The Juniper Center

12/18/2025

TOMORROW! On Friday, December 19th, Michelle Magida will be making a return to present another wonderful CEU webinar! This training explores how understanding the brain-body connection and the autonomic nervous system can provide a framework for supporting executive functioning in children and adolescents. Participants will examine how physiological regulation influences attention, flexibility, emotional control, and goal-directed behavior. The workshop bridges the gap between creating a sense of safety and strengthening higher-order cognitive skills, emphasizing practical, developmentally-informed strategies that can be applied directly in clinical work. Be sure to register today! https://www.thejunipercenter.com/university/

12/17/2025

A new episode of the Mental Health Business Mentor podcast is now live! In this episode of The Mental Health Business Mentor, we explore what happens when therapists move beyond working in isolation and start building true community with one another. Our guest, Nick Bognar, MFT, shares why authentic, nourishing relationships among clinicians aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential for sustaining our work, preventing burnout, and ensuring clients receive the best care possible. We discuss how welcoming peers, sharing resources, and offering genuine support can strengthen individual practices while uplifting the entire mental health field. Whether you're a solo practitioner or part of a larger organization, this conversation will inspire you to cultivate connections that make the work more sustainable, meaningful, and deeply human. Please take a listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1359934/episodes/18337827

12/16/2025

The genetics of autism has long been a complex puzzle, but new discoveries are helping the pieces fall into place. Psychology Today explores how these genetic insights are shaping our understanding of what it means to be autistic. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/raising-resilient-children/202511/mapping-the-genetic-landscape-of-autism

Genetics research and cognitive theory together are revealing autism’s biological depth and cognitive richness, shaping a future of personalized understanding.

12/15/2025

Happy Hanukkah! Known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is a time of celebration and reflection for the Jewish community. The Blue Dove Foundation highlights the meaning of this holiday and shares ways we can honor and celebrate each other’s traditions. https://thebluedovefoundation.org/rekindling-faith-reflections-on-mental-health-for-hanukkah/

Rekindling Faith: Reflections on Mental Health for Hanukkah -

12/11/2025

On Friday, December 19th, Michelle Magida will be making a return to present another wonderful CEU webinar! This training explores how understanding the brain-body connection and the autonomic nervous system can provide a framework for supporting executive functioning in children and adolescents. Participants will examine how physiological regulation influences attention, flexibility, emotional control, and goal-directed behavior. The workshop bridges the gap between creating a sense of safety and strengthening higher-order cognitive skills, emphasizing practical, developmentally-informed strategies that can be applied directly in clinical work. Be sure to register today! https://www.thejunipercenter.com/university/

12/10/2025

A new episode of the Consumer's Guide to Mental Health podcast is now live! Starting therapy is one of the most meaningful steps a person can take—but it’s also one of the hardest. In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Margo Jacquot sits down with Katie Babcock, MA, LCPC, to explore the real reasons people pause, stop, or never begin their search for a therapist. From fears about what therapy will be like, to misconceptions about needing to have everything “bad enough,” to the overwhelm of finding a provider who feels like the right fit, we break down the emotional and practical obstacles that quietly hold many people back. You’ll also hear empowering, practical strategies for restarting the search with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re considering therapy for the first time, returning after a break, or supporting someone else on their journey, this episode offers guidance that can help you move from hesitation to healing with greater ease and understanding.

Starting therapy is one of the most meaningful steps a person can take—but it’s also one of the hardest. In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Margo Jacquot si...

12/10/2025

Today is Human Rights Day—a reminder that everyone deserves equality, dignity, and respect. Mental health is a vital part of these rights, including the freedom to express your thoughts and feelings without fear of stigma or discrimination. SANE’s latest blog explores why protecting mental health is essential for upholding human rights. https://www.sane.org/information-and-resources/the-sane-blog/wellbeing/human-rights-day-the-right-to-mental-health

Human Rights Day is celebrated on 10 December, and is a time to reflect on the fundamental rights and freedoms every individual is entitled to.

12/09/2025

The hustle and bustle of life can be stressful. This is especially true when we second-guess our thoughts, feelings, reactions, or emotions. Whether you or a loved one is struggling with family, friends, at work, or with your romantic partner or spouse, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the challenges we face in life. We want you to know, you don’t have to face these struggles alone – we’re here to help. https://www.thejunipercenter.com/services/acceptance-commitment-therapy-act/

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a mindfulness based therapy focused on better mental health by overcoming negative thoughts and feelings.

12/08/2025

Meet Becca Baake, LCSW. Becca specializes in adult and geriatric populations and has ample experience working with entire family units. Becca is passionate about helping clients and families to live their most connected, fulfilled, and empowered lives. She follows evidence-based practices, including mindfulness-based approaches, dialectical behavioral therapy, art, music, and yoga therapy, to assist clients in managing their symptoms and reconnecting with joy. Becca will be seeing clients in our Oak Park and Park Ridge offices, as well as via telehealth. https://www.thejunipercenter.com/our-staff/becca-baake/

Becca Baake is an LCSW in Illinois and an LMSW in Texas. She received her bachelor’s in philosophy and master’s in social work from Texas Tech University. She has been practicing social work since 2017, primarily as a case manager in hospital settings. Becca specializes in adult and geriatric po...

12/05/2025

If the holidays feel more overwhelming than joyful, your stress level may be running high. Practicing self-care and sharing responsibilities can make a meaningful difference. Psych Central offers nine practical tips to help ease holiday pressure so you can spend more time enjoying the moments that matter. https://psychcentral.com/health/holiday-stress

The holiday season is a time to be surrounded by friends and family. Delegating responsibility and setting boundaries can help you manage holiday stress.

12/03/2025

Today is International Day for Persons with Disabilities—a reminder of the importance of accessibility, inclusion, and understanding. UserWay has a great blog post that highlights why this day matters and how we can all play a role in creating more inclusive spaces. https://userway.org/blog/international-day-disabled-persons/

Since today, December 3rd, 2019, is the United Nations' International Day of Persons with Disabilities, remember how important the inclusivity is.