Padera Therapy and Wellness

12/12/2025

{Immediate EMDR Openings!}

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy modality that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress of trauma. According to the EMDR Institute, repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy, people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference! EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma. If you're interested in seeing a therapist certified in EMDR, we have current openings with therapists Nadeen Elkhatib and Jon Matthew!

Nadeen Elkhatib is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in trauma, anxiety, depression, codependency, emotional regulation, stress, Muslim mental health and play therapy for kids.
https://paderatherapy.com/nadeen-elkhatib

Jon Matthew is a Licensed Social Worker specializing in anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, religious trauma, neurodivergence, racial identity, LGBTQIA+ support and more for clients 18+.
https://paderatherapy.com/jon-matthew-lsw

Call (630) 940-6828 to make an appointment today!

12/10/2025

This time of year it's easy to feel like you're being pulled in so many different directions. Holiday parties, family events, school concerts, traveling, shopping and baking and cooking - oh my. A festive time of year can begin to feel very overwhelming. The cold, snowy days invite rest for our bodies and mind - but the holidays can require so much productivity and movement. How can you make sure to fill your cup? Set the intention to bring some quiet time, meditation, yoga, fresh air, movement and creativity into your days to find more balance. Feel like you could use some extra support as we head into the new year? Great! We are here for you. We have 21 therapists - and 1 therapy dog! - here at Padera Therapy, and you are guaranteed to find a provider who truly aligns with your needs, values, and personality. Contact us to learn more at www.paderatherapy.com or call 630-940-6828.

12/09/2025

As we move closer to the end of the year and the Winter Solstice on December 21, we share some thoughts from Licensed Clinical Social Worker Shannon Giovingo, as well as reflections from 2025 and intentions for 2026 from others on the Padera Therapy team - Kirsten Emery, Nikoleta Giannakopolous and Kristin Padera.

Shannon shares, "As we move into Solstice and Yule, we enter a threshold of deep stillness and quiet renewal. This is the longest night of the year, a pause in the turning of the seasons that invites us to soften, breathe, and listen inward. In the darkness, seeds of new beginnings are held gently beneath the surface—unseen, but already forming. Let this be a moment to honor what you’re releasing from the year behind you, and to draw close the intentions you want to nurture in the year ahead. Not with pressure or perfection, but with tenderness. What do you want to grow more of? What wants to be born in you? May this Solstice bring rest, clarity, and the quiet spark of new possibility. May your intentions take root in warmth and trust."

What are your favorite memories of 2025? What intentions are you setting for the year ahead?

12/05/2025

At Padera Therapy and Wellness, our Team Recommendations are thoughtfully curated to provide valuable resources for personal growth, mental well-being, and healing. Today we feature Jacqueline Chaidez’s book choice, “Kitchen Confidential" by Anthony Bourdain.

Jacqueline notes, “As someone who came from the service industry before becoming a therapist, Anthony Bourdain's book hits differently. This raw look at a high-pressure world is a powerful reminder that addiction, suppressed emotion, and nonexistent boundaries thrive in demanding jobs, highlighting how vital emotional regulation and self-care truly are for anyone in a fast-paced environment.”

Jacqueline uses her experience and training as an artist, alongside her therapeutic and clinical training, to connect with and understand her clients. She specializes in working with adults struggling with substance use issues, depression, anxiety, identity issues, and child of immigrant complexities. She enjoys working with neurodivergent individuals and LGBTQIA+ clients. Jacqueline loves arts and crafts,
outside recreation, and exploring the midwest.

Contact us to schedule an appointment or a free 15 minute phone call. Learn more:
https://paderatherapy.com/jacqueline-chaidez

12/04/2025

Interested in therapy that incorporates mindfulness, somatic work, and spirituality? Are you a highly sensitive person that could benefit from some support? Leigh Heckman is a Licensed Professional Counselor and says, "If you’ve been feeling unseen, exhausted from trying to 'get it right,' or like there’s a part of you that’s been quietly waiting to be heard, you’re in the right place. Let's slow down and reconnect with who you really are - beneath the coping, the stories, and the expectations."

Leigh has virtual openings Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and in-person openings Tuesdays and Thursdays. She's in network with BCBS PPO, Aetna, Anthem, and Cigna/Evernorth. Contact us today to set up an appointment or a free 15 minute consultation.

