Mission
SamaraCare helps people achieve their greatest potential by being compassionate and spirit-led counselors, consultants and advocates.
Vision
Nothing stands in the way of people getting the help they need to flourish.
History
SamaraCare is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a wide variety of client-focused and goal-oriented counseling and psychiatric services in a broad range of specialty areas. We evolved from an initiative by Knox Presbyterian Church in 1969 to address the unmet mental health needs of a rapidly growing, yet transient, Naperville community. Members of the church realized many new families lacked roots and stability, which was causing increased stress at work, home, and school. At the time, those seeking mental health services were faced with months long waiting lists.
In 1971, three Naperville congregations, including Knox, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, and St. Raphael Catholic Church, founded the Interfaith Family Life Agency to offer counseling services, with a mission to help everyone, regardless of religious affiliation or financial resources.
In 1983, the organization changed its name to Samaritan Interfaith Counseling Center, and operated out of church administrative offices until 2004, when it acquired professional office space and expanded its services to meet increasing demand for mental health care in Naperville and surrounding counties.
In 2017, it rebranded under the name SamaraCare to avoid confusion with other organizations using “Samaritan” in the name . In 2019, SamaraCare merged with Winnetka-based Samaritan Counseling Center to become a regional provider of high-quality mental health services. The combined organization now serves six counties in the Chicago metropolitan area. At the onset of the pandemic in 2020, SamaraCare began offering virtual services. In 2021, SamaraCare acquired Wellspring Clinical Associates a Lisle-based well-known psychiatric practice. SamaraCare now offers in-person and virtual psychological counseling, enhanced Autism services and psychiatric care all within one organization.
What We Do
| SamaraCare is an outpatient behavioral health care provider. We offer a wide variety of client-focused and goal-oriented counseling/psychotherapy and psychiatric care for individuals, couples and families from diverse backgrounds and varied financial means. Our purpose is to provide everyone with affordable access to high quality, comprehensive mental health care regardless of financial resources or insurance status. |
Who We Serve
SamaraCare serves diverse populations across the lifespan, from the ages of 2-92, including children, adolescents, adults, seniors, couples, families, bi-lingual households, clergy, teachers, first responders, LGBTQ, trauma/sexual assault survivors, and veterans. Many of our clients pay our standard fee utilizing their health insurance coverage. However, we are committed to providing affordable access to mental health services. We offer reduced fees to qualifying clients who are uninsured or underinsured through our Mental Health Access Program (MHAP). Approximately 20-25% of our clients require financial assistance.
About Our Name and Tagline
The word “Samara” has a duel meaning. It is a botanical term for a dry winged seed, that can spin down to fertile ground where it can grow and flourish. Its origins are in Hebrew and Arabic and means “guardian” or “protected by God”. Both meanings suit us perfectly because they relate to the relationships we have with our clients and partners, and because it connects us to our founding congregations.
The ‘Care’ part of our name is simple: we care about you, and for you. We are committed to doing everything in our power to help you reach your greatest potential.
Our tagline “Choose Stronger” refers to ending the stigma associated with mental health issues. We understand and applaud the strength and courage it takes to seek help.
Accreditation
SamaraCare is nationally accredited by the Solihten Institute, Denver CO on a 4 year cycle and was most recently reviewed in 2019. Solihten Institute is a non-profit organization which manages a network of 40 professional counseling centers located across the U.S. The goal of the accreditation process is to ensure that affiliated centers maintain sound organizational structures, efficient management and administration, high-quality clinical processes , careful financial and personnel practices, and professional accountability.
Leadership Team
Dr. Scott Mitchell, President & CEO
Michael Bradburn, Executive Director
Dr. Thomas DiMatteo, Medical Director
Monica Guilhot-Chartrand, Clinical Director, West Region
Joellen Hosler, Clinical Director, North Region
VACANT – OPEN POSITION, Director of Finance & Administration
William B. Peterson, Director of Development, Corporate & West Region
Anita Scott, Director of Development, North Region
Partnerships
SamaraCare believes affordable access to mental health care is the cornerstone of a healthy community. We partner with a number of organizations and churches serving low/moderate and “at risk” populations. By providing access to affordable counseling services, SamaraCare improves the mental health outcomes of our partner’s clients by providing a pathway to hope, healing and recovery. This allows our partners to focus on what they do best – providing basic human needs. We continuously explore opportunities for additional strategic relationships. Our partner agencies include:
1) Loaves & Fishes Community Services
2) Bridge Communities
3) Naperville Elderly Homes
4) Teen Parent Connection
5) Bear Necessities
JOIN US
Whether you’re seeking care for yourself or someone you love, plan to attend one of our events or wish to change someone’s life by making a donation, we welcome you to SamaraCare.