When a company’s fundamental values go beyond clinical results and truly focus on transforming families’ lives, that’s when you know you’re part of something bigger than just care and that you’re creating a meaningful, lasting impact on your community. And that is exactly what my mom, Shari Cassidy, set out to do when she started Westside Children’s Therapy.
Westside Children’s Therapy began in our family farmhouse in Homer Glen in 1988. And when the farmhouse was torn down and no longer available, she just didn’t give up on the kids, she moved the practice into our home. Her dedication was undeniable, and it’s something I learned from an early age.
Throughout the years, she poured her heart and soul into helping children and families. It was never just an hour of therapy each week. She cared deeply about their independence, confidence, and future. She believed in supporting the whole child, not just the time spent in a session.
I remember as a kid, my mom spent her free time giving Eric driving lessons so he could get his license. That wasn’t just therapy. It was helping him reach a life milestone. And that’s what “family-first” truly looks like.
She was building her reputation, Westside’s reputation, through all of the things she did inside and outside of the therapy sessions. And although she may not have realized it at the time, she was simply just doing the right thing, day in and day out. That foundation is what Westside was built on.
At Westside Children’s Therapy, we talk a lot about being “family-first,” but it’s more than just a phrase to us. It’s how we operate every day and the responsibility we carry as a team. The children and families we support become an important part of our lives, and everyone at Westside carries that connection with them. We celebrate the big milestones and small wins, support families through the hard moments, and show up each day because we genuinely care and want every child to succeed.
We’re continuing to build on that sense of family-centered care through several key initiatives designed to make families feel informed, supported, and cared for throughout their journey with Westside.
We want every family to understand the cost of care upfront by providing clear cost estimates and verifying insurance before therapy begins, so you know exactly what to expect.
We also believe trust and communication matter. Parents always have access to their child’s documents and we maintain an open-door policy.
We recognize that starting therapy is a new experience for families. Our goal is to make that experience feel as smooth and supportive as possible, including providing access to caregiver counseling resources. Sometimes you just need someone to listen, because you’re human, and you can’t pour from an empty cup.
At Westside, we want families to feel like they’re part of something supportive and caring, not just coming to another appointment. We understand that many parents are balancing work, school pickups, appointments, and everything else life brings, so the last thing they need is more stress. They need a team that works alongside them with flexibility, understanding, and patience. Families who have just received a new diagnosis often need more than a plan for next steps. They need reassurance, guidance, and people who will support them through the process at their own pace. And on the days when a child just is not quite ready, that is okay too.
We know that showing up can look different sometimes, and we meet families where they are with compassion and support.
This is what “family-first” means to us. And we will continue to strive to ensure every family feels that the moment they walk through our doors.
