Life Balance Counseling Peoria

01/17/2026

You love the game. You love the stats. But when the thrill of DraftKings, FanDuel, or daily fantasy starts to control your time, your money, and your head space — that’s not balance. That’s stress, obsession, and burnout.

Sports betting feels fun at first — but too many men end up chasing losses, betting more than they can afford, or checking their phones at all hours just to place one more wager. And once that happens, it’s not just about the game anymore — it’s about coping with the losses, anxiety, and pressure to “win back what you lost.”

👉 Betting should never be a shortcut to success or a way to numb stress.
👉 If it’s costing you sleep, relationships, or peace of mind — that’s not balance.

You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

Life Balance Counseling can help you:
🔥 Understand why you’re pulled to bet
🔥 Build healthier ways to cope with stress
🔥 Reclaim your focus on goals, relationships, and real achievements

You’re stronger than the app on your phone — and you deserve control of your life, not the other way around. Call us to talk confidentially about how to get your balance back. 309-296-0078

Because the real win isn’t a payout… it’s peace of mind.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/181aHSDqgk/

01/16/2026

We loved being part of the The Elegant Wedding Expo again this past weekend in Bloomington. 💍 Bloomington DoubleTree Hotel and Conference Center

It was a joy to meet engaged couples, share conversations about marriage, and connect in a space filled with excitement and new beginnings.

Several members of the Life Balance Counseling team were there to introduce couples to the Prepare/Enrich premarital program—a research-based assessment designed to help couples build strong, lasting foundations before the wedding day.

We’re continuing the good vibes from the expo by offering ✨ 6 free PREPARE/ENRICH sessions ✨to engaged couples, because every relationship deserves thoughtful preparation—not just a beautiful celebration.

Couples who participate in PREPARE/ENRICH often gain:
• Deeper communication and conflict-resolution skills
• Insight into strengths and growth areas as a couple
• Tools for navigating finances, expectations, and life transitions
• Greater confidence moving into marriage as a united team

We also loved gifting a special Life Balance gift basket to one lucky winning couple—congratulations again! 🤍

Whether you met us at the expo or are just beginning your engagement journey, we warmly welcome you. We’d be honored to walk alongside you as you prepare not just for a wedding day—but for a lifetime together.

Reach out to learn more or to reserve your sessions.

www.lifebalancecounselingpeoria.com
309-296-0078

01/15/2026

Addiction doesn’t end with the person who is struggling.
It settles quietly into the lives of the people who love them.

For partners, parents, and children, living through relapses, disappearances, or long stretches of frightening silence teaches the nervous system a lesson it doesn’t easily forget: no answer can mean danger. So when a call goes unanswered or a text isn’t returned, the body reacts before logic has a chance. Even after recovery. Even when life is more stable. That heightened response can still live on.

This is one of the quieter, often unspoken impacts of addiction.
Addiction doesn’t just affect the individual—it ripples outward. It strains families, fractures trust, and leaves emotional wounds that can linger long after the crisis has passed. Children, especially, often carry a heavy burden—learning to walk on eggshells, managing emotions that aren’t theirs, and loving a parent who couldn’t always show up.

At Life Balance Counseling, we believe these experiences deserve care and attention too. Healing isn’t only about stopping a behavior; it’s about tending to the people who were impacted along the way. Support can help your nervous system find safety again, rebuild trust, and create space for healing—for you and for your family.

If any of this resonates, you don’t have to carry it alone. We’re here, and we’re honored to walk alongside you. Call 309-296-0078 to schedule today.

To view addictions we treat: https://www.lifebalancecounselingpeoria.com/addictions-we-treat

01/14/2026

Strong relationships don’t happen by accident — they’re built with intention, insight, and support. We invite you to slow down, check in, and invest in your relationship 🤍

We are offering ✨6 free premarital sessions✨ using the Prepare/ENRICH® relationship assessment, one of the most widely researched and trusted tools for couples. Prepare/ENRICH® is used by millions of couples worldwide and is backed by decades of research.

This is an opportunity to:
▪️Have meaningful conversations you don’t always make time for
▪️Better understand each other’s communication styles and needs
▪️Navigate differences with more clarity and confidence
▪️Build a shared foundation for what comes next

Whether you’re engaged, newly married, or simply wanting to deepen your connection, these sessions are guided by a Prepare/Enrich facilitator and are tailored specifically to your relationship.

✨ Six sessions. No cost. Just space to grow together.

If this feels like a good next step for you — or if you know a couple who might benefit — we’d love to connect.

