Jean Kadkhodaian

Marriage Counseling vs. Couples Therapy

by Angela Zender | April 19, 2024 | Relationships | 0 Comments

Even the most tight-knit and loving couples may need help with conflict resolution or other issues. Over the course of a marriage, especially as the honeymoon phase ends, sexual issues, previous fights, substance abuse, and parenting issues can all rear their heads,...

The Dangers of Repressed Emotions

by Angela Zender | August 25, 2022 | Mental Health | 0 Comments

Repression and Suppression are words that often get mixed up. Suppression is a defense mechanism that we use voluntarily to hide what we are feeling. Repression is the “unconscious blocking of unpleasant emotions, impulses, memories, and thoughts from your unconscious...

Mentally Well with Animals

by Angela Zender | August 24, 2022 | Mental Health | 0 Comments

You come home after a long stressful day and sit on the couch. Zoning out before you suddenly feel the softness of your dog’s head on your lap looking up at you. Your dog understands you’re feeling off today and has taken time to try and comfort you. You look down and...

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

by Angela Zender | August 4, 2022 | Personal Growth, Mental Health | 0 Comments

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a mindfulness-based behavior therapy. In contrast to Western-based psychological theory, ACT does not have symptom reduction as a goal. This is based on the view that an on-going attempt to eliminate symptoms causes...

How IFS Can Help You

by Angela Zender | July 25, 2022 | Personal Growth | 0 Comments

The Internal Family Systems, or IFS model operates on the principal that internally, we have an ecology of relatively discrete minds, which interact with our healthy self, and take on roles to keep us safe and functioning. Find out how IFS can help you. The 3 common...

“My husband Jeff and I are forever grateful to Jean and Ray for helping us navigate a particularly challenging rough patch in our marriage. My individual sessions with Jean were especially valuable as she helped me reflect upon aspects of my own inner journey, clearing a path for me that allowed for increased awareness, clarity, compassion, and healing. I know I would not be in the space where I am today had it not been for the caring, thoughtful, introspective enlightenment that Jean offered me during our sessions and I feel tremendously fortunate for that life-changing experience.”

“WOW –I’ve lost track of how long I’ve known you. But, the quantity of time really does not matter! It’s the quality of our time together and it has been such a treasure full of gems! You have been such a an important and pivotal part of my journey. You’ve shared your knowledge, your skill and your heart wisdom. You’ve encouraged and challenged me to go deeper and face my inner-most fears. All the while, you’ve provided a loving and nurturing space to do my hardest life’s work. I feel nothing but the warmest appreciation for you and your work! From the bottom of my heart – THANK YOU! God’s Blessings for the rest of your days on this beautiful journey!! Love and Namaste, -Deb”

Jean has impacted my life in so many ways. Too many to describe in a short paragraph. I owe so much of my evolution as a person to her. She has helped me with self awareness, insecurity, and am so much of a happier person because of the path she helped me on. Learning meditation was so hard but so rewarding. I share the books she had me start reading with others and I can honestly say the world is so much of a better place because she does what she does. I will be a huge lifelong fan!!!

-Matthew

“Jean-

I am very grateful that my life path led me to your office! Between counseling, meditation, and the spiritual group, I have found hope and light in my life again. Your guidance has been invaluable during the past year and I find myself reflecting on and using all that you have taught me on a daily basis.”

-Amelia

“Jean has had such an impact on my life and my marriage. She has given me so many tools to cope with anxiety and depression. She has helped me battle an eating disorder that no longer has any control in my life. She has worked with my husband and I to become better companions and have a successful relationship. Her and Ray even married us and performed the most beautiful cermony EVER! I can say with utmost certainty that my life would not be the same without her. I’m so very thankful for the imprint she has left on Scott and I.

With love,”

-Tanya

“Jean reminds me that I am far more than the sum of painful moments of my past. She challenges me to see meaning in every experience. She shows me the way to transcend my own judgement of myself and others. She helps me forgive myself for old stuff and also for the new mistakes I will always continue to make. She sees through my BS and holds me accountable to my own vision for myself. She validates me when I need to be heard, and she calls me out when I need to hear myself. She sees me. She teaches me. She leads by her own strong, brave, audacious example.”

-Jennifer

“Dear Jean:

You have been an incredible gift in my life. When I thought I was dying from cancer, you guided me on an emotional and spiritual journey of healing and self discovery and remission from cancer. You are an amazing healer, teacher and spiritual guide who has help awaken my spirit. Thank you.”

-Theresa

“My family & I have been privileged to work with you. We have gained greater personal insight and peace through your vast knowledge. Thank you!”

“Jean, I can not even put into words how much of an impact you made in my life! I am eternally grateful for your patience and guidance. You are a truly gifted therapist. Working with you was like magic! I found my voice, my strength, and myself, thanks to you. If that wasn’t enough, you also sparked this new and exciting career path I have decided to pursue. Thank you will never be enough, so I intended to pay it forward and hope to help others find healing! Cheers to an amazing human being!”

