Anxiety Therapy for Kids, Teens and Adults Near Joliet, IL
From Joliet Central and Joliet West to JJC, St. Francis and that first job
Joliet is a big city with big schools, and anxiety can get lost in the crowd. Our New Lenox therapists help Joliet kids, teens and adults slow the worry down and feel like themselves again.
- Anxiety therapy for kids, teens, college students and adults
- A quick trip east on US-30 to our New Lenox office
- Telehealth for busy weeks, anywhere in Illinois
- In-network with Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare and UMR
- No waiting list, and we reply within 24 hours
Life in Joliet
Big Schools, Busy Lives and a Lot to Carry
Joliet is the third-largest city in Illinois, and its schools are big places. Joliet Township High School District 204 runs Joliet Central and Joliet West, and thousands of younger students come up through Joliet Public Schools District 86. In a crowd that size, a quiet, anxious teen can slip by without anyone noticing.
Anxiety rarely announces itself. It can look like a teen who stops eating lunch in the cafeteria, a junior who can’t fall asleep before a test, or a college freshman who keeps saying “I’m fine” while quietly dropping a class. These signs are worth taking seriously, and they respond well to the right kind of help.
Davis-Smith Mental Health is a small counseling practice in New Lenox, a quick trip east of Joliet on US-30. We help teens and young adults understand what is driving the worry and build skills they can use at school, at work and at home.
There is no waiting list. Reach out today and we will get back to you within 24 hours.
Who we help in Joliet
Support for Every Stage, From Freshman Year to First Apartment
Anxiety changes shape as people grow up. Here is how we help at each stage.
High School Students
For teens at Joliet Central, Joliet West and other schools who are dealing with constant worry, panic, social stress or a growing dread of school.
College Students
For students at Joliet Junior College, the University of St. Francis and schools farther away who feel buried by classes, money or the question of what comes next.
Working Young Adults
For young adults balancing jobs, family and big decisions who feel stuck, burned out or always on edge.
Parents and Other Adults
For moms, dads and other adults carrying anxiety, trauma or stress of their own. Several of our therapists see adults, too.
The college years
When the Jump to College Feels Bigger Than Expected
Joliet Junior College was the first public community college in the United States, and the University of St. Francis sits right in town, so plenty of Joliet students start college close to home. Living at home doesn’t always make the change easier, though. Here is what we often help young adults work through.
Living Between Two Worlds
Students who live at home can feel caught between who they were in high school and who they are becoming. Therapy gives them a calm place to sort that out without anyone taking sides.
Classes, Shifts and Not Enough Sleep
A full course load plus a part-time job leaves little room to rest. When sleep is the first thing to go, anxiety usually gets louder. We help students build a routine they can actually keep.
A First Bad Grade
Some students sailed through high school and hit a wall in college. One rough grade can set off a spiral of overthinking. We work on the thoughts behind that spiral using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other proven tools.
Deciding What Comes Next
Transferring, picking a major or starting a career brings real pressure. Our therapists help young adults make those calls from a steadier place. Read more about anxiety in college students.
Who you’ll work with
Therapists Who Get Teens and Young Adults
Every therapist on our team works with anxiety. These four are a great fit for many Joliet teens and young adults, and we will help you choose.
Sidra Shoaib, LPC
Works with kids and teens ages 5 to 17 on anxiety, school stress and big feelings, and she is open to working with adults too. She also speaks Urdu.
In-network: Aetna, BCBS and Cigna
Danielle Moon, LSW
Helps kids 10 and up, teens and adults heal from trauma, anxiety and depression. She has a special passion for kids in foster care and kids who have been adopted.
In-network: Aetna, BCBS and Cigna
Alexandra Morgan, LCPC
Works with teens and young adults on anxiety, stress and harsh self-talk. Her sessions are relaxed, down-to-earth and sometimes funny.
In-network: Aetna, BCBS and Cigna
Michelle Verheyen, LCPC
Uses EMDR, ACT, DBT and CBT with teens, young adults and adults. Sessions might be talk therapy, a game, a craft or a walk outdoors.
In-network: Aetna, BCBS and Cigna
For Joliet parents
When Your Teen Won’t Talk to You, They Might Talk to Us
It hurts to watch your teen pull away. Many teens find it easier to open up to someone outside the family, and that is not a sign you have done anything wrong.
Once a teen turns 12, what they share in therapy stays private, with a few safety exceptions your therapist explains at the first session. We encourage teens to fill you in themselves, and we can still give you a general sense of how things are going when you ask.
If your teen is not ready to come in, start with our guide on how to get your teen to go to therapy, or call us and talk it through.
