Counseling Services in North Aurora, Illinois

At the Braden Counseling Center serving North Aurora, Illinois we offer various programs, including those for substance abuse. We offer outpatient programs that are great for individuals who have completed an in-house rehabilitation program and are seeking aftercare. We also have individual, marriage and family counseling available.

The staff at Braden Counseling Centers cares about your needs. We meet you wherever you are in your life when you walk through the door or make that first phone call. With the help of our experienced counselors, you will develop new skills and perspectives to help manage your life better.

At Braden, the goal is to change your life.

Our North Aurora counselors are licensed by the State of Illinois to provide mental health services. To serve you better, Braden offers flexible scheduling that includes evenings and weekends.

We also offer a variety of evaluations that include same-day DUI evaluations and the necessary documents for Driver’s License Reinstatement, as well as counseling services that cover a wide variety of situations and needs.

Our Team also offers counseling services in St Charles, Batavia, West Chicago, Sycamore, Rochelle, Elgin, Bartlett, and Oregon Illinois.

DUI Counseling Services

If you have been arrested for a DUI, we can help you through the process of dealing with the consequences of a bad choice, as we provide all levels of DUI treatment at all our office locations, including North Aurora.

The State of Illinois requires a DUI evaluation be completed before a DUI case can be closed. Our counseling service centers will work with you and if needed can complete a DUI evaluation in one day if you have all the necessary documents required for completion.

DUI Risk Education Program

At our various centers, we offer the mandated Risk Education Program that is determined by your DUI evaluation. The evaluation determines what level of education/care you require to avoid finding yourself with another DUI.

There are four categories of recommended education/treatment that result from an evaluation and determine the number of hours you are required to complete.

Driver’s License Reinstatement Services

At Braden Counseling Center in North Aurora, our staff works with you, and with legal experts who understand what is required of you, to have your driving privileges reinstated. This can be a difficult process. We guide you through step-by-step.

We have the forms necessary to request a hearing and can help you with any questions you have about what is required to send with your request. Before your hearing, your treatment must be completed, and you should be finishing your continuing care if it was recommended.

If you were classified as substance-dependent, the Hearing Officer requires documents showing your support network and attesting to 12 months of sobriety. If you are denied, the process begins again.

Our team includes Certified Reciprocal Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CRADC) who specialize in DUI Evaluations, Secretary of State Hearing documents, and Substance Abuse Treatment. These counselors can help you navigate this often difficult, mysterious process so that you can legally drive again.

Braden Counseling Center has an outstanding reputation with the Illinois Secretary of State because we are knowledgeable about what is required of you, and work with you to have everything you need for your hearing.

Individual Counseling Services

At Braden, our philosophy is making “New Ways for Better Days” a reality and provide counseling services to individuals of all ages. If you are interested in individual counseling, the first step is an initial assessment that usually takes from 60 to 90 minutes.

During this session, a counselor takes time to discuss with you the challenges you are facing, as well as what goals you have in mind. Your counselor will also talk with you about your history, in terms of how it may be influencing your current situation, without you even knowing it.

Our counselors use cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing and a strength-based model to identify strengths and build resilience. If you are dealing with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic medical illness, grief/loss, adjustment disorders brought on by life changes, or other troubling problems, your counselor will work with you and help you to develop self-advocacy within the various systems that you must deal with, so that you can increase self-care and how to accept family/community support if you have not done so in the past.

You will work with your counselor to determine the skills you already have, which ones you need to learn or strengthen, and how to make the necessary adjustments along the way to meet your goals.

At Braden Center Counseling, the goal of individual counseling is to make you self-sufficient.

Couples/Marriage Counseling Services

Couples often consist of two individuals that have their own ways of functioning, their own belief systems, expectations, and communication patterns. Frequently in a couple, some of one partner’s characteristics may not fit well with the other’s.

At Braden Counseling Center, our couples counseling focuses on identifying strengths as well as vulnerabilities within the relationship. We work to help couples to build and practice new skills such as active listening, mindfulness, assertiveness training, building/rebuilding trust/intimacy as well as looking at attachment issues.

