SamaraCare Counseling

It’s all too easy to be tough on ourselves; we need to get better at self-compassion.

An Exercise in Self Compassion It’s all too easy to be extremely tough on ourselves; we need – at points – to get better at self-compassion. Here is an exercise from the School of Life on how to lessen the voices of self-flagellation and learn to appreciate the role of self-care in a good and fruitful life. 

Take care of yourself with these simple self-care ideas.

9 Simple Ways to Practice Self-Care Every Day (Because You Deserve It) These simple self care tips will help you set off on the right path forward, one day at a time.

Tips and Strategies for Easing Back-to-School Anxiety: A Must-Read for Students

Heading back-to-school is coming soon and many students experience a mix of excitement and anxiety. At SamaraCare, we understand this transition can be challenging. Our experienced counselors are equipped to support students in managing their feelings so they can thrive academically and emotionally.

Here are a few tips to help students manage anxiety:

 Recognize the Anxiety: It's normal for students to feel anxious about returning to school after a break. Concerns about new teachers, academic expectations, and social dynamics can amplify these feelings. Recognizing these anxieties is the first step in addressing them.
Build Resilience: At SamaraCare, we emphasize building resilience through practical strategies. Encouraging students to maintain a balanced routine, prioritize self-care, and engage in relaxation techniques can significantly reduce anxiety levels.
Foster Open Communication: We promote open communication between students, parents, and educators. Creating a supportive environment where students feel comfortable expressing their concerns can alleviate anxiety and engender a sense of belonging.
Set Realistic Goals: This helps students regain a sense of control. Breaking down tasks into manageable steps and celebrating achievements, no matter how small, boosts confidence and motivation.
Seek Support: Our counselors are available to provide individualized support for students experiencing heightened anxiety. Whether through one-on-one sessions, group discussions, or workshops, we offer strategies tailored to each student's unique needs.
Look Ahead: We encourage focusing on the positives of the upcoming school year. Reminding students of past successes as well as the opportunities for growth and learning can shift their perspective from anxiety to anticipation.

At SamaraCare, we believe in empowering students to navigate back-to-school anxiety with confidence and resilience. By encouraging a supportive community and providing effective coping strategies, we aim to help every student decrease anxiety and embrace the school year enthusiastically.

“Workplace” burnout is an occupation-related syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is not enough to simply focus on the worker who is having a problem—there must be a recognition of the surrounding job conditions that are the sources of the problem.

Employers need to focus on workplace burnout: Here’s why 'Workplace' burnout is an occupation-related syndrome resulting from unaddressed chronic workplace stress. It involves ongoing emotional exhaustion, psychological distance or negativity, and feelings of inefficacy.

Here's how to begin a meditation practice.

Mindfulness 101: How to begin a meditation practice : Life Kit It's counterintuitive, but an effective way to manage our negative reactions to life's stressors actually involves slowing down and paying very close attention. Jon Kabat-Zinn, the founder of mindfulness-based stress reduction, explains how to begin a meditation practice — and how doing so can hel...

Watching your child struggle with anxiety or depression is one of the hardest things a parent can experience. Here are some ways to support your kids when they are dealing with mental health concerns.

Helping Your Child Cope With Anxiety and Depression - Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Blog Pediatrician Nivedita More, MD, of Bayside Medical Group – Fremont, offers ways to support your kids when they are dealing with mental health concerns.

What is the one thing therapists and psychologists would recommend doing every day to improve your mental health? The answers are in, and they're relatively easy to incorporate into your existing routine. Read on for the full list of expert-approved techniques.

Daily Practices to Improve Your Mental Health, According to Therapists Everyday tips to help preserve your mental health.

Tips and Strategies for Easing Back-to-School Anxiety: A Must-Read for Parents

With the new school year fast approaching, many parents are grappling with a surge of anxiety. This transition can be challenging, filled with concerns about their child’s academic performance, social interactions, and overall well-being.

