SamaraCare

10/14/2026

What if Happiness Isn't the Goal?

We often think of happiness as a feeling, but it can be something deeper: a sense of well-being, connection, and satisfaction with our lives.

Still, no feeling lasts. Even a fulfilling life includes sadness, frustration, grief, and uncertainty. When we expect to be happy all the time, difficult emotions start to look like evidence that something is wrong.

Perhaps the goal, then, isn't to pursue happiness, but to build a life in which happiness has a place to occur: a life grounded in meaning, growth, and acceptance, where we appreciate what is already here and enjoy small moments of pleasure without expecting them to last.

When life becomes difficult, a better question than "Why am I not happy?" might be "What really matters right now?" Returning to the people and values that matter most gives us direction when circumstances feel uncertain. Accepting hard emotions doesn't mean enduring them alone or indefinitely. Unhappiness that settles in for weeks, or that makes daily life feel unmanageable, deserves attention, and counseling can help.

A meaningful life may not always be a happy one. But it is a life in which we can recognize the good moments, experience them fully, and trust that happiness will find its way back.

10/13/2026

SamaraCare's In-Person Grief Group Begins October 27th

This Grief Group provides a safe and supportive environment for adults who have lost a spouse, friend, parent, partner, or other loved one.

The grief group helps:

• Facilitate acceptance and promote healing
• Normalize the impact of grief
• Provide a nonjudgmental space to share thoughts, process emotions,
and receive support

The program is offered in an 8-week session.

Area congregations are sponsoring the program, making it available at no cost. An experienced SamaraCare facilitator will lead the group. Participants from various spiritual orientations are welcome. Please register as soon as possible as space is limited.

The session will meet in person every Tuesday from 6pm-7:30pm beginning October 27th through December 15th at St. James Lutheran Church, 1380 N. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest, IL

For questions or to register, contact
Chaplain Kimberly Schliesmann, MASp at 847-446-6955, ext 417. or [email protected].

Sponsors: Church of the Holy Spirit Lake Forest, First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest, & St. James Lutheran Church

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10/07/2026

Is your child or teen struggling socially, emotionally or with a difficult life transition and needs help from an experienced therapist? Are you struggling with anxiety or stressors and having difficulty coping?

Maddie McGarrah, Registered Play Therapist™, Masters Level Clinician, is accepting new clients at SamaraCare!

With 8 years of experience helping children, teens, and families, Maddie provides a warm, empathetic space tailored to each client's unique needs. She uses play therapy, a developmentally appropriate approach, to help younger children work through challenges in a way that feels natural to them.

Maddie offers:

✅ In-person sessions at our Winnetka & Evanston offices, or telehealth
✅ Weekday & evening appointment times
✅ Accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO & Aetna PPO

Call (630) 357-2456 or email [email protected] to schedule an appointment.

09/29/2026

SamaraCare Welcomes our New Director of Development & Advancement Sotero Barraza

SamaraCare is excited to have Sotero Barraza Jr. join our leadership team as Director of Development & Advancement, bringing a proven track record in nonprofit development, donor engagement, community outreach, and event leadership.

Most recently, Sotero served as Stewardship and Special Events Manager at Christ the King Jesuit College Prep, where he led standout fundraising events, deepened donor relationships, and drove key advancement initiatives. Before that, he held leadership roles in advancement and community outreach at Saint Joseph Services, building strong partnerships and programs that expanded engagement and impact across the community.

"We are thrilled to welcome Sotero to our leadership team," said Rev. Dr. Michael Bradburn, SamaraCare CEO & President. "His relationship-centered approach, commitment to community engagement, and passion for mission-driven work will be invaluable as we continue expanding affordable access to mental health care."

Sotero holds a bachelor's degree in Corporate Communications and Spanish from Dominican University and recently earned his MBA. Active in community organizations, he brings both heart and strategy to building the kind of partnerships that make a lasting difference.

As Sotero begins his new role, he looks forward to connecting with members of the SamaraCare community. Whether you are a longtime supporter, community partner, or simply interested in learning more about our mission, he welcomes the opportunity to connect and hear from you.

Join us in giving Sotero a warm welcome to the SamaraCare team!

09/17/2026

Choosing Values Over Validation

Caring what others think is a natural part of being human —healthy relationships require listening, learning, and considering how we affect those around us. This awareness helps us grow and navigate life with empathy. The challenge begins when others' opinions become the measure of our worth.

When self-esteem depends too heavily on external approval, we second-guess ourselves, hide who we are, and worry about how we are perceived. Living for acceptance rather than authenticity quietly erodes confidence and fuels anxiety.

The goal isn't to stop caring what others think—it's to care wisely. Before accepting someone's judgment, ask: Is this accurate, helpful, and coming from someone whose perspective I value? If not, it may say more about them than about you.

Not every opinion deserves equal weight, and not every reaction means we need to change. When receiving feedback, ask whether it offers real insight for growth—or just fuels unnecessary self-criticism.

