Starks Therapy Group

Before the stress of [insert school issue here] starts up again, contact us to get your pre/teen grounded in a place they can trust -- and you can too.

This fall we are focusing on Middle School. Do you need support for your high schooler, we've got that too.

Local, professional, relaxed, intense, fun, silly, productive, skill-building, plus social and executive functioning skills that carry forward with them into a successful school. year.

There is power in peer-groups, and each group will be led by a STG therapist who specializes in teens, MANDY ROSS, LCSW, ADHD-CCSP. Mandy is a licensed School Social Worker and has worked in the middle and high school settings, providing support to adolescents in the general education and special education environment. She is well-versed in Individual Educational Plans (IEPs), 504s, and the role of the school in providing social-emotional support to students.

If this sounds like something your teen might need or enjoy, reach out to us today; limited slots will be available.

Groups meet at our Oak Park office weekly. Contact us for more details.

We accept a variety of insurances or self-pay option ($70/ session).

https://www.starkstherapygroup.com/single-post/podcast-enhancing-therapy-with-ketamine

Autumn was on a podcast!!! Check out this sneak peak of her conversation with Mandi from Brain Wellness about Depression and Ketamine Assisted Therapy.

Happy Friday - it’s new podcast episode day! Episode 92 is now available!

Autumn Starks is a therapist who tried something out of her comfort zone and discovered a new passion. While learning about therapeutic options, she had her own life changing experience with ketamine and learned the true power of this type of therapy. We had a fascinating conversation about who would benefit from this type of therapy, what therapy can look like, and how people can learn more about it.

Tune in to hear the full interview now!

Find the episode on your favorite platform at https://bio.link/brainwellnessnp

Starks Therapy Group

Before the stress of [insert school issue here] starts up again, contact us to get your pre/teen grounded in a place they can trust -- and you can too.

This fall we are focusing on Middle School. Do you need support for your high schooler, we've got that too.

Local, professional, relaxed, intense, fun, silly, productive, skill-building, plus social and executive functioning skills that carry forward with them into a successful school. year.

There is power in peer-groups, and each group will be led by a STG therapist who specializes in teens, MANDY ROSS, LCSW, ADHD-CCSP. Mandy is a licensed School Social Worker and has worked in the middle and high school settings, providing support to adolescents in the general education and special education environment. She is well-versed in Individual Educational Plans (IEPs), 504s, and the role of the school in providing social-emotional support to students.

If this sounds like something your teen might need or enjoy, reach out to us today; limited slots will be available.

Groups meet at our Oak Park office weekly. Contact us for more details.

We accept a variety of insurances or self-pay option ($70/ session).

Groups | Starks Therapy Group Group support for the pre-teen and teens. Consistent, healthy community under the leadership of a professional therapist can be just the help that's needed. We are seeking kids committed to building supportive connections with one another and with themselves in a safe space.

DID YOU KNOW THERAPY SLOTS OPEN UP IN THE SUMMER? (IT’S A GREAT TIME TO FIND A NEW THERAPIST)

Even if you can’t be consistent, summer is a great time to seek out and try out therapists while they have availability in their schedules. Finding the right fit is so important to a successful client-therapist relationship.

Now’s the time to get your foot in the door – in the Oak Park private practice door – or the Virtual door (from the beach??).

We’d love to assist you in any of the topics listed above or many more catalyst reasons for seeking out a therapist. We accept a variety of insurances or take out-of-pocket payments.

DO YOU LIKE the idea of online therapy apps (BetterHelp, etc) but want to make sure you’re getting the professional quality of a local private practice?

Starks Therapy Group, led by Autumn Starks, LCSW, offers convenient virtual (or in person — or hybrid!) options with trusted, licensed, experienced clinicians. Who are supported by a small team of committed professionals, ready to assist your experience with us. We use secure video and keep our visits confidential.

Our office is located in beautiful Oak Park IL, just west of downtown Chicago, easily accessible via Green Line or Metra trains for those who wish to visit in person or develop a hybrid model with your clinician. Peruse our staff at www.starkstherapygroup.com/staff to see details of specialties and the insurances are available.

PRIDE IS courage. In a place like Oak Park in 2024, one might forget that pride is always first and foremost about courage. It isn’t only about courage. It’s also about joy, and belonging, and love, and many, many other things. But it will never not be about courage.

Whether that courage is for basic human rights, psychological safety or the courage of attending your first pride event out and in the open. My hope one day is that pride will only be about courage in a way of remembering the past. That the LGBTQIA+ communities will feel so incredibly safe that talking about pride and courage will feel fully like a history lesson.