It’s crucial for parents to acknowledge their anxiety. Recognizing that these feelings are valid and common can be the first step toward managing them effectively. Open communication within the family is vital. Encourage discussions about any worries or fears regarding the new school year. This not only helps parents understand their children’s concerns but also fosters a supportive and open environment.

Establishing a routine can significantly alleviate anxiety. Consistent schedules for bedtime, meals, and study times provide a sense of stability and predictability, which can comfort both parents and children. Additionally, preparing for the school year by—organizing school supplies, setting up a designated study area, and discussing goals and expectations—can help reduce last-minute stress.

Self-care is another essential aspect of managing anxiety. It’s valuable for parents to make time for activities that relax and rejuvenate them, whether it’s reading, exercising, or spending time with friends. Remember, taking care of yourself enables you to better support your children.

Lastly, don’t hesitate to seek professional help if needed. Counseling services can provide valuable strategies for managing anxiety and offer a safe space to discuss concerns.

At SamaraCare, we are dedicated to helping families navigate these challenging times. Together, we can create a positive and supportive environment for a successful school year ahead.

Experts share their advice for keeping up with friends even when your mental health is suffering.

How To Maintain Your Friendships If You're Dealing With Anxiety Or Depression

Learn how to identify work stress, how to deal with stress at work, and what to do if the stress follows you home.

How To Deal With Stress At Work, According To Experts How To Deal With Stress At Work, According To Experts

The summer can lead to mental health challenges for children. Here's what caregivers should be aware of.

TikTok Videos Show Reality of Teen Summer Depression—What Parents Need To Know The summertime can lead to mental health challenges for children and teens. Here's what parents need to know and how they can help.

"Now athletes are a little bit more in tune, and we trust what our gut is saying and just taking mental health a little bit more serious.”

How Simone Biles kicked down the door for Team USA Olympians to discuss mental health Simone Biles’ impact on how mental health is viewed within the U.S. Olympic women's gymanstics team is undeniable. Here's how she changed the convo.

Living in a diverse community means interacting with individuals and families with different needs and experiences, which includes raising a child with autism. At SamaraCare, we believe fostering understanding and support within the community can greatly enhance the well-being of all families.

Autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder-ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people socialize, communicate, and express their interests. SamaraCare has an expert team with significant clinical experience working with children and young adults with ASD. Our services include: psychiatric diagnosis and medication management, counseling, groups, training, and school consultations.

Our top-notch clinical team has some tips for supporting families with children with autism.

Recognize children with autism might have different ways of communicating, playing, or responding to their environment but no two people with ASD are alike. The best way to support families is to treat them with respect, patience, and kindness, just like you would anyone else.

If someone with ASD is for example jumping, realize this may be how they express their joy and feel free to offer a smile. On the other hand, if they are having a difficult day they may be sensitive to an unintentional stare because it might make them feel worse. It never hurts to ask the parent if they need help but understand most of the time they are probably okay. Many parents with children with autism feel expressing pity or giving advice isn’t helpful but like most people they do appreciate when you listen.

Everyone wants to be included so keep inviting children with autism and their families! They may come late or leave early; they may need some extra space or to take a break but they want the opportunity to participate and be part of their community.

Supporting families, including those with children with autism, is something we can all do and teach our children. Support is something everyone needs and wants.

By taking these steps, we can all learn from each other and foster a more supportive community where everyone feels valued and supported.

Months away from the U.S. presidential election, 73% of respondents in a poll by the American Psychiatric Association say they are feeling anxious about the election.

Stressed about politics? Here are 5 ways to take care of your mental health Psychologists say it's normal to feel stress and negative emotions in times of uncertainty. There are also things you can do to take care of yourself.

Experts say prioritizing sleep and making a few other lifestyle changes can help you feel sunny all season long.

Summer Depression: 11 Ways to Brighten Your Mood If warm, sunny days make you feel more gloomy than great, you could have seasonal affective disorder. Learn how to stop it from dragging you down.

