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What Are the Mental Health Benefits of Therapy Dogs in Counseling?
Therapy dogs have a remarkable ability to bring warmth, comfort, and connection into counseling spaces. Whether it’s a gentle nudge, a wagging tail, or the steady presence of a calm companion, therapy dogs help clients feel more relaxed and supported during therapy sessions. At Alder Grove Counseling , we’ve seen firsthand how the simple presence of a therapy dog can transform the therapeutic experience for children, teens, and adults alike. The Science Behind Therapy Dogs a
Stacey Patterson, LCPC
Oct 143 min read


What Are the Most Common Relationship Struggles Couples Face, and How Can Couples Therapy Help?
Every couple experiences challenges. While love and commitment lay the foundation of a relationship, daily stressors, communication...
Stacey Patterson, LCPC
Sep 114 min read


Is It Childhood Anxiety or Just Normal Worry?
As a parent, it's natural to worry when your child seems fearful, clingy, or unusually quiet. But how do you know if it’s just a passing...
Stacey Patterson, LCPC
Jul 282 min read


Understanding High-Functioning Anxiety: What It Is and When to Seek Help
High-functioning anxiety is often invisible. On the outside, someone may seem successful, organized, and high-achieving—but on the...
Stacey Patterson, LCPC
Jun 202 min read


What Is EMDR Therapy and How Can It Help You Heal from Trauma?
When people search for trauma therapy options, one term often stands out: EMDR therapy. But many ask the same question—what is EMDR and...
Stacey Patterson, LCPC
Jun 32 min read


Breaking the Stigma: Why Talking About Mental Health Matters
At Alder Grove Counseling , with locations in Downers Grove and Naperville, IL , we believe that mental health awareness is more than a...
Stacey Patterson, LCPC
Apr 242 min read


Play Therapy: A Powerful Tool for Child & Family Counseling at Alder Grove Counseling
At Alder Grove Counseling, we understand that navigating the complexities of childhood and adolescence can be challenging for both...
Stacey Patterson, LCPC
Mar 194 min read


How Parents Can Support Neurodivergent Kids
Raising a neurodivergent child can present unique challenges, but with the right support and strategies, parents can create an...
Stacey Patterson, LCPC
Feb 142 min read


Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA): Support Parents and Providers
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) , is a complex condition that is often misunderstood. At Alder Grove Counseling, we know how deeply...
ginakhines
Feb 41 min read


How to Know When It's Time for Teen Therapy: A Parent's Guide
As a parent, watching your teenager navigate the turbulent waters of adolescence can be both rewarding and challenging. It's a time of...
Stacey Patterson, LCPC
Jan 105 min read


Why Children Therapy is Essential for Mental and Emotional Well-being
Introduction: The Growing Need for Children Therapy As parents, guardians, and caregivers, one of the most important roles we have is to...
Stacey Patterson, LCPC
Dec 20, 20243 min read


Rooted
Your body is not a coffin for pain to be buried in. Put it somewhere else.
-Ehime Ora
Stacey Patterson, LCPC
Aug 11, 20232 min read


Living the Questions
“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are...
ginakhines
Feb 7, 20232 min read


Possibility
One of my grad school professors, Dr. Richardson, did an exercise that still guides my work 20 years later. He would ask a volunteer to...
Stacey Patterson, LCPC
Oct 12, 20222 min read


Valuing Enough
While the pandemic has brought many challenges, there have been some unexpected blessings along the way. For me, one of those has been...
ginakhines
Aug 17, 20222 min read


Wonder and Reality
My family recently visited the new alebrijes exhibit at Cantigny Park, a collection of large scale, fantastical creatures made by Mexican...
ginakhines
Jun 7, 20222 min read


Winter Turning into Spring
On a warm day last March, my son walked outside and nodded knowingly, stating it was the “Winter Turning into Spring,” and it was one of...
ginakhines
Apr 5, 20221 min read


See No Stranger
As we take some time this month to think about and acknowledge love, we can challenge ourselves to consider ways to be loving, even when...
ginakhines
Feb 2, 20221 min read


Illumination
As we enter into the darkest time of the year, we can rely on our traditions to give us sources of light. This light can range from big...
ginakhines
Dec 8, 20211 min read


A Season of Rest
I have talked with so many people lately that have identified being “SO tired.” As we enter into the fall where we watch animals migrate...
ginakhines
Oct 4, 20212 min read
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