But until that time, we will keep speaking out for safety, for visibility and for rights.

This year, as we considered what to say about Pride, we took a page out of our Internal Family Systems training. The concept of Self-energy has many different facets and we see those facets clearly manifested in the hearts, minds and lives of our community, the LGBTQIA+ community. We bring so many qualities of Self to the world every day, every month. We are highlighting a few that are especially on our minds this pride month.

The 8 Cs of Self are: Curiosity, Compassion, Clarity, Connectedness, Creativity, Courage, Confidence, Calm. For more info about IFS therapy, go to our specialties webpage starkstherapygroup.com/IFS.

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PRIDE IS bringing clarity to yourself and others about who you are and how you see yourself. Pride is an open invitation for others to bring their truth to you.

Pride is an invitation to ask and answer questions that many of us were taught were insensitive or inappropriate. So, seek clarity. Choose to see and to ask. Even if that question needs to happen first in the privacy of your own mind or the sanctity of your therapeutic relationship.

Find a safe place to seek clarity. Be a safe place for others who are doing the same.

This year, as we considered what to say about Pride, we took a page out of our Internal Family Systems training. The concept of Self-energy has many different facets and we see those facets clearly manifested in the hearts, minds and lives of our community, the LGBTQIA+ community. We bring so many qualities of Self to the world every day, every month. We are highlighting a few that are especially on our minds this pride month.

The 8 Cs of Self are: Curiosity, Compassion, Clarity, Connectedness, Creativity, Courage, Confidence, Calm. For more info about IFS therapy, go to our specialties webpage starkstherapygroup.com/IFS.

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REIGN IS a compassionate and engaged therapist who focuses on working with children and adolescents. She has experience working with kids as young as 4 years old, and employs methods rooted in developmental insights and biological sensitivity.

Reign holds the value that all people have strengths, resilience and worth. And loves seeing healing and authentic growth come out of the most difficult situations.

Her approach to therapy include mindfulness, body regulation, play therapy, and DBT. Her expertise encompasses trauma, crisis intervention, and addressing domestic violence.

She is also interested in working with adults who are eager to understand themselves, family dynamics and patterns, and collaboratively discover their path to growth.

🛎 Contact our office today and take advantage of a free 15-minute phone consultation; we know finding the right therapist is key 🔑

Contact | Starks Therapy Group Reach out to us today and speak to our Intake Coordinator who can discuss insurances with you and help find a good therapist match. You can also ask to schedule a free 15-minute consultation call. Finding the right therapist fit is key to successful therapy.

"Will you allow yourself to matter to you?"

Sara Barellis in talk with Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy in panel discussion on Mental Health via Friendship & Creativity

Maybe it's time to reach out for therapy... we can help.

NOW is the best time to get teens connected and supported. Before the stress of [insert school issue here] starts up again next year. Get them grounded in a place they can trust -- and you can too.

Local, professional, relaxed, intense, fun, silly, productive, skill-building, plus social and executive functioning skills that carry forward with them into the fall.

If this sounds like something your middle or high school teen might need or enjoy, contact us to talk options.

There is power in peer-groups, and each group will be led by a STG therapist who specializes in teens.

We accept a variety of insurances or self-pay option per session.

As we wrap up May / Mental Health Month, let’s look at 3 reasons why people hesitate to get therapy, and see if we can knock down some of those barriers.

1. “My life isn’t THAT bad… What will my [family/friends/etc] think?” Despite the growing awareness of the importance of mental health which we see all over social media, from celebrities and influencers, to companies improving policies and benefits, to mental health accounts and Surgeon General endorsements, there can still be a real life concern about what will the people in my life think of me?

Often this hesitation (shame/denial) is simply a stigma that we ourselves have carried with us from a past generational culture, and one that we must choose to move past.

2. Cost of therapy. Even though mental/behavioral health benefits are increasing in the health insurance field overall, individual policies often do not cover the full cost of a session, or a deductible must be met before benefits kick in. The process of determining what is available to you can feel confusing, and the reality of covering these costs can feel challenging.

What it can boil down to is making an important life decision to do the work to understand your health insurance benefits and make the cost of therapy a priority.

3. Finding a therapist…help! Well, this is no small task and it can keep many people frozen in that place of inaction. Fortunately, there are more and more resources available to help with that--from your insurance’s directory of in-network providers, to online helpers, to more all-encompassing online search engines, to simply Googling therapy near me.

Sometimes the best place to start is the local therapist who is familiar with and invested in the culture of your particular community. Other times it’s worth doing a deeper dive to find the specialist and exact right fit. But start somewhere, and trust the process!

