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Gold Stars, Star Signs, & Starfish
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⭐️ What do gold stars, star signs, and starfish have in common? Mind Chicago! Keep reading to discover what’s written in the stars for 2025. ⭐️
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⭐️ VOTED FAVORITE BUSINESS FOR KIDS
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We are overwhelmingly grateful to have been voted ⭐️ Best of Ravenswood - Favorite Business for Kids ⭐️ by our clients, neighbors, and fellow local businesses! Dr. Lee Wells excitedly accepted the award on behalf of the whole team in December (Thank you, GRCC!). We love what we do and are wildly thankful to be able to support the kids and families in our community!!! Ravenswood is an incredible Chicago neighborhood, and we are proud to call it Mind Chicago’s home!
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💫 YOUR 2025 COSMIC PARENTING FORECAST
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Let’s start this year off with a little fun. Check out which DBT skills align with your zodiac sign to personalize your parenting journey in the year ahead. Whether you're grounded like a Taurus or adaptable like a Gemini, there's a DBT skill waiting for you. Aries (March 21 - April 19) DBT Skill: Mindfulness This year, Aries, you’ll need to take a mindful moment when your kid (or teen) throws their third tantrum of the day because “you don’t understand.” Mindfulness will help you get unstuck from the story your mind is telling you about the situation. Pause, take a few deep breaths, and remember that, yes, this is temporary—and no, your sanity is not in a crisis (yet). Taurus (April 20 - May 20) DBT Skill: Distress Tolerance Taurus, your little one’s endless demands for a specific bedtime story or your teen’s relentless reminders to pick them up “on time” will test your limits. Distress tolerance is your best friend this year. When you hit your threshold, stop, take a step back, observe the chaos, and proceed carefully - take a deep breath and enjoy the sweet, sweet chaos. Gemini (May 21 - June 20) DBT Skill: Interpersonal Effectiveness Gemini, communication is key this year—especially when explaining to your 5-year-old - for the 87th time - why they can’t hold the cat like that. Using your sharp interpersonal skills will help you stay cool, calm, and still manage to make them feel like they’ve been heard (and not just shut down).
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ONLINE OCD CAMP IS ALMOST HERE!
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The Online OCD Camp is a weekend full of interactive sessions, educational activities, and FUN for youth aged 6-17 who have OCD and/or their sibling(s). In addition to programming for elementary, middle, & high schoolers, OCD Camp also offers support for caregivers and families, including strategies and education about caring for a child with OCD and socialization with families with similar experiences. We’re excited to announce Dr. Lee Wells will host You’re A Starfish!, a session for elementary schoolers on Saturday, February 1st, 2025 at 2p CST/3p EST. See you there!
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WHAT IN THE WORLD IS ‘SPECIAL TIME’?
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As a parent, much of your parenting day involves giving directions or corrections. For kids—especially those with ADHD—most of theirs involves receiving them. All that direction, giving and receiving, can be stressful. Did you know there is a simple, effective way to improve behavior, decrease stress, and reconnect with your child (sans directions and corrections)? It’s called Special Time—a short, child-led play session backed by science. What is Special Time? Special Time is a 5–20 minute period where parents give undivided
attention to their child, letting them choose the activity while you follow
their lead. No distractions, instructions, or corrections—just presence and
positivity. This boosts a child’s confidence, emotional well-being, and trust
while strengthening the parent-child bond. Getting Started Communicate: Let your child know you want to spend time together daily. Two or more caregiver households can swap days and take turns. Let Them Lead: Avoid screens, errands, or competitive games. Instead, try activities like legos, crafts, or magna-tiles. Let them lead the play activity without your suggestions or ideas. Praise Positivity: Narrate your child’s actions aloud, focusing on the positive without giving advice or corrections.
Special Time isn’t for discipline, teaching, or multitasking—it’s a moment for connection. Hot tips: Put your phone in another room and ignore minor misbehaviors. Making It Work Even with a packed schedule (or - if you’re like us - complete and total exhaustion), you can incorporate Special Time with some planning: Prioritize: Treat it like one of your most important appointments, even if it’s just 5 minutes a day. Simplify Tasks: Streamline routines or swap responsibilities to create space. Be Flexible: Consistency matters more than sticking to a specific time.
Special Time helps you build a stronger, happier relationship with your child—one moment at a time. And it’s one of the most important ingredients in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy! Read the full article written by PCIT therapist, Courtney Chamerski, LCSW below!
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Mind Chicago is seeking two experienced clinicians with expertise in contextual behavioral therapies such as DBT, ERP, PCIT, and PMT to work with children aged 2-15 and their parents. Ideal candidates will be independently licensed in Illinois (LCPC, LCSW, PsyD, PhD) with at least three years of post-graduate experience, and possess a passion for working with children and parents. These full-time, hybrid positions offer competitive pay, benefits, and strong professional development support, including weekly supervision and consultation. Additional perks include flexible scheduling, paid time off, health insurance, and potential for paid speaking and writing opportunities.
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