Meredith Starr is a Registered Dietitian and Director of Nutrition Services at Allow Wellness in Chicago. She is an alumna of the University of Illinois at Chicago Coordinated Nutrition Program and began her nutrition career at UI Health general inpatient services while working part-time at a residential treatment facility for eating disorders. Meredith is deeply passionate about the treatment of eating disorders and has been practicing in this field for the past nine years. Meredith's personal...
Hello and welcome- I’m so glad you’re here! Starting therapy is a courageous and meaningful step, and I want to recognize the strength it takes to prioritize your mental health. Whether this is your first time seeking support or you’ve been in therapy before, I’m truly honored to walk alongside you on this journey. As a licensed social worker, my goal is to meet you where you are and create a space that feels safe, affirming, and grounded in trust. I strive to build a therapeutic relationship...
I support queer, trans, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, and polyamorous students exploring identity, sexuality, and relationships. My approach is person-centered, feminist, and affirming, weaving in somatic practices and IFS to help you connect with your whole self. Therapy with me is a collaborative, creative space where your story and identity are valued. Together, we'll build clarity, self-acceptance, and meaningful growth. My pronouns are she/they....
Veronica Pena is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois. There are joys of being a parent and there are also the difficult, confusing, frustrating, and exhausting moments where you might feel like you don't know what to do to help your child. Kids struggling with behavioral issues, anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem sometimes need an extra hand to help them navigate the difficulties in life. Veronica understands both childhood development and the complexities of parental struggles, a...
Lucien Loveless is a Licensed Social Worker in Illinois who has been practicing since 2002. They have a BA in Psychology from University of California at Santa Cruz and an MA in Clinical Social Work from Crown Family School of Social Work, Social Policy, and Practice at University of Chicago. At their core Lucien is a trauma-informed and client-centered therapist, focusing on what tools and methods are going to be most helpful to each person in their individual therapeutic journey. There is not...
John is deeply committed to helping individuals navigate the transformative process of change with compassion, clarity, and resilience. With a focus on complex trauma, anxiety, relationship negotiation, social and family role dynamics, and co-occurring disorders, John believes that meaningful change begins with deeper self-understanding and authentic connection. John works from a cognitive-integrative perspective, drawing from object relations and self-psychology to explore how early relationa...
Barbara Duran is a Licensed Master Social Worker with over 5 years of experience as a master's level clinician working with older adults and their families. Barbara has experience with motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy and psychotherapy. Barbara's experience includes facilitation of leading support groups for caregivers, grief support, risk assessment, and care planning. Barbara values person-centered and strength-based care. In her free time, Barbara enjoys spending time w...
Samantha Parker completed her Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University. She received her bachelors in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago and her Masters in Gerontology from Concordia University River Forest. Samantha has experience working with individuals dealing with numerous psychological illnesses. She has spent the last twenty-two years working at Catholic Charities Older Adult Services in Chicago. She has done case management and her most recent pos...
Olivia Palumbo is a Clinical Intern at Ace Counseling Group who provides trauma-informed, body-based therapy using cognitive behavioral therapy, Internal Family Systems, and the Gottman Method. She works with adults and couples experiencing life transitions, identity exploration, relationship concerns, or disordered eating and offers LGBTQIA+ affirming, nature-based and mindfulness-informed care. Olivia draws on experience in inpatient psychiatric settings and is completing her clinical training...
Hector values a compassionate and supportive dynamic that is conducive to healing and growth. He has experience providing individual and group therapy services with specific focus on depression, anxiety, OCD subtypes, co-occurring disorders, substance use disorders, and severe and persistent mental illness. Hector applies a practical approach to the helping relationship and incorporates Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and existential theories in his work....
Intersectionality and social justice are central in my practice and philosophy; in other words, I view you within the context of your identities and environment and consider what in those spheres may be helping or hurting you. My clinical specialties and interests include trauma, gender & sexuality exploration, depression & anxiety, and life transitions. I also have experience working with community college students, immigrants & refugees, and survivors of intimate partner violence. As a quee...
We specialize in working with clients who are struggling with transitions, like new living situations, shifting relationships, job changes, and striking out on a new path. We especially love supporting recent college and graduate school graduates in figuring out their next steps to create a life they love. Please check out our website to learn more about our team! We'd love to meet you....
Young adulthood can be both exciting and overwhelming—full of choices, change, and uncertainty. Whether you're graduating from school or navigating college, starting your career, facing relationship challenges, or feeling stuck, anxious, or down, therapy can be a grounding space to sort through it all. I understand the complex stressors that come with early adult life, and I am deeply passionate about supporting adults navigating a range of emotional and psychological challenges, such as anxiety...
Derek completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and is a graduate of the Masters in Counseling program at Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Before joining Progressive Psychological Healthcare, Derek worked in a variety of clinical settings including an outpatient private practice, residential group home for teenagers, IOP/PHP programs and a community mental health center. He also has significant experience working for an Employee Assistanc...
My approach to therapy is based in collaboration and empowerment with the goal of helping you better understand yourself and creating lasting change in your life. I believe that each individual and their needs are unique, and therapy should reflect that. I aim to create a therapeutic space that is safe and non-judgmental to allow you to explore the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. My role is to support you in making choices that align with your values and becoming conf...
As we shift from summer into fall, many of us are reminded that life is full of seasons of change. Sometimes these transitions feel exciting and grounding, but other times they can feel uncertain, overwhelming or even unsafe. It can be hard to feel steady when the world itself feels unpredictable. I provide a safe, nonjudgmental space where you don't have to hold those feelings alone. Together, we can explore your experiences, identify your strengths, and create a path forward that helps you fe...
Nicholas Krysztopik is a Licensed Professional Counselor, who has been practicing since 2018. He graduated from the Institute for Clinical Social Work with a Master's degree in Clinical Counseling and Psychotherapy. Nick believes in a Psychodynamic approach to therapy where he utilizes the relationships that are apart of the client's life, along with the relationship that develops between the client and the therapist to help the client gain an increase in self-awareness. Nick further believes t...
I offer treatment for formally diagnosed eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia, ARFID, and binge eating disorder, as well as support for anyone with a challenging relationship to food or body image concerns. Additionally, I love supporting individuals with anxiety, helping them to live more and worry less. My approach is deeply relational, fostering a space where clients can feel seen, valued, and understood....
Shannon feels that the relationship that she has with a client is the most important aspect of counseling. With a safe and trusting environment, Shannon and her clients can collaboratively work through their specific needs together. She believes that clients should feel as though they have power in counseling, in their decision-making and in their lives. Shannon believes open and honest communication about ones' difficulties and the counseling process is key to success. Shannon hopes to create a...
Laura Ramirez Del Rio is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois who has been practicing since 2017. She holds a Master?s degree in Counseling from Northern Illinois University, and the credentials of Licensed Professional Counselor and Professional Educator License with a commitment to ongoing professional development. Her academic background, combined with practical experience, equips her to address a wide range of mental health concerns. Laura believes in a client-centered approach, tai...