Learn more: https://paderatherapy.com/leigh-heckman

11/27/2025

11/20/2025

At Padera Therapy and Wellness, we believe in the power of knowledge and self-discovery. Our Team Recommendations are thoughtfully curated to provide valuable resources for personal growth, mental well-being, and healing. Today we feature Kristin Padera’s podcast choice: “Sex and Psychology Podcast" by Dr. Justin Lehmiller.

Kristin notes, “Dr. Lehmiller deep dives and explains the newest and best research on s*x and relationships—bringing on experts and going through the important points so that you get the latest information without having to read academic journals! You come away with fascinating, practical information in bite-sized 30 minute chunks.”

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s*x-and-psychology-podcast/id1505460817

Or Listen here: https://www.s*xandpsychology.com/podcasts/

Kristin is a psychotherapist, yoga teacher, and holistic health advocate. She uses methods of dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness practices (like yoga and meditation) to assist clients in their recovery. She enjoys hanging out with her husband and sons, taking yoga/spin classes, reading, and watching bad British reality television.

Learn more:
https://paderatherapy.com/kristin-padera-ma-lcpc-ryt200

11/18/2025

We’re delighted to welcome Leigh Heckman, Licensed Professional Counselor, to the Padera Therapy team! Leigh specializes in supporting adults (18+) through grief, burnout, anxiety, trauma, identity issues, stress, women's issues and much more. She utilizes traditional talk therapy methods, as well as somatic therapy, spirituality, mindfulness, and inner child healing. With a warm and authentic presence, Leigh creates a space where clients can feel safe, seen, and supported. Her work blends mindfulness-based approaches with deep emotional exploration, offering a path toward healing that honors both the past and the present.

Leigh will begin seeing clients starting December 1. She's in network with BCBS PPO, Anthem, Aetna and Cigna/Evernorth. Virtual and in-person appointments are available.

Learn more: https://paderatherapy.com/leigh-heckman

11/18/2025

Looking for a new therapist? Jacqueline Chaidez, LPC, uses her experience and training as an artist, alongside her therapeutic and clinical training, to connect with and understand her clients ages 10+. She specializes in working with adults struggling with substance use issues, depression, anxiety, identity issues, and child of immigrant complexities. She enjoys working with neurodivergent individuals and LGBTQIA+ clients. Jacqueline loves arts and crafts, outside recreation, and exploring the midwest. She has a few weekly and biweekly openings currently. She's in network with BCBS PPO, Cigna, Anthem and Aetna.

Give us a call to connect or visit: https://paderatherapy.com/jacqueline-chaidez

11/14/2025

Improved well-being is found in the small choices you make each and every day. Prioritizing sleep, spending time outdoors, connecting with others, honoring yourself and your needs, moving your body - it all adds up to make a big difference in your quality of life. Interested in adding therapy to the mix? Our compassionate professionals come from diverse backgrounds and specialties, offering a wide range of therapeutic approaches to support each person's unique journey. Give us a call or send us a message at www.paderatherapy.com to connect.

11/13/2025

During November we honor Native American Heritage Month, and the important work of Indigenous mental health providers like Savanha Rawls, LCPC. Lack of representation, cultural differences and this country's history can cause many Native Americans to be very hesitant to seek out therapy. Providers like Savanha can help bridge that gap. She shares, "Traditional therapy is more Westernized, which can be off-putting to many. To create a safe therapeutic space, it is essential to understand the hesitancy some individuals may have in engaging with Western medicine. Incorporating traditional healing practices can be helpful - IF the client expresses interest in and is comfortable with this approach."

We are honored to have Savanha on our team at Padera Therapy. Learn a little more about her here and call us if you'd like to connect!
https://paderatherapy.com/savanha-rawls-med-lpc-emdr

11/07/2025

"You live most of your life in your head, so make sure it's in a good space." - Carl Haissan

Feel like your head could be a little bit nicer place to be? Therapy can help. We have immediate openings with Sarah Guarini, Diamari Velez and Nadeen Elkhatib - three therapists each with their own unique specialities and areas of expertise! Sarah (and therapy dog Ralph) have daytime and evening openings, Diamari has daytime openings and Nadeen has daytime and evening openings - and works with kids as young as 5!

Check out our entire team https://paderatherapy.com/our-team. Contact us to set up your first appointment OR a free 15-minute consultation to make sure it's the right fit for you!