Dr. Michelle Sierzega is an experienced psychologist with a dedicated focus on individuals navigating psychological issues, emotional pain, and existential crises from diverse backgrounds. She provides compassionate support to those diagnosed with mental illness, including first responders, veterans, LGBTQ individuals, and those involved in the criminal justice system. Through her work, Dr. Sierzega has observed a common thread among all her clients: the shared goal of identifying and creating a fulfilling life while comfortably embracing the full spectrum of emotions without fear. Her mission is to empower clients in a safe and validating environment that welcomes all. Dr. Sierzega's areas of expertise encompass depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, relational difficulties, life transitions, coping with chronic medical illnesses, chronic mood fluctuations, adult ADHD, LGBTQ+ challenges, criminal victimization, and various forms of trauma, including acute, post-traumatic, developmental, and complex trauma.

Meet Jason Singer, a dedicated Pre-Licensed Professional therapist who has joined Affiliates In Counseling to provide compassionate support to adults, teens, and elders facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, and stress. He specializes in trauma and PTSD, and has effectively employed emotionally focused strategies to assist individuals adapting to grief, life changes, job loss, and feelings of isolation, both in the northern suburbs and in Chicago. As an experienced couples and family counselor, Jason has successfully utilized emotional tools to enhance communication skills, fostering deeper and more enriching relationships. His clinical training includes valuable experience within the post-deployment veteran and LGBTQ communities, enriching his understanding of diverse experiences and struggles. Jason views therapy as a collaborative process, aiming to create a nurturing environment where clients can explore the narrative of their lives, uncover the impact of repetitive emotional reactions, and address challenges such as low self-esteem and societal constraints. Together, he and his clients will seek out exceptions to these narratives, developing the skills needed to craft a new, fulfilling story that empowers them to engage meaningfully in their daily lives, while also exploring and reshaping their emotional responses to reduce their impact.

Kathy Solk, a licensed professional clinical counselor, approaches therapy with a genuine belief in the power of positive change. She specializes in working with children, adolescents, young adults, and families facing a variety of challenges, including anxiety disorders, depression, ADHD, school refusal, adjustment disorders, life transitions, anger management, trauma, and substance abuse. Kathy empowers her clients by collaborating with them to create unique treatment plans tailored to their individual goals. She utilizes an integrative therapeutic approach that incorporates Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), talk therapy, mindfulness, and other evidence-based techniques to foster the development of healthier coping skills. Kathy's professional experience is enriched by her time as a clinician at OMNI Youth Services and as a group clinician for