Give us a call at 309-296-0078

Daniel and Traci tell how they applied the science behind their PREPARE/ENRICH pre-marital assessment and built a foundation that supports their relationship today.

01/13/2026

When the Weight Gets Heavy

Are you using substances, distractions, or risky behaviors just to get through the day? Trying to escape the weight you’re carrying rather than work through it? Maybe you know something needs to change, but you feel so burnt out that even finding direction feels impossible. Or perhaps you’ve noticed yourself becoming numb—disconnected from your work, your relationships, or even from caring at all.

If you’re experiencing this while working in a field where vulnerability feels unsafe or could invite judgment, you are not alone—and I understand this deeply. As a former law enforcement officer and healthcare professional, I’ve lived this reality. I now specialize in providing psychotherapy for first responders, healthcare workers, and active or discharged military members.

My background allows me to truly understand the culture, the unspoken pressures, and the toll these roles can take. Together, we work to put words to what you’re experiencing, rebuild a sense of self, and move toward healing in a way that feels respectful and realistic. My goal is to help you reconnect with your strongest inner self and learn how to face discomfort with confidence—so you can begin to feel grounded, capable, and like yourself again.

Thomas Keenan, LCSW

To learn more about Tom please visit his Psychology Today page at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/thomas-keenan-peoria-il/1620155

You can also find him on our website at : https://www.lifebalancecounselingpeoria.com/about-thomas-keenan

Tom is now accepting new clients.

01/13/2026

⛳️Our Life Balance Counseling Peoria team wrapped up the Christmas season and welcomed the new year together with a fun night at The Putt Club East Peoria. Plenty of laughter, friendly games, and time to just enjoy being together.

We’re heading into this year feeling refreshed and thankful for such a great team and the work we get to do together.

www.lifebalancecounselingpeoria.com

01/12/2026

As the weekend comes to a close, we hope you found moments to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what matters most to you.

A new week brings fresh opportunities—small steps, quiet strength, and the chance to begin again with intention.

If the week ahead feels full or heavy, know that you don’t have to carry it alone. We’re here to support you wherever you are on your journey.

Wishing you clarity, motivation, and a steady sense of peace as the week begins.

www.lifebalancecounselingpeoria.com

01/10/2026

By Ashley Heeren, MA

That time of the year is almost here, the time to start preparing and meeting for students’ IEP and 504 goals for the next school year. For many this can be a challenging time wondering if academic or therapeutic benchmarks were met. Some parents or guardians may be experiencing IEP or 504 for the first time not knowing what to expect or questions to ask.

As a parent who has been through this journey starting from Early Intervention Programs to guiding my adult child with College Accommodations, every year is different. I have experienced the journey of both IEP and 504 accommodation meetings for intellectual and medical challenges.

Here are a few tips to help prepare for those upcoming meetings:

▪️There are differences between an IEP and a 504, it is important to understand what each entail and know your rights as a Parent or Guardian of the student.
▪️Prepare questions beforehand that you may have or need to ask, as it can be intimidating sitting in a room with educators, therapists, and other specialists involved in the process.
▪️Remember, you are the biggest advocate for your student.
▪️Most importantly, never compare your student to another child. Every child learns in their own unique way.
▪️You have a right to request a meeting at time you feel that your students’ educational needs are not being met.
▪️Remember to breathe this is about your student’s growth and success, it will be ok.

If you need an empathetic listener to guide you through this journey. Contact Ashley at Life Balance Counseling by completing the contact form at the bottom of the page: https://www.lifebalancecounselingpeoria.com/about-ashley-heeren

www.lifebalancecounselingpeoria.com

01/09/2026

🚓🚑🚒 Today on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, we honor the dedication, courage, and sacrifice of the men and women in blue who protect our communities every day. Your service matters, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally too.

We also want to spotlight a major step forward for first responder wellbeing in Illinois — legislation that removes financial barriers to mental health care for our heroes.

📜Under Illinois law (Public Act 103-1011 / HB 3538):

✅ First responders — including police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, telecommunicators and more — will receive mental health counseling coverage with NO out-of-pocket costs (no copays, deductibles, or coinsurance) when covered by self-insured local government plans.

This means first responders can seek the support they deserve without the worry of cost, helping reduce stigma and ensuring mental health care is truly accessible.

We are honored to have former law enforcement officer Tom Keenan, LCSW providing therapy at LBCP. You can learn more about Tom at https://www.lifebalancecounselingpeoria.com/about-thomas-keenan a contact link is at the bottom of the page to get on Tom's schedule.

