SamaraCare

SamaraCare SamaraCare is a non-profit organization offering counseling, psychiatric, and autism services to diverse populations across the lifespan.

Reduced cost care available to the uninsured, underinsured, and those facing financial hardship. We were founded in 1971 by three supporting congregations to provide preventative and therapeutic counseling with a focus on family life in response to meeting the mental health needs of a rapidly growing Naperville community. Its mission is to provide affordable access to high-quality comprehensive mental health care to everyone, regardless of financial resources, religious affiliation or insurance status. SamaraCare is unique in its ability to provide spiritually-integrated care for those interested in that option and in providing fee subsidy assistance, to under-resourced individuals, couples and families, through its Mental Health Access Program. In the last 15 years alone, the program provided over $7.5 million in fee subsidy assistance to thousands of under-resourced individuals, couples, and families. SamaraCare currently provides over 21,000 counseling hours serving over 1,500 clients annually. Now, with over 42 employees, SamaraCare offers both virtual and in-person counseling, psychotherapy, psychological testing/assessment, and psychiatric services throughout Chicagoloand. In 2019, SamaraCare achieved a significant strategic goal by merging with Winnetka-based Samaritan Counseling Center, an organization with similar core values serving Northern Cook and Lake counties for over 50 years. This expanded SamaraCare's geographic footprint to become a regional provider of mental health services. In 2021, SamaraCare merged with Wellspring Clinical Associates, psychotherapy and psychiatric care within one organization. This is the first step towards a long-term strategic vision to provide fee-subsidized psychiatric care to under-resourced clients.

Temperance is the practice of self-regulation and moderation: ordering desires, emotions, and behaviors in ways that sup...
01/29/2026

Temperance is the practice of self-regulation and moderation: ordering desires, emotions, and behaviors in ways that support balance, sustainability, and mental well-being.

The beginning of a new year offers a natural pause—a moment to reflect on what has sustained us, what has been draining, and where balance may have been lost.

Mental health flourishes when life is lived within appropriate limits. When habits, expectations, or emotional demands move toward extremes, distress often follows. Temperance supports mental health by encouraging awareness of personal limits and the capacity to respond with intention versus urgency. It replaces reactive change with steady, life-giving adjustment.

A new year often arrives with pressure to do more, move faster, and improve immediately. Temperance invites smaller, wiser choices: setting realistic expectations, establishing healthy boundaries, restoring rhythms of work and rest, and seeking support when needed. These practices reduce anxiety, guard against burnout, and foster long-term well-being.

As a companion for 2026, temperance can offer quiet guidance. It supports mental health by making space for clarity, resilience, and hope—one measured step at a time.

We want to share an important update regarding in-person services at SamaraCare.As of June 15th 2026, counselors and psy...
01/28/2026

We want to share an important update regarding in-person services at SamaraCare.

As of June 15th 2026, counselors and psychiatrists who currently see clients in our Lisle office will continue providing in-person care from our Naperville and/or Wheaton locations. This change will allow us to better support our clients and care teams while continuing to deliver the high-quality, consistent care you can expect from SamaraCare.

Additional details about individual care provider schedules and office locations will be shared soon.

Our in-person locations:
- Naperville: 1819 Bay Scott Circle Naperville, IL 60540
- Wheaton: 1761 S. Naperville Road Ste 200 Wheaton, IL 60189

Thank you for trusting us with your care. Please reach out with any questions.

- Your SamaraCare Team

By Natalie Potts, LCSWMental health concerns don’t disappear with age—in fact, for many older adults, they quietly grow....
01/27/2026

By Natalie Potts, LCSW

Mental health concerns don’t disappear with age—in fact, for many older adults, they quietly grow. Issues like depression, anxiety, grief, loneliness, and cognitive decline are increasingly common among seniors, yet often go unrecognized or untreated.

As a mental health counselor, I’ve seen firsthand how emotional struggles in later life can deeply impact quality of life—but I’ve also seen the power of support, connection, and therapy in helping older adults find renewed hope.

In this article, we’ll explore the unique mental health challenges facing seniors today, break down the stigma around seeking help, and offer practical steps for supporting emotional well-being in the aging population. It’s never too late to heal, grow, and feel connected again.

