Counseling services in Illinois—get help in-person or online

Erin is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who has 5 years of clinical experience with mental health and substance abuse treatment. She is better able to understand how prevalent the relationship is between substance abuse, trauma history, and marginalization. Erin's foundation in education deepens her perspective and understanding of how a client, just as a student, is a human first. With a humanistic perspective, Erin compassionately listens to her client's story. Her experience helps facilitate skill building to encourage confidence to make personal change toward improved symptom management and recovery.

Erin has a Master's in Education and a Professional Educator's License. Erin has worked in a variety of treatment levels, including inpatient, outpatient, schools, and residential environments, has given Erin a broader perspective on how integrative collaboration works within a complex mental health treatment model. I have worked with clients/patients who have a variety of diagnoses, presenting symptoms and problems. Implementing differentiated therapeutic modalities across diverse levels of functioning in individual and group settings has made their counseling interventions more effective and sensitive to different populations, experiences, and identities.

Erin is passionate about working with underprivileged populations. Erin finds meaning as a therapist who serves those who have experienced chronic trauma and substance abuse as well as providing support and encouragement to children who have faced adverse experiences. Erin's experience can offer clients effective and therapeutic mental health and substance abuse treatment. Please consider investing in your health and happiness today.

Ralph Pollaro is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with 17 years of experience. He specializes in working with adolescents and adults with mental health issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, relationship issues, effective communication, and existential processing. With Ralph, clients will learn steps to manage their mental health needs and increase adaptive behaviors. They will examine their progress and discern what goals they would like to achieve.

Ralph has a Master of Arts in Counseling from Saint Xavier University Chicago. He uses cognitive behavioral, person-centered, existential, and Adlerian therapies to assist clients in understanding their behaviors and how they can change to be their best selves. Clients will explore the whole self: body, mind, and emotional well-being.

Quality of care is the basis for successful healing. Using several theoretical systems, Ralph will help you problem-solve issues and work through past experiences. Ralph is looking forward to empowering you to manage life’s challenges!

Rachel Herman is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with 8 years of experience. She has worked with children, adults, and adolescents in various settings including residential, foster care, and private practice. Rachel has experience and interest in working with children, teens, and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, PTSD, relationships, communication, anger management, and social skills.

Rachel received her Master’s in Counseling from The Family Institute at Northwestern University. Rachel is trained in psychodynamic theory and incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, mindfulness, internal family systems, and motivational interviewing.

Rachel regards therapy as a partnership between client and therapist and strives to empower clients toward accomplishing their goals. Her counseling style is warm and empathetic, and she tries to meet clients where they are. Rachel believes everyone can change and is ready to help you improve your life.

Nancy (Nan) Fredrick is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with 11 years of experience working in the mental health field. Nan’s clients are usually adolescents and adults trying to cope with - or prepare for - life struggles. Nan is passionate about meeting her clients where they are at in their journey, supporting them and gently challenging them to do the best they can do with the resources they have, while encouraging the development of new resources. Nan specializes in working with clients with adjustment issues, trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and grief and loss.

Nan earned her Master’s in Community Counseling from Argosy University in Schaumburg, Illinois. She has been through many transitions herself, including a mid-life career change from the world of manufacturing and supply planning to the world of counseling. Nan has provided services in many different settings including a long-term care facility, community agencies, a prison, and a medical clinic. Nan’s experience coupled with her education makes her a well-rounded clinician. Nan tends to be eclectic in her approach to treatment, depending on the client’s needs, and frequently uses cognitive behavioral (CBT) and dialectical behavioral (DBT) interventions.

Life can be hard. Sometimes we make life difficult through our own actions, and other times we experience difficulties through no fault of our own. Either way, we may need help navigating through those difficulties from a non-judgmental, empathetic source. Nan is confident that she will be able to provide you with the tools you need to navigate life’s up and downs. Are you struggling? Are you ready for help? If so, please call and schedule an appointment with Nan today.

Alison Fowler is a Licensed Social Worker with 1 year of experience and the unique ability to relate to people of all kinds. She works especially well with adults dealing with anxiety, depression, and trauma but has also treated relationship issues and substance abuse. Alison is a proud supporter of the LGBTQ+ community.

Alison received her Master’s in Social Work from Aurora University. Alison's preferred approaches include person-centered therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy. She also enjoys using guided imagery techniques.

Alison believes in the empowerment that therapy can offer a client and considers it a true honor and privilege to work with clients no matter where they are on their journey. She knows how powerful telling your story can be and lives in awe of those who can be so open and vulnerable. She is ready to support you!

Debra Honig, MSW, LCSW, is a well-seasoned, enthusiastic, and authentic pediatric psychotherapist. She has practiced in many settings in the Chicago area, with a focus on children and their families. Debra uses humor, empathy, and creativity to help children and their families to navigate life's expected and unexpected challenges. Debra uses an eclectic and warm style and focuses on the client's strengths and uniqueness. Debra offers specialization in the areas of self-esteem, ADHD, coping with illness and life transitions, divorce, grief, loss, anxiety, and mood disorders. Her treatment room is always inviting for children, including art material, action figures, puppets, and games.

Debra completed her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at the Jane Addams College of Social Work, a college of the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her professional experience and training are further strengthened through personal experiences as an adoptive mom, stepmom, and foster parent. Debra utilizes an eclectic treatment approach incorporating expressive therapies, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and solution-focused brief therapy.

Debra's philosophy is that everyone has roses and thorns from day to day. When it happens, it is important to talk about it, and use our coping strategies. That is the center of her work and helps create a safe and comfortable space for sharing and growth.

Debra currently only serves clients 5 to 13 years of age.

Emily Sherrill, a dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 25 years of mental health expertise, has worked across various settings, including outpatient, inpatient, and residential environments. Specializing in trauma and complex trauma, Emily brings extensive experience in addressing mood/anxiety disorders, addictions, eating disorders, and suicidal/parasuicidal behaviors. Her commitment to providing high-quality, compassionate, and ethical mental health therapy reflects her aim to empower individuals to navigate challenges with resilience and strength.

Emily earned her Master of Social Work from Boise State University, and her expertise stems from a diverse background, encompassing therapeutic intervention, clinical leadership, and program development. Her therapeutic approach integrates compassion with evidence-based practices, along with a touch of humor, to guide clients through their healing journey.

No matter where you stand on your journey, Emily can help you navigate your path forward. Emily's goal is to provide a space where clients feel heard and understood, helping them identify and pursue their "meaningful life." Emily extends an invitation to those uncertain about their journey, offering guidance as they transition from survival to truly living.

Dr. Smith is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LCP) providing talk therapy services with 15 years of experience in the mental health field. He works with children, adolescents, and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, intellectual/developmental disorders, learning disabilities, OCD, psychotic disorders, behavior disorders, and more. He has worked in a number of different settings including community mental health centers, prisons, schools, college counseling centers, state hospitals, private psychiatric hospitals, and general medical centers providing acute and long-term psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and adults who were exhibiting severe psychopathology related to psychosis, suicidality, aggression, and personality disorders.

Dr. Smith completed his Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Tougaloo College and his Master's degree and his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. In therapy, Dr. Smith utilizes multiple treatment approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness, motivational interviewing, play therapy, reality therapy, solution-focused therapy, psychoeducation, and schema-focused therapy.

In addition, he employs the three core conditions of therapeutic change: empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard. In all cases, he continuously monitors the therapeutic process to learn what is working and what is not working so he can better support clients. We are all struggling in different areas of our lives. You do not have to struggle alone. Dr. Smith is here to walk with you and help you overcome those life challenges. 

Dr. Smith also provides hypnotherapy for those interested!