Restoration Counseling PLLC

05/10/2026

Mother's Day can stir up a wide range of emotions — sometimes even opposite ones living side by side, like celebration and grief.

Whatever you feel today is okay.

If you're celebrating, Happy Mother's Day!

If you're grieving, sad, or angry — you are seen.

However this day finds you, care well for yourself in whatever way you need and desire.

You are worthy of care — today and every day.

05/04/2026

STICKERS!!

05/04/2026

The Gottmans remind us that friendship is the foundation of a healthy marriage. Dr. Dan Allender takes it a step further — he says play is essential too.

Historically, Paul and I have struggled with this. But last Friday night, we went out on a limb: a 10:00 pm showing of The Devil Wears Prada 2, followed by Taco Bell at 1 am.

It was silly. It was late. It was so much fun.

That one planned evening of play and connection reminded me of something I tell couples all the time: marriages don't maintain themselves. Play matters. Friendship matters. Connection doesn't just happen. Plan connection. Put in on the calendar. Time will get away from you if you don't plan for success.

So here's your nudge: what's one thing you could do today to bring a little more fun and play into your relationship? It doesn't have to be extravagant. A late-night drive. A spontaneous dinner. A board game after the kids go to bed.

Invest in connection. You won't regret it.

05/03/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and what better way to celebrate than by supporting an incredible organization doing life-changing work!

On May 15th, you have a wonderful opportunity to support Children's Home Association of Illinois. I'll admit — I may be a little biased after many years of working there— but outside of Chicago, they are the largest social service agency in Illinois, and the work they do for children and families is truly phenomenal.

And the best part? You can show your support while enjoying a delicious cup of coffee! ☕

I encourage you to stop by CxT Roasting Company on May 15th and give back to an organization that gives so much to our community. I’ll DEFINITELY be there! Every small act of support makes a big difference!!!

We’re proud to partner with CxT Roasting Company for Mental Health Awareness Month 💚

On May 15, Trauma‑Informed Awareness Day (an initiative Children's Home helped establish in Illinois), a portion of proceeds will support mental health services and more for youth at Children's Home!

04/27/2026

You may have seen my post over the weekend celebrating our Central Illinois Counselors Networking event — and I've been thinking about it ever since!

One of the questions I get most often from clients is: "How do you sit there all day and listen to these stories?"

My answer? Two things.

First — it's my passion. I knew almost my entire life I wanted to be a counselor.

Second — I have people in my corner who truly understand what I do.

That's exactly why I love these networking events so much. When I walked out Friday night, my heart was FULL. Like, couldn't-wind-down, too-jazzed-to-sleep full.

These are my people. The ones I can turn to after a long, hard day and say "it's been hard" or "I heard some really wretched stories today" — without sharing a single detail about a client. They just get it.

It got me thinking — who are YOUR go-to people? Who fills YOUR bucket?

Take a few minutes today to reach out and connect with someone who gets you. We all thrive when we have consistent, safe, and dependable connection in our lives.

04/25/2026

What a beautiful evening gathering at Evergreen Farm Brewing with fellow Central Illinois counselors!

What I love most about these gatherings is the relationships that are built and the networks that are formed. Rather than focusing on competition with like-minded businesses, our shared goal is giving our clients the best possible care.

When we know and trust one another, we can make confident referrals to other providers, ensuring every client gets exactly the support they need — even when that means connecting them with someone else. That's what putting clients first truly looks like. I am deeply thankful to serve with all these providers!

Thank you to Summit Family Therapy, PLLC for grabbing pictures tonight!

04/23/2026

Have you ever felt like your needs were "too much" — and then felt ashamed for having them at all? You're not alone.

After some recent conversations, I've been reflecting on where this belief comes from and how we might begin to move away from it.

For anyone who has ever silenced their needs, I hope you find this hopeful.

by: Stephanie Seidl, MA, LCPC If you’ve ever felt like your needs were too much, they never were. Recently I found myself in a conversation with someone whose need for care had increased. And…

04/21/2026

Tonight I had the privilege of co-hosting Hops and Hope — a community event created to spark curiosity, meaningful conversation, and real connection. I’m thankful for the ingenuity of Jason Roton Coaching, and his vision for this experience. Amber from Edge Counseling & Wellness was the second co-host. I love the collaboration in this night!

Our discussion centered around a powerful question: What factors influence how society responds to sexual assault, and how can we shift those patterns to better support survivors and ensure accountability?

The conversations that filled the room tonight were nothing short of incredible. People showed up with open hearts and open minds, willing to sit in the hard questions.

Change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens in rooms like the one we were in tonight. It happens when communities choose to lean in, listen, and commit to doing better.

04/18/2026

This is good stuff! A theme lately in sessions has been the reality of two (sometimes more) things can be true at the same time.

04/16/2026

What a fun, windy night with my local Central Illinois NAWBO group!

We were empowered with a self-defense class — what an incredible opportunity to learn alongside other women and lift each other up. There is something so special about being in a room full of strong, driven women who show up for one another both in business and in life.

I’m grateful for this community! 🙌

04/15/2026

On Monday musings, I shared a little glimpse into my own social media comparison spiral — and I promised to finish the story. It's up on the blog now.

If you've ever found yourself scrolling into a brood, convinced everyone else's life is fuller, more fun, and more worthy of being valued, I hope you find my reflections helpful tp get out of the trap of comparison.
https://restorationcounselingpllc.org/2026/04/14/the-destruction-of-comparison/

By Stephanie Seidl, MA, LCPC “I had scrolled myself into a hole — and I didn’t even realize I was digging.” During my recent week off, I had a lot of alone time. While I love so…