insights & resources

The Lake County Care Collective Blog

Articles, insights, and resources on mental health, holistic healthcare, and whole-person wellness — written by our providers serving Lake County, Illinois.

Blog Posts — Mental Health & Holistic Healthcare in Lake County, IL

Author
Topic
How Mold Toxicity and CIRS Led Me Back to Nutrition and Functional Medicine — holistic healthcare in Lake County, IL
Functional Nutrition
Shilpa Patel, MS, CNS, LDN, RDH5 min read

How Mold Toxicity and CIRS Led Me Back to Nutrition and Functional Medicine

Sometimes the path that changes your life begins with symptoms you can't explain. Shilpa Patel, Functional Nutritionist, shares her personal journey through mold toxicity and Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) — and how it reignited her passion for root-cause nutrition and functional medicine.

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Transforming Healthcare: A Shift Towards Holistic Care Models — holistic healthcare in Lake County, IL
Holistic Healthcare
Jennifer Martin Rieck, LCPC7 min read

Transforming Healthcare: A Shift Towards Holistic Care Models

Healthcare is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Patients are seeking integrated, whole-person care — and providers are demanding more autonomy and collaboration. Explore how new models are reshaping the future of care delivery.

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Jennifer Martin Rieck

Featured Founder

Jennifer Martin Rieck

Founder · Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Jennifer is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and founder of EpiJennetics Counseling & Consulting. With over twenty years in healthcare, she specializes in helping individuals overcome narcissistic and self-sacrificing relationship styles through Schema-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She is also a Senior Level Executive Contributor at Brainz Magazine.

April Wazny

Featured Founder

April Wazny

Founder · Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, MA, LCPC

April Wazny is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and founder of Winora's Hope Counseling, established in honor of her mother. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in trauma-informed care and intergenerational healing. April is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Psychology and is an Executive Contributor at Brainz Magazine.

When the Past Lives in the Present: Generational Trauma and Toxic Patterns from ChildhoodGenerational Trauma

January 27, 2026 · 4 min read

When the Past Lives in the Present: Generational Trauma and Toxic Patterns from Childhood

Many behaviors people struggle with in adulthood didn't start with them — they were learned, modeled, and survived in childhood, often across generations.

The Silent Damage: How Narcissistic Personality Disorder Impacts ChildrenNarcissism

January 5, 2026 · 4 min read

The Silent Damage: How Narcissistic Personality Disorder Impacts Children

When a parent has narcissistic traits, the family system frequently revolves around control and emotional imbalance — with lasting impacts on children.

Living in a Cancel Culture — When Families Are Divided by Politics, Media, and MiscommunicationFamily

November 18, 2025 · 5 min read

Living in a Cancel Culture — When Families Are Divided by Politics, Media, and Miscommunication

Family gatherings that once felt safe now feel like emotional minefields. April explores how cancel culture is reshaping family relationships.

When Love DividesDivorce

November 9, 2025 · 4 min read

When Love Divides

Divorce is one of the most emotionally complex experiences a family can navigate — especially for the children caught in the middle.

Broken Bonds, Redeemed HeartsEstrangement

October 26, 2025 · 5 min read

Broken Bonds, Redeemed Hearts

There is a particular kind of grief that doesn't come with a funeral — the grief of estrangement. April reflects on healing from broken family bonds.

A Therapist's Reflection on Healing from Parental TraumaParental Trauma

September 8, 2025 · 5 min read

A Therapist's Reflection on Healing from Parental Trauma

As a therapist, April has the privilege of sitting with people in some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives — hearing stories of profound pain and resilience.

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