Ken Gates
Ken Gates, M.A. is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor providing individual, marriage and family counseling. He received his Master’s Degree from Wheaton College Graduate School and has been in practice since 1991. Ken’s interactive approach to counseling combines compassion and encouragement with a challenge towards growth and change. His Specialties include: Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Childhood Disorders, Marriage Counseling, Healing from Infidelity and Spiritual Formation Issues.
815-861-9424
Debbie Simpson
Debbie Simpson, LCPC is a graduate of Trinity International University with a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. A variety of life experiences contributed to her decision to pursue a career in counseling. Her roles have included daughter, sister, wife, stay-at-home mom, working mother, divorcee, single parent, blended family member, and returning student. She believes she has grown in understanding and compassion as a result of each of these roles and is looking forward to working through life’s difficulties with you. As a professional counselor, it is her privilege to be invited to hear your story and to participate in your continuing emotional, intellectual and spiritual growth. Her goal is to encourage, inform and challenge you in a safe, non-judgmental setting. Together you will develop strategies to manage your concerns and create a more satisfying life. Debbie has experience with clients of all ages with a variety of issues ranging from a general desire for personal growth, to mood and anxiety management, family and relationship problems, and addictions. She truly enjoys her work and looks forward to working with each client.
815-354-6746
June Stroner
June Stroner, MA, LCPC, RPT is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Registered Play Therapist. June received her BS in Child Development and Family Relations from Illinois State University and later received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College, Illinois. Her advanced training and experience as a Registered Play Therapist has ignited her natural passion for helping children and families navigate through the difficulties in their lives. June has helped children and parents who are challenged with issues related to behavior management, developmental delays, parenting, anxiety, depression, parent/child attachment, trauma, and grief. This passion for equipping and teaching her clients to become healthy and thrive is lived out through June’s warm, caring presence as she easily establishes rapport with children and their families.
815-245-2050
Melissa Chaffer
Melissa Chaffer, M.A., LCPC is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She works with church staff, corporate executives, teens and adults to improve leadership skills, personal relationships and business performance. Patients & family members currently dealing with the emotional effects of chronic or terminal illness are also a piece of her practice. She has served as a Response Pastor, and volunteers in a marriage workshop that helps couples who are in a hard season. Prior to private practice, she worked at a local evangelical church as Director of Counseling, and in an in-patient psychiatric hospital, leading groups and working with adolescents. She graduated from Western Illinois University with a B.S. in Child Development, Family Living & Gerontology, and holds a Masters degree in Community Counseling from Roosevelt University.
779-220-0340
Mike O'Brien
Michael O'Brien, MSW is a clinical social worker and therapist specializing in Solution Oriented and Brief Strategic Therapies. Michael received his Master's degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and advanced training at The Hudson Institute in Omaha, Nebraska. Michael has worked in numerous settings that include public mental health centers, private practices, and in school settings while serving as a school social worker, consultant, head coach, and school principal. Michael works with a variety of challenges that include (but are not limited to) anxiety, depression, family relationship issues, and marital improvement.
815-236-5007
Maddy Hesslau
Maddy Hesslau received her Bachelor's degree in social work from University of Alabama at Birmingham and earned her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Colorado Christian University. Maddy counsels from a person-centered and trauma-informed perspective. She believes beauty and wholeness are available when individuals explore their family of origin, confront beliefs holding them back from truly living, and have a space to share their story thus far. Maddy enjoys offering a space for individuals to bring their whole selves. Maddy aims to challenge beliefs that may be holding people back from fully living- rather than surviving. She does this from a heart of compassion and believes that there is more available for others. She is passionate about walking with individuals through the valleys and helping call out the lies when it is time to stand. Maddy believes it is an honor to walk beside individuals, hold space for their stories, and see who they can become along the way.
815-526-0508
Matt Warren
Matt Warren, M.A., LPC earned his Masters of Arts in Counseling from Lincoln Christian Seminary. Matt has an immense passion for creating a safe and welcoming environment. Matt strongly believes that therapy is a process to be walked through rather than a process of “fixing” a person. Matt’s approach to therapy is collaborative and he believes the pace of therapy is led by the client. Matt works with individuals dealing with anxiety and depression, ADHD, anger, family and marital issues, spirituality, life transitions, and issues of existentialism. Matt seeks to understand how past hurts, family of origin, culture, and other influences have impacted his clients and the way they currently experience life. Matt operates from various theoretical models including Internal Family Systems and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with individuals as well as Gottman’s Methods and Emotionally Focused Therapy for family and couples counseling.
847-868-0159