Oakbrook Counseling + Wellness

10/27/2025

Boundaries protect your peace — and your relationships.
They help you honor your needs, your time, and your energy.
You are allowed to say no. 💛
If you’re want to learn how to set healthier boundaries, oak brook counseling and wellness is here to support you every step of the way.

10/17/2025

For individuals with ADHD, boundaries can be especially challenging. You might say “yes” to too many commitments, struggle to stop mid-task, or feel guilty for saying no. But healthy limits aren’t about shutting people out — they’re about making space for what truly matters.

✨ Here are a few gentle reminders:
• It’s okay to pause before responding.
• It’s okay to say “I need to think about that.”
• It’s okay to leave some things unfinished.
• It’s okay to protect your focus, even from things you want to do.

If ADHD or boundary-setting are areas you want support with, our clinicians at oak brook counseling and wellness can help you build strategies that work for you🤍

10/01/2025

Here is a post about the benefits of N/A drinks and some popular ones with big name companies, Non-alcoholic (NA) drinks can be a powerful tool for those working through substance use challenges. They give people the chance to:
• Stay included in social settings without pressure to drink
• Preserve meaningful rituals in healthier ways
• Support mental health and confidence in sobriety

At OBCW, we know that recovery is about more than just saying “no”—it’s about creating new pathways to connection, joy, and well-being. If you or someone you love is ready to take the next step toward recovery, our team is here to help guide the journey.

✨ You don’t have to do it alone. Healing is possible, and it starts with small choices—like raising a glass without alcohol.

09/27/2025

988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline - please share. We need more mental health awareness.

Every year, the 988 Lifeline and other mental health organizations and individuals across the U.S. raise awareness of su***de prevention during September, National Su***de Prevention Month.

09/27/2025

Morning of Reflection

09/27/2025

Every year I participate in the 5k, I'm reminded of the power of community. All health is mental health! Thank you to all the providers that make mental health accessible! NAMI (national alliance mental illness) has tons of amazing services, most are free! Thank you

09/23/2025

Here is a psycho educational post on the concept of natural and logical consequences.
In parenting and teaching, consequences are not about control, they’re about helping children learn responsibility, independence, and problem-solving skills.

Natural Consequences
These happen on their own, without adult intervention. They give children real-world feedback.
• If a child refuses to eat dinner, they feel hungry later.
• If they forget their homework, the teacher marks it missing.
Natural consequences are powerful teachers because they’re tied directly to reality—but they’re not always safe or practical, which is where logical consequences come in.

Logical Consequences
These are designed by adults and connected to the behavior in a respectful and reasonable way. Unlike punishment, logical consequences give children a choice.
• If a child throws a toy, they can choose to play with it safely or take a break from it.
• If a teen misses curfew, they may choose to demonstrate responsibility to earn more freedom next time.

Logical consequences work best when they follow the “3 R’s”:
• Related to the behavior
• Respectful in tone
• Reasonable in scope

By offering children a choice, logical consequences encourage ownership of their actions. This builds self-discipline and resilience (core principles of positive psychology), while also fostering belonging and significance.

The aim is not to make a child “pay” for their behavior, it’s to teach skills, nurture responsibility, and strengthen the parent-child relationship.

09/15/2025

Meet Jeffery, LPC, NCC ⭐️
His clients receive a solution focused approach along with the evidence based interventions. He has several years of experience working with couples, individuals on the spectrum, substance use disorders, anxiety& depression. He also has special training for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and a protocol that uses exposure response prevention (ERP). He is active in the LGBTQ+ 🏳️‍🌈 community and has experience with foster care/adoption.

Insurance is accepted (Atena, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, & sliding scale). Anyone in Illinois is eligible to meet with Mr. Siddall virtually. He is available using Telehealth. He has day, evening, & weekend availability. Call 224.241.2197 to schedule a free consultation.

🌈

09/15/2025

Meet Jeffery, LPC, NCC⭐️
His clients receive a solution focused approach along with the evidence based interventions. He has several years of experience working with couples, individuals on the spectrum, substance use disorders, anxiety& depression. He also has special training for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and a protocol that uses exposure response prevention (ERP). He is active in the LGBTQ+ 🏳️‍🌈 community and has experience with foster care/adoption.

Insurance is accepted (Atena, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, & sliding scale). Anyone in Illinois is eligible to meet with Mr. Siddall virtually. He is available using Telehealth. He has day, evening, & weekend availability. Call 224.241.2197 to schedule a free consultation.

🌈

08/18/2025

Setting Limits for People with ADHD 🔹

For individuals with ADHD, setting limits is not about control—it’s about creating structure that supports success, reduces stress, and strengthens relationships.

Why Limits Are Important
• Provide clear expectations that reduce misunderstandings.
• Help manage impulsivity and prevent overwhelm.
• Encourage follow-through with tasks and responsibilities.
• Strengthen trust and communication in relationships.

How to Set Effective Limits
1. Be Clear and Specific
– State expectations directly. Instead of “pay attention,” try “let’s work on this for 15 minutes.”
2. Use External Supports
– Visual schedules, timers, or reminders can help reinforce boundaries.
3. Stay Consistent
– Predictability makes limits easier to follow and builds stability.
4. Balance Firmness with Compassion
– Limits work best when paired with encouragement and understanding, not criticism.
5. Allow Flexibility
– Adjust limits when needed to support growth and changing circumstances.

Key Takeaway:
Limits are most effective when they feel supportive rather than punitive. They provide structure that empowers individuals with ADHD to thrive in their daily lives.

08/10/2025

Mental health is all health. You are never alone. ♥️

Skilled and substance use support is available 24/7. Contact the for personal, judgment-free support.

07/23/2025

I wanted to share some information on: The Four Horsemen of Relationship Conflict
(Dr. John Gottman, )

These four communication patterns have been shown to predict long-term relationship distress. If they become consistent in your dynamic, they can lead to disconnection or even separation.

1️⃣ Criticism
This involves attacking your partner’s personality or character, rather than focusing on a specific behavior. Over time, it erodes trust and creates a negative cycle where your partner feels devalued or judged.

2️⃣ Contempt
Characterized by disrespect, sarcasm, mockery, or eye-rolling — contempt communicates disgust and superiority. It’s considered the most toxic of the four and is strongly linked to emotional harm and relationship breakdown.

3️⃣ Defensiveness
A way of self-protection in the form of denial, excuses, or counterattacks. It often stems from feeling accused or attacked, but it blocks accountability and escalates conflict instead of resolving it.

4️⃣ Stonewalling
This happens when someone emotionally shuts down, withdraws from the conversation, or becomes unresponsive. It’s usually a response to overwhelm but leaves the other person feeling ignored and emotionally abandoned.

-Recognizing these behaviors in ourselves or our relationships is the first step toward change. With intention and support, conflict can become an opportunity for deeper connection and understanding.