May is National Teen Mental Health month, but we’ll talk about it all year round. Kids and teens need support, now more than ever.

As we're thinking about summer plans and structures, what might be the 2 best ways to help our teens stay grounded and be prepared to succeed next year?

1. Strengthen their circle of support
2. Build self-esteem.

What’s a great way to do that?
Find a therapist.

With more flexibility in daytime scheduling, you can often find more therapists available to match with your child or teen. Finding a good fit for their personality and particular needs is key; not every therapist will give them a good experience. Have you tried and found that to be true? Maybe it’s time to try again.

And by starting now, you allow them to build relationship through the summer months – which creates a strong foundation to draw from when the school year hits. We all know that next year’s challenges – academically, socially – may be even more demanding than this year’s... so what can we do now to put that strength in place?

And how can we extend that strength to you, too?
Let us be an ally. Reach out today.

[PS. Ask us about our teen support groups]

There will never be a "better time" to begin your therapy journey. Your schedule won't ease up, your work, your family won't stop needing you less, the clouds won't part, no one's coming to give you a kick in the butt, and the "extra" money probably won't appear. But hopefully your insurance WILL come through for you...
..and, GREAT NEWS, we have just added more insurances to our roster: BCBS PPO, United Healthcare, Aetna and Cigna now accepted, as well as self-pay.

Even if wise people in your life aren't calling to say hey, you're worth it -- and the effort and investment you make will be worth it -- we'll say it and keep saying it. We know there's more for you on the other side of that therapy door.

So, reach out today and let us help you find a good match, if not with one of our team, we have a great network of recommendations, too xo

** In person, virtually, or hybrid options available to fit the demands of your schedule and offer convenience and ease **

KEY COMPONENTS TO AN EFFECTIVE KETAMINE JOURNEY:
🔑Recognizing Changes and Progress
🔑Integration Practices
🔑Amplifying Therapy Sessions
🔑Embodiment Practices
🔑Taking Small Steps Towards a Better Quality of Life
🔑Behavioral Changes and Habit Formation

Here at STG we provide Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy which includes integration sessions. We also work with those receiving ketamine treatment elsewhere to integrate previous experiences or prepare for future dosing sessions. If you need ongoing therapy that is ketamine or psychedelically informed, we do that too!

With dedication, self-reflection, and support, you can experience the full potential of your healing journey post-ketamine treatment. And we’re here to help. Reach out today to learn more.

May 6th is , an annual social media campaign to encourage the rejection of diet culture. This movement, started by Mary Evans Young in 1992, celebrates the importance of body acceptance, diversity, and respect for all body shapes and sizes.





(in person or virtual!)

What does therapy have to do with our bodies? Our bodies can be both a source of joy and heartache for us. While we use them to be close to those we love, to move and enjoy the physical world, we also live in a society that places judgments about who we are and our worth based on what we look like. Disliking how your body looks or how much you....

FOR ‘MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH' WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE...In addition to Blue Cross Blue Shield, Starks Therapy Group is now accepting UnitedHealthcare, Aetna and Cigna/Evernorth to help make therapy more accessible to more people.

Does this help you? Does it help a friend? Pass it on…

(And check our staff page to see which clinicians work with which insurances.)

Movement of the body is helpful accompaniment to any type of healing and self-discovery. On this International Day of Dance, we celebrate all forms* of expression that help you be a more relaxed, more free... you!

*All versions and varieties welcome, "dance like no one's watching" as the saying goes. And if you're someone who dances for others to watch, you keep being you – and thanks for showing us the way ✨✨✨

We know life is full of challenges. Some are big, some are little, some start little then turn big over time, and only you can be the one to say. If it's a "big deal" to you, it doesn't matter what anyone else says, it matters to you and it matters to us. A good therapist can be a good sounding board—unbiased and totally in your corner.

Reach out to Reign, our Intake Coordinator, through our Contact page (link in bio) to start the process of finding a good therapist match.

We want to see you in a life you (and your partner) can live with.

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DAYTIME AVAILABILITY ** in person or virtual ** to focus on areas such as: Women's issues, Body image struggles, Religious trauma, Self-esteem, Life transitions, Depression or Anxiety.

Grace will meet you with warmth, compassion, and humor as she focuses on creating a safe space to develop a relationship where you can openly and honestly explore the issues that brought you in.

🛎 Contact our office today and take advantage of a free 15-minute phone consultation; we know finding the right therapist is key 🔑

In the realm of mental health care, the choice between virtual psychotherapy and traditional face-to-face therapy is not a binary one but rather a nuanced decision that hinges on individual preferences and needs as well as availability of professional, trusted clinicians.