Sometimes within the context of marriage counseling, one or both individuals can benefit from working alone with a counselor to address personal issues. When this happens, it does not replace the couples’ therapy but rather augments it.

Understanding boundaries within a relationship is also key. Maintaining boundaries can facilitate forward movement within the relationship.

Sometimes one partner would like couples’ therapy but their partner refuses. If this is the case, come to counseling anyway. If you change, the relationship changes as well. No matter how things work out, those who work to take care of themselves become healthier in the process.

Family Counseling Services

A family is a collection of overlapping relationships, with each individual family member having their own unique characteristics. Often, family members face challenges that result from different views and ideas about how a family should function and what each family member’s role is within the unit. Difficulties can also be caused by a change in family dynamics due to a change in one family member or a change in a specific relationship within the family.

Whatever the cause, many families face challenges at one time or another. Our North Aurora family counselors are trained to help family members improve communication among one another. They also have other methods to help family members cope with challenges.

Regardless of the origin of the problem and regardless whether the family considers it an “individual” or “family” issue, our family counselors help families directly participate with one another to find solutions. Our family therapists are skilled at helping families to find their strengths and wisdom, which enables family members to support one another in identifying solutions.

Other Counseling Services We Provide

Braden Counseling Center has a number of different locations that can help provide people with the assistance they need. In addition to the programs that we listed above, we can also help with driver’s license reinstatement from a DUI, alcohol counseling services, and drug and alcohol evaluation.

Contact us today to help get the ball rolling toward recovery.

What Our Clients are Saying.....

