Toni Thill, LCSW, CADC

You used to know who you were. Then life shifted, maybe a new baby, a new stage, a house that suddenly revolves around the kids, and lately you feel lost and unmotivated, unsure what you are even working toward. Maybe you and your spouse keep having the same frustrating conversation, or no real conversation at all.

I have a soft spot for new moms and dads. Parenthood rearranges everything, including the question of going back to work or staying home, and it is easy for every ounce of attention to go to the kids. Part of what we work on is how you, and your relationship, keep thriving through it.

My practice also includes couples working on communication and connection, college kids sorting out their next move, parents of young adults who have not quite launched yet, and adults in the middle of life transitions of all kinds.

Therapy with me starts with your goals, not mine. We build a plan you are comfortable with, then shape sessions around it: exploratory when you need room to think out loud, more structured when there is a plan to work through. I also ask how you learn best, and if books, podcasts, worksheets, or workbooks help ideas stick, I will send the right ones home with you.

Values work sits at the center of what I do. When you cannot tell what you want, or every option feels wrong, getting clear on what matters most shows you where your time and attention belong. I bring in cognitive behavioral therapy for reframing the negative thoughts that talk you out of things, and dialectical behavior therapy for a better grip on strong emotions. And I will explain the why behind a technique before we use it, because ideas work better once they make sense.

The research backs up what I have watched happen over and over: feeling truly heard, accepted, and understood predicts change better than any particular technique. The right tools in the toolbox matter, and a therapist you feel safe opening up to matters more. Hard seasons are easier with someone to share the good and the bad with while you work out what comes next. Watching someone get off autopilot and start choosing on purpose, their days, their direction, their relationship, is my favorite part of this job.

I do not take it lightly when someone trusts me with their inner thoughts. I will challenge you when it is useful, sit with you through the ups and downs, and celebrate your triumphs right along with you.

My own house is a busy one: four kids and my husband keep it that way. We take trips with friends and family whenever we can, and my happy places are comedy shows, movie nights, and a good board game.

Whether you are near our Wheaton office or anywhere else in Illinois, we can meet in person or by telehealth. You do not have to be certain to start. The next step is easy: a free 15-minute call with our care coordinator to hear about my availability and book your first session.