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.

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

At a time when silence can be deadly, your contribution speaks volumes. It means more people will have someone to talk t...
12/09/2025

At a time when silence can be deadly, your contribution speaks volumes. It means more people will have someone to talk to. More families will access affordable support. More lives will stay on track — or find their way back.

Mental health work is quiet, often invisible — until it isn’t. Your generosity help is helping build a future where mental health prioritized, understood, and accessible to all.

Thanks to you, SamaraCare exceeded our goal and raised $18,600! With our Board match of $10,000 we raised a grand total of $28,600!

We continue to accept donations.

To Donate Click the Link in Our Bio!

Every time someone walks through SamaraCare’s doors, they carry stories of struggle — and courage. Thanks to you, those ...
12/01/2025

Every time someone walks through SamaraCare’s doors, they carry stories of struggle — and courage. Thanks to you, those stories find new chapters of healing.

Your gift will provide affordable access to counseling and psychiatric services to those who need them, regardless of their financial limitations.

Hope doesn’t just happen. People create it.

People like you.

The first $10,000 in contributions made through December 3rd, will be matched by our Board of Directors!

To Donate Click the Link in Our Bio!

At SamaraCare, it’s your generosity that makes hope and healing possible for those carrying grief, trauma, anxiety, addi...
11/26/2025

At SamaraCare, it’s your generosity that makes hope and healing possible for those carrying grief, trauma, anxiety, addiction, and more. Every “I’ve never told anyone this before” is a powerful moment with a counselor that happens only because of your support.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, we give thanks for all you’ve helped us accomplish—and invite you to keep that spirit of giving alive this .

Double your impact! All gifts up to $10,000 made through December 3rd will be matched by our Board of Directors.

Wishing you a joyful Thanksgiving filled with gratitude, loved ones, and peace.

Thank you for making mental health care possible for those who need it most.

Click the link in our bio to donate now!

1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition this year- yet cost and stigma still prevent many from getting h...
11/18/2025

1 in 5 people will experience a mental health condition this year- yet cost and stigma still prevent many from getting help.

This , we’re not just asking for donations. We’re asking you to help us shift the narrative.

Because mental health is not optional. It’s essential.

Double the impact of your donation!

The first $10,000 in contributions made through December 3rd, will be matched by our Board of Directors!

To Donate Now, Click the Link in Our Bio!

The holidays can bring joy, laughter… and sometimes a little extra tension around the table. When a friend or family mem...
11/13/2025

The holidays can bring joy, laughter… and sometimes a little extra tension around the table. When a friend or family member says something that hurts, annoys, or aggravates you, remember this simple phrase: “Take the turkey, not the bait.”

It’s natural to feel that spark of frustration, but you don’t have to feed it. Take a breath. Give yourself a moment to let the feeling pass. What matters most is the positive connection you share — the love, history, and care that brought you together in the first place.

Choosing calm over conflict not only protects your relationships — it also supports your mental health by lowering stress and helping you stay grounded in the moment.

And if you find that certain relationships regularly leave you feeling triggered, drained, or unsafe, know that help is available. You don’t have to navigate those challenges alone — reach out to SamaraCare for professional support and guidance.

This season, let patience and compassion be what fills your plate.

Practicing stewardship and simplicity—using your time and resources responsibly and living freer from material excess—ca...
11/12/2025

Practicing stewardship and simplicity—using your time and resources responsibly and living freer from material excess—can greatly support mental health, especially during the busy upcoming holiday season.

When we focus less on consumption and more on meaningful experiences, we reduce the financial stress, comparison, and clutter that often accompany this time of year. So many of us compare ourselves to others. And it often fuels feelings of inadequacy and distracts us from the joy and gratitude of the present moment.

Choosing to live simply can encourage mindfulness and gratitude, helping us appreciate what we already have rather than chasing more. It also aligns our actions with our values, fostering a sense of purpose and inner peace. By simplifying our celebrations and giving thoughtfully, we create more space for rest, joy and genuine connection—what many think are the true gifts of the season.

SamaraCare is delighted to welcome Dr. William Pierros as our new Director of Philanthropy, following the retirement of ...
11/11/2025

SamaraCare is delighted to welcome Dr. William Pierros as our new Director of Philanthropy, following the retirement of William Peterson, who has provided seven years of dedicated and impactful service.