Reach out today to get the conversation started and explore your options with Oak Park-based Starks Therapy Group – for in-person, virtual – or request one of our clinicians who can do both, being flexible from week to week, based on what your schedule or other factors may allow.

Ultimately, the key lies in finding the approach that resonates with you and empowers you to embark on a transformative journey towards mental wellness.

*Note: Illinois licensing only allows us to accept clients who live in Illinois, whether in-person or virtual.

Have we mentioned how happy we are that Richard Clark is part of the STG team?

Not only is Richard a golden-hearted kind of human, he brings an incredible wealth of knowledge and experience to this ‘new’ area of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. With 32 years in the medical field and an additional certification for psychedelic-specific treatment, Richard has just about seen it all – and still shows up with an excitement for what’s next. He knows the power firsthand of how these types of box-breaking treatments can change lives for clients who have just about given up hope for their situations to change.

If you are interested in finding out more about the work Richard does here at STG, head over to our website pages that focus on this type of therapy or find him in his other wellness environment at Sana Healing Collective.

We’re so delighted to have him onboard here and helping to take us new places with what we’re able to offer.

>> ASK US YOUR KETAMINE-RELATED QUESTIONS

Did you know that people in larger bodies are at higher risk for developing eating disorders?

Whatever your size, whatever your situation, whatever the media have communicated to you… your struggles are valid, even if no one knows or sees what you are going through.

If you are ready to sit down and talk with a compassionate, understanding therapist about this topic (or any topic), we are ready to listen. In person or virtual.

Exciting stuff happening with our friends @ Sana Healing Collective. If you are drawn to this, please check it out; they do a great job of serving the community and making things accessible ⭐️

🌈NOW ENROLLING FOR OUR LGBTQ KETAMINE-ASSISTED THERAPY GROUP!!🌈

We are currently organizing our 2024 LGBTQ KAP group. Fill out the services inquiry form and note your interest in the group on the form if interested in joining! https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/BodW-SWuEAdoeMdAC76AbQ

This group develops a safer space where LGBTQ identifying participants can be their full selves, while exploring the intersection of identities, culture, context, and mental health issues.

Each participant will first complete an individual and medical intake appointment to ensure group ketamine treatment is the best approach for you at this time, and to ensure we organize a group that will work well together. Groups of up to 6 participants will go through an individual intake and several hours of group preparation sessions where they will learn to navigate the ketamine experience, set intentions, prepare for integration work, and build cohesion and support among each other. They will participate in three facilitated ketamine experiences together, supported by Geoff, Avery, and Rick. The group will engage in integration sessions together following each ketamine session, with additional integration sessions following the ketamine treatment phase.

Members must commit to attending ALL sessions.
• Preparation sessions will happen virtually on Thursdays, 2/22, 2/29, and 3/7, from 5:00 - 7:00 pm.

• Group ketamine administration will be in-person on Fridays, 3/8, 3/15, 3/22, from 3:00 - 7:00 pm.

• Integration sessions will be virtual on Mondays, 3/14, 3/21, 3/28, 4/4 and 4/11, from 5:00 - 7:00 pm.

The cost for the entire package of services is $2750, with a sliding scale available based on demonstrated financial hardship, with priority for those who have been subjected to systemic oppression, such as discrimination or trauma based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, migration history, or citizenship status. Please inquire for details.

Due to the nature of the group, it is not possible to replace a group member who misses a session or drops out, so the group is priced as a package with no refunds for missed sessions.

WHAT IS PLAY THERAPY?

Play is the language of children. Since playing is the most natural medium of expression for children, play therapy allows kids the ability to express their feelings through toys and art instead of words. The therapeutic powers of play allow therapists to get on the same communication wavelength as children to assist them in resolving psychosocial issues and reach optimal growth and development in a developmentally appropriate way.
[...]
Through play therapy, kids learn to appropriately express their thoughts and feelings, develop empathy for the thoughts and feelings of others, learn ways of controlling their own behavior, and increase their creative problem-solving skills. Additionally, play therapy can benefit children in alleviating anxiety and developing stronger social skills and stronger family relationships.

[Read full blog by STG therapist Reign Erickson, LSW on our website]

"When is life going to get easier??"

Your circumstances might not change... but you can. And that can be hard work. But, you gather tools, gain insights, and get the support you deserve... And doesn't that sound like a better life?

CURRENT OPENINGS: WEEKDAY DAYTIME SESSIONS for BCBS PPO clients. Or some evening sessions with some of our most seasoned therapists (self-pay). Both in person and virtual. We'll help you find a fit. Reach out today.