therapist-informed tips for navigating back-to-school stress and anxiety. Link in bio.

#BackToSchoolAnxiety #BackToSchoolStress #ParentingStress #ParentMentalHealth #SchoolAnxiety #ChildTherapy #TeenTherapy #ParentingSupport #MentalHealthMatters #InspireCounselingCenter
☀️ Don't Let August Steal Your July 🌿

Fall is just around the corner, but it's still July!! Have you noticed how quickly our minds jump ahead?

Even though it's still July, many of us are already thinking about school schedules, sports practices, homework, lunch packing, and everything the fall season brings.

Planning ahead is important—but don't let tomorrow's worries steal today's joy.

Summer is made up of ordinary moments that often become our favorite memories:
🍦 Ice cream after dinner
🚲 Family bike rides
🌅 Late sunsets
💦 Splashing in the pool
😂 Laughing with friends
📖 A quiet afternoon with nowhere to be

If you find your mind drifting toward your to-do list instead of the moment you're in, try one of these grounding techniques:

🌿 Take 3 slow, deep breaths.
👀 Notice 5 things you can see, 4 you can feel, 3 you can hear, 2 you can smell, and 1 you can taste.
📱 Put your phone away for a few minutes.
☀️ Focus on one small detail—the warmth of the sun, the sound of laughter, or the breeze on your skin.
💛 Ask yourself: "What's one thing I don't want to miss about this moment?"

The best way to prepare for a busy season isn't by rushing into it—it's by fully enjoying the season you're in.

Here's your reminder: August will come soon enough. Today is still July. ❤️

#MentalHealth #Mindfulness #PresentMoment #SummerWellness #FamilyMentalHealth #AnxietySupport #GroundingTechniques #SelfCare #TherapyTips #ParentingSupport #EnjoyTheMoment #InspireCounselingCenter
✨ Meet Shannon Sabol, MA, LPC (Pending)! ✨

We're thrilled to welcome Shannon Sabol to the Inspire Counseling Center team! Shannon is now accepting new clients in our Evanston office and is passionate about helping adolescents, young adults, adults, and parents navigate life's challenges with compassion, authenticity, and collaboration.

💙 Shannon works with:
🌟 Adolescents (10–18)
🎓 College students & young adults
🌿 Adults
👨‍👩‍👧 Parents

She specializes in:
• Anxiety & panic attacks
• ADHD & autism
• Neurodivergence
• Trauma & PTSD
• Depression
• Self-esteem & confidence
• Emotional regulation
• LGBTQIA+ affirming care
• Grief & life transitions
• Relationship stress
• Executive functioning & school/IEP support

Before joining Inspire, Shannon spent several years providing neuropsychological assessments and working as a child and adolescent therapist, giving her extensive experience supporting individuals with ADHD, autism, learning differences, and other developmental, cognitive, and mental health concerns.

Shannon believes therapy should never be one-size-fits-all. Her approach is warm, collaborative, and person-centered, blending Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Therapy to meet each client's unique needs and goals.

As someone whose own experience in therapy helped her heal from anxiety and trauma, Shannon understands how powerful it can be to have a safe space where you feel heard, understood, and accepted. She is especially passionate about supporting neurodivergent individuals, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and those healing from trauma, creating an environment where clients can show up authentically and feel empowered to grow.

✨ When she's not meeting with clients, you'll likely find Shannon traveling, taking long walks, reading, playing video games, creating arts and crafts, or spending time with her family, friends, partner, and beloved cat.

📍Now accepting new clients in our Evanston office!

📲 Visit the link in our bio or call our office to schedule your first appointment.
Loading the next set of instagram posts...
Go to Top