Accepting new patients in Ottawa and Mendota by appointment only. Call: (815) 993-1614
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Ottawa & Mendota, IL

Change Is Possible

Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or just feeling stuck - you don't have to carry it alone. Our licensed therapists are here to help you write a different story.

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4.3 stars on Google
HIPAA Compliant
100+ Years Combined Experience

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, or experiencing intense or persistent thoughts of suicide or homicide, especially with a plan or intent to act:

Call 988 Now

Or go to your nearest emergency room. Help is available 24/7.

Why We're Here

Whatever You're Facing, You Can Get Through It

For over 15 years, Illinois Valley Counseling Services has helped people in the Illinois Valley find their way through life's hardest moments. Our team brings more than 100 years of combined experience to every session. You don't have to have it all figured out. You just have to take the first step - and we'll walk the rest with you.

You're Not Alone

Anxiety, depression, grief, relationship struggles - millions of people face exactly what you're facing. Feeling this way doesn't make you broken.

Help That Works

Our therapists use proven, evidence-based approaches - CBT, DBT, trauma-focused therapy, and more - tailored to your unique needs and goals. Explore all therapy types →

Recovery Is Real

We've watched thousands of clients go from "I can't do this" to "I did it." Lasting change doesn't happen overnight - but it happens.

15+
Years Serving the Valley
7
Licensed Therapists
100+
Years Combined Experience
4.3
Star Rating
What We Offer

Therapy for Every Season of Life

Individual, couples, family, child, and adolescent counseling - in person in Ottawa or Mendota, with most major insurance accepted.

Individual Therapy

One-on-one counseling for anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, addiction, and life transitions. A safe, confidential space that's entirely yours.

Couples Counseling

Rebuild trust, improve communication, and reconnect with your partner. For married couples, partners, and anyone trying to make it work.

Family Therapy

Help your family communicate, heal, and move forward together. For parents and kids, blended families, and everyone in between.

Child & Adolescent Counseling

Specialized counseling for children, teens, and adolescents. Helping young people navigate anxiety, behavior challenges, school stress, social pressures, and family conflict.

Trauma & PTSD

Evidence-based trauma treatment, including Prolonged Exposure and Cognitive Processing Therapy, to help you heal from what you've been through.

Tele-Therapy (Video)

Meet with your therapist securely from home via video. Same licensed care, face to face, without the drive.

Grief & Loss Counseling

Compassionate support through loss, whether recent or long ago. Find a way to carry it and keep living.

Veterans & Military Support

Specialized support for the men and women who served, including trauma-informed care for PTSD.

Older Adult Counseling

Support for life transitions, grief, depression, dementia-related challenges, and family caregivers.

Stress Management

Practical tools to manage stress before it manages you. Mindfulness, coping skills, and sustainable habits.

Substance Use & Recovery

Compassionate, judgment-free support for alcohol and substance use. Meet people where they are, and build a path forward.

Types of Therapy We Offer

Evidence-Based Approaches

Read our guide → , a plain-English breakdown of how each type of therapy works and who it helps.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Identify and reshape unhelpful thought patterns to change how you feel and act.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Build skills in mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and relationships.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Accept what's out of your control and commit to actions that enrich your life.

Play Therapy

Using play to help children express feelings, process experiences, and develop coping skills.

Family Systems Therapy

Understanding individual challenges in the context of family relationships and dynamics.

Solution-Focused Therapy

Focus on your strengths and what's possible rather than dwelling on problems.

Trauma-Focused Therapy

Evidence-based approaches including Prolonged Exposure and CPT for PTSD and trauma recovery.

Interpersonal Psychotherapy

Improve your relationships and social functioning to relieve psychological symptoms.

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing - a structured therapy for processing trauma and distressing memories.

Our Team

Meet Your Therapists

Licensed, experienced, and genuinely invested in your wellbeing. Serving Ottawa, Mendota and the surrounding area.

Shawn Slagle

Shawn Slagle

LCSW, ACSW, QCSW
Owner · Licensed Clinical Social Worker · Ottawa

Many years of experience working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Also serves veterans through the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Anxiety Depression Trauma / PTSD Adolescents Couples Families
Laura Kula

Laura Kula

LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker · Ottawa

Over 15 years of experience providing outpatient therapy to clients of all ages. Specializes in anxiety, depression, mood disorders, stress, self-esteem, PTSD and bipolar disorder. Trained in DBT, CBT, and psychodynamic therapy.

Anxiety Depression Mood Disorders DBT CBT PTSD
Kara Redshaw

Kara Redshaw

LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker · Ottawa

Experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families. Former hospice social worker with extensive experience in grief and loss. Uses a variety of evidence-based approaches.

Children Adolescents Play Therapy EMDR Grief & Loss Families
Teresa MacDavitt

Teresa MacDavitt

LCPC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor · Ottawa

Former school counselor with 15 years in the public school system. Experienced serving youth and families facing conflict, depression, anxiety, panic, mood issues, grief, bipolar, ADHD and self-harm.

Youth ADHD Anxiety Grief Families
Dawn McCollom

Dawn McCollom

LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker · Mendota

Over a decade of counseling experience, including 6 years in private practice. Trained in CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Family Systems Theory, and Solution-Focused Therapy.

