Balanced 

Jennifer, an owner at Balanced LLC, has been a clinical social worker in the mental health field since 1995. She completed her MSW work at St. Louis University and specialized in mental health for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. Since then Jennifer has gained expertise in autistic spectrum disorders, parenting skills, legal advocacy, foster care, grief and loss, trauma, marital issues, weight loss, and anxiety disorders. She especially enjoys marital work but she has experience in working with individuals and families of all ages. Jenny has advanced training EMDR for trauma, Neurofeedback (BrainPaint)( temp unavailable due to COVID), and new benchmark brain testing for pre and post-intervention outcome measures(Cambridge Research Base). She has a special interest in Essential Oils and provides Christian services when appropriate for an individual or family. Currently seeing patients at Washington location only, and is not accepting new patients for the time being.

Please see Simple Practice patient portal for scheduling and billing. If you need assistance accessing your patient portal, please call our office at (309)444-2800.

Christina is a therapist at Balanced LLC in Washington, Illinois. Christina earned her Masters of Arts degree from Bradley University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 1995. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with more than 20 years clinical experience providing behavioral health services. Christina gained clinical experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families at Youth Farm, Inc., Children’s Home Association of Illinois, and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. She has provided individual, group and family counseling in residential and outpatient settings. In addition to providing therapy, Christina was a clinical supervisor for units that addressed parenting teen issues, sexual or orientation, physical and sexual abuse, aggression and delinquency, substance abuse, grief and loss, trauma, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harming behaviors, ADHD, and other child and adolescent behavioral issues. (Washington only

Kay Blankenship is a certified clinical mental health counselor and a licensed clinical professional counselor; who has worked in the field of mental health and has taught in higher education for over twenty years. Kay has an extensive background in adolescent mental health and has experience in the design and implementation of community collaborative suicide prevention screening programs. She is certified as a QPR (suicide prevention) gatekeeper trainer and also services as suicide prevention and postvention consultant for schools and communities. Kay is also currently the behavioral health clinical counselor for the Hult Center for Healthy Living’s Youth Mental Health Matters educational program. Masters of Professional Counseling from Providence University – Great Falls, Montana 1996 Emphasis: Grief & Loss Working with the Elderly

Providing services in our Washington, Illinois office. Heidi Colton completed her Bachelors of Science Degree in Psychology from Bradley University in Peoria, IL and her Masters in Social Work Degree from the University of Illinois – Champaign-Urbana, IL. Heidi has 25 years of experience working with children, adolescents and families in the DCFS child welfare system. Additional experience includes 0-3 assessment and intervention, childhood behavioral and mental health difficulties, adolescents, adults and geriatrics. Heidi uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and other trauma informed, strength based, solution focused treatment modalities. Most recently, Heidi has been the Embedded Primary Care Behavioral Health Provider at OSF St. Clare Family and Pediatric Medical Group in Washington. Heidi enjoys working with individuals, couples, families or small groups. Abuse and Neglect Adoption Issues (Adoptee, Adoptive Parent and/or Birth Family) Adjustment Issues Anxiety Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Depression Grief, Loss and Bereavement LGBTQI Issues Life Stressors Mood Difficulties Parenting Skill Development Personality Disorders Relationship Issues Self-harm Suicidal Ideation Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Heidi and her two children, one adult daughter in college and one son in high school, reside in Washington, IL. Heidi is accepting new patients, please call or inquire online today to schedule a new patient or follow up appointment! Thank you!

Jessica is a therapist at Balanced LLC moving to our office in Washington, Illinois. Jessica completed her MSW work at the University of Texas at Austin specializing in mental health. Jessica has worked in both the inpatient and outpatient settings, providing individual, group and family therapy. She has gained expertise in working with adults, teens, and children struggling with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, personality disorders, suicide ideation, self-harm, PTSD, marital and family problems and grief and loss. She draws on many areas when working with individuals including cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and Dialectical Behavioral therapy. Outside of her practice, she volunteers as a co-facilitator of Greater Peoria Share, a grief support group for parents who have lost children through miscarriage, stillbirth or early infant loss.

Michelle Alcorn is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor of Balanced LLC in Washington, Illinois. Michelle earned a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Lincoln Christian Seminary. She has over twenty years therapeutic experience working with children, adolescents and their families at The Children’s Home Association of Illinois. Ten of these years were in a residential setting and ten of these years were in a school setting. Michelle has also provided individual and group therapy for children, adolescents, and adults while working at a funeral home. Michelle is able to provide Christian Counseling. Her clinical experience includes, but is not limited to: *Depression *Anxiety *Trauma *Grief and Loss *Anger management *Stress *ADHD *Behavioral concerns

Meryl Block is an LCSW at Balanced in Washington. Meryl earned her Master’s Degree in School of Social Work at the U of I in 2000, with an emphasis on mental health and exceptional children. She has served on an Autism Diagnostic/Consultation Team, and Suicide Prevention Team. Meryl can provide diagnostic and therapy services for mood, behavioral and Autistic Spectrum Disorders. She has experience with behavioral concerns, parenting skills, and has conducted groups. Meryl is able to provide Christian Counseling and is compassionate about serving individuals, couples, and families to develop to their fullest potential. Her experience with social, emotional, and behavioral issues include: •Anxiety •Anger Management •ADHD •Autism Spectrum •Bipolar •Conflict Resolution •Depression •Grief and loss •OCD •Oppositional Defiant Disorders •PTSD •Reactive Attachment Disorder •Suicidal ideation and self-harming •Trauma Currently seeing patients in Washington Office Only.

Stephen LCPC is a therapist at Balanced LLC in Peoria Heights, Illinois. Stephen earned his first Masters degree in Child, Family & Community Services at the University of Illinois, Springfield and his second Master's degree in Clinical Psychology at Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Chicago. Stephen has more than 20 years experience in providing behavioral health services. He has worked as a therapist in an outpatient setting, emergency room, and provided inpatient care. He enjoys working with children. Areas of interest are the treatment of trauma, depression, anxiety, ADHD and children/adolescent behavioral issues. Treatment is provided in a non-judgmental, compassionate manner that seeks to partner with the individual and family to optimize results.

Jen Clark is an LCSW moving to our Washington office. Working in the field since '03 and specializes in growth and empowerment. Her work centers on adolescents and adults. Jens main areas of focus are mind-body connection to anxiety, phobias, self-injury, suicide prevention, dual diagnosis, substance abuse, and mood disorders. Jen does individual, family, and group therapy including Yoga, mindfulness, and meditation. Currently not seeing new patients.

Please see Simple Practice patient portal for scheduling and billing. If you need assistance accessing your patient portal, please call our office at (309)444-2800.

Ruth Ann completed her MSW at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana with a specialization in community mental health. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Eureka College. Ruth Ann has more than 15 years of therapeutic experience working with children, teens, and adults - individuals and families. Her clinical experience includes but is not limited to; depression, anxiety, behavioral issues, trauma, ADHD, abuse and neglect, self-harm behaviors, anger management, grief and loss. She is currently accepting new patients over the age of 18. Ruth Ann and her husband Jay have been married for 44 years and have 4 grown children and 5 grandchildren. Seeing patients in Normal Office only.

Stephen earned his 1st Masters degree in Child, Family & Community Services at U of I and his 2nd Masters degree i. Cbz n Clinical Psychology at Illinois School of no Ry Professional Psychology. He has 20 years experience in providing behavioral health services.

Jon Sarah April Allison