Taking that first step toward better mental health? We get it—it feels big. Maybe you've been thinking about finding a therapist in Naperville for weeks, or maybe something happened yesterday that made you realize you need support now. Either way, you're in the right place.
Getting started with therapy doesn't have to be complicated or scary. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about starting counseling in Naperville, from figuring out what kind of mental wellness help you need to actually sitting down with someone who gets you.
Life here in Naperville is good in a lot of ways. Great schools, nice neighborhoods, plenty to do. But that doesn't mean everything's perfect, right? We've seen so many people struggling with things they didn't expect—work stress that won't quit, relationships that feel stuck, kids dealing with anxiety, or just this feeling that something's off.
The truth is, people are seeking wellness and therapy services in Naperville more than ever before. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five adults experiences mental health challenges each year. That's millions of people—and probably some of your neighbors, coworkers, and friends.
You're not alone. And asking for help isn't a weakness—it's actually one of the smartest and healthiest things you can do.
People come to us for all kinds of reasons. Some of the most common conditions we see:
Anxiety and worry that won't stop. Your mind racing at night. Feeling on edge all the time. That tight feeling in your chest that appears out of nowhere. Anxiety therapy can teach you real tools to calm your nervous system and take back control.
Depression that's making everything harder. When getting out of bed feels impossible. When things you used to enjoy don't matter anymore. When you're just going through the motions. Depression counseling helps you understand what's happening and find your way back to feeling like yourself.
Relationship problems. Fighting with your partner about the same things over and over. Feeling disconnected. Not sure if you should stay or go. Couples counseling services can help you both learn to communicate better and decide what's next together.
Stress that's affecting everything. Work pressure, family demands, money worries—when it all piles up, stress management through therapy gives you strategies that actually work.
Issues with kids or teens. Your child seems anxious or withdrawn. Your teenager's grades are dropping and they won't talk to you. Behavioral problems at school. A child psychologist can help figure out what's really going on.
Past trauma that still hurts. Maybe something happened years ago, or maybe it's more recent. PTSD and trauma don't just go away on their own. EMDR therapy and other somatic and trauma-focused approaches can help you heal.
Life transitions that feel overwhelming. Divorce, job loss, moving, becoming a parent, losing someone you love. Major changes are hard even when they're good changes. Grief counseling and supportive therapy make these transitions easier to navigate.
Ready to feel better? Let's find the right support for you. Schedule your free consultation today and we'll match you with someone who specializes in exactly what you're dealing with.
This is where people get confused. There's individual therapy, couples therapy, family counseling services, telehealth / online therapy—how do you know which one is right? Let’s break it down.
This is you and a therapist. One-on-one. You talk about what's going on in your life, and they help you work through it. Individual therapy works great for anxiety, depression, trauma, stress management, burnout, and personal growth. Having someone to listen to you, who has no investment in the outcome of your choices is cathartic.
Most people start here. It's private, focused on you, and moves at your pace.
Having relationship troubles? Couples therapy brings both partners together. You'll work with a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) who specializes in relationship dynamics. It's not about shame, blame and guilt —it's about learning to communicate better and reconnect.
We offer day and evening counseling appointments because we know you both have jobs and busy schedules.
When problems affect the whole family, family counseling brings everyone together. Maybe your teenager is acting out. Maybe there's tension between siblings. Maybe you're blending families. Family therapy helps everyone understand each other better and work as a team.
Kids and teenagers need different approaches than adults. Our teen therapists specialists know how to connect with young people and help them open up. We work with issues like school anxiety, social problems, behavioral concerns, ADHD, depression, and autism spectrum disorder.
Teen therapy often works better when it's scheduled during evening counseling hours or weekend therapy times—after school, when they're not missing classes.
Children’s therapy needs a specialist, not every therapist is trained to work with children. We prefer play therapy when working with young people.
Can't make it to our office? No problem. Telehealth / Online therapy services let you meet with your therapist from home. Virtual counseling works just as well as in-person for most issues, according to research from the American Psychological Association.
Teletherapy is perfect if you:
Some situations need specialized expertise:
Neuropsychological Assessment/Psychological testing - Comprehensive evaluations for ADHD, learning disabilities, memory problems, autism spectrum disorder, and other cognitive concerns. This involves detailed testing that helps us understand exactly what's going on and create the right treatment plan.