We are also proud to have Les Perera, AMFT who is a Frontline Resource Network Clinician with the 100 Club of Illinois. You can also learn more about Les and find is contact form at https://www.lifebalancecounselingpeoria.com/about-leslie-perera

✨ At Life Balance Counseling, we believe that support for emotional wellbeing is essential, not optional — especially for those who answer the call for others.

📞 If you’re a first responder feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or just need someone to talk to — we are here without judgment and with complete support.

Thank you to all law enforcement and first responders — today and every day. Your service deserves respect, care, and balance. 🙏

01/08/2026

💍 Because every couple is unique 💍

We’re continuing the good vibes from the The Elegant Wedding Expo this past weekend and feeling inspired by all the couples dreaming about their future together.

We know that no two relationships look the same and preparing for marriage shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all. We believe strong marriages are built with intention, support, and meaningful conversation. That’s why we’re excited to offer 6 free premarital counseling sessions for couples, using the nationally recognized Prepare/Enrich program.

Prepare/ENRICH is used by millions of couples and clinicians to help partners better understand one another, their strengths, stress points, communication styles, values, and hopes for the future. The process creates space for thoughtful conversations around topics like communication, conflict, finances, family roles, and long-term goals, all in a supportive and balanced setting.

These sessions aren’t about fixing what’s broken. They’re about building awareness, strengthening connection, and giving couples tools that support a healthy marriage over time. Every couple brings their own story, and this work honors that individuality while providing evidence-based guidance.

✨ 6 free sessions. Research-informed. Thoughtful and supportive.

Because a strong marriage begins with understanding of yourself and of each other.

If you’re engaged, or if you know a couple who is, we invite you to learn more or share this opportunity with them.

Open appointments are available, but will go quickly! You may schedule now by calling 309-296-0078 or by completing our contact form at https://www.lifebalancecounselingpeoria.com/contact

01/07/2026

We’re proud to share that Ashley Heeren, LPC, of Life Balance Counseling Peoria is featured in the newest issue of Healthy Cells, Magazine, Greater Peoria Metro Area Edition 📰✨

Ashley highlights in this article "Neurodivergence & Winter Wellness: Strategies for Supporting Individuals with Neurodivergence During the Winter Season" how thoughtful planning, patience and understanding can help navigate this season smoothly. ❄️

Ashley is a trusted local resource with depth of experience for those seeking counseling services in Central Illinois. To learn more about Ashley you can visit https://www.psychologytoday.com/.../ashley-n.../1580673

Ashley has availability for new appointments. Please contact our office at 309-296-0078 to schedule a time that best fits your needs.

Top Specialties:
Chronic Illness
Parenting
Addiction
Expertise:
Alcohol Use
Asperger's Syndrome
Autism
Caregivers
Developmental Disorders
Education and Learning Disabilities
Family Conflict
Grief
School Issues

We’re grateful to Healthy Cells Peoria for spotlighting Ashley’s work and expertise.

To view the entire Healthy Cells January Edition:
https://www.healthycellsmagazine.com/3d-flip-book/peoria-1-26/

309-296-0078
www.lifebalancecounselingpeoria.com

01/06/2026

📱🔥 When Gambling Fits in Your Pocket, the Risks Can Escalate Quickly

The image you see, a phone exploding and on fire, reflects a growing public health concern tied to mobile sports gambling, particularly live, in-game betting.

These bets, known as in-game or live betting can be found everywhere and are one of the fastest-growing areas of the sports gambling industry in the United States. Unlike traditional pre-game wagers, live betting allows continuous, rapid-fire bets while a game is in progress, all from a smartphone.

📊 What the research shows:

▪️Over 80% of sports bets in the U.S. are now placed on mobile devices, making gambling more immediate and harder to disengage from.

▪️Live betting now accounts for 50% or more of total sports betting activity, driving higher spending and longer betting sessions.

▪️Studies consistently link mobile and in-game betting to increased impulsivity, faster loss cycles, and higher risk for problematic gambling behaviors due to constant access, time pressure, and real-time emotional triggers.

🔥 The “exploding phone” is symbolic, not of technology itself, but of how constant access, speed, and emotional intensity can overwhelm self-control when gambling is always just one tap away.

As mobile gambling continues to expand, awareness matters. Conversations about boundaries, digital wellness, and responsible use are essential, especially when the line between entertainment and harm can blur so quickly.

If gambling is starting to feel out of control, support is available. Reaching out early can make a meaningful difference.

You can learn more at https://www.lifebalancecounselingpeoria.com/compulsive-gambling-gambling-addiction-counseling

To schedule now please call 309-296-0078