Find a Therapist

Victoria Ann Kessinger, MA, LCPC, is the founder of Great Lakes Therapy Center (GLTC) and is a DBT-Linehan Board of Certification Certified Therapist. With over 11 years of experience in the field, she excels at providing individual therapy as well as leading DBT skills groups, while supervising other therapists. Her expertise in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is particularly focused on treating Borderline Personality Disorder, and she skillfully employs the DBT Prolonged Exposure protocol to effectively address Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Victoria is committed to supporting clients grappling with emotional and behavioral dysregulation, self-injury, depression, and binge eating disorder, as well as those facing substance abuse challenges. She equips her clients with the insights and skills necessary to understand and transform their problematic behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. One of her greatest passions lies in empowering clients to achieve their personal goals and fulfill the lives they've always envisioned. Victoria's approach is both structured and evidence-based, yet she infuses playfulness, humor, and spontaneity into the therapeutic experience, fostering a warm and engaging atmosphere for growth.

Jo Anne Smith is a dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a deep commitment to helping individuals and couples make lasting changes in their lives. She believes that everyone is unique and finds fulfillment in working with clients across various ages, from children to adults. Jo's approach involves challenging clients to explore new alternatives while also honoring their successes and building on their strengths. Specializing in areas such as trauma and PTSD, relationship issues, and divorce, Jo utilizes a wide range of therapy types including mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, family systems, and motivational interviewing. Her warm and engaging style fosters an environment where clients feel safe and empowered to move towards a healthier, more positive future.

Dr. Michael Atella, a dedicated psychologist with a PhD and a graduate of the University of Chicago, strives to create a comfortable and professional environment for his clients. With a focus on trauma and PTSD, he offers a safe haven where individuals can freely process their thoughts and feelings. Dr. Atella is committed to listening carefully, ensuring that each person feels heard and understood. He works proactively to establish a meaningful alliance that nurtures self-discovery and fosters deeper connections. Utilizing a range of therapies, including Mindfulness-Based approaches and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, he assists clients in navigating various issues, such as anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges. His goal is to empower individuals to become their authentic selves and cultivate more meaningful relationships in their lives.

Lb Barry is a dedicated Clinical Social Worker and therapist whose authentic connections sustain the well-being of individuals seeking support. With a deep understanding of how past harms and invalidation can disconnect individuals from themselves and others, Lb focuses on moving beyond the binaries created by societal constructs to pathologize systems rather than people. They foster an environment that affirms each person's complex humanity with compassion and free from judgment or imposed expectations. By establishing secure and affirming relationships, clients can embrace their authentic selves and explore numerous possibilities for transformation. Lb integrates Relational Psychodynamic Theory, Motivational Interviewing, Relational Cultural Feminist Theory, and third wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapy methods in their practice. Experienced in working with adolescents and adult members of the LGBTQIA+ community, Lb provides support for those navigating complex trauma, depression, anxiety, dissociation, and gender dysphoria. Believing that each individual is the expert on their own life, Lb is committed to helping clients realize their worth in a world that affirms multiple possibilities. Through a focus on self-determination and personal goals, they work collaboratively to create fulfilling lives tailored to the unique aspirations of each client.

Peter Battista is a compassionate board-certified clinical psychologist who has dedicated his career to supporting adults and elders, particularly those grappling with depression, anxiety, and complex relationship issues. With over five years of experience, he recognizes that everyone faces struggles at various points in their lives, and during these times, the importance of having a genuine, non-judgmental, and accepting presence cannot be overstated. Peter's holistic approach emphasizes not only symptom relief but also the development of a greater capacity for freedom and the pursuit of possibilities in life. His diverse expertise extends to tackling general issues such as trauma and PTSD, grief, family conflict, and self-esteem, offering a safe space for clients to explore their challenges through existential, psychodynamic, interpersonal, and relational therapy modalities. For those seeking an empathetic guide through life's difficulties, Peter Battista stands ready to provide the support needed for healing and growth.

Brianna Becker, LMHC, is an experienced therapist who works with a diverse array of client concerns, including emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, identity development, life transitions, trauma, and body image/self-esteem. Her specific interests lie in disability issues and chronic physical conditions, reflecting her commitment to understanding the complexities of the human experience. Having had the privilege to practice in various settings—such as community mental health, social advocacy organizations, residential substance use, hospitals, and educational environments—Brianna brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to her practice. As an art therapist and psychotherapist, she employs a person-centered, relational, and feminist approach in her work. Rather than positioning herself as an all-knowing expert, Brianna views her clients as the true experts of their own lives, striving to create a safe space for them to process their unique experiences. Moreover, she recognizes that mental health is interconnected with our diverse identities, which can either grant privilege or contribute to societal oppression. Brianna is open about her own intersecting identities and remains authentic in her therapeutic relationships, ensuring a genuine and supportive environment for all her clients.

Nina Bednarz, an LPC intern, understands that life presents us with challenges, obstacles, and barriers, but more importantly, it offers opportunities for change. She believes that collaborating within a safe support system can help individuals make sense of and find meaning in their struggles while honoring the difficulties that arise. Together, Nina and her clients work to discover their true potential and purpose. She provides a secure space where individuals can cultivate trust and navigate difficult transitions, identity concerns, relational turmoil, and the everyday struggles of life. Nina conceptualizes each client as inherently deserving of compassion, understanding, and acceptance. She is dedicated to meeting clients where they currently are while skillfully developing personalized plans to support their therapeutic journey. Passionate about serving diverse populations, Nina addresses a wide array of concerns, including trauma, PTSD, identity issues, relational difficulties, self-esteem challenges, and general life transitions.

