Jamie Stevens Counseling Group LLC

Jamie Stevens Counseling Group LLC Jamie Stevens Counseling Group specializes in mental health services for the neurodiverse. Bridging the gap in our community!

We are the only counseling practice in Central Illinois that specializes in neurodiversity. We work with people of all ages by asking them first and foremost what they want to change

in their life. We offer assessments and on-going therapy treatment. Telehealth and in-person sessions are available. Accepted Insurance Plans: Aetna, BlueCross and BlueShield, Health Alliance, HealthLink, Humana, U of I Student Insurance, and Magellan. We also can bill out of network with some insurance plans.

07/31/2025

Here are some journaling prompts specifically created for people with autism and ADHD

Self-Awareness & Identity
1. How would I describe myself beyond my diagnoses? What parts of me feel most “me”?
2. What do I wish others understood about how my brain and body work?
3. What parts of my identity have I had to mask or hide to be accepted? How does that affect me?
________________________________________
ADHD & Executive Functioning
4. When do I feel most focused or in a flow state? What helps me get there?
5. What are some common frustrations I have with my attention or memory? How do I usually respond to those moments?
6. What routines or tools have actually worked for me (even if they’re unconventional)? Why do they work?
________________________________________
Autistic Experience & Sensory Processing
7. What are some sensory experiences I crave or find soothing? What do I avoid and why?
8. When do I feel overloaded or overstimulated? What are early warning signs I can watch for?
9. How do I express affection, empathy, or connection differently from neurotypical norms? How can I embrace that?
________________________________________
Chronic Pain & Physical Health
10. What does my pain want me to know today? If it had a voice, what would it say?
11. How do I respond emotionally to my pain—do I feel angry, resigned, anxious, numb? Why?
12. What small daily actions help me feel like I have some control or agency over my body?
________________________________________
Trauma & Emotional Safety
13. When did I first learn it wasn’t safe to be myself? What would I tell that younger version of me now?
14. What helps me feel safe—physically, emotionally, socially? Can I create more of that in my environment?
15. How do I react when I’m triggered? Can I describe what happens in my body and mind during those moments?
________________________________________
Healing, Hope, and Growth
16. What parts of me have survived despite everything? What strengths have carried me through?
17. What does healing mean to me—not what others say it is, but what I want it to look and feel like?
18. Who in my life (past or present) made me feel seen or understood? What did they do that mattered?
________________________________________
Creative Reflection & Self-Compassion
19. Draw or describe what your brain feels like on a hard day vs. a good day. What do you notice?
20. Write a compassionate letter to your nervous system, your inner child, or your body. What would you say to comfort or support them?

Meet Our Team!Jessica Montgomery BSPRACTICE MANAGERJessica is an enthusiastic and compassionate professional. She is her...
07/14/2025

Meet Our Team!

Jessica Montgomery BS
PRACTICE MANAGER

Jessica is an enthusiastic and compassionate professional. She is here to support our therapists and to assist clients with empathy, discretion, and attention to detail.

Jessica supports our therapists by completing administrative tasks and helping clients with paperwork, scheduling, and payments. See her bio below.

I have over 15 years of experience working with children and family’s. I have both worked in the classroom as a lead teacher and for Head Start as the Instructional Leader coaching teachers and helping guid children who need extra support. I have a husband and son who I adore. I love being able to serve people and be a part of supporting growth.

EDUCATION
Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL
Bachelor of Science in Organizational Development- Minor in Training and Development

Contact Jessica at: jess@jamiestevenscounseling.com

(217)840-2934

Jamie Stevens Counseling group is proud to sponsor the Cenntenial High School golf outing. This fun community event is t...
07/14/2025

Jamie Stevens Counseling group is proud to sponsor the Cenntenial High School golf outing. This fun community event is the annual fundraiser that supports the high school program. We believe in contributing to our community to make difference.

Meet Our Team!Lexia Swope-Hassan MSW, PLCSWLexia is a dedicated child and adolescent therapist with over 8 years of expe...
06/04/2025

Meet Our Team!
Lexia Swope-Hassan MSW, PLCSW

Lexia is a dedicated child and adolescent therapist with over 8 years of experience supporting young people through her work as a School Social Worker. She has worked with a diverse range of children and teens, including those who are neurodivergent and those living with disabilities.

Lexia provides both individual and group counseling focused on helping children and adolescents build self-regulation skills, improve their mental health, gain psychoeducation, and strengthen social skills. She has extensive experience working with children diagnosed with ADHD, autism, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), anxiety, and depression, as well as those who have experienced trauma.