-Ashley

“I honestly can’t remember when I first started seeing Jean, but it’s been over 10 years now. She was literally a light at the end of the tunnel for me. I had been suffering for years with grief from losing both parents and had seen therapists, joined help groups…not much helped. My very first session with Jean she explained how things worked and she said that I would be further along with her in 6 months than I had come in all those years of therapy. I didn’t believe it, but she was right. I could go on and on and probably write a short story about all my experiences, but without Jean’s help (and Ray’s on occasion, too :), I would not have the coping skills and self awareness that I have today. She has contributed to who I became in my adult life. Just when I think I’m done learning or growing spiritually and mentally, another hurdle arises and I turn to Jean to help me overcome them. Or at the very least, provide me with the tools I need to deal with them. If I had to sum it up I would say that Jean literally freed me from myself.”

“Jean helped me change my life. If it weren’t for her I would have continued the miserable life I was living. She pointed out my responsibility in my situation and I was able to make a change. I am forever grateful to her! You will always hold a special place in my heart! Love and happiness always!” -Nancy

“Hi Jean, I had been searching for a therapist that I felt comfortable with for years (on and off). Then, when I met my boyfriend, I realized I wanted something more… I wanted someone, or a place, that would allow each of us to work on our own “stuff” while also working with us together. In my head, this was my best-case scenario. Eventually, I found The Lighthouse. =) From the start, I felt comfortable with you and because of that I’ve been able to work on my self in a different way than I have ever been able to. Jean, I have a long way to go, but I thank you for the connection you’ve made with me to feel comfortable in sharing, along with feeling comfortable enough to be vulnerable; thank you for the growth I’ve been able to work towards because of that. I look forward to our continued work together in understanding myself as well as understanding my partner. Enjoy your special day, and may that joy continue everyday! Thank you,”

=) Stacey

“You know how they say ‘ you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’, well, that’s no longer true. Jean has taught me that it’s OK to be ME. Because of Jean I have learned to accept myself. I’m still a work in progress but I now have the tools that I need to find my happiness. Thanks Jean.”

-Leslie

“Meeting and working with Jean has been such a blessing in my life! Jean has been my counselor and also, my spiritual teacher. She has taught me how to sit in the dark pockets of my life while allowing all my feelings to be present. I now know that there are important lessons waiting for me there. I am extremely grateful for all the experiences I’ve had with Jean. And I feel lucky to always have The Lighthouse as a place of comfort for myself. ♥ ♥♥ I wish you much love and happiness this year. And always!”

-Kristina

Jean Kadkhodaian is an enthusiastic learner who is just as passionate about teaching. Her model for working with clients is to use any tool that is available to help a person understand, learn and grow. Her ability to develop new skills and techniques has been what has kept her clients coming back for years, anytime they feel stuck or are in pain in their lives. She has been referred to as “The Stevie Nicks” of therapists because of her dynamic and eclectic approach. Her passion for growth and development in her own life make her an ideal role model for helping others.

She grew up in Mt. Prospect, Illinois with her 8 siblings. Her adventurous spirit led her to join the Army Reserves after high school where she served as military police for 13 years. After becoming a single mom as a young adult she decided to earn her Bachelors degree in Psychology at Northern Illinois University. When her son, Alec was 9 years old, she met Dr. Ray. After an exciting year of dating they married in 1998. They soon had their second son, Dinyar, while they both continued to pursue their Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from Roosevelt University. In 2002 they co-founded The Lighthouse Emotional Wellness Center where they developed a unique and effective way to work on and improve relationships called “Couples Synergy”. She later became certified in Hypnotherapy, Reiki, Electromagnetic Field Balancing and Biofeedback and learned many other techniques and tools to help her clients progress. In 2008 she completed a 10 day course in Vippassana Meditation and teaches and practices this form of meditation as well as many other meditative modalities.

In addition to empowering couples to enhance their marriages, she brings a deep holistic approach with her individual clients. Her curiosity about ancient religious and spiritual practices has led her to become an expert at helping her individual clients develop emotional regulation and spiritual growth. For the past 20 years she has been teaching spiritual development workshops and more recently has begun a training program to help fellow therapists learn and integrate techniques such as meditation and other holistic modalities. She has helped many people through the most difficult transitions in life including divorce, the loss of a loved one and coming to terms with terminal illness. If you have to go through something difficult in life Jean is definitely someone you want by your side.

She is often setting lofty goals to push and develop herself further. In 2016 she committed to hiking 1000 miles and spending 40 nights in the wilderness. This led her and Dr. Ray to spend 20 days hiking 180 miles on the John Muir Trail in the High Sierras which included 10 mountain passes. You can learn more by following them on their facebook pages, “On the trail with Ray and Jean” or “Couples Synergy with Dr Ray and Jean”.

Click Here for Dr Ray & Jean’s Facebook Page