A Decade of Care: Summit Family Therapy Celebrates 10 Years in Peoria

Ten years ago, Dr. Courtney Stivers and Dr. Ryan Stivers arrived in Peoria with an ambitious vision, limited local connections, and a dream that required equal parts courage and conviction. Today, that dream has become Summit Family Therapy, one of the region's most recognized counseling practices and, according to the couple, still very much a labor of love.

As Summit approaches its 10-year anniversary this fall, the Drs. Stivers find themselves reflecting not only on the growth of their business, but also on the relationships, challenges, and community support that made it all possible. "It still doesn't feel like it's been 10 years," Dr. Courtney said with a laugh. "It feels more like four."

"Owning a small business is hard," she said. "There have been many, many storms we've had to weather. We're just incredibly grateful to still be here and to have the support of the greater Peoria community."

That gratitude is a recurring theme in the Drs. Stivers’ story.

Watch the full interview on YouTube.

Building the Workplace They Always Wanted

Long before Summit Family Therapy opened its doors in 2016, the couple shared a common dream: to create a workplace where people genuinely wanted to be. Both had experienced organizational cultures that left them knowing exactly what they would do differently if given the chance. Their answer was Summit. "We wanted a place that we were proud to work at," Dr. Courtney explained. "A place that cared about people, not just profits."

That philosophy became the foundation of the practice. While growth, sustainability, and sound business decisions have always mattered, the Stivers say they have never wanted success measured solely by numbers. Instead, they have focused on creating an environment where clients receive excellent care and staff members feel valued, supported, and connected. Judging by recent recognition from the community, that approach is resonating.

In addition to multiple wins as one of Peoria's top counseling centers, Summit was recently nominated for a Community Choice Award as one of the area's Best Places to Work. For the founders, that nomination carried special significance. "That one really surprised us," Dr. Courtney admitted. "It honestly made me emotional. Being recognized as a great place to work means so much because that's why we started this in the first place."

Coming Home

While Summit was born in Peoria, the Drs. Stivers spent years living in the South while completing graduate education and beginning their professional careers. Still, the Midwest remained home.

Dr. Ryan grew up in Iowa. Courtney's roots are in Peoria. After starting a family, both felt a growing desire to return closer to relatives and establish deeper community connections. Peoria became the perfect middle ground. The decision has proven meaningful not only personally, but professionally.

The couple speaks passionately about supporting locally owned businesses and investing in the communities where they live. When discussing the future of mental health care, they often emphasize the importance of supporting local providers who remain deeply connected to the people they serve. For Dr. Courtney, that connection is personal. "My family is here. I grew up here," she said. "Peoria is always going to matter to me."

A Leap of Faith

Looking back, the early years were not easy.

Starting a counseling practice from scratch is challenging under any circumstances. Doing so in a community where you have few professional connections is even harder. "There were a lot of moments where we wondered if this would work," Dr. Ryan recalled. The first several months were particularly difficult. The couple found themselves balancing financial uncertainty, long workdays, and the pressure that comes with building a business entirely on their own. At one point, Dr. Courtney was teaching eleven online college courses simultaneously while helping launch the practice. "I definitely don't recommend that," she joked.

The challenges tested their resolve, but they also reinforced their commitment to the vision they had created. Slowly, clients began finding Summit. The practice expanded. New therapists joined the team. Momentum grew.

Then, in 2020, everything changed.

The Pandemic That Tested Everything

Like countless businesses across America, Summit Family Therapy faced one of its biggest challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Stivers vividly remember the uncertainty of those early days.

When nationwide cancellations began making headlines, Dr. Ryan sensed major changes were coming. His response was immediate. He drove to a nearby office supply store and purchased every webcam he could find. It turned out to be a pivotal decision. Virtually overnight, Summit transformed from offering only occasional telehealth appointments to conducting nearly all services online.

"There was a point where we didn't even know if insurance companies would cover telehealth," Dr. Courtney recalled. Despite the uncertainty, Summit's team remained focused on one priority: ensuring clients continued receiving care. For many families already struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, and isolation, maintaining access to counseling services became even more important.

The transition was demanding, but the organization adapted. More importantly, the experience reinforced the values that had guided Summit from the beginning: flexibility, service, and putting people first.

Growing Without Losing Their Identity

As the practice expanded, so did its responsibilities.

Summit has grown significantly over the past decade, becoming one of the larger counseling providers in the region. With dozens of clinicians and support staff, growth has brought both opportunities and challenges. Dr. Ryan often describes the experience with a metaphor. "It's been like building the airplane while we're already flying it." As the organization matured, systems became more sophisticated. Communication processes improved.

Business operations became more structured. But one thing has remained unchanged: the culture. Both founders speak with obvious admiration when discussing their team. "We have an amazing staff," Dr. Ryan said. "They're intelligent, compassionate, creative, and they're incredible to work alongside." Dr. Courtney agrees, noting that she often learns just as much from colleagues as they learn from one another. "Our therapists are incredibly talented," she said. "Sometimes our job is simply to get out of the way and let them do what they do best."

Looking Toward the Next Decade

Even as they celebrate the past, the Drs. Stivers remain focused on the future.

They envision continued growth, deeper community involvement, and possibly additional clinic locations someday. Recently, Summit increased its participation in local events, including Peoria Pride and other community gatherings. The founders hope to continue strengthening those relationships in the years ahead.

Still, growth for growth's sake has never been the goal. Their priorities remain remarkably simple: support their team, serve their clients, and invest in Peoria. Those principles have guided Summit through uncertain beginnings, economic challenges, a global pandemic, and a decade of change.

As the practice prepares to celebrate its first ten years, the story of Summit Family Therapy is, in many ways, a story about Peoria itself: a community built on relationships, resilience, and people who care deeply about one another. For Dr. Ryan and Dr. Courtney Stivers, that may be the achievement they are proudest of all.

After ten years, Summit Family Therapy has become more than a counseling practice. It has become a home for healing, a workplace built on purpose, and a testament to what can happen when local people invest wholeheartedly in the community they love.

For those interested in learning more about Summit Family Therapy, meeting its clinicians, or exploring available services, additional information can be found on the practice's website.