Sports Psychology - Mental performance coaching for athletes. If you or your child competes in sports, working with a sports Certified Mental Performance Consultant helps with focus, confidence, performance anxiety, and mental toughness.
Yoga Therapy - Combining mindful movement with mental health treatment. Yoga therapy integrates mind-body approaches for trauma, anxiety, stress, and emotional regulation.
Good question. Sometimes it's obvious—like after a major loss or trauma. Other times, it's not so clear.
Here are some signs that talking to a therapist might help:
If any of these sound familiar, reaching out to a Naperville therapist is a smart move. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, getting help early leads to better outcomes.
Don't wait until things get worse. We're accepting new clients right now, and we can usually get you in within a week. Contact us today to get started.
I know walking into that first appointment can feel nerve-wracking. Let me tell you exactly what to expect so there's no surprises.
After you reach out to us, we'll:
We make this process easy because we know you're already dealing with enough.
Your first therapy session usually lasts about 50-60 minutes. Here's what typically happens:
Getting to know each other. Your therapist will ask about what brought you in, what's been going on, and what you're hoping to get out of therapy. This isn't an interrogation—it's just a conversation to understand your situation.
Talking about your history. They might ask about your family, past experiences, current stressors, and mental health history. You don't have to share everything right away. Go at your own pace.
Discussing goals. What do you want to be different? What would make therapy feel successful to you? Setting goals together helps focus the work.
Explaining the process. Your therapist will talk about how often you'll meet (usually weekly to start), what approach they use (like cognitive behavioral therapy or dialectical behavior therapy), and how long treatment might take.
Answering your questions. Ask anything you want to know. About their training, their approach, confidentiality, whatever.
You might feel relieved. You might feel emotionally tired. You might feel hopeful. All of those reactions are normal.
Some people know right away that they found the right fit. Others need a few sessions to decide. That's okay too. The therapeutic relationship takes time to build.
You'll hear therapists talk about different types of therapy. Here's what the main ones mean in regular-people language:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people develop mental and emotional flexibility by learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings rather than fight them. It guides individuals to connect with their personal values and take committed action that supports a meaningful life.
CBT focuses on the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The idea is that changing negative thought patterns can change how you feel and what you do. It's really practical and skills-based.
Great for: anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, anger management.
DBT is like CBT but with extra emphasis on managing intense emotions, improving relationships, and learning mindfulness. It was originally developed for people who feel emotions really strongly.
Great for: emotion regulation, relationship problems, self-harm behaviors, eating disorders.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is specifically for trauma. It uses bilateral stimulation (like eye movements) to help your brain process traumatic memories differently.
Great for: PTSD, trauma, anxiety related to past experiences.
a developmentally appropriate, evidence-based approach to counseling that uses play—the natural language of children—to help them express emotions, process experiences, and develop healthier ways of coping. Because children often lack the verbal skills to fully articulate their thoughts and feelings, play therapy provides a safe and engaging space where toys, creative activities, and imaginative play become the tools for communication and healing.
Regulating the nervous system through intentional breathing.
Learning to tune into sensations in the body and stay present.
Gentle movement, stretching, or expressive movement to release stored tension.
Increasing awareness of the here-and-now experience in the body.
Great for: Trauma (including complex trauma), anxiety, stress, depression with bodily symptoms, chronic pain or tension and dissociation or feeling disconnected from the body
This approach incorporates mindfulness meditation and present-moment awareness into treatment. It helps you observe your thoughts and feelings without getting overwhelmed by them.
Great for: stress management, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, burnout.
Our therapists are trained in multiple approaches because different things work for different people. We'll figure out what fits you best.
Ready to experience the difference therapy can make? Our licensed clinical professional counselors (LCPC and LPC’s), licensed clinical social workers (LCSW and LSW’s), and licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT and AMFT’s) are here to help. Book your first session now.
Not every therapist is right for every person. Finding a good fit matters a lot for how well therapy works.
Specialization. Does the therapist have experience with your specific issue? If you're dealing with OCD, you want someone who knows OCD treatment. If you need couples counseling, you want an LMFT who specializes in relationships. Is your therapist trained in the Gottman Method or EFT?