CBT Motivational Interviewing Family Systems Solution-Focused Tele-Therapy
Josie Klass

Josie Klass

LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker · Mendota

Many years of experience in mental health care, including bereavement services, depression counseling, and supporting individuals with dementia and their families.

Grief Depression Dementia Support Older Adults
Vaughn Klaassen

Vaughn Klaassen

LCPC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor · Ottawa

Licensed for over 25 years, treating inpatient and outpatient clients. Experienced with depression, anxiety, panic, PTSD, OCD, bipolar, and thought disorders. Works with adolescents and adults using CBT and related approaches.

Depression Anxiety PTSD OCD Bipolar Adolescents
Cindy Slagle

Cindy Slagle

Co-Owner
Operations and Management

Cindy manages daily operations and makes sure every new patient gets taken care of.

New Patients

We have additional therapists on staff. Your call back will be matched with the best available provider for your needs.

Real Reviews

What Our Clients Say

Unedited reviews from Google and across the web.

★★★★★

Helpful, compassionate and caring - I feel like my counselor truly cares about me and has done a great job of actually getting to know me versus providing me with the prefabricated responses I have received in the past. I highly recommend them.

Ashley
G Google Review
★★★★★

My counselor is the best. Been with her awhile now. Honest with me, very open and caring.

Bobbi V.
G Google Review
4.3 ★ Based on Google reviews. See all reviews on Google
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions we hear most. Don't see yours? Call us at (815) 993-1614 - we're happy to help.

No. You do not need a referral from a doctor to schedule counseling with Illinois Valley Counseling Services. You can call us directly and request an appointment.
Yes. We accept most major insurance plans including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Coventry, Health Alliance, Humana, Magellan, Medicare, Tricare/MHN, Multiplan/PHCS, Optum/UBH, and Value Options, plus many EAP (Employee Assistance Program) plans. Ask when we call you back and we'll verify your benefits before your first visit - at no charge.
Session fees depend on your insurance plan and the type of session. We verify your benefits before your first visit so there are no surprise bills.
In most cases we can see new clients within a week, and we offer appointments from 8 AM to 8 PM including evenings. Call us at (815) 993-1614 or request a call back and we'll find a time that works for you.
Yes. We offer appointment times from 8 AM to 8 PM, including evening appointments, to fit busy schedules. Our phone lines are open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Your first session is a chance for us to get to know you and for you to get to know your therapist. We'll talk about what brought you in, your history, and what you hope to change. It's a safe, confidential, no-judgment space.
Yes. We offer secure video tele-therapy so you can receive the same quality care from the comfort of your home, without the commute.
Our therapists work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. We match you with the best available provider for your needs.
Yes. We provide compassionate, judgment-free counseling for alcohol and substance use, meeting people where they are and building a path forward. Reach out and we'll discuss how we can help.
We work hard to see new clients quickly. Call us at (815) 993-1614 or request a call back to check current availability - in most cases we can schedule you within the week.

Have a different question? Request a call back and we'll answer it personally.

From Our Resources

Resources for Your Journey

Practical, honest articles about therapy, mental health, and change - written for the Illinois Valley community.

Getting Started

How Do I Know If I Need Therapy? 10 Signs It's Time to Talk to Someone

Not sure if therapy is "for you"? Here are ten honest signs that it might be time to reach out - and why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.

5 min read
Read Article →
Getting Started

What to Expect in Your First Therapy Session

Nervous about your first appointment? Here's exactly what happens - from paperwork to the first conversation - so you can walk in feeling prepared.

6 min read
Read Article →
Mental Health

Therapy for Anxiety: How Counseling Helps You Take Control

Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people seek therapy. Learn how counseling actually works for anxiety - and what you can expect to change.

7 min read
Read Article →
Getting Started

Types of Therapy Explained: Which Approach Is Right for You?

Not sure what CBT, DBT, EMDR, or ACT actually mean? A plain-English guide to the types of therapy we offer , what they are, how they work, and who they help.

8 min read
Read Article →
Relationships

Couples Counseling: 7 Signs It Might Be Time to Go

Many couples wait years before seeking help. Here are seven signs that couples counseling could help your relationship - and why sooner is better.

6 min read
Read Article →
Visit Us

Two Locations in the Illinois Valley

Come see us in person at either of our offices. Both locations offer the same caring, confidential care.

Ottawa

747 E Etna Rd, Ottawa, IL 61350

Phone hours: Mon-Fri 9 AM - 5 PM
Appointment hours: Mon-Fri 8 AM - 8 PM
Saturday appointments: 8 AM - 2 PM
By appointment only

Mendota

901 Main St, Mendota, IL 61342

Phone hours: Mon-Fri 9 AM - 5 PM
Appointment hours: Tue-Thu 8 AM - 8 PM
By appointment only

Insurance

We Accept Most Major Insurance

Not sure if we take your plan? Ask when we call you back and we'll verify your benefits before your first visit - at no charge. No surprise bills.

Plus many EAP (Employee Assistance Program) plans. An EAP is a counseling benefit offered by many employers. List is subject to change and may vary by provider.

★★★★★
Helpful, compassionate and caring - I feel like my counselor truly cares about me and has done a great job of actually getting to know me versus providing me with the prefabricated responses I have received in the past.
Ashley · Google Review
Take the First Step

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