I would rate as excellent the counselor with whom I've been working. She listens and offers very good suggestions for consideration and action.
Harry Leffler
Harry Leffler
01:18 11 Apr 24
My counselor Christine K. is very helpful, easy to talk to, makes me feel comfortable, gives great feedback!!!
stacie dishman
stacie dishman
16:30 20 Feb 24
Dwayne at Braden counseling goes above and beyond to help his clients. He is very professional and his priorities are all about his clients. I honestly, have to say that Dwayne is an amazing person, and I truly value our working relationships.
Todd Friedewald
Todd Friedewald
00:31 12 Feb 24
David was incredibly great. Most people would feel very closed out and possibly shy as a client. However, David made me feel very comfortable and was very helpful and detailed in conversation while being very professional. I left very satisfied and looking forward to his services!!! Thank you David keep being great !!!
Natalie Hernandez
Natalie Hernandez
13:44 06 Feb 24
Highly recommend!
Joseph Dolcimascolo
Joseph Dolcimascolo
02:12 31 Jan 24
Braden counseling is outstanding in the work they do Paul has changed my life and helped me so much in understand myself better and transforming me into a better person all around I recommend this center and Paul to anyone keep up the hard work and dedication!
Antonio Diaz
Antonio Diaz
02:14 24 Jan 24
I appreciate the open dialogue allowing attendees to share their thoughts, which enriches the learning experience, but also to have the focused guidance of a counselor to ensure the point of topic.
Joe Freehill
Joe Freehill
15:18 23 Jan 24
Dwayne is awesome and a pleasure to work with! I will request him every time! Thank you, Dwayne!
Jen Rupp
Jen Rupp
20:06 15 Dec 23
Dwayne Johnson is very professional and understanding.. Great counselor.. very satisfying
Eva Thompson
Eva Thompson
01:25 30 Nov 23
I called so many other counseling office first, either no one answer the call or no confirmed days for class, with Braden, right away, walk me through the process, fees and needed information, able to set up appointment next day to do the testing and schedule me the class right way. very helpful, not like some other place asked me to fill out so many medical forms although just 10 hours DUI Risk Education.I am really happy with them, they are also not charge as much as other company.
Lan Hankes
Lan Hankes
22:56 03 Oct 23
Everyone was very professional and kind!
Cody Neuschwanger
Cody Neuschwanger
16:49 18 Sep 23
Worked with Dwayne Thomas at the North Aurora location and couldn't be more satisfied with the respect and understanding he operated with. Really knows how to connect and convey the right message.
Bret Van Gampler
Bret Van Gampler
23:30 05 Sep 23
Very friendly and did a great job.
Matthew Quirk
Matthew Quirk
21:41 18 Aug 23
I see Amanda Cimaglia and she is by far the most compassionate, respecting and caring counselor I've had. With all the craziness I'm going through she really keeps me grounded. Always listens to me and never ever rushes me but gives me time for her positive feedback.I've always had trouble trusting someone with my issues because I'd find out that the counselor did not go according to her perfession but listen to others to get something out of me. I never had once had that once with Amanda Cimaglia and she let's me work through things I need to at my own pace. And for that I thank her 😊 . She has my mental health at her best interest. Wish there was more counselors out there like her so others can have a safe spot to speak without judgment like I do.From the very bottom of my heart, thank you Amanada Cimaglia and Braden Counseling for having her on board. I'm sure all your staff and team members are just as compassionate ❤️
Maggie Opiola
Maggie Opiola
19:52 26 Jun 23
David Jones is an outstanding counselor. I feel very fortunate to have him as our Lead on Saturday Morning group sessions.
John Boehm
John Boehm
06:31 24 May 23
Staff was amazing. Everything was explained and all questions answered.
Wanda Sutton
Wanda Sutton
23:21 21 Apr 23
understanding compassionate reflextive knowledged tool based
happy holiday
happy holiday
20:10 09 Dec 22
Braden Counseling is a clinic we frequently refer to because of the clinical quality and comprehensive services. All interactions we have had with Braden have been very positive and helpful; excellent coordination of care.
Maggie Miilano
Maggie Miilano
16:57 02 Dec 22
Braden counseling is very good at what they do. They do great things. I’ve been through there system more then once, I recommend them all day every day. Take your pick. I’d say choose one these guys. Very friendly, never mess up and very interactive. If you need anything they are there. I have met a lot of the staff and they all are true and gifted. Thank you Braden counseling for your great works!
Cody Bell
Cody Bell
23:02 21 Sep 22
Dr.Braden is an incredible, sweet and motivating leader! I’m so blessed to have found her center to successfully get me through 10 years of care. Everyone should know if I overcame my many obstacles they can too! Work hard and put up a fight!
Lisa Tegeler
Lisa Tegeler
00:19 29 Jul 22
As an attorney, finding the right treatment center for my clients is critical to their success. I have been referring my clients to Braden Counseling for years. They are always hard working, professional, and accomodating.