Heather Bell is a compassionate licensed professional counselor dedicated to supporting individuals who often find themselves feeling inadequate or overwhelmed by life's challenges. She understands the internal narratives that may convince clients they are not enough or that they cannot achieve their desires. Heather encourages reflection on the origins of these beliefs, inviting clients to examine when they began prioritizing others over themselves. Through her guidance, individuals can envision a life where they pursue their passions without guilt, foster authentic connections with loved ones, and feel empowered to communicate their needs. With a foundation in yoga philosophy, an awareness of the mind/body connection, and a focus on creative expression, Heather is committed to helping clients rewrite their personal stories and enhance their relationships with themselves and others. Her approach nurtures self-acceptance and encourages individuals to prioritize their well-being as they work towards their goals.

Dr. Lilia Berkovich is a dedicated psychologist who helps her clients form meaningful and fulfilling connections with their environment. She generally works with individuals and couples who are grappling with self-image concerns as well as painful emotional experiences linked to their interactions with others, including romantic relationships, family dynamics, friendships, or workplace environments. Many of her clients experience a continuous sense of loneliness, feel misunderstood, or suffer from sadness, worries, and fears. Such challenges can profoundly impact their lives, often interfering with their ability to feel satisfied even amidst their various achievements. Dr. Berkovich has extensive experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and places great value on exploring the factors that shape identity, such as culture, race, gender, sexuality, and physical health. Her background includes providing therapy in both outpatient and inpatient settings, assisting clients with issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, addiction, and adjustment concerns. Utilizing a relational-psychodynamic perspective, Dr. Berkovich believes growth and change are attained through learning new ways of being with others. She strives to create a therapy atmosphere that is open, safe, authentic, and stimulating, facilitating exploration, interaction, and the experience of new emotions.

Sharon Berlin, LCSW, is a compassionate therapist dedicated to helping teens and adults navigate their emotional landscapes. Clients often seek her guidance when they feel unfulfilled, anxious, or depressed. Through a collaborative therapeutic environment, Sharon empowers individuals to explore troubling feelings and identify actionable steps towards a more fulfilling life. Her specialization includes aiding clients through life transitions, utilizing a relational and attachment-focused lens. With extensive expertise in addressing complex childhood trauma, grief and loss, and supporting special needs parenting, she teaches essential coping skills and techniques. Sharon's diverse therapeutic approaches encompass Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Trauma-Focused therapy, and the Gottman Method, ensuring that each client receives personalized support tailored to their unique experiences.

In this fast-paced world, many individuals feel the pressure to be perfect, constantly busy, and always performing. This can often lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and disconnection from oneself and others. Amy Bicknell, a compassionate Clinical Social Worker and Therapist, provides a welcoming therapeutic space that allows clients to reconnect with their true selves without the weight of shame and judgment accumulated through life's experiences. The greatest joy Amy experiences as a therapist comes from witnessing her clients let go of burdens that no longer serve them. Specializing in helping individuals navigate anxiety, difficult life transitions, grief and loss, as well as disordered eating, Amy approaches therapy with the same acceptance and compassion she encourages her clients to adopt towards themselves. Through openness and non-judgmental exploration, she collaborates with clients to create a space where they can discover what isn’t working in their lives, ultimately leading to more fulfilling experiences and relationships.

Marcella Blum is a licensed professional counselor who embodies the belief that there is inherent strength in seeking support for life’s challenges. She is praised for her ability to witness the growth of individuals as they navigate hardships within therapy. Marcella cultivates an empowering therapeutic space for self-improvement, encouraging her clients to recognize and build their opportunities for personal success in all aspects of life. Her approach involves working alongside clients as an egalitarian counterpart, assisting them in identifying authentic and creative solutions that align with their goals and intentions for positive change. Specializing in mindfulness, grief and bereavement, and trauma-informed modalities, Marcella adheres to a person-centered philosophy of care, empowering clients as the authorities on their own lives and stories. Additionally, she is a certified Kundalini Yoga Instructor, avid runner, writer, creative, and public speaker, showcasing her belief that humor and lightheartedness complement profound conversations and healing. Marcella’s genuine passion for cultivating self-awareness and fostering healing and growth makes her an inspiring figure in the therapeutic field.

Richard Bright is a Licensed Professional Counselor who understands the transformative power of a compassionate and trusting therapeutic relationship. He values patience and kindness, guiding individuals through their struggles with empathy and understanding. With a belief that there are many paths to healing, Richard collaborates with his clients to identify their barriers, approaching challenges with curiosity and creativity. He recognizes the innate strengths within each person and assists them in harnessing these tools for personal growth. By shining a light on old narratives, Richard facilitates change and transformation. He integrates the latest evidence-based modalities in his practice, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Internal Family Systems. Richard is also trained in EMDR and informed by IFS principles, allowing him to adeptly address a wide range of issues including coping skills, trauma, and LGBTQ+ concerns. For those interested, Richard emphasizes a personalized approach to ensure a good fit, often beginning with an introductory phone conversation.