MFT Clinic

Helping your child transition into school can be challenging, and every journey looks different. Establishing structure, creating space for their emotions, and having grace for setbacks can ease the process—but remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. No matter how your family goes about it, the most important thing is that your child knows you’re there for them.

Sometimes, it can be hard to balance our own needs and the needs of those around us. Many of us don’t give priority to our needs out of fear of being selfish. If this is a challenge for you, therapy can provide a place to sort through complicated feelings around boundaries and loving well. Reach out to the MFT Clinic at Wheaton College by visiting www.mftclinic.com or emailing [email protected].

Leaving for college can be a challenging time for both students and parents. Emotional needs are changing during this season. Young adults need to develop deep peer relationships but also need to know their home base is there for them. Parents may feel the tension of caretaking and letting go.

If your family is struggling with this transition, reach out for family therapy. There are remote options for therapy even when family members are in different locations. Counseling can help you embrace this new chapter and find ways to support each other through the changes. To book an appointment with the MFT Clinic at Wheaton College, please visit www.mftclinic.com or email [email protected].

Leaving for college can bring up a mix of emotions and unresolved conflicts. This transition period doesn’t have to be harmful. In fact, it can be used as an opportunity to address lingering issues and strengthen bonds. Remember, it’s never too late to open up, communicate honestly, and heal together. Family therapy can help you and your family navigate your relationship in new and life-giving ways.

Therapy can help you understand yourself and your relationship with others. Reach out to the MFT Clinic at www.mftclinic.com or please email [email protected].

Roseland Community “Good News” Daycare in partnership with The Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic at Wheaton College invites you to Hold Me Tight, a weekend retreat for couples.

Together you'll experience how to:
- Recognize underlying reasons for conflicts
- Identify reactive patterns
- Repair emotional injuries from the past
- Better understand emotional triggers and intimacy needs
- Improve communication to share what you need
- Increase trust, intimacy, playfulness, and fun
- Deepen your emotional, physical, and sexual connection

August 9-11th • Friday 4:30pm-9pm • Saturday 8:30am-7pm • Sunday 1pm- 6pm

220 W. 113th St. Chicago, IL. Roseland Community "Good News" Coffee House

Register by July 31st by email at [email protected] or calling 630-733-8161. Space is limited!

Last but not least, we have Amory, the smallest memeber of The MFT Clinic! She can be found sniffing around to welcome new and returning guests

To schedule an appointment with one of our therapists, visit www.mftclinic.com or please email [email protected].

Kayla was born in New York State, and moved with her family to Central Asia when she was eight years old. After high school, she returned to the US for her college education, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in “Human Development and Family Science” from Messiah University in Pennsylvania.

Her introduction to Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) happened through a collegiate course, which sparked her desire to help bring healing to families in a holistic and systemic way. This prompted her pursuit of a master’s degree in MFT, where she has come to believe that the most enduring healing happens in the context of relationships.

At The MFT Clinic, Kayla works under the supervision of both Dr. Wendy Smith, PsyD, and Jessica Drachenberg, LMFT. Her therapeutic approach with clients includes exploring how you are feeling both internally and within the wider context of your relationships. Together, you will explore how to create opportunities for healing and growth in the many contexts of your life.

To learn more about Kayla or book an appointment with her, visit www.mftclinic.com or please email [email protected].

Keiyon is a Chicago native but has lived in various places within the country. Before interning at
The Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic at Wheaton College and pursuing his Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy, he worked in Colorado as a Behavioral Therapist with kids ages 2– 11 years old who had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Concurrently, he was a volunteer youth pastor at his home church, mentoring tenth graders through the challenges of life and occasionally giving sermons.

As he was working as a Behavioral Therapist, he felt conflicted by the experience of treatment for children. He provided therapy for children one-on-one working on their skill building and socialization; however, therapy often ended once they left the building. Keiyon is a strong believer that therapy can’t have its full impact when it is confined to four walls—it needs to happen beyond the therapeutic space, in the real world of the child. It takes effort from everyone around the children, especially the family, which is the driving passion that led him to the field of Marriage and Family Therapy.

At The MFT Clinic, he works under the supervision of both Dr. Wendy Smith, PsyD, and Jessica Drachenberg, LMFT with a specialized focus on making therapy accessible to those who may not have it readily available.