Demographics. Some people prefer working with a therapist who shares certain characteristics with them—gender, cultural background, life experience. That's completely valid.
Approach. Do you want someone more directive who gives you specific tools and homework? Or someone more exploratory who helps you understand patterns? Different styles work for different people.
Logistics. Do they offer evening or weekend appointments? Do they do telehealth? Are they accepting new clients? Do they take your insurance?
Credentials. All our therapists are fully licensed (LCPC, LCSW, LMFT, or psychologists). Many have additional specialized training and certifications.
Our team includes specialists in:
When you're deciding if a therapist is right for you, ask:
Let's talk about money because I know it matters.
We accept most major insurance plans including:
We'll verify your insurance for you before your first appointment so there's no surprises about coverage or copays. Most insurance plans cover mental health services, but the specific coverage varies.
Mental health coverage has gotten a lot better thanks to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, which requires insurance companies to cover mental health similar to physical health.
Don't have insurance or prefer not to use it? We offer:
Many people choose private pay because:
Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) can be used for therapy services. It's a tax-advantaged way to pay for your mental health care.
Most people start with weekly therapy sessions. As things improve, you might spread it to every other week or monthly check-ins.
How long you're in therapy depends on what you're working on:
There's no predetermined timeline. You and your therapist decide together based on your progress and goals.
Don't let cost be the barrier that keeps you from feeling better. We work with most insurance plans and offer flexible options. Call us today to discuss what works for your situation.
I know you're busy. Work, kids, commitments—life is full. That's why we offer flexible scheduling that fits your life.
We have appointments available until 8pm on weekdays. You can come after work, after you get the kids settled, whenever it works for you. Evening therapy means you don't have to take time off or rearrange your whole schedule.
Yes, we have weekend appointments too. Saturday morning sessions are popular with people who work during the week or families who need to come together.
Our teletherapy platform is secure, HIPAA-compliant, and easy to use. All you need is:
Virtual counseling gives you access to the same quality care from anywhere. Some people do all their sessions online. Others mix in-person and virtual depending on their schedule.
When you reach out to us, we typically can get you scheduled within a week. Sometimes sooner if it's urgent. We're actively accepting new clients and have multiple Naperville therapists with availability.
There are a lot of options for therapy in Naperville. Here's why people choose us:
Comprehensive services under one roof. We offer everything from traditional counseling to psychological testing to specialized services like sports psychology and yoga therapy. You don't have to go to multiple places.
Experienced, licensed mental wellness providers. Our team includes LCPCs, LPCs, LSWs LCSWs, LMFTs, AMFTs and licensed psychologists with years of experience. We're not fresh out of school—we've been doing this work and helping people for a long time.
Evidence-based approaches. We use treatments that research shows actually work—cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, EMDR, and other proven methods.
Flexible options. Evening counseling, weekend therapy, and virtual counseling mean therapy fits your life instead of the other way around.
Accepting new clients. We're growing to meet the needs of our community. You won't be put on a months-long waiting list.
Collaborative care. When needed, our therapists work together with our psychiatrists, testing psychologists, and other specialists to give you comprehensive support.
We actually care. This isn't just a job for us. We chose this field because we believe in helping people. We celebrate your progress and we're here for you during the hard parts too.
Sometimes standard therapy isn't quite enough. That's where our specialized services come in.
Wondering if your child has ADHD? Noticing memory problems? Concerned about learning disabilities or autism spectrum disorder?
Neuropsychological testing provides comprehensive evaluation of:
Testing takes several hours and includes:
This type of assessment is especially helpful for:
Mental wellness matters as much as physical training. Out team of Sport Performance Consultant helps athletes:
We work with youth athletes, high school and college competitors, and adult athletes at all levels.
Yoga therapy combines therapeutic yoga practices with mental health treatment. It's particularly effective for:
This isn't just stretching—it's a research-backed approach to healing that integrates mind and body.
Sometimes therapy works best in combination with medication. Our board-certified psychiatrists provide:
Our therapists and psychiatrists work together to coordinate your care.
Not sure which services you need? That's okay. Schedule a consultation and we'll help you figure out the best approach for your situation.