This is the relationship advice experts really believe in.

7 Relationship Rules Actually Worth Following, According To Therapists

A little stress can be good for us, but too much stress, or chronic stress, can lead to health issues like anxiety, high blood pressure and even a weakened immune system.

I've been a psychologist for over 20 years: Here's how I manage stress Allison Chase is a practicing psychologist with over 20 years of experience in her profession, but she experiences stress, too. Here's how she manages it.

SamaraCare helps hospital system support their nurses

A leading area hospital system collaborated with SamaraCare to design a new training series for their nursing staff. One of SamaraCare’s most experienced Clinical Psychologists, Genalin Niere-Metcalf, who has a B.S. in nursing, designed and conducted the training.

The large hospital system surveyed the nurses in a number of their hospitals. The results showed the nurses were still feeling the negative impact of the pandemic and highlighted the inherent challenges of nursing. Genalin provided 7-weeks of training addressing the nurses’ concerns and improving their well-being by offering new tools to better cope with issues including stress and burnout.

The training series offered five classes weekly on the following topics:
Burnout and Compassion Fatigue
Trauma and PTSD
Depression and Anxiety
Self-Awareness and Self-Management
Social Awareness and Relationship Management
Empowerment
Self-Care

The training classes were well attended and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. A big thank you to all nurses for their hard work and invaluable contribution to patient care.

Our highly experienced clinical staff offers customized educational and wellness training workshops and presentations to schools, hospitals, corporations, congregations and all interested groups. Click here to learn more!

Here’s how to take a day off to rest, recharge, and reflect.

Burned out? How to take a mental health day to rest and recharge 82% of employed Gen Z employees want mental health days to combat burnout. Here’s how to take a day off to rest, recharge and reflect.

If you always do these eight things, you’re already mentally stronger than most. If you don’t — yet! — you can look to this list as a mini-playbook that will help you level up your mental strength.

If you always do these 8 things, you’re mentally stronger than most Scott Mautz, who's spent decades studying mental strength and interviewed and surveyed thousands, says mentally strong people "share certain habits we can learn from."

Our social skills group for adolescents begins in August!

This six-week social skills group will help adolescents ages 11-14 develop skills to engage in group conversations and form healthy friendships. It’s aimed at increasing confidence in social settings by understanding social expectations, modifying behaviors, and building self-awareness. This will be

achieved through role playing, modeling appropriate behaviors, giving/receiving feedback, and activities/games to help learn teamwork.

When: 10-11am on the following dates:

Saturday, August 24th
Saturday, August 31st
Saturday, September 7th
Saturday, September 14th
Saturday, September 21st
Saturday, September 28th

Where: SamaraCare, 1761 S. Naperville Rd., Suite 200, Wheaton, IL

Cost: $120 total. The fee must be paid at the time of registration. A 15-minute consultation is offered so the adolescent and family may meet the group facilitator.

This group may be beneficial for adolescents:
struggling to converse with peers and read social cues
feeling anxious in social settings
who become dysregulated in social situations
demonstrating impulsivity in group settings

Topics:
Teamwork
Coping skills
Bullying/friendships
Responsibility
Communication

Group Facilitator: Amber Beebe, LCSW, for additional information about Amber visit our website and her biography at https://samaracarecounseling.org/counselor/amber-beebe.

To register, contact Amber Beebe, LCSW at [email protected].

A toxic manager can affect your mind and body in subtle and surprising ways.

8 Ways Anxiety Pops Up When You Have A Toxic Boss

Our social skills group for children begins in August!

This six-week social skills group will help children ages 7-10 develop skills to engage in group conversations and form healthy friendships. It’s aimed at increasing confidence in social settings by understanding social expectations, modifying behaviors, and building self-awareness. This will be achieved through role playing, modeling appropriate behaviors, giving/receiving feedback, and activities/games to help learn teamwork.

