Summit Family Therapy, PLLC

02/04/2026

🌿 Feeling weighed down by sadness, emptiness, or just not quite yourself lately? You’re not alone—and there is help.

At Summit Family Therapy, we understand how overwhelming depression can be. We offer compassionate, evidence based care designed to meet you, where you are. Whether it’s loss of interest, fatigue, negative self talk, or just a gnawing sense of hopelessness — we’re here to walk this with you.

🔹 What you’ll find at our practice:
• Thorough assessment & personalized treatment plans
• Therapy modalities like CBT, Mindfulness, Interpersonal Therapy & more
• Support for managing difficult thoughts, emotions & behaviors
• A judgment free space with therapists who truly listen

You don’t have to face this alone. Healing is possible.

👉 Learn more about our depression treatment approaches:

Explore personalized depression treatment options at Summit Family Therapy. Our experienced therapists offer evidence-based approaches to help you heal and regain wellness.

02/02/2026

Hello all! We are currently looking to add a part time Intake Specialist to our team! Please share the information below with any interested parties. Thank you for your support!! 🎉

Summit Family Therapy

02/02/2026

🧸 What Is Play Therapy? Understanding the Healing Power of Play 🎨
By Kate Mills, LCPC | Summit Family Therapy

Children don’t always have the words to express what they’re feeling—but they do have play. Through toys, stories, and imagination, they communicate their fears, hopes, and experiences. That’s where Play Therapy comes in.

In my latest blog post, I explore how Play Therapy creates a safe, supportive space for children to process emotions, build resilience, and develop healthy coping skills. Whether a child is navigating anxiety, trauma, grief, or behavioral challenges, play becomes their voice—and therapy becomes their path to healing.

🔍 In this post, you’ll learn:

What Play Therapy is and how it works
The types of challenges it can help address
Why play is such a powerful tool for emotional growth
How parents and caregivers can support the process

If you’re a parent, educator, or simply someone who cares about children’s mental health, I invite you to read and share this resource.

📖 Read the full article here: https://summitfamilytherapy.com/summit-family-therapy-peoria-illinois-blog/2025/10/13/what-is-play-therapy?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

Let’s continue to advocate for the emotional well-being of our children—because every child deserves to be seen, heard, and supported. 💛

As parents, we want the very best for our children. When they’re struggling, whether with big feelings, changes at home, or difficult experiences, it can be hard to know how to help. Many parents come to me saying, “They won’t talk about it. I’ve tried asking, but I just can’t get through....

01/31/2026

We had a wonderful time at the IAMFT Futures Conference hosted at Adler University today! IAMFT is committed to helping students and early career counselors develop their professional paths.

01/30/2026

🌱 Reparenting: A Path to Healing and Growth 🌱

At Summit Family Therapy, we understand that our early experiences shape who we are. But what if you could rewrite those narratives and nurture yourself in ways you didn't receive growing up?

In our latest blog post, "Reparenting: Intervention Using 4 Pillars," therapist Brandon C. Hovey, MA, LCPC, NCC, explores how reparenting can help you reconnect with your authentic self. Drawing inspiration from Lev Vygotsky's developmental theories and Nicole LePera's work, Brandon introduces four foundational pillars:

Discipline – Establishing a personal rulebook for your life.

Self-Care – Prioritizing your well-being and staying afloat.

Joy – Actively seeking out moments of happiness.

Emotional Regulation – Owning and understanding your emotions.

These pillars guide you in healing past wounds, building resilience, and fostering a compassionate relationship with yourself.

🔗 Dive into the full article here: https://summitfamilytherapy.com/summit-family-therapy-peoria-illinois-blog/2025/4/14/reparenting-intervention-using-4-pillars?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

If you're ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing, our team is here to support you. Contact us today to learn more about our reparenting-focused therapy sessions.

“Through others, we become ourselves.” Lev Vygotsky’s words are a truth when it comes to family systems. Vygotsky’s zones of proximal development greatly influence my reparenting interventions. There are four pillars to the concept of reparenting that are found in the work of Nicole LePera, ...

01/28/2026

🐾 A Loving Nudge from Hattie the Therapy Dog 🐾

Hey sweet friends, it’s me—Hattie! 🐶💛

I know it can be hard sometimes… but here’s your gentle reminder:
It’s okay to ask for help. In fact, it’s brave. 🐾💬

You don’t have to do it all alone. Even the strongest humans need support—just like I need help reaching the treat jar sometimes. 😉🍪

Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re weak.
It means you’re wise. It means you're honoring your limits and choosing connection over isolation. And that’s something to be proud of.