This balance builds resilience: staying open to growth while keeping a stable sense of self. The less we depend on external approval, the more grounded and at peace with our decisions we become. Let your values—not others' opinions—be the compass that guides your life.

This week, reflect: Am I making this choice because it aligns with my values, or because I'm afraid of what someone else might think? The answer may point toward greater confidence, well-being, and authenticity.

09/16/2026

SamaraCare Welcomes Maddie McGarrah!

We’re pleased to welcome Maddie McGarrah, Masters Level Clinician and Registered Play Therapist™, to SamaraCare!

Maddie has more than eight years of experience working with children, adolescents, and young adults. She provides care for clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, behavioral concerns, self-esteem challenges, and difficulties developing effective coping skills.

Her client-centered, holistic approach considers the different facets of each client’s life while providing a safe and empathetic environment. As a Registered Play Therapist™, Maddie has experience in helping young children express themselves through play, meeting them in a language that feels natural and accessible. Maddie earned both a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Education in Professional Counseling from the University of Georgia.

She offers:
- in-person counseling in Evanston and Winnetka
- telehealth appointments, and
- accepts Aetna PPO and BCBS PPO insurance.

We’re excited to have Maddie join our team and look forward to the experience, compassion, and supportive care she brings to her clients and community.

09/10/2026

Last night, Lolan Adan, LCPC represented SamaraCare at the Speaking Grief event at Naperville's 95th Street Library. We were honored to support this meaningful evening of reflection, education, and community conversation by connecting with attendees and providing refreshments. 💙

Thank you to everyone who joined this important discussion on grief, healing, and supporting one another.

09/10/2026

Finding Meaning When Answers Fall Short

Faith doesn’t necessarily make life easier. For many people, it makes difficult things more possible to carry. Belief can offer a framework for living with uncertainty, loss, and adversity when there are no easy explanations—and a sense of perspective when circumstances threaten to overwhelm us. Belief in something larger than oneself can provide perspective when circumstances feel overwhelming, offering a sense of meaning and hope when easy answers are unavailable.

Prayer, meditation, worship, and connection with a faith community can do more than provide comfort. They can interrupt isolation, deepen a sense of belonging, and cultivate gratitude, forgiveness, compassion, and perseverance. In that sense, spiritual life can shape not only what we believe, but how we relate to ourselves and to others.

But faith is not synonymous with mental well-being, nor is it necessary for a meaningful life. People find purpose and resilience in many places. The more important question may be whether what we believe—and the relationships and practices surrounding those beliefs—helps us remain connected, grounded, and able to face what life asks of us.

For those who draw meaning from faith, counseling can create space to explore how spirituality intersects with emotional health, relationships, and personal values. Because sometimes the goal isn’t to find an answer to every difficult question. It is to discover what gives us the strength to keep asking them.

09/10/2026

The Gift of No: Making Space for What Really Matters

Many of us are taught to be helpful, dependable, and available to others. While these qualities are valuable, we can sometimes forget that it is okay to say “no” — even when we are not overwhelmed.

Sometimes we say “yes” because we genuinely want to. Other times, we say yes to avoid disappointing others, prevent conflict, seek approval, or keep ourselves busy so we do not have to face what we may truly need.

Saying no is a way of honoring our personal values, protecting our time, and making intentional choices about how we spend our energy. We do not need to be exhausted, stressed, or at our limit to set a boundary. Our needs and priorities matter simply because they are our own.

Healthy boundaries allow us to show up more fully in the areas of life that are most meaningful. When we say yes for the wrong reason, we may create frustration or resentment over time. Saying no with kindness and confidence can lead to more authentic relationships and a greater sense of balance.

At SamaraCare, we understand that caring for your mental health includes learning skills that support emotional well-being. Sometimes, saying no is an important step toward saying yes to yourself.

09/10/2026

Introducing Vannesa Myers!

Vannesa Myers, Postdoctoral Clinical Psychology Resident, PsyD
We’re pleased to welcome Vannesa Myers, PsyD, Postdoctoral Clinical Psychology Fellow, to SamaraCare!

Vannesa brings a strong background in working with children, adolescents, young adults, and families, along with experience providing individual and group therapy, family support, crisis intervention, and psychological assessment. Her clinical training includes work with eating disorders, trauma, autism and social-emotional development, and a range of mental health concerns.

Vannesa recently completed her doctoral training in School Psychology at The Chicago School. She fosters self-awareness, emotional insight, and present-focused connection in a safe, genuine, and nonjudgmental environment, helping clients better understand themselves, strengthen relationships, and grow personally.

We’re excited to have Vannesa join our team and look forward to the experience, perspective, and compassion she will bring to our clients and community.

Please join us in welcoming Vannesa to SamaraCare!

To learn more about Vannesa, or to schedule an appointment, click here: https://samaracarecounseling.org/counselor/vannesa-myers/