Garden Refuge Nonprofit and Counseling Center has officially opened its counseling center in Springfield, Illinois in Q1 2026, expanding access to affordable, high-quality mental health services for individuals, couples, and families throughout the region.
As a nonprofit organization, Garden Refuge Nonprofit and Counseling Center is focused on addressing one of the most pressing challenges in mental healthcare today: accessibility. Through a range of pricing options, including reduced-cost services and community-supported programs, the organization is working to ensure that individuals can receive care regardless of financial circumstances. More information on pricing, insurances accepted, Medicare, Medicaid, and accessibility initiatives can be found at https://www.gardenrefugeil.org/pricing.
Garden Refuge Nonprofit and Counseling Center offers a wide range of evidence-based services designed to meet diverse mental health needs. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR therapy, trauma-informed care, couples counseling, family therapy, mindfulness coaching, and telehealth services available across the state of Illinois. A full list of services and modalities is available at https://www.gardenrefugeil.org/services-and-modalities.
Beyond traditional therapy, Garden Refuge Nonprofit and Counseling Center integrates education and community engagement into its model. The organization offers workshops and classes focused on mental health awareness, skill-building, and personal development, helping individuals build long-term resilience and self-reliance.
Garden Refuge Nonprofit and Counseling Center’s clinical team brings a combination of doctoral-level training, real-world experience, and specialized therapeutic approaches.Garden Refuge Nonprofit and Counseling Center’s clinical team combines hands-on experience, academic research, and a mission-driven approach to expanding access to mental health care.
Araxie Jensen, founder of Garden Refuge, Inc. NFP, is a graduate counseling intern and researcher focused on the study of religious and spiritual trauma. She is currently developing a non-denominational assessment designed to distinguish between different forms of religious harm and support clearer case conceptualization and treatment planning. The assessment is in its pilot stage and is being developed with consideration for multiple major world religions.
Religious trauma remains an emerging area within mental health counseling. Unlike conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which have established evidence-based treatments, there is currently no widely agreed-upon, research-supported treatment model specific to religious trauma. It often presents with features similar to complex trauma, which is recognized in international diagnostic frameworks but not as a standalone diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR. As Araxie Jensen notes, “Religious trauma work and research is still the wild west in mental health.”
In addition to research, Garden Refuge Nonprofit and Counseling Center was created to address structural gaps in the mental health system. While demand for services continues to rise, many graduate counseling interns face barriers in securing supervision, practicum placements, and the client hours required for licensure. Garden Refuge Nonprofit and Counseling Center provides structured, consistent intern opportunities while expanding access to care for underserved populations in Sangamon County.
Local data reflects the need for expanded services, with approximately 53% of families reporting being impacted by mental illness and an estimated 70% of incarcerated individuals presenting with a co-occurring mental health condition. Garden Refuge Nonprofit and Counseling Center’s model is designed to address these overlapping challenges by supporting both clients and the next generation of clinicians.
“We’re fortunate to work alongside highly skilled clinicians who believe in the mission of the nonprofit—without their support, we would not be able to move forward with our goals,” said Araxie Jensen.
Dr. Katherine Segal, PhD, LCSW brings doctoral-level training and over a decade of clinical, supervisory, and academic experience. Her work draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Informed CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and somatic and mindfulness-based approaches, with areas of focus including trauma, mood disorders, chronic illness, life transitions, and overall wellness. Katherine also provides discounted therapy for counselors in Illinois, aligning with Garden Refuge Nonprofit and Counseling Center’s belief that supporting mental health professionals has a multiplying effect across the broader community.
Josh Eaves, LCSW, a U.S. Army veteran, brings experience across military service, government roles, and clinical settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and community environments. His approach is practical and collaborative, drawing on CBT, EMDR, DBT, mindfulness-based interventions, and clinical hypnosis to help clients build tools that translate into daily life. He has a strong focus on working with veterans and high-performing individuals navigating anxiety, focus challenges, and major life transitions.
In addition to in-person services in Springfield, Garden Refuge Nonprofit and Counseling Center offers telehealth counseling to clients throughout Illinois. With its nonprofit structure, community-focused approach, and commitment to clinical excellence, Garden Refuge Nonprofit and Counseling Center Nonprofit and Counseling Center is positioned to serve as a trusted resource for individuals and families throughout Springfield and across Illinois.
Media Contact
Company Name: Garden Refuge Nonprofit and Counseling Center
Contact Person: Araxie Jensen
Email: Send Email
City: Springfield
State: Illinois
Country: United States
Website: gardenrefugeil.org