When: 9am-10am on the following dates:

Saturday, August 24th
Saturday, August 31st
Saturday, September 7th
Saturday, September 14th
Saturday, September 21st
Saturday, September 28th

Where: SamaraCare, 1761 S. Naperville Rd., Suite 200, Wheaton, IL

Cost: $120 total. The fee must be paid at the time of registration. A 15-minute consultation is offered so the adolescent and family may meet the group facilitator.

This group may be beneficial for children:
struggling to converse with peers and read social cues
feeling anxious in social settings
who become dysregulated in social situations
demonstrating impulsivity in group settings

Topics:
Teamwork
Coping skills
Bullying/friendships
Responsibility
Communication

Group Facilitator: Amber Beebe, LCSW, for additional information about Amber visit our website and her biography at https://samaracarecounseling.org/counselor/amber-beebe.

To register, contact Amber Beebe, LCSW at [email protected]

The rate of depression, anxiety and su***de among kids has really skyrocketed in the last 20 years.

6 tips to help children navigate social media from a psychiatrist Dr. Claudia Welke, a psychiatrist and the chief medical officer at Compass Health Center, said the rate of depression, anxiety and su***de has skyrocketed among kids in the last 20 years. While it's not clear to what extent, what kids are viewing online plays a role.

People react differently to uncertainty, but you can take some simple steps to build your resilience in uncertain times. Accepting that there will be uncertainty can free us to focus on what is in our control.
https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/uncertainty

Although beautiful to behold, fireworks displays are triggering for people with PTSD, many of whom struggle with loud noises.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/ptsd/ptsd-and-fireworks-season-ways-to-cope-with-booms-and-bright-lights/

As we celebrate July 4th, let's remember good mental health is as vital to our independence as any freedom. Let's honor our well-being by nurturing resilience, seeking support when needed, and fostering environments where mental health thrives. SamaraCare offers high-quality counseling and psychiatric services including reduced-cost care to those in need of financial assistance.

Happy Independence Day!

Activities that relax you are better anger management tools than venting about your problems to a loved one.

Study Says Venting About Your Problems Isn't Actually the Best Way to Reduce Anger—Here's What to Do Instead A study from the Clinical Psychology Review says venting about your problems is not the best way to reduce anger, and instead people should manage angry feelings with activities that decrease arousal.

Prioritizing sleep and making a few other lifestyle changes can help you feel sunny all season long.

Summer Depression: 11 Ways to Brighten Your Mood If warm, sunny days make you feel more gloomy than great, you could have seasonal affective disorder. Learn how to stop it from dragging you down.

Our Social Skills Group for Adolescents Begins in July

This six-week social skills group will help adolescents ages 11-14 develop skills to engage in group conversations and form healthy friendships. It’s aimed at increasing confidence in social settings by understanding social expectations, modifying behaviors, and building self-awareness. This will be achieved through role playing, modeling appropriate behaviors, giving/receiving feedback, and activities/games to help learn teamwork.

When: 10:00am-11:00am on the following dates:

Tuesday, July 9th
Wednesday, July 17th
Tuesday, July 2rd
Wednesday, July 31st
Tuesday, August 6th
Wednesday, August 14th

Where: SamaraCare, 1761 S. Naperville Rd., Suite 200, Wheaton, IL

Cost: $120 total. The fee must be paid at the time of registration. A 15-minute consultation is offered so the adolescent and family may meet the group facilitator.

This group may be beneficial for adolescents:
struggling to converse with peers and read social cues
feeling anxious in social settings
who become dysregulated in social situations
demonstrating impulsivity in group settings

Topics:
Teamwork
Coping skills
Bullying/friendships
Responsibility
Communication

Group Facilitator: Amber Beebe, LCSW, for additional information about Amber visit our website and her biography at https://samaracarecounseling.org/counselor/amber-beebe.

To register, contact Amber Beebe, LCSW at [email protected].