Dr. Nicole L Thompson CEO at Bethesda Behavioral Health Services, LLC

30/12/2025

Call: 773-817-1168 Website: https://bethesdabehavioralhealth.com/ Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/281942 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nthompson2020/?ref=pages_you_manage

29/12/2025

Feeling Drained, Guilty, or Resentful? This Might Be Why.

You might need stronger boundaries if:
• You feel guilty saying no—even when you’re exhausted
• You keep explaining yourself, hoping people will understand
• You feel resentful after helping others
• Your needs are always last
• You feel drained after certain conversations

These experiences don’t mean you’re weak or selfish. They often mean your boundaries need support.

Boundaries aren’t walls. They’re tools for self-respect and emotional safety.
Learning to set them can change how you show up in every relationship.

If this resonates, my team and I are here to help you build healthier boundaries with confidence and clarity.

Call: 773-817-1168
Website: https://bethesdabehavioralhealth.com/
Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/281942
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nthompson2020/?ref=pages_you_manage

I am a psychotherapist who is interested in working with clients who are striving to become their authentic/best selves.

15/12/2025

As President, I am deeply grateful for the experience of the 77th Annual Illinois Counseling Association Conference. This year’s theme, “Liberation Counseling: The Continuity of Care,” powerfully reminded us that healing is not a moment; it is a movement. I am honored to have connected, learned, and reaffirmed our collective commitment to counseling that liberates, sustains, and empowers individuals and communities across every stage of care.

799 Followers, 591 Following, 424 Posts

31/05/2023

29/05/2023

Happy Memorial Day!!! Let us remember our soldiers both on and off the battlefield. Those who died in combat in other countries as well as in our own fighting for our rights to various freedom.

21/05/2023

Hello BBHS Followers,

I am honored to highlight SunShine Ballentine in the Bethesda Behavioral Health Family! She has been here for almost a year and has been amazing part of the team! You can click the link below to check out her Psychology Today profile and make your first appointment.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/sunshine-ballentine-elmhurst-il/951564

20/05/2023

Benefits of Using Gestalt Therapy to Treat Trauma

Trauma can be related to an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s overall functioning which includes: mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being”.
From this trauma is created what are called wounding messages, which are the underlying messages (typically developed in childhood) from one or multiple experiences that filters how we interpret, make contact, or attempt to get our needs met.

These wounding messages create the shattered self. Shattering of self is the process of disowning parts of the self that are vulnerable, taught that was “bad”, or misunderstood to feel safe or fit in. A disconnection of the mind, body, and soul (emotions/feelings). When individuals operate from the shattered self, they change their contact with themselves and others. Which can create problems in communication, relationships, the ability to think or focus, parenting, sexuality and affection, and conflict resolution just to name a few.

Why use Gestalt therapy?
• Increases authentic contact with self, others, and their environment.
• Allows people to identify coping skills to address core emotional issues.
• Provides a framework for understanding functional and dysfunctional behaviors that stem from wounded messages.
• Increases compassion for self and others.
• Creates a deeper language and sense-making framework for the personality trait-based approach.
• Positions individual experiences, patterns, and behaviors within current and historical context.
• Helps couples/partners and families to identify underlying motives for destructive verbal and non-verbal behaviors or forms of contact that may be negatively impacting their relationship.
• Enables the couple/partners and families to move beyond a pattern of blaming conflict on “personality differences”.
• Reduces judgement and criticism of partners/family while building understanding and respect for personality differences.
• Provides a framework for making sense of and resolving conflict and challenges.
• Increases understanding of how each person attempts to self-protect, make connections, and their needs met.
References
Cron, I.M. & Stabile, S. (2016). The road back to you: an Enneagram journey to self-discovery.
Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Books, an imprint of InterVarsity Press.
Mayer, G. (2014, January 27). Gestalt therapy simplified. Coaching, counseling, dept psychology, and
spiritual awareness. https://gwynnemayer.com/2014/gestalt-processes-simplified/
(n.d.). Defining Trauma. Trauma-Informed Care: Implementation Resource Center. https://www.traumainformedcare.chcs.org/what-is-trauma/
O’Leary , E. (2013). Gestalt Therapy Around the World. Wiley

30/03/2023

Hello All! I am currently the President of the Illinois Association for Couples and Family Counseling (IACFC), - for those of you who may not be familiar with us, is a division of the Illinois Counseling Association (ICA). We are hosting our first annual conference on April 28, 2023, and wanted to extend the invitation to you.

IACFC is excited to announce its upcoming ANNUAL CONFERENCE!

When: Friday, April 28, 2023 (Please see the attached Flyers for more details)

Theme: Nourishing Families in Crisis: From Devastation to Unification

Where: Loyola University - 6339 N Sheridan Rd Chicago, IL 60660

Conference Times: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Networking Event: 4pm-6pm (includes cocktails and appetizers hour)

In Person
· IACFC Members $120.00
· Non-Members $150.00
· IACFC Student Members $75.00
· Non-Student Members $85.00
Virtual Price
· IACFC Members $110.00
· Non-Members $140.00
· IACFC Student Members $60.00
· Non-Student Members $70.00

You can register for the conference 3 ways:
1. Using the QR code on the attached flyer
2. Clicking the following link https://www.ilcounseling.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1699183&group=
3. OR typing www.ilcounseling.org/ ---- Go to Calendar---- Scroll down to April 28, 2023

30/03/2023

I have reached 200 followers! Thank you for your continued support. I could not have done it without each of you. 🙏🤗🎉

05/01/2023

Dear Valued Community Mental Health Workers,

I am currently the President of the Illinois Association for Couples and Family Counseling (IACFC), - for those of you who may not be familiar with us, is a division of the Illinois Counseling Association (ICA). We are hosting our first annual conference on April 28, 2023 and wanted to extend the invitation to you.

For more information or to register for the conference click the following link https://lnkd.in/g2Rnf2Fu


If you have any questions please feel free to message me or email me at iacfc32@gmail.com.

16/07/2022

Sometimes, if at all, it can be difficult to explain to family and friends why you are talking so fast, unfocused, or emotions are all over the place. I know that this video has been posted several times, however, I think it can provide an example of anxiety in a simple lighthearted way. If you or someone you know need support, please click the link below:

Website Information
https://bethesdabehavioralhealth.com/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/281942
www.tiktok.com/