Alright, so you've read this far. You're thinking about it. Maybe you're ready to reach out, or maybe you're almost ready.
Here's how simple it is to get started:
Contact us by:
We'll respond quickly—usually the same day.
We'll have a short conversation (about 10-15 minutes) to:
Pick a time that works for you:
We'll send you confirmation and intake paperwork.
Simple forms you can fill out online before your first session. It takes about 15 minutes.
Show up (or log in for virtual). Meet your therapist. Start the conversation.
That's it. Five simple steps to start feeling better.
Here's what I want you to know: whatever you're going through, you don't have to figure it out alone. Whether it's anxiety that won't quit, depression that's weighing you down, relationship problems, struggles with your kids, or just feeling stuck—there's help available right here in Naperville.
Therapy works. Research from the National Alliance on Mental Illness shows that about 75% of people who enter psychotherapy show some benefit. But you have to take that first step.
I know it's hard to reach out. I know it feels vulnerable. I know you might be thinking "maybe I can handle this on my own" or "maybe it's not bad enough yet" or "what if therapy doesn't help?"
But what if it does help? What if a few months from now, you're sleeping better, feeling calmer, communicating better with your partner, or watching your child smile again? What if you finally feel like yourself?
That's worth a phone call. That's worth 50 minutes of your week.
You deserve to feel better. You deserve support. You deserve someone in your corner who understands.
We're here. We're ready. We're a Naperville therapist and counseling service that is accepting new clients right now.
Contact us today. Schedule that first appointment. Take the step you've been thinking about.
Your future self will thank you.
Contact Grow Wellness Group Now
Call: (331) 457-2020
Email: info@growwellnessgroup.com
Office Address: 200 East 5th Avenue, Suite 109, Naperville, IL 60563
Map: HERE
During your initial phone consultation, we ask about your specific concerns, preferences, and what you're hoping to get from therapy. Based on this conversation, we match you with a therapist who specializes in your area of need. For example, if you're dealing with anxiety, we'll connect you with someone who has extensive experience in anxiety therapy. If you're looking for couples work, we'll match you with one of our licensed marriage and family therapists who specializes in relationship counseling. You're not locked in either—if after a session or two it doesn't feel like the right fit, we can help you transition to another therapist on our team.
Yes! We specifically offer evening counseling appointments until 8pm on weekdays and weekend therapy sessions on Saturdays and Sundays. We know that finding time during a regular 9-5 workday is nearly impossible for some people, especially if you have kids or a demanding job. Our flexible scheduling is one of the reasons families and working professionals in Naperville choose us. We also offer online therapy for even more flexibility—you can do virtual counseling from home after the kids go to bed, during your lunch break, or whenever works best for your schedule.
This varies person to person and depends on what you're working on. Some people notice improvements within just a few sessions—especially with focused issues like specific anxiety triggers or communication problems in couples counseling. For more complex concerns like trauma, long-term depression, or deeply rooted patterns, it typically takes longer to see significant change. Most of our clients start noticing positive shifts within 6-8 weeks of consistent weekly sessions. The important thing is that we track progress together and adjust our approach if something isn't working. Therapy is collaborative—you're not just passively sitting there hoping something clicks.
Great question because people mix this up all the time. Therapists (like LCPCs, LCSWs, and LMFTs) provide counseling and psychotherapy—we talk through your issues, teach coping skills, help you process emotions, and work on changing patterns. Therapists don't prescribe medication. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication for mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, ADHD, and others. They typically focus more on the biological/medical aspects of mental health. At Grow Wellness Group, we have both therapists and psychiatrists on staff, which means if you need both therapy and medication, we can coordinate that care. Many people do best with both approaches working together.
Most likely yes. We accept most major insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, and many others. Before your first appointment, we verify your insurance benefits so you know exactly what your copay or coinsurance will be. If you don't have insurance or prefer not to use it, we offer private pay options and sliding scale fees based on financial need. Many people also use their HSA or FSA accounts to pay for therapy sessions. The bottom line is we work with you to make therapy financially accessible—don't let cost be the thing that stops you from getting help you need.
Remember: The hardest part is reaching out. After that, we'll guide you through everything. You're not alone in this.
