Mental Health & Family Support

Children with disabilities are a diverse group representing conditions and identities, including learning disabilities, behavioral diagnoses, and special health needs.
Research shows that half of children with diagnoses have mental health or behavioral conditions, including ADHD, depression or anxiety also. Their caregivers can also experience stress related to balancing care, careers and finances. Parenting is a stressful and challenging job. We are here to help.

Our licensed and clinical social workers provide therapy and guidance for children, parents, and families. We specialize in helping children with big emotions, social challenges, and family stressors through play-based and talk therapy approaches.

We are dedicated to helping children and families navigate challenges with compassion and expertise. Whether your child struggles with anxiety, sadness, tantrums, school challenges, or life changes, our team provides tools and family support. We further specialize in collaborative care for children with disabilities and often co-treat within a nutrition, occupational, physical, or speech-language therapy session.

We are experts in:

• Helping children understand their emotions and experiences
• Supporting children through school and social challenges
• Building coping skills for behaviors like aggression, fears, or tantrums
• Helping parents better understand and support their children
• Strengthening parent–child relationships
• Guiding families through stressful events and transitions

Services We Offer

Play Therapy
Therapy that uses play and imagination to connect, communicate, and build skills for managing emotions and behaviors. This includes making art, playing sports, games, reading books and other hobbies or interests. 

Individual Child Therapy
Talk and play therapy children understand feelings, build coping strategies, and manage behaviors like anxiety, sadness, aggression, and school challenges.

Family Support
Therapeutic support for caregivers, parents, and siblings to strengthen relationships, improve communication, and work through challenges together. 

Early Intervention
Specialized therapy to strengthen the bond between infants, toddlers, and parents, laying a foundation for healthy emotional development.

DIR® Floortime Therapy
A developmentally based approach supporting social, emotional, and cognitive growth by following the child’s interests and guiding them toward new skills.

Developmental Assessments
Evaluations of social-emotional growth, school readiness, and developmental milestones in infants, toddlers, and children.

Teletherapy
We offer secure video sessions so families can access therapy from home.

Consultation with Other Providers
We ensure a child is empowered in every aspect of their daily life. 

Focused Therapy programs include:

• First Friendships

Comprehensive Support for Siblings, Family Members and Through Medical Procedures

Our social workers are also involved in all of our specialized clinics to provide resources and support through a diagnosis or complex medical needs.

Additionally, if a child has a medical procedure scheduled that is creating worry, distress or discomfort, our team offers a four-session program to help ease this discomfort through exploration, play, art and self-expression.

*Families may benefit from a variety of service frequency and duration based on what they need.

Insurance Coverage:

Although mental health benefits vary, most medical insurance plans provide behavioral health coverage. Benefits will be verified prior to the start of services. Services also are available via private pay.

For more information and/or scheduling, please contact Intake Coordinator, Michele Tabachka at mtabachka@eastersealsdfvr.org or 630.282.2023.

Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley offers these services at our centers in Villa Park, Naperville, and Elgin. To get started or learn more, call us at 630.282.2022.