Youth & Family Counseling

01/28/2026

Curious about your mental health but not sure where to begin?

YFC offers a free screening tool right on our website!

No pressure—just a great place to start:
https://app.aiberry.io/mindcare/youth_family_counseling

01/25/2026

Last week, on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, 10 of our Explorers Program students from 8 area high schools came together for an all-day Teen Mental Health First Aid (TMHFA) training with Josselyn in Grayslake!

Students participated in a hands-on training that equipped them to support peers struggling with mental health challenges. At the end of the day, each student earned a TMHFA certificate, joining an international program originally developed in Australia.

We’re so proud of these young leaders for stepping up to learn skills that can make a real difference in their schools and communities. And many thanks to Josselyn and trainers Michael and Jack for a fantastic learning opportunity!

01/22/2026

❄️ Need a warm place to go?

Lake County, IL has compiled an updated map of warming centers available during cold weather. These locations offer a safe, heated space for community members when temperatures drop.

Please share widely to help neighbors, clients, and families stay warm and safe this winter.

01/21/2026

Honoring Megan’s legacy and standing with Megan Butz Legacy of Hope in spreading this message of mental health awareness and the support that is available. Thank you for continuing this lifesaving work.

01/20/2026

This month, high school students in YFC’s Explorers Program heard from Dr. Phyllis Lubel, Advocacy Services Coordinator at the Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center, who shared her journey into crisis counseling after a long career in education. Dr. Lubel described how nearly 20 years of volunteer crisis advocacy became a meaningful second chapter in her professional life, supporting survivors of sexual assault through 24/7 crisis response and hospital advocacy.

Thank you, Dr. Lubel, for sharing your time and professional journey with our Explorers!

01/08/2026

What an exciting opportunity!

If you—or a young person you know—want to help influence how Illinois supports youth mental health, we encourage you to apply. Thanks to State Representative Laura Faver Dias for sharing to help amplify youth voices!

Are you a young person (age 16-24) who is interested in mental health policy? Apply for the Youth Council which is a part of The Illinois Children's Mental Health Partnership. Learn about and advocate for mental health legislation and funding in our state!

We need young people to use their voice to advocate for how to best serve our youth's mental health needs!

It has a stipend and would look great on a post secondary resume!

Reach out to my office for any questions! Application link in comments!

01/07/2026

How do you model healthy leadership and a sustainable workload in emotionally demanding environments like the mental health field?

Recently, YFC's Executive Director, Janelle Moravek, was a guest on The Culture Coach Podcast with Culture Coach Wendy Brand, MSODL, for a thoughtful conversation about what it truly means to lead with both compassion and strategy.

One message that stood out: “Mental health is your health.”

Whether leading your own team, a growing organization, or a nonprofit, this conversation is a powerful reminder to pause, reflect, and lead with clarity, empathy, and intention.

🎧 Take a listen!

In this episode of The Culture Coach, Wendy sits down with Janelle Miller Moravek, a nonprofit leader and mental health advocate who has led Youth & Family C...

01/06/2026

Now Accepting Graduate Clinical Interns!

YFC offers a supportive, hands-on internship for master’s-level students preparing to enter the mental health workforce. Interns gain real-world clinical experience with diverse clients and receive direct supervision from licensed clinicians.

✔️ Supervised clinical caseload
✔️ Weekly individual & group supervision
✔️ Training, certification, and professional development
✔️ Collaborative, mission-driven environment

If you’re passionate about accessible mental healthcare and ready to grow your clinical skills, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 Learn more & apply: https://youth-family-counseling.breezy.hr/

01/05/2026

Worried about keeping your mental healthcare covered this year? You’re not alone.

With private insurance premiums rising and Medicaid eligibility rules changing, many of the individuals and families we serve are facing uncertainty around deadlines, paperwork, and coverage.

That’s why YFC is expanding our care navigation efforts—so clients don’t have to navigate these changes alone. In fact, our therapists are beginning every session by asking, “Are you impacted by these changes? How can we help?”

Our commitment remains the same in 2026: to be a steady, trusted source of mental healthcare for everyone in our community.

After months of fighting and countless proposals for a bipartisan compromise, the expiration date for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax subsidies has arrived, with millions of Amer…

01/01/2026

Happy New Year! 🎉

As we step into 2026, we look forward to continuing to support children, teens, and families with affordable, accessible, and exceptional mental healthcare—because everyone deserves the chance to thrive.

Wishing you a year filled with growth, connection, and well-being.

12/19/2025

We’re excited to partner with Josselyn to offer a FREE Teen Mental Health First Aid training through YFC’s Explorers Program on Monday, January 19!

High school students interested in mental health or behavioral health careers are encouraged to register for the Explorers Program. We’ll reach out with details about the training after you sign up!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWNgz2Ip3gphEse-B9jD7i6gCoFCl-TtTWneBC8PKJ4pjG0A/viewform