Summit Family Therapy, PLLC

03/06/2026

What people think therapists do all day:
🛋️ Nod thoughtfully
💬 Say “and how does that make you feel?”

What therapists actually do all day:
✅ Psychoeducation
✅ A TON of resources for a wide variety of issues
✅ Consultation for all kinds of mental‑health‑related situations
✅ Provide a safe space for diverse people, thoughts, beliefs, cultures, and more
✅ Offer a supportive working space for those grieving or navigating life transitions
✅ …and about A MILLION OTHER THINGS ❤️🧠

03/05/2026

Big cheers (and maybe a few tissues) for Regina Bridges as she officially graduates from Clinical Director of Children’s Services to Boss of Her Own Private Practice in Peoria! 🌈🐰❤️

Today was her last staff meeting—tragically, we forgot a group photo because ✨feelings✨. While we’re sad to see her go, she’s not going far at all. If you’re looking for incredible play therapy and trauma‑informed child care in Peoria, Regina is your person—and yes, we’ll have her referral info at the front office.

Regina, thank you for FIVE amazing years of heart, leadership, and magic at Summit. We’re so proud of you and can’t wait to cheer you on in this next chapter. Bravo!! 👏🎉

03/04/2026

🧘‍♀️ Caregivers, healthcare workers, and helping professionals give so much of themselves—sometimes at the cost of their own well-being.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or emotionally drained, Summit Family Therapy offers specialized support designed just for you. We help you navigate burnout, manage stress, and rebuild boundaries so you can continue your important work without sacrificing your health.

Our therapists understand the unique challenges of caregiving professions and provide tools for self-care, trauma processing, and sustainable emotional resilience.

Remember: taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s essential.

Discover how therapy tailored for helping professionals can restore balance and hope: http://summitfamilytherapy.com?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

03/03/2026

🎉 Big news at Summit Family Therapy! 🎉
We’re excited to welcome Claire Leech, LPC, as a full‑time therapist at Summit Family Therapy! Claire has passed her LCPC exam and will be independently licensed in just a few weeks — and she’s now scheduling full‑time with no waitlist.
Claire offers a calm, compassionate, and down‑to‑earth approach to therapy. She works with adults and couples and is a great fit for anyone looking for a supportive space to work through life transitions, emotional challenges, relationship concerns, or personal growth.

✨ Why clients love working with Claire:
• Warm, steady, and easy to talk to
• Client‑centered and collaborative
• Trained in EMDR, Gottman Method (Level I), and trauma‑informed care
• Thoughtful about therapy fit and pacing
If you’ve been thinking about starting therapy — or are ready to get back in — this is a great opportunity to connect without a waitlist.
• Accepts private insurance and self pay

📅 Now scheduling full‑time appointments starting April 7

👉 Learn more about Claire and book here:
https://summitfamilytherapy.com/summit-family-therapy-peoria-illinois-blog/2026/3/3/meet-claire-leech-now-full-time-at-summit-family-therapy

Please help us give Claire a warm Summit welcome! 💛

We’re excited to share some great news with our Summit community — Claire Leech, LPC , is officially joining Summit Family Therapy as a full-time therapist !  She has passed her LCPC exam and will have her independent license in a few weeks.  Claire has already been a wonder

02/28/2026

❤️

What a week! In need of a sweet treat? Can’t go wrong with a s’more. Famous last words. Here are a few simple tips to score that perfect golden, gooey result:

🔥 For an even, light golden-brown color and a soft, melty center, hold the marshmallow low over the gentler embers at the base of the fire. Patience pays off. Resist the urge to rush it into the big flames.

🔥 Turn, turn, turn. Rotate the stick slowly and steadily so the marshmallow cooks evenly. Think of it as giving your marshmallow a gentle, all-over flame- kissed glow rather than a one-sided char.

🔥 A quick blast in the open flames can look tempting, but it often leaves you with a crisp (or charred) outside and a cool, uncooked center. Some people love that contrast. There’s no wrong way, only your way. Well, there are wrong ways. See the next one.

🔥 Gentle reminder: keep the roasting stick steady. Rapid flailing of stick = flaming marshmallow projectile that possibly lands where it shouldn’t.

P.S. When the s’mores are done, properly put out the fire: drown it with water, stir the ashes, feel to make sure it’s cool, and repeat if needed.

What are some of your favorite s’mores tips, tried-and-true tricks, or fond (or funny) memories around the fire?

For more ideas, check out: https://www.nps.gov/articles/smoresinendlessways.htm

Image: Graphic with text, “It’s okay if you fall apart sometimes. S’mores fall apart, and we still love them.”

02/27/2026

One of the best moments as a therapist is when a client says,
“I used my coping skills… and it actually helped.” 🥹💙

Those moments make us so incredibly proud. Using skills outside of session takes courage, practice, and self‑awareness—and it’s a huge win worth celebrating.

‼️ THREE SELF‑REGULATING TECHNIQUES ‼️

1️⃣ 5‑4‑3‑2‑1 Grounding
• 5 things you can see
• 4 things you can feel
• 3 things you can hear
• 2 things you can smell
• 1 thing you can taste

2️⃣ Affirmations
• “I am okay.”
• “Just breathe.”
• “Everything is going to be okay.”