Dr. Pierros brings over two decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and education. He has successfully led capital campaigns, grant initiatives, and donor engagement programs.

Most recently, he served as Executive Director of Hands of Peace, where he championed youth empowerment and peacebuilding initiatives. His background also includes senior development roles at Northwestern University and over 14 years as an Associate Professor at Concordia University Chicago.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Pierros to our leadership team,” said Dr. Michael Bradburn, SamaraCare’s CEO & President. “His extensive experience in fundraising, community engagement, and mission-centered leadership will be invaluable as we continue to grow our philanthropic partnerships.”

Dr. Pierros holds degrees from Vanderbilt University and Northern Illinois University, a Doctorate in Education from the University of Southern California, and a Master of Divinity.

Deeply aligned with SamaraCare’s mission, he is passionate about fostering partnerships that advance affordable access to mental health services in the six counties SamaraCare serves.

We’re excited to have Dr. Pierros on our team!

We all like to feel in control. It gives us a sense of safety, order, and predictability in a world that often feels any...
10/30/2025

We all like to feel in control. It gives us a sense of safety, order, and predictability in a world that often feels anything but. Whether it’s triple-checking plans or preparing for every “what if,” trying to control things can feel empowering—at least at first.

But what happens when that need for control takes over?

From a mental health standpoint control can be both a helpful tool and a hidden trap. Feeling in control of your choices gives us purpose, reduces chaos, and helps us meet our goals. But when control becomes rigid, perfectionistic, or rooted in fear, it can actually increase anxiety, harm relationships, and leave us feeling exhausted.

Trying to control things that are truly outside of your power—other people’s actions, the future, or life’s uncertainties—often leads to frustration and emotional burnout.

So, is control your friend or enemy? The answer lies in how you use it. Healthy control is flexible, rooted in self-awareness, and allows space for life’s unpredictability. Unhealthy control is rigid, fear-based, and unwilling to let go.

A powerful shift happens when we focus on what is within our control: our reactions, our values, and how we care for ourselves. When we stop trying to control everything, we make room for growth, connection, and peace of mind.

Letting go isn't giving up—it's choosing freedom.

In a world filled with noise and constant stimulation, both listening and silence are increasingly rare—but deeply power...
10/28/2025

In a world filled with noise and constant stimulation, both listening and silence are increasingly rare—but deeply powerful. These practices, rooted in ancient spiritual traditions, offer profound benefits for mental health and personal growth.

Listening:
True listening goes beyond hearing words; it’s the act of being fully present. Listening deeply—to others, nature, or ourselves— cultivates empathy, patience, and compassion. Spiritually, many traditions teach that listening opens us to the divine, to wisdom beyond our own thoughts.
Mentally, it reduces anxiety and improves relationships. Listening lowers stress by shifting attention away from internal worries and toward meaningful connection. It enhances emotional regulation by helping us better understand others and ourselves.

The Sacredness of Silence:
Silence is not the absence of sound—it is the presence of stillness. In many spiritual traditions silence is a gateway to inner peace and divine communion. It quiets the mind, softens the ego, and nurtures a sense of awe and gratitude.
Regular moments of silence—through meditation, prayer, or simply unplugging—can reduce cortisol levels, improve focus, and foster emotional clarity. Silence allows space for reflection, helping us process experiences and restore mental balance.

Practicing Both in Daily Life:
Incorporating intentional listening and silence doesn’t require a retreat. It can start with small acts: putting your phone down during conversations, taking five quiet minutes in the morning, or simply paying attention to your breath. Over time, these moments accumulate, creating a stronger, calmer inner life.

A huge thank you goes to Knox Presbyterian Church and their incredible volunteers from Knox Gives, the church’s annual s...
10/22/2025

A huge thank you goes to Knox Presbyterian Church and their incredible volunteers from Knox Gives, the church’s annual service initiative.

This year, they generously provided the labor, paint, and supplies to refresh several of our clinical offices at SamaraCare's administrative headquarters in Naperville. These offices were showing signs of wear and now they look brand new!

A donated gift card helped cover paint costs, while Sherwin Williams discounted the paint and supplies by 50%. Thank you, Sherwin Williams!

But that’s not all—Knox Gives also donated games and toys to support our Child Therapy programs.

We are so grateful for our community partners. Your kindness and generosity directly impact the children, individuals, and families we serve. Thank you for making a difference!

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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