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.
Direct Line: (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.
Direct Line: (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.
Direct Line: (815) 245-2050
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.
Direct Line: (815) 236-5007
Maddy Hesslau
Educationally, Maddy holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama-Birmingham and a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Colorado Christian University. The graduate program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Upon graduation, she met the educational requirements for licensure set forth by the Illinois State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors. Before becoming a counselor, Maddy served as both a social worker and life coach in her hometown of Pensacola, FL. In addition to counseling, she is also a part-time Pure Barre instructor.
As a professional counselor, Maddy works primarily with adolescent girls and women navigating anxiety, depression, and trauma. It is her belief that beauty and wholeness is available when an individual has a comfortable space to explore their family of origin, confront beliefs preventing them from fully living, and begin processing their story lived thus far. It is her hope that through a heart posture of compassion and empathic understanding, clients will feel invited to bring their whole self to the counseling office. With that said, Maddy is dedicated to walking alongside clients through the valleys of life, holding space for stories to be heard, all while helping them recognize who they can become along the way.
Direct Line: (815) 526-0508
Maddy is also available for speaking events!
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Ryan Hesslau
Educationally, Ryan holds a Bachelor's degree in Entrepreneurship from Trinity Christian College and a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Colorado Christian University. The graduate program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Upon graduation, he met the educational and training requirements for licensure set forth by the Illinois State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors. Before becoming a professional counselor, Ryan had an expansive career in startups, youth ministry, and public speaking for schools and communities.
Ryan’s integrative approach to therapy provides clients with a calming and comfortable space to grow in emotional clarity, resilience, and fortitude. He works primarily with adolescent boys and men navigating anxiety, depression, and trauma. In addition, he is prepared to work with clients enduring hardships concerning marital issues, life transitions, stress management, career changes, and burnout. Above all, Ryan is dedicated to offering a therapeutic environment where the story of every client will be met with grace, empathy, and understanding.
Direct Line: (815) 893-9873
Ryan is also available for speaking events!
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.
Direct Line: (847) 868-0159