To learn more about Keiyon or book an appointment with him, visit www.mftclinic.com or please email [email protected].

It's time to meet our interns!
Anna grew up as a Third Culture Kid (an individual who has grown up in another culture different from their birthplace/passport nation) in Slovakia with her parents from the United States. Her experiences provided her an intimate understanding of the transitional terrain of adolescence amidst cultural differences and unexpected traumatic loss. Nevertheless, she persevered by God’s grace and her community’s support, and pursued a career where she could pass that same care on to others. She earned her Bachelor Degree in Psychology and Music, and soon after, started working with adults with special needs. Currently, she balances this work with pursuing her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at Wheaton College.

At The MFT Clinic, Anna works under the supervision of both Dr. Wendy Smith, PsyD, and Jessica Drachenberg, LMFT. As a therapist, she sees herself as someone who walks alongside clients as they navigate complex challenges. She desires to draw attention to personal and family strengths while expanding options to move through difficulties in new ways. Together, she hopes to create encouraging new experiences in relationships.

To learn more about Anna or book an appointment with her, visit www.mftclinic.com or please email [email protected]

Jessica is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Assistant Director at the MFT Clinic. While Jessica works with all ages and stages of life, she specializes in the attachment relationship between parents and young children between the ages of 0 and 5 years old.

Jessica is a strong believer that therapy can be fun. She incorporates art, play, sensory integration, and sand tray in her therapeutic work – holding the core tenet that young children learn, grow, experience, and change through play. She often incorporates these interventions for children of all ages and even some adults. You can expect therapy with her to get a tad-bit messy, a bit playful, and become a place where you can try new techniques for relating and communicating with one another.

To schedule an appointment with Jessica or her team at the MFT Clinic, please call 630.733.8161 or email [email protected]

Wendy is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, earning her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College. Her license covers Illinois as well as over 35 states through her credentialing in PsyPact. She is an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Approved Supervisor In-Training, which has allowed her to deepen skills in training Marriage and Family Therapists. Wendy brings a combination of therapeutic skill and business acuity as the Director of The Marriage and Family Therapy Training Clinic (MFT Clinic).

Since joining Wheaton College as the Clinic Director and Assistant Professor in 2020, Wendy has guided the development of The MFT Clinic at Wheaton College which has become a trusted community mental health center in the Wheaton area. The Clinic also serves as an intensive training site for graduate therapy interns who are enrolled in the MFT program at Wheaton College.

Additionally, Wendy has developed a partnership with the Roseland Community “Good News” Daycare Center in the Roseland neighborhood on Chicago’s Southside. This has led to the expansion of The MFT Clinic to a secondary location, where she and a team of advanced intern therapists provide counseling services to people in extreme trauma and distress. You can often find Wendy and team in the ministry daycare, its affiliated coffee shop, or counseling center on Thursdays.

To schedule an appointment at the MFT Clinic, please call 630.733.8161 or email [email protected]

Therapy slots for Individuals, Couples, Families & Children are now open! To schedule an appointment, contact our intake team today.

+1-630-733-8161
[email protected]
WWW.MFTCLINIC.COM

Presenting to you the Hold Me Tight Retreat, this incredible weekend will center around helping you and your spouse successfully have conversations specifically designed to increase your intimacy and security with each other.

Together you'll experience how to:
-Recognize underlying reasons for your conflicts
-Identify reactive patterns
-Repair emotional injuries from past "ruptures"
-Better understand emotional triggers and intimacy needs
-Improve emotional communication to share what you need
-Increase feelings of trust, intimacy, playfulness, and fun
-Deepen your emotional, physical, and sexual connection

Location: 209 N Washington St., Wheaton, IL, 60187

Weekend schedule: Friday 4:30-9pm, Saturday 9am-9pm, Sunday 8am-3:30pm
Register today: Email at [email protected] or call 630-733-8161.

At the Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic, we believe in supporting families, children and adolescents well-being. If you have questions or need more information, reach out to schedule a call with our therapists. Contact [email protected] or call 630-733-8161. 🌱

Valentine's Day is around the corner, and if you're looking for pre-marital counseling or couples therapy this is your sign.

