Summit Family Therapy, PLLC

04/05/2026

🌷 Happy Easter from Summit Family Therapy 🌷
Easter is often a season of renewal, hope, and gentle reminders that growth can come even after long winters. Wherever this weekend finds you—celebrating, resting, grieving, healing, or simply getting through—we’re holding space for you.

May today offer moments of connection, compassion, and new beginnings in whatever ways you need them most. 💛

— The Summit Family Therapy Team

04/02/2026

I recently wrote an article about something many people experience but often struggle to name: ambiguous grief—the ache of losses that don’t come with clear endings, rituals, or validation.

In The Ache of Invisible Loss, I explore why this type of grief can feel so heavy, why it’s frequently misunderstood, and how we can begin to hold it with compassion rather than self‑judgment.

If you’ve ever felt grief that didn’t seem to “count,” you’re not alone.

🖤 Read here:
https://summitfamilytherapy.com/summit-family-therapy-peoria-illinois-blog/2026/3/27/the-ache-of-invisible-loss-processing-ambiguous-grief?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

— Claire Leech, MA, LCPC

We tend to understand grief through a familiar script. There is a death, a funeral, a season of mourning, and a community that gathers with casseroles and condolences. It is a loss with a clear beginning, middle, and end—a defined “before” and “after.” But what happens when what you lose n...

04/01/2026

🌟 Life can get overwhelming sometimes. Maybe you’re feeling stuck in old patterns, battling anxiety, or just not quite yourself. It’s important to remember: you don’t have to face this alone. At Summit Family Therapy, we provide a warm, supportive, and judgment-free space where your story matters and your healing journey begins.

Therapy is not about fixing you—it’s about helping you uncover your strengths, build resilience, and find peace within yourself. Whether you’re struggling with stress, trauma, or simply want to better understand your emotions, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

💬 Taking that first step can be hard, but it’s also the most courageous thing you can do. We invite you to schedule a free consultation to see how therapy can support you.

📲 Visit http://summitfamilytherapy.com?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com now to learn more and book your appointment. Your journey to wellness starts here.

03/30/2026

I recently wrote an article exploring the difference between deposition and damnation—and why so many of us carry shame that was never meant to be permanent.

Deposition, Not Damnation looks at how harmful messages, spiritual wounds, and internalized guilt can shape the way we see ourselves, and how healing begins when we separate growth from condemnation.

If you’ve ever felt defined by your worst moments rather than your capacity to heal, this piece is for you.

📖 Read here:
https://summitfamilytherapy.com/summit-family-therapy-peoria-illinois-blog/2026/3/27/deposition-not-damnation?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

— Brandon Hovey, MA, LCPC

Over the course of my career as a private investigator I frequently worked for insurance companies investigating worker’s compensation or disability fraud. I was asked to testify in court but I never had to as the thought of my presence had the defendant in many cases accepting an offer from the i...

03/27/2026

What are your favorite comfort shows? Have you ever watched a TV show and felt seen—like something inside you softened, shifted, or healed a little?

In my latest blog, I explore how certain shows can offer corrective emotional experiences—moments that help us rewrite old emotional narratives, even outside the therapy room. As a therapist, I see how powerful these moments can be and why they resonate so deeply for so many of us.

If you’ve ever thought, “Why did that scene hit me so hard?”—this one’s for you. 💛

-Greta Long, MA LPC

🖥️ Read the full article here:
https://summitfamilytherapy.com/summit-family-therapy-peoria-illinois-blog/2026/3/27/when-a-tv-show-feels-like-therapy-the-power-of-corrective-emotional-experiences?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

👇 Now tell me—what are your emotional support shows? Drop them in the comments.

Have you ever watched a TV show or movie that affected you more deeply than you expected? I’ve had that experience more times than I can count— Heated Rivalry , Heartstopper , and This Is Us , just to name a few. What starts as “just a show” somehow turns into tears on the couch, a lump in y...

03/25/2026

Yes!

A lot of people aren’t “too needy.”

They’re just drawn to people whose own histories make it hard for them to be responsive to another’s needs.

Sometimes when one person says another person is too needy, they’re projecting their own terror of wanting too much onto their partner.

This often happens when a child’s needs weren’t responded to, so the child grows up to avoid having needs… and finds other people’s needs threatening.

Do you get an “icky” feeling in your gut when your own needs emerge, or the needs of someone close to you do?

If so, it’s worth asking: Where does this feeling come from?

03/25/2026

🐾 A Shaky Little Lesson from Hattie the Therapy Dog 🐾

Hi friends, it’s your pal Hattie! 🐶💛

You know what I do after something stressful happens—like a loud noise, a tough moment, or a trip to the vet?
I shake it off. Literally. Full-body wiggle. Flop ears. Tail reset. ✨🐾

And guess what? You can do that too.

Not every hard feeling needs to be solved or explained.
Sometimes, you just need to move, breathe, stretch, or dance it out.
Shake off what’s not yours to carry anymore.

Bad moments don’t last forever. You’re allowed to reset and keep going—tail up, heart forward. 💗

So give yourself a little shake today. You’ve got this.

