Glen Ellyn organization offers suggestions for holiday coping
Stress at the holidays can affect families, and Don Hane, executive director of the Glen Ellyn Youth and Family Counseling Service, knows well just how.
As a licensed clinical professional counselor, Hane earned a master's degree in psychology and received postgraduate training at the Institute for Juvenile Research Family Systems Program. He also is the father of three boys ages 22, 18 and 15.
"All of us tend to operate under time stress," Hane said. "The holidays bring us to a critical place."
A lifelong resident of the West suburbs, Hane and his wife moved their family to Wheaton in 1985, and Hane has been providing counseling services at the Glen Ellyn not-for-profit agency since 2002. At the agency, he has encountered and guided many families and individuals through times of crisis.
"We work with community residents and encounter a fairly large range of mental health and life stage difficulties," Hane said.
GEYFCS is a community-based mental health agency serving Glen Ellyn residents and those attending Glen Ellyn schools. Hane emphasized that the goal of the organization is to provide mental health counseling to all who need it, regardless of their ability to pay. Fees are based on income on a sliding scale.
"No one will ever be denied service," Hane said.
He estimates that the agency serves more than 105 cases a year. And with other family members, that totals to about 225 recipients of counseling.
The Web site states the agency offers counseling service to youth and adults, family counseling, couples counseling, school consultation and referrals to other appropriate care. According to Hane, 75 percent of the people the agency serves are children and young people and their families.
"A lot of stuff is family conflict," Hane said.
In his work, he counsels on anger management, anxiety and panic issues, depression, defiance, oppositional behavior, loss, problems with transition, behavioral and academic difficulties at school. The individual who seeks help would be assessed for treatment according to the severity of their condition.
"We would graduate a treatment plan based on what the inventory is suggesting," Hane said.
Hane recognizes that every family's story is different. "Not every family's Christmas is a Hallmark card," he said.
The extra demands of Christmas shopping, entertaining, and all that it brings, when combined with other issues, can be a recipe for trouble. So Hane detailed some of the advice he might give to a stressed-out family member.
"We have to be careful of neglecting ourselves," he said. "It seems much of the focus of the season is taking care of others. Take time to relax. Know your limitations. Self-care is at the core of that. Take a day off for yourself.
"Take time for strategic retreats," he added. "Don't neglect hobbies. Nurture friendships. Humor is very important. Also, make sure you're getting the appropriate amounts of sleep."
Hane also suggested setting appropriate boundaries.
"In many instances, this means giving yourself the right to say no" he said. "These are some of the things I might talk about here in the office."
The GEYFCS works with a volunteer board of directors with funds provided through donations from the Village of Glen Ellyn, United Way of DuPage and local service organizations. Donations to the GEYFCS are welcome and can be mailed to GEYFCS, 535 Forest Ave., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137. For details, call Hane at (630) 469-3040 or visit geyfcs.org.