Lexia’s approach is grounded in empathy, inclusivity, and respect. She believes that building a strong, trusting relationship is the foundation for effective therapy. She uses evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing, while always tailoring her methods to meet each child’s unique needs.

Lexia values collaboration with caregivers and sees them as essential partners in a child’s progress. She is also trained in crisis intervention and de-escalation, ensuring safety and support even in difficult moments.

Above all, Lexia is committed to providing ethical, client-centered, and culturally responsive care. She honors each client’s dignity, autonomy, and potential for growth.

Meet Our Team!Jessica Messe MSW, PLSWJessica attended University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign earning Excellence in Scho...
06/04/2025

Meet Our Team!
Jessica Messe MSW, PLSW

Jessica attended University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign earning Excellence in Scholarship with her Master’s of Social Work. Jessica has an Advanced Clinical concentration focusing on Schools. As a school social worker, she has experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anxiety, emotional disorders, other health impairments, and learning disabilities. She focuses on implementing social communication skills, problem solving, emotional regulation, stress management, and friendship skills into her sessions with a creative, calm, and personalized approach. She is passionate about working with individuals as they navigate grief and loss, life transitions, and changing family dynamics. Jessica is a Project Ti-3 Scholar earning certificates in Trauma-Informed Early Intervention, Early Childhood Special Education, and School Social Work. She specializes in providing trauma-informed care to youth and their families.

Jessica brings warmth, collaboration, flexibility, and positivity to sessions, encouraging clients to develop coping strategies and social-emotional learning skills that work best for their individualized goals. Jessica is passionate about creating a supportive and inclusive therapeutic environment where all clients feel safe and empowered.

Meet Our Team!Glen Forneris MSW, LCSWWith over 15 years of experience in the mental health field, Glen is a dedicated an...
06/04/2025

Meet Our Team!
Glen Forneris MSW, LCSW

With over 15 years of experience in the mental health field, Glen is a dedicated and compassionate clinician who has worked with children, adults, and families in outpatient clinical settings as well as in schools. His approach is grounded in empathy, collaboration, and evidence-based practices tailored to meet each client’s unique needs.

Currently serving as a school social worker at both an elementary and a middle school, Glen provides direct support to students, families, and educators. He specializes in helping children and adolescents navigate emotional and behavioral challenges, while also fostering healthy development and academic success.

Glen has extensive experience working with individuals diagnosed with ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), depression, anxiety, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and other mental health conditions. He is particularly skilled at working with clients who have experienced trauma and those with complex emotional needs.

He holds specialized training in trauma-informed care, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and autism spectrum interventions, and incorporates additional evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Therapy. His goal is to support clients in developing emotional regulation, healthy relationships, and practical coping strategies that lead to long-term well-being.

Above all, Glen is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful space where every client feels heard, supported, and empowered to grow.

Meet Our Team!Jason Keist MSW, PLSWHey, how's the day treating you so far? My name is Jason Keist and I vividly remember...
06/04/2025

Meet Our Team!
Jason Keist MSW, PLSW

Hey, how's the day treating you so far? My name is Jason Keist and I vividly remember scouring over these therapist profiles in search of a promising fit (like, for loooong periods of time…). Eventually, after closing my browser multiple times, I found somebody who felt right for me. Accordingly, I’m writing to briefly introduce myself to help you determine whether you and I should talk more. I stand unwaveringly in my values of human dignity, safety (emotional and physical), autonomy, creativity, social justice, empathy, and compassion. Everyone deserves to be heard and seen, but we often feel invisible and misunderstood.
My professional journey started in psychology (BA), directed me towards social work (MSW), brought me to higher education (PhD ABD), and now circled me back around to social work (LMSW). I am also earning my Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS) Certification.
I specialize in helping fellow community members attend to challenges related to anxiety, depression, self-worth, belonging, parenting, and grief/loss. I take a holistic approach to my practice- positioning clients as emotional, physical, social, and spiritual beings with an inherent desire to connect with themselves and others.

🎓 College Readiness Group with Jacob Stevens🧠 For Young Adults with ADHD or Autism (Ages 16–20)Are you or someone you kn...
05/21/2025

🎓 College Readiness Group with Jacob Stevens
🧠 For Young Adults with ADHD or Autism (Ages 16–20)

Are you or someone you know preparing for college life with ADHD or ASD? Join our College Readiness Summer Group designed to help teens and young adults build the skills they need for success after high school!