Reach out to schedule an appointment with our therapists. Contact [email protected] or call 630-733-8161. 🌱

The countdown has begun!

The MFT Clinic in collaboration with Wheaton College is hosting an Open House and YOU'RE INVITED!!

This is a great opportunity to connect, meet others in the community, and enjoy each other's company. Don't miss it🌿
For more details contact [email protected] or call- 630-733-8161.

Thanksgiving is the holiday of turkey, family, and friends. It’s the time of the year when media reminds everyone to be thankful, social and happy. However, Thanksgiving is not the same experience for everyone.

Whether it is the highlight of the year or it brings up feelings of dread. Know that your experience is valid, and that you're not alone.

If this season is challenging for you, reach out to schedule an appointment with our therapists. Contact [email protected] or call 630-733-8161.

At the Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic, we believe in supporting families, couples, and individuals well-being. For more details contact [email protected].

Same services, new name, and new brand. Presenting to you The MFT Clinic.

Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic Wheaton College Thanks to a generous financial gift from Gary and Karolyn Chapman, Wheaton College purchased the second unit in their existing clinic’s location on N. Washington St., just west of Billy Graham Hall.

Ever felt like there was no way forward? Sometimes we might even feel the world is better off without us here. Many people feel this way at some point in their lives.

Your story is not over! There is hope and healing on the other side of these feelings. At the MFT Clinic, we want you to know that help is available. Contact us at [email protected] to set up a therapy appointment.

If you're in great distress and need immediate help, please reach out to the National Su***de Hotline at 988.

Climbing the last few steps to our new beginning. We can't wait to share our big news with you.

~Stay tuned!


1m

It's a busy time of the year, changes are happening and we're bringing things together at the Clinic. We are ramping up for this next academic year of training.

1) Our clinical staff is growing. We got 3 new advanced interns who are invested in the holistic well-being of the community.

2) Treatment teams are coming back this Fall! We can't wait for the team to get involved in the work we do at the Clinic.

3) Openings are available for next week's appointments. Contact [email protected].

Psssst..We have a surprise! Something BIG and NEW is happening in Wheaton. Stay tuned!

At another community event to wrap up the series, Dr. Smith, licensed Clinical Psychologist and Director at our Center, gave a talk on forgiveness. She addressed the journey from feeling hurt to healing through forgiveness.

When we are hurt, we may feel flooded with anger, sadness and immense level of loneliness in the pain. As we seek to cope away the pain, we may hide away our vulnerability by seeking pay back or avoiding contact with the person or the situation that hurt us in the first place.

You may have heard it be said about forgiveness, that you just got to do it – no excuses - even at the expense of your own feeling or validating the experience, where you just have to “white-knuckle” through it. What makes forgiving hard, is feeling raw where our vulnerable parts are exposed and our need for support becomes a point of humiliation.

In therapy, our Marriage and Family Therapists specialize in walking with you in gaining awareness of anger, pain, loneliness and shame so that you may find a way towards healing where to forgive isn’t a sign of weakness, but a sign of personal integrity and real strength. Contact us today at [email protected] or call us at 630.733.8161.

Are you able to recognize symptoms of grief and loss?

Grief is a feeling that’s often undesirable and unwelcome. We do almost anything to distract ourselves from feeling it fully. Oftentimes, we are successful in staving off the experience of grief until it’s undeniable. It’s in those moments where we can feel like we are lacking resources or the strength to cope with the large waves of emotions in our response to grief. This can make you feel helpless to find your way back to solid ground and to have hope in moving forward. Your loved ones can also feel just as helpless to talk with you about their waves of emotional outbursts and behavioral changes.

But hope can still be found. Studies have shown that when facing realities of life - such as pain, grief, and loss - and we can physically connect with someone (and even more so when it’s someone known, loved and trusted), our experience of pain subsides with holding onto another’s hand.

Our Marriage and Family Therapists are here to be with you and your family to create a holding space of tears and pain and to find healing together as a family. If talking to a therapist is a good fit for you, contact us at [email protected] or call us at 630.733.8161.

(Coan, J. A., Schaefer, H. S., & Davidson , R. J. (2006) Lending a Hand: social regulation to the neural response to threat. Psychological Science, 17 (12) 1032-1039. )