Oswego & Aurora, IL

The holiday season has a way of stirring up generosity. Clients often ask, “What’s a good gift for my therapist?” And honestly? The answer may surprise you. As therapists, we genuinely appreciate the thought — truly, it warms our clinical little hearts. But most professional ethics codes, including those from the NASW, APA, and AAMFT, ask us to be incredibly cautious about receiving gifts from clients. Why? Because therapy is a uniquely sensitive space, and exchanging gifts c

In the busyness of life, especially during the holiday season, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or emotionally drained. But what if one simple practice could gently shift our perspective and offer emotional relief? At Graceful Therapy , we believe in the transformative power of gratitude, not as a quick fix, but as a grounding tool for healing and hope. Power of Gratitude for Mental Health Research consistently shows that practicing gratitude can improve mental well-being. From

When I became a mom, I knew my world would shift in a thousand ways. What I didn’t know was how loud the inner critic would become. Trying to show up fully at work and fully at home sometimes feels like living in two different worlds, each one asking for my best, and me wondering if I have enough to go around. I’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way. Not the kind that scar your kids for life (thankfully!), but the kind that quietly steal your joy and keep you stuck in comp

At some point in our lives, many of us will experience something that overwhelms our ability to cope: a moment, a season, or an...

Anxiety is something many of us experience at different points in our lives, but when those feelings become overwhelming or interfere with daily life, it may be time to take a closer look. At Graceful Therapy, we believe that understanding anxiety is a powerful first step toward healing. Whether you're facing persistent worry, racing thoughts, or physical symptoms like a pounding heart, you're not alone, and support is available.

As the summer winds down and backpacks come out of storage, many families feel the familiar rhythm of a new school year approaching....

Family is often where we find our greatest love, but also where we experience some of our deepest challenges. Whether you're navigating...

And what to do if you're not sure you're ready for that step yet Separation and divorce are among life’s most emotionally charged...

Navigating a divorce is a significant life event with several, sometimes complicated, options for a couple to utilize. While the legal...

By Kristina Long, LPC, Nationally Certified Professional Mediator Mediation works to take negative and vulnerable conflict and bring...