Brian Mirandola
Brian Mirandola
16:59 26 May 22
I love my therapist at Braden, I always feel listened to and I look forward to my visits. All of the staff I've interacted with has been super friendly and helpful, and the environment is very calming. Best therapy center I have been to.
Devon Buza
Devon Buza
15:25 25 Jun 21
Very professional and they were extremely nice, I'm happy with my choice of going threw Braden counseling center for my classes!
gage butts
gage butts
19:43 07 Feb 21
Amazing place
Ralph Burton
Ralph Burton
16:30 30 Jan 21
Braden Counseling’s staff is outstanding! The counselor conducted herself in a very friendly, courteous, and professional manner. I was treated with dignity and respect. I was put at ease and the evaluation went smoothly, and efficiently. I would definitely recommend Braden Counseling for all of your personal needs.😊
Gregory Link
Gregory Link
17:16 21 Jan 21
Excellent first visit with Dr. Braden.
Gary Duffett
Gary Duffett
21:18 19 Dec 20
My son liked his first visit and is open to going back again.
Veris Nicole
Veris Nicole
22:36 12 Oct 20
Very friendly and welcoming staff. Highly recommend
Jennifer Rosales
Jennifer Rosales
21:50 29 Jul 20
I could not be more satisfied with braden counseling with thier help. Very patient with clients in crisis and need of thier help.
randall nuckles
randall nuckles
15:12 09 Jul 20
I truly got the help I needed here and I appreciate all the staff member for making it a comfortable environment to feel free to talk about what's on your mind and making sure you get the proper help you need.
Majah’s Mayhem
Majah’s Mayhem
19:30 20 May 20
Love the staff .. came here for help and they definitely made a point to take care of all my paper work I needed .. would highly recommend them mostly Nikki shes a great help with anything .. always so cheerfull here 🙂
miguel tovar
miguel tovar
00:58 17 Dec 19
All staff very nice, respectful, caring, patientWould definitely recommend
Zack Newby
Zack Newby
01:23 18 Nov 19
One word....AMAZING !Very Comprehensive and Professional service. I would Highly Recommend to any one in need.
Joseph Perry
Joseph Perry
16:58 10 Jul 19
Dr. Jane Braden was absolutely wonderful and help me though my whole dui process, made it easy and help me understand.thank you some much DR. Branden for everything, your the best !!!😜
Sean Battersby
Sean Battersby
18:46 12 Mar 19
Friendly staff, very professional and results driven
Jeffrey Kerner
Jeffrey Kerner
13:53 01 Aug 17
Caring staff. Dr Braden was extremely compassionate and supportive during a difficult time. Recommend to anyone!
T Anderson
T Anderson
21:54 06 Apr 16
Braden Counseling center has the finest professionals around. I'd highly recommend their services should a need arise.
Ndisox
Ndisox
03:03 29 Mar 16
Braden Counseling is amazing! Very kind, very friendly staff. Treated me as though I'd been family. I'd recommend them to anyone!
Jessica jorgensen
Jessica jorgensen
22:34 24 Mar 16
They have amazing staff. They listen and help out so much I would recommend them to anyone .
Brad Jorgensen
Brad Jorgensen
22:33 24 Mar 16
The staff is very welcoming and friendly and professional when you walk through the door!! I had been dealing with some anxiety for some time.... I am so glad I went to Braden counseling my first visit there I felt a sense of being welcomed and actually listened to!! Needless to say when I walked out the door I felt a weight off my shoulders I haven't felt in sometime!! So thank you to your wonderful staff!! I would highly recommend Braden counseling to anyone who is looking for a great counselor to talk with and help with your mental health!!
Deborah Mccoy
Deborah Mccoy
19:00 24 Mar 16
I was an emotional wreck when I first went. I was nervous and probably not making a lot of sense. The staff seemed to understand and immediately put me at ease. By the time I left, life just didn’t seem so bad. Thank you Braden Center for being there.
Pam Pascolini
Pam Pascolini
15:57 24 Mar 16
The staff is friendly and courteous. I was amazed at how helpful they were. These people are top notch and very professional. I would highly recommend this office.
Tricia Hernandez
Tricia Hernandez
15:45 24 Mar 16
Braden Counseling Center has always been wonderful. Their front staff is very kind and helpful and Dr. Braden is nothing but professional during all encounters I have had with her. Their facility and staff care about providing quality services to their clients. I highly recommend them.
Amanda Poturalski
Amanda Poturalski
13:56 24 Mar 16
Would give this place more then 5 stars if I could. I Highly recommend them. Staff is amazing there and so helpful .
Master Shake
Master Shake
21:57 23 Mar 16
I highly recommend Braden Counseling. All the staff there is amazing and very sweet 🙂
Melissa Stathis
Melissa Stathis
21:48 23 Mar 16
Highly recommend this place. Very helpful and always courteous. Ms. Rogers is the best and has excellent skills with people to help them through a multitude of problems.
Sarah Schuyler
Sarah Schuyler
20:37 23 Mar 16
Amazing place! The counselors have helped me through some of my lowest points & the girl at the front desk, Cindy, is always super helpful, kind & courteous. Highly recommend!!!
Jennifer Alexander
Jennifer Alexander
19:54 23 Mar 16