The basics
Your First Visit at a Glance
| Where | 100 Batson Court, Suite 206, New Lenox, with a parking lot right outside the building. See our office. |
| When | Morning, afternoon and evening times, by appointment |
| First appointment | An initial assessment of about an hour, where your therapist gets to know you and your goals |
| Insurance | In-network with Aetna PPO, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Cigna and Evernorth, UnitedHealthcare and UMR. We check your benefits before your first visit. |
| Self-pay | $200 for the initial assessment and $150 for each 50 to 55 minute session after that |
| Getting started | Fill out our form or call (815) 409-5940. There is no waiting list, and we reply within 24 hours. |
Prefer to stay home? Telehealth works anywhere in Illinois. We also see families from nearby Lockport and Manhattan.
New Client
How getting started works
It can be overwhelming coming to counseling. Here’s every step, from your first call to the sessions that follow.
Step 1
Reach out
Request a session online or call (815) 409-5940 to schedule your first appointment.
Step 2
Fill out your intake forms
Your welcome email has everything. Finish the forms at least 48 hours before your appointment, on a phone, tablet or computer, and share your preferred times and therapist.
Step 3
We check your benefits
If you’re using insurance, we check your benefits before confirming your appointment, so there are no surprises.
Step 4
Your first session
Check in on the iPad in our waiting room. Your therapist walks you through confidentiality, answers your questions, and gets to know you and your goals.
Step 5
Plan next steps together
Most people start with weekly sessions, at least three to build a connection, then adjust together as things improve.
Counseling for every age
Counseling for Kids, Teens and Adults Near Joliet
Looking for counseling near Joliet for your child, your teen or yourself? Our licensed counselors see clients from Joliet at our New Lenox office and by telehealth anywhere in Illinois. Every counselor on our team specializes in anxiety, and we also help with depression, trauma, self-esteem and big life changes.
Child Counseling
For kids 5 and up who are dealing with worry, big feelings, school stress or separation anxiety. Sessions are built for kids, with simple tools they can use at home, and parents stay in the loop.
Teen Counseling
For teens stuck in anxiety, overthinking, school pressure or low self-esteem. Your teen gets a space that’s their own and real skills to use at school and at home.
Adult Counseling
For young adults and adults dealing with anxiety, stress, burnout, depression or a big life change. Meet in person in New Lenox or online, with early and evening times available.
Joliet questions
Questions From Joliet Families
Start Counseling Near Joliet
Tell us who the counseling is for and what has been going on. We will match you with a therapist and reach out within 24 hours.
What People Are Saying About Us
5.0 Based on 5 Google reviews
“Davis-Smith Mental Health truly cares about their clients. The therapists are compassionate, skilled, and genuinely committed to helping you grow and heal. It’s clear that Jessica has built a team that shares her values and dedication. Highly recommend to anyone looking for meaningful support and real results.”
Kasia Budyn · Posted on Google
“Jessica provides a safe and welcoming environment for all the teens she sees. She tailors treatment to each teen and is incredibly patient and open to their needs. I have seen first hand the work she does and the connection she has with kids. I cannot recommend her enough as someone who will care for your teen and your family!”
Google User · Posted on Google
“Davis-Smith Mental Health is a trusted resource for providing compassionate, high-quality therapy for teens and emerging adults. I know confidently that clients are supported with empathy, professionalism, and respect. Jessica leads her team with integrity and intention. She clearly prioritizes the well-being of her staff, which allows them to show up fully for the clients they serve. Their commitment to the healing journey is evident in every interaction. I’m grateful to have them as a referral partner and deeply value their work in the mental health community.”
Sherri Wick · Posted on Google
“Jessica is a dedicated therapist and absolutely loves working with teens. You are able to feel the love from the moment you walk through the door. She and her staff will provide a safe and private environment for that one on one attention you deserve.”
Melanie K. Hall · Posted on Google
“Jessica and her team are so passionate and helpful! I would recommend this practice to anyone looking!”
Biljana Krzywinski · Posted on Google
Learn More About Young Adult Anxiety
Anxiety in College Students: Critical Signs and When to Act
Updated October 10, 2026
Anxiety in college students rarely looks the way most people expect. Your college student seemed fine in high school. Maybe a little stressed before exams, a…
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Updated October 10, 2026
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Young Adult Isolation: Real Steps Toward Hope and Purpose
Updated October 10, 2026
Young adult isolation can sneak up on you. This stage of life is full of twists, turns, and unexpected detours, and for many people in their…
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You don’t have to figure this out alone
If something told you to keep reading this far, trust that feeling. Whether it’s for yourself, your teen, or your young adult, the hardest part is deciding to start. We are here when you are ready.
there is courage in change ♥
- Anxiety specialists for children, teens, and adults
- Rated 5.0 on Google
- In-network with Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare and UMR
- Telehealth anywhere in Illinois
- In-person in New Lenox
- EMDR therapy for anxiety and trauma
- We truly care about every client
- There is courage in change