So if your heart feels heavy, reach out. There’s someone (or some dog) who cares and wants to walk alongside you. 💕

Always here with a wag and a warm look,
– Hattie the Therapy Pup 🐶

01/28/2026

💔

Sometimes people ask me what it’s like to be a therapist right now.
The truth?
It’s a lot of holding.
Holding fear.
Holding grief.
Holding uncertainty.
Holding hope when someone else can’t find their own.
We’re living in a world where people are stretched thin—emotionally, physically, spiritually. And inside the therapy room, I see that stretching every day. I see the parents who are exhausted, the teens who feel lost, the adults who are trying to stay strong for everyone else. I see people who don’t know how to name what hurts… only that it does.
And lately, it’s not just personal struggles—it’s national events, too.
The headlines, the tragedies, the tension, the injustice, the constant noise.
People are carrying both their own lives and the weight of what’s happening in the world. And therapists feel that dual load as well. We sit with clients who are hurting because of things far beyond their control… while navigating our own reactions to the same events.
Being a therapist right now means:
• Sitting with people in the rawest parts of their lives
• Witnessing resilience that often goes unnoticed
• Carrying stories home in my heart
• Holding space for both personal and collective pain
• Practicing regulation while helping others find theirs
And honestly? It’s sacred work.
It’s heavy work.
It’s meaningful work.
If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. If you’re overwhelmed by the world, you’re not failing. If you’re healing, you’re brave. And if you’re supporting others while trying to hold yourself together, I see you.
Be gentle with yourself.
We are all doing the best we can in a very complicated world. 💛
— Dr. Courtney Stivers

01/26/2026

Last Friday, several of our therapists had the opportunity to connect with other providers from across the region at a local networking event. It was a wonderful chance to build relationships, share ideas, and strengthen the professional community we’re a part of. At Summit, we believe that knowing our neighbors is essential to serving our community well. 🌱

A big thank‑you to Restoration Counseling PLLC Counseling and Lotus Center for Women's Mental Health and Psychiatry Center for organizing such a meaningful gathering! 🙏

If you're a mental health professional residing in Central Illinois, please join us next time! Learn more at Central Illinois Counselors.

Community spirit is a core value of Restoration Counseling. The value states,

"We foster a community of kindness, compassion, and grace within our practice, supported by a strong work ethic. We believe in rooting for the success of other providers in our community, understanding that the need is great, and collaboration, not competition, benefits everyone. We celebrate the wins of our fellow practitioners."

Last night, I had a wonderful time building community with fellow counselors and a psychiatric nurse practitioner representing 12 different practices across Central Illinois. We strengthened referral relationships, built meaningful connections, and—most importantly—had a great time together. It’s a true privilege to be part of such a caring, collaborative network dedicated to serving our communities well.

01/26/2026

Understanding Ambiguous Loss - from Robin Hayles, MA, LCPC

Have you ever felt grief that didn’t quite fit the mold—like mourning someone who is still physically present, or feeling a deep sense of loss without closure? This is what we call ambiguous loss, and it’s more common than you might think.

In my latest post, I explore what ambiguous loss is, how it affects us emotionally, and ways we can begin to process and heal. Whether you're navigating a complicated relationship, caring for a loved one with dementia, or simply trying to make sense of a lingering sadness, this article might offer the clarity and compassion you need.

💬 I’d love to hear your thoughts or experiences with this kind of grief. Let’s open the conversation.

📖 Read the full post here: https://summitfamilytherapy.com/summit-family-therapy-peoria-illinois-blog/2025/9/5/understanding-ambiguous-loss?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

01/23/2026

I’m excited to share my latest article, “Hat, Haircut, and Tattoo Decisions: A Better Way to Decide Almost Anything.”

So many of us get stuck treating small, reversible choices like permanent ones—and rushing through the decisions that truly shape our lives. This simple framework helps you sort out which choices deserve deeper reflection and which ones you can simply try on and learn from.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, second‑guessing yourself, or navigating a season of big choices, I hope this brings clarity and ease.
— Kate Mills, MA, LCPC

👉 Read the full article here:

Years ago, I stood in a store holding a sweater I didn’t need but really liked. It wasn’t expensive. It wouldn’t change my life. And yet, I stood there debating it like I was deciding whether to quit my job. At the same time, I was doing the opposite in other areas of my life. I tended to make...

01/22/2026

So proud to see our former intern soaring in her career! Go Jennice!! 🙌

01/21/2026

✨ Feeling overwhelmed, constantly worrying, or just carrying too much stress? You’re not alone — and there are ways to find calmer, clearer days.

At Summit Family Therapy, we offer personalized, evidence based care to help you break the cycle of anxiety & stress. Whether it's racing thoughts, panic attacks, social anxiety, or burnout, our goal is to help you breathe easier, sleep better, and feel more like you.

👉 What we offer:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Mindfulness / Somatic based approaches
• EMDR for Anxiety
• Stress Management Coaching
• Compassionate, ongoing support

You're stronger than you think. You don’t have to face this on your own.

🔗 Want to learn more or take the first step toward relief? Visit us here:

Struggling with anxiety? Summit Family Therapy in Peoria offers personalized, evidence-based treatment to help you find relief and regain control.