📅 Thursdays | June 26 – July 24
🕔 5:00 – 6:00 PM
📍 Jamie Stevens Counseling Group
100 Trade Center Dr, Suite 306, Champaign, IL

💬 Topics include:
✅ Routine building & self-care
✅ Communication & social skills
✅ Organization & prioritization
✅ Goal-setting & life balance

💲Cost: $50/session (Covered by most insurance)

📧 Register or inquire at: jacob@jamiestevenscounseling.com

Spots are limited, get college-ready with the support you deserve! 💪✨

05/15/2025

POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED
We are hiring a full-time practice manager. If you’re interested, please email your résumé to jamie@jamiestevenscounseling.com.

 Duties include:
- Matching new clients with therapists
- Enrolling new clients in the client management database
- Corresponding by email and telephone
- Assisting therapists with client scheduling and communication
- Light housekeeping, including vacuuming, dusting common areas as needed, upkeep of refreshment areas, and taking out trash and recycling
- Using Microsoft Office and other software to create documents and send request of information forms to external providers while remaining compliant with HIPAA guidelines
- Supporting administration, therapists, and clients as requested

04/23/2025

On World Autism Day, which is observed April 2, a family is speaking out about their struggle to get a diagnosis. A doctor explains why this can be particularly challenging for young girls.

Meet Our Team!Claire Vail B.EdEducational Advocate & SupportClaire Vail is originally from Dallas Texas and has lived in...
04/08/2025

Meet Our Team!
Claire Vail B.Ed
Educational Advocate & Support

Claire Vail is originally from Dallas Texas and has lived in the Champaign area for 35 years. Having a child on the autism spectrum led her to earning her bachelor’s degree in special education from Eastern Illinois University. She holds an LBS 1 certification and has managed the case list for Autism Support at Centennial High School for the last 18 years.

Due to her personal experience and her time at Centennial High School, she has developed a deep passion and understanding of people on the autism spectrum and the many strengths and challenges that impact their progress in the educational environment.

While at Centennial High School, Claire wrote and implemented over 400 IEP’s for students with eligibility for autism, which included goals for executive function, such as task initiation, organization, work completion, and test taking skills just to name a few, along with social skills such as social thinking, conversation, making friends, and expected / unexpected behaviors. The implementation of the goals involved collaboration with, and education of general education teachers.

She will be supporting students and their families in advocating for their rights, support in IEP meetings, and much more.  She will also be offering individual support and groups related to executive functioning and social skills. 

04/04/2025

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
Pathological Demand Avoidance or PDA is a term that is getting thrown around very often recently. I thought it would be helpful to pass along some helpful information on the topic. It is a behavioral profile characterized by an intense and pervasive resistance to complying with requests or expectations. Individuals with PDA often exhibit extreme efforts to avoid social demands, leading to significant difficulties in their daily lives.

Key Features:
• Intense Resistance:
PDA individuals exhibit an obsessive and excessive resistance to even routine demands, such as completing tasks, following instructions, or participating in activities.
• Avoidance Strategies:
They employ a wide range of strategies to avoid demands, including procrastination, distraction, negotiation, and manipulation.
• Anxiety and Distress:
PDA is often accompanied by anxiety and distress when faced with demands. Individuals may experience panic attacks, meltdowns, or other disruptive behaviors.
• Difficulty with Routine:
Maintaining consistent routines can be challenging for individuals with PDA, as they may resist any changes or structure imposed upon them.
• Social Challenges:
PDA can affect social interactions, as individuals may struggle to follow social cues, comply with rules, or participate in activities that involve expectations.
• Need for Control:
Individuals with PDA may have a strong need for control and may resist any attempts to impose demands on them.
Causes:
The exact cause of PDA is unknown, but it is believed to be related to neurobiological factors and may have connections to autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Diagnosis:
PDA is typically diagnosed based on a comprehensive evaluation by a mental health professional, who will consider the individual's history, symptoms, and ruling out other possible conditions.
Treatment:
Treatment for PDA focuses on developing strategies to help individuals cope with demands and improve their daily functioning. This may include:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:
Techniques such as reevaluating and challenging beliefs, understanding you always have a choice, and relaxation training can help reduce anxiety and teach coping mechanisms.
• Communication Skills Development:
Improving communication skills can help individuals express their needs and negotiate with others more effectively.
• Environmental Modifications:
Creating a supportive and predictable environment can help reduce the stress associated with demands.
• Medication:
In some cases, medication may be used to manage anxiety or other symptoms associated with PDA.

Address

1701 S Prospect Avenue Suite 101
Champaign, IL
61820

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