With wags and wiggles,
– Hattie the Therapy Pup 🐕

03/21/2026

Tonight, we’re playing Glo Bingo to support the Metamora Grade School PTO fundraiser, and we’re having a blast doing it! 💙✨

No, our kids don’t actually go to school here. 🤣

We love finding fun ways to give back to our community—especially when it supports local schools and the families who make them so special. Huge thanks to everyone who helps make events like this possible. Community truly matters, and we’re grateful to be part of it.

If you’re out here playing too, good luck—and may the bingo odds be ever in your favor! 😉

— Dr. Courtney & Dr. Ryan Stivers

03/20/2026

💔 Silence protects institutions. Speaking up protects children. 💔
I published an article that was not easy to write—but felt necessary.
Honestly, I could not contain myself any longer.

The recent news involving the arrest of Joseph Duggar has reopened painful conversations about abuse, faith, and silence. These stories are not just about one family. They are about systems—especially high‑control religious environments—that too often protect power instead of children.

Let me be very clear:
🛑 This is not an attack on religion.
✅ It is a call to accountability.
✅ It is a call to believe survivors.
✅ It is a call to stop spiritualizing harm and start protecting the vulnerable.

As a therapist, I work with adults who were once children who tried to speak—and weren’t believed. Or were told to forgive. Or were told not to “cause division.” Many are not angry at God. They are grieving the safety they were promised and didn’t receive.

I wrote this article for:
• Survivors who were silenced
• Families who want to respond better
• Faith communities who genuinely want to protect children
• Anyone who has ever wondered, “Why didn’t someone stop this?”

👉 Please read, share, and sit with this piece:
🔗 https://summitfamilytherapy.com/summit-family-therapy-peoria-illinois-blog/2026/3/20/after-josh-and-joseph-duggar-how-highcontrol-religious-environments-can-enable-child-sexual-abuse?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

If you’re a survivor: I believe you. What happened to you was not your fault. You deserved protection.

If you’re a friend, family member, or faith leader: your response matters more than you may ever know.

Protect children.

Believe survivors.

Courage over comfort—always.

— Dr. Courtney Stivers

Trigger Warning: This article discusses child sexual abuse, institutional betrayal, and abuse within religious contexts . While no graphic details are included, the subject matter may be emotionally activating for survivors of abuse, religious trauma, or spiritual abuse. Readers are encouraged to

03/19/2026

New article alert! “The Self‑Care Strategy: Building a Life You Don’t Need to Escape From” is about shifting self‑care away from quick fixes and toward something more sustainable—creating routines, boundaries, and values that actually support your daily life, not just help you recover from it.

Self‑care isn’t always bubble baths and time off (though those can be great). Sometimes it’s making small, intentional changes that help life feel more manageable and aligned over time.

If you’ve ever felt burned out, overwhelmed, or like you’re constantly counting down to your next break, this one’s for you.

📖 Read the full article here:
https://summitfamilytherapy.com/summit-family-therapy-peoria-illinois-blog/2026/3/16the-selfcare-strategy-building-a-life-you-dont-need-to-escape-from?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

— Claire Leech, MA, LCPC

Self‑care. If you’re anything like me, you probably sighed—or rolled your eyes—a little when you read that word. Over the past few years, self‑care has taken on a life of its own. Social media is flooded with perfectly curated images and ads promoting the latest self‑care trend. Most of ...

03/18/2026

🧠✨ Now Offering Consultation Services with Nathaniel Oldenburg, MA, LCPC ✨🧠

Looking for neurodiversity‑affirming consultation that actually gets it? Nate Oldenburg offers individualized consultations designed to support ADHDers, Autistic individuals, AuDHD adults, couples, and families navigating school, work, relationships, and daily life challenges.

With over a decade of experience and a strengths‑based, affirming approach, Nate’s consultations focus on:
✅ Practical, real‑world strategies
✅ Communication and regulation tools
✅ Support for burnout prevention
✅ Respecting neurodivergent lived experience (not “fixing” it)

Whether you’re seeking clarity, skills, or support, Nate meets you where you are—with empathy, expertise, and actionable guidance.

👉 Learn more here:
https://summitfamilytherapy.com/nathaniel-oldenburg

03/18/2026

🌿 Healing from trauma is possible—and you don’t have to do it alone.
At Summit Family Therapy, we understand that trauma leaves a lasting imprint on your mind, body, and spirit. Whether you’re dealing with childhood trauma, PTSD, or spiritual and religious trauma, these experiences can make you feel unsafe in your own skin and disconnected from life.

That’s why we offer trauma-informed care including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)—an evidence-based therapy proven to help process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional impact. Our therapists provide a compassionate, safe space where you can gently confront your past, rebuild trust with yourself, and reclaim peace.

If you’ve been carrying the weight of trauma for too long, consider reaching out. Healing is not linear, but with the right support, you can experience transformation and regain your sense of safety and joy.

Explore how Summit Family Therapy can walk alongside you in your healing journey: http://summitfamilytherapy.com?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com