3️⃣ Box Breathing
• Breathe in for 4 seconds
• Hold for 4 seconds
• Breathe out for 4 seconds
• Hold the exhale for 4 seconds

Coping skills may seem simple, but using them in real life is powerful work. If you’re practicing—even imperfectly—you’re doing something right. ❤️🧠

02/26/2026

🧠 When dementia isn’t what it first appears to be.
As clinicians, we’re taught to look for patterns—but Lewy Body Dementia often refuses to follow the ones we expect. It can look like Alzheimer’s. It can look like Parkinson’s. It can even look like a psychiatric disorder. Too often, that leads to delayed or incorrect diagnosis—and real harm.

I wrote this article to help families and caregivers better understand Lewy Body Dementia, why it’s so frequently misdiagnosed, and why early recognition matters—especially when it comes to medication sensitivity and quality of life.

This piece includes:
• What makes Lewy Body Dementia different from other dementias
• Why hallucinations and movement symptoms matter
• How misdiagnosis can worsen outcomes
• Practical guidance for families navigating early concerns

If you or someone you love is facing confusing symptoms or an unclear diagnosis, I hope this brings clarity and validation.

👉 Read the full article here:
https://summitfamilytherapy.com/summit-family-therapy-peoria-illinois-blog/2026/2/22/when-dementia-is-not-what-it-first-appears-understanding-lewy-body-dementia?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

Author’s Note / Trigger Warning: The following article discusses neurodegenerative disease, cognitive decline, hallucinations, and loss of independence. This content may be difficult for some readers. Disease is often an unseen cruelty. Cancer takes bodies. Influenza can take lives. Dementia, howe

02/25/2026

🐾 A Peaceful Pause from Hattie the Therapy Dog 🐾

Hello friends, it’s me—Hattie! 🐶🌿

I want to share something really special with you today: the magic of spending time outside in nature. There’s a reason I get so excited when it’s time for a walk or a romp in the grass—it’s like a little reset button for my whole being. And guess what? It works for you, too! 🌳✨

When you step outside and breathe in the fresh air, your body starts to relax, your mind feels clearer, and your heart can even feel a bit lighter. Nature has this incredible way of helping us slow down and remember we’re part of something bigger than our worries. The sound of birds singing, the gentle rustle of leaves, the warmth of sunshine on your skin… those little things can bring big moments of peace and joy. 🌞🍃🐦

Even if it’s just a few minutes sitting under a tree or walking barefoot on the grass, that time helps recharge your energy and soothe your spirit. It reminds you to pause, to be present, and to appreciate the world’s simple beauty. And when life feels overwhelming, nature can be a gentle friend who listens without judgment and offers calm without words. 💛

So today, I encourage you to step outside—take a deep breath, look around, and let nature’s healing hug fill you up. Your body, mind, and soul will thank you. And if you want, I’ll be right there beside you, tail wagging and nose twitching, ready to explore all the wonders of the great outdoors together! 🐕💚

Wishing you peaceful paws and fresh air,
– Hattie the Therapy Pup 🐾

02/23/2026

🧠✨ When attraction isn’t just attraction—but a dopamine hijack.
For many neurodivergent folks, especially those with ADHD, intense attraction can turn into something much bigger: hyperfixation on a person. What starts as excitement or connection can quietly become all‑consuming—fueling anxiety, limerence, rejection sensitivity, and emotional burnout.

In this new blog post, I explore:
• Why ADHD brains are especially vulnerable to people‑based hyperfixations
• How attraction, dopamine, and rejection sensitivity interact
• The difference between healthy connection and neurochemical hijacking
• What actually helps when your brain won’t let go

If you’ve ever thought “Why can’t I stop thinking about them?”—this one’s for you.

👉 Read here:
https://summitfamilytherapy.com/summit-family-therapy-peoria-illinois-blog/2026/2/22/when-attraction-hijacks-your-dopamine-people-as-hyperfixations?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

-Nathaniel Oldenburg, MA, LCPC

Hyperfixation is a fairly common experience for those of us with ADHD, and it can also show up for people with autism—especially when ADHD and autism overlap. It usually starts innocently enough. We find something new and interesting, our brain releases dopamine, and suddenly that thing feels exci...

02/22/2026

Dr. Courtney Stivers had a wonderful night at the Hearts of Gold Gala! 💛

The dinner was fantastic, and the Windy City Dueling Piano show was such a fun highlight. 🎶

This event supports the Resident in Need Fund at Snyder Village, helping ensure continued, high‑quality care for residents who need it most. Proud to support such a worthy cause in our community!

02/20/2026

Happy Friday Vibes from Manhattan! 😀🙏

02/18/2026

Trauma doesn’t just live in the past.
It shows up in your sleep, your relationships, your body—often when you least expect it.

If you’ve been wondering why you still feel this way and what can actually help, this page is for you.

You’re not broken. You’re human. And healing is possible. 💛

Explore evidence-based therapy options for PTSD and trauma at Summit Family Therapy. Compassionate care helps you heal and regain control over your life.