About

Kelsey Perkins, MSW, LCSW

As a therapist, I strive to meet my clients where they are at in the treatment process in order to increase their self-awareness. As a result, this helps me understand their thoughts and feelings in relation to the problems at hand. I realize that my clients are the experts in their own life experiences, therefore, I utilize an individualistic approach in working alongside them in efforts to restore emotional balance.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, an Illinois and Missouri Supreme Court Approved Mediator, a Certified First Responder Counselor and an EMDR Trained Therapist. My clinical background consists of expertise in anxiety, depression, trauma/PTSD, stress management, coparenting, codependency and divorce. I work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families.

I look forward to working with each new client I meet in hopes to be a source of support in their time of struggle. I offer evening availability, as well as Saturday appointments to best accommodate your schedule.

Joe Graham, MSW, LCSW

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with fifteen years of clinical experience. I completed my undergraduate degree in Social Work from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and my Master’s degree in Social Work, with an emphasis in Family Systems Theory, at Saint Louis University. 

I began my career working for a nonprofit organization providing services to inner city youth and families. After obtaining my clinical license to practice independently, I moved to northern Minnesota to provide mental health services to incarcerated individuals. I provided these services for five years in three different prisons. Shortly after, I applied for and was accepted into the National Health Service Corps, a federal program that places therapists in healthcare shortage areas, leading me to rural Arkansas. I spent five years in Arkansas providing counseling services for a variety of populations, including children, adolescents, adults, the elderly and families. Throughout my clinical experience, I have been able to gain significant knowledge in working with a variety of client populations and mental health issues.  After completing my contractual obligation with the National Health Service Corps, I returned to the Metro-East area to be closer to family and to provide mental health services in the region in which I am from.

I have a desire to continue to work with individuals, couples, and families in the outpatient counseling setting. I specialize in Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Crisis Intervention, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the following treatment areas: Depression, Bipolar Disorder, grief, behavioral issues, self-esteem, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and trauma. I also enjoy connecting clients with community resources in order to meet their needs. I offer evening and weekend appointments to accommodate your scheduling needs. I look forward to meeting and working with you!

Justin Piper, MA, LCPC

In my 15 years of working in the helping profession, I have found that building a strong relationship is essential to the healing process. Upon graduating from SIUE in 2001, I began my career working in residential care for individuals with Autism. It was during this time that I learned the value of compassion and understanding, and I carry that into my current work as a mental health clinician. I believe that it is important for me to know your story and your goals for therapy. Counseling is a collaboration between you and me. You are the expert on yourself, and I am your guide through the process. Success comes from both of us working together.

Since graduating from SIUC with my master's degree in counseling, I have been working as a mental health clinician in Madison County, Illinois. I am a licensed clinical professional counselor in the state of Illinois.

As a clinician, I work with clients on depression, anxiety, ADHD, anger management, grief, separation, parenting skills, communication, and family conflict. My experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families provides me with the flexibility to meet the needs of my clients. While my background has a focus on family systems counseling (understanding how relationship patterns impact our behaviors), I also utilize other clinical theories including: CBT (changing intrusive thought patterns and behaviors to impact mood), Solution Focused (breaking a goal down into smaller realistic steps), Person-Centered (unconditional positive regard and client empowerment), Interpersonal Process (utilizing the client/counseling relationship to provide meaningful feedback on behavioral patterns), and Behavioral theory (modifying actions/choices through reinforcement of desired outcomes).

It takes a courageous person to ask for help. I look forward to learning your story and supporting you in the process of achieving the goals that you have set out for yourself. I am available to meet during morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend hours. Let me know what I can do to help you reach the next exciting chapter of your life.

Sara Stratton, MA, LCPC

Your story is as unique as you are, and there is no one-size fits all approach to therapy. For that reason, I believe it is important to build a strong therapeutic relationship where you feel comfortable sharing your story with me. In doing so, we can work together to develop strategies that will allow you to address the root causes of your difficulties, manage strong negative emotions, and build meaningful social connections with others.

Drawn to the helping profession, I graduated from McKendree University in 2015 with my Masters of Arts in Professional Counseling, and I have been a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Illinois since 2018. My clinical background consists of expertise in work with children, adolescents, adults, and families in an array of areas: anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, trauma, stress management, relationship issues and parenting. Additionally, I am an ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider.

I look forward to hearing your story and providing you support as you work towards your goals. I am available for both evening and weekend appointments.

Sarah Gibson, MSW, LCSW

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Therapist I aim to meet my clients where they are at in order to aid in the rapport building process, as well as to make clients feel comfortable as talking to someone new for therapy can be daunting. I work with clients to define goals to work on in counseling, and to work to reinforce strengths clients already have within themselves and foster new strengths to help clients achieve their goals. I believe that everyone has the tools and strengths to cope with their present situations, and sometimes we need someone to help us see them within ourselves.

I believe it is important for clients to get a sense of my style and approach as a therapist before we begin our journey together; so you can decide if you think I would be a good fit for your specific needs. My approach for therapy tends to be a Person Centered and Humanistic, and my style is direct in confronting barriers that are keeping clients from achieving goals. I also have experience with CBT, DBT, and am a EMDR trained therapist. I tailor clinical therapy approaches depending on the unique and specific needs of each individual. I have experience working with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem issues, LGBTQ issues, attachment/codependency, stress management, grief, and military/Veteran issues. I work with adults as well as teens.

Reaching out for help can be difficult, but it can be one of the first steps to putting yourself first and making changes in life you have been looking for. Change and vulnerability can be scary, but it’s within the changes and discomfort where true progress happens. If you’re struggling and are looking for a sounding board and someone to help you navigate the complexities of life, I would love to meet with you and work together to support you and to help strategize how you can live a more fulfilling life.

Stephanie Eddens, MS, LCPC

I am a highly motivated psychotherapist with over 30 years of dedicated practice in helping individuals overcome life’s challenges. My expertise extends towards educating and providing advocacy for both mental well-being and substance abuse clients. 

My compassionate and empathetic approach to therapy has touched the lives of many, offering a safe space for healing and personal growth. My commitment to mental well-being has made me a trusted guide for those seeking support on their journey to a healthier and more fulfilled life.

I utilize a personalized approach to therapy depending on the needs of the client. Modalities range from CBT, positive psychology, values-based, trauma work, and somatic psychology. I am certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), Certified EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and an Integrative Nutritional Health Care Provider.

Outside of the office, I enjoy kayaking, gardening, reading, being outdoors, being physically active and jazz music!