Click here for the full article: https://samaracarecounseling.org/client-story/supporting-mental-health-in-older-adults-a-counselors-perspective/c

Eunsil Kim, Licensed Professional CounselorAre you feeling overwhelmed and distressed? You are not alone, and help is av...
01/22/2026

Eunsil Kim, Licensed Professional Counselor

Are you feeling overwhelmed and distressed? You are not alone, and help is available.

Eunsil [pronounced like UN-SHILL] works with adolescents and adults of all ages, specializing in:

- Anxiety & panic disorders
- Depression & stress
- OCD
- Social & emotional functioning
- PTSD & trauma recovery
- Marital & Family conflicts
- Grief & loss

She believes healing begins from clients feeling deeply and holistically understood. Her approach includes strength-focused and evidence-based treatments, customized for each client’s needs. Eunsil provides a gentle companionship for clients to become curious about how their pain-filled stories can lead to connection and meaning in life.

She has compassionately helped adolescents and adults make sense of their stories, gain confidence, befriend their emotions, reduce anxiety, get unstuck from unproductive relational patterns, and courageously focus on what’s important to them despite the residual distress.

To learn more about Eunsil, visit: https://samaracarecounseling.org/counselor/eunsil-kim/
To schedule an appointment, call 630-357-2456

Virtual & in-person sessions available
Availability: M-Thurs, 9 am - 6 pm, Sat mornings
Locations: Naperville & Wheaton offices
Insurances Accepted: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO

Our Grief Groups provide a safe and supportive environment for adults who have lost a spouse, friend, parent, partner, o...
01/21/2026

Our Grief Groups provide a safe and supportive environment for adults who have lost a spouse, friend, parent, partner, or other loved one.

Our grief groups help:
- Facilitate acceptance and promote healing
- Normalize the impact of grief
- Provide a nonjudgmental space to share thoughts, process emotions, and receive support

Both programs are offered in 8-week sessions.
Area congregations are sponsoring the programs, making them available at no cost. An experienced SamaraCare facilitator will lead each group. Participants from various spiritual orientations are welcome. Please register as soon as possible as space is limited.

One session will meet virtually every Wednesday from 6:30pm-8pm beginning January 28th through March 25th.

The next session will meet virtually every Thursday from 7pm-8:30pm beginning February 5th through March 26th.

For questions or to register, contact Joellen Hosler, PhD, M.Div., LCPC, at 630-357-2456, ext. 419 or jhosler@samaracarecounseling.org.

Sponsors: Church of the Holy Spirit Lake Forest, First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest, St. James Lutheran Church, Christ Church Winnetka, Kenilworth Union Church, Saint Augustine's and Winnetka Congregational Church.

We are pleased to share that Lawrence Hudson has joined SamaraCare’s Board of Directors. He is a dedicated healthcare pr...
01/20/2026

We are pleased to share that Lawrence Hudson has joined SamaraCare’s Board of Directors. He is a dedicated healthcare professional with a strong commitment to patient care, health equity, and community service.

He holds degrees in Biochemistry, Health Administration, and Nursing, and is currently completing his Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Lawrence currently serves as a Registered Nurse at Mercy Medical Hospital.

“Lawrence brings a rare combination of clinical expertise, leadership, and passion for equitable care,” said SamaraCare’s CEO Michael Bradburn. “We are excited to welcome him to our Board and look forward to the impact of his service.”

We are grateful for Lawrence’s willingness to serve and our stakeholders' continued support.

What’s visible love? It’s turning love from a feeling or intention into something others can see, feel, and experience. ...
01/09/2026

What’s visible love? It’s turning love from a feeling or intention into something others can see, feel, and experience. Making love visible means living in a way that others can say, “I felt cared for because of you.”

Here are some ways to make your love visible:

- Act with intentional kindness - especially when it’s inconvenient, unnoticed, or toward someone we find difficult
- Show up when it matters - being present, listening fully
- Serve quietly – lighten someone’s burden, bring peace where there’s tension, include someone who feels left out
- Treat people better than they expect-offer warmth even when someone isn’t at their best
- Practice patience and grace - respond gently, forgive quickly, and hold back harsh words
- Demonstrate generosity of spirit - sharing attention, resources, encouragement
- Make room for others -hospitality, inclusiveness, welcoming those at the margins
- Choose compassion over judgment - seeing someone’s humanity, even in their flaws or failures

5 Ways Visible Love Boosts Your Mental Health:

1. Shifts focus away from stress and toward connection
2. Fuels positive emotions and memories
3. Increases feelings of safety and belonging
4. Enhances relationships and reduces loneliness
5. Aligns behavior and values

We hear from people daily who are overwhelmed and stressed by caring for their families, managing responsibilities, and ...
01/07/2026

We hear from people daily who are overwhelmed and stressed by caring for their families, managing responsibilities, and coping with uncertainty — often without the support they need.

Thanks to our generous donors, over 1,600 clients received reduced-cost counseling and psychiatric services last year through our Mental Health Access Program.
Here’s what your support makes possible:

I came to SamaraCare anxious and discouraged. Affordable counseling allowed me to work through things I ‘d been avoiding for years. I’m stronger and more grounded now.

I used to think therapy was out of reach for someone like me. Reduced cost care opened a door I thought was permanently closed.

Please Donate by Clicking Here: https://samaracarecounseling.org/donate/

If life feels heavier lately, you’re not alone.Every day, we hear from people doing their best to cope with stress and u...
01/07/2026

If life feels heavier lately, you’re not alone.
Every day, we hear from people doing their best to cope with stress and uncertainty — often without the support they need.

More people than ever are reaching out for help. Our counselors and psychiatrists help individuals find stability, resilience, and hope — regardless of insurance or financial circumstances.

Because of donors like you, over 1,600 clients received 
reduced-cost cost services last year.
Here’s why your support matters:

“Reduced cost care allowed me to see a therapist when I lost my insurance. It may have saved my life.”
“SamaraCare connected me with psychiatric care after months of searching.”
“My therapist offers a safe, non-judgmental space. I’m feeling better than I have in a long time.”

When people receive affordable, compassionate care, their lives change.

Please Donate by Clicking Here: https://samaracarecounseling.org/donate/

During this special time of year let’s choose to remember the power of graceAt it's core grace is the act of freely gi...
01/07/2026

During this special time of year let’s choose to 
remember the power of grace

At it's core grace is the act of freely giving understanding, kindness and compassion, not because it’s earned but given because of each person's inherent worth.

But the holidays can be challenging.

As people gather, expectations rise, emotions run high, and relationships can feel strained. At especially these moments, giving grace can be healing

That’s when grace matters most.

Choosing patience over pressure
Empathy over judgment
Connection over criticism

Grace supports mental health.

It softens burdens, eases tension, and supports emotional well-being. It opens the door to renewed and healthier relationships.

This holiday season, we invite you to consider giving the gift of grace

It may be one of the most meaningful gifts you’ve ever given —to others and to yourself.

SamaraCare’s Exploring Grief Group provides a safe and supportive environment for adults who have experienced the death ...
12/12/2025

SamaraCare’s Exploring Grief Group provides a safe and supportive environment for adults who have experienced the death of a spouse, friend, parent, partner, or other loved one.

The group meets virtually every Thursday from 7pm-8:30pm beginning February 5th through March 26th at no cost to the participants.

The grief group helps:
• Facilitate acceptance of grief and promote healing
• Normalize the intense impact of grief
• Provide a nonjudgmental space to share thoughts, process emotions, and receive support.

To register, please contact Joellen Hosler, PhD, M.Div, LCPC at 847-446-6955, ext. 419 or jhosler@samaracarecounseling.org

SamaraCare’s Exploring Grief Group provides a safe and supportive environment for adults who have experienced the death ...
12/12/2025

SamaraCare’s Exploring Grief Group provides a safe and supportive environment for adults who have experienced the death of a spouse, friend, parent, partner, or other loved one.

The group meets virtually every Wednesday from 6:30pm-7pm beginning January 14th through March 11th at no cost to the participants.

The grief group helps:
• Facilitate acceptance of grief and promote healing
• Normalize the intense impact of grief
• Provide a nonjudgmental space to share thoughts, process emotions, and receive support.

To register, please contact Joellen Hosler, PhD, M.Div, LCPC at 847-446-6955, ext. 419 or jhosler@samaracarecounseling.org

Address

1819 Bay Scott Cir, Ste 109
Naperville, IL
60540

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 9pm
Tuesday 9am - 9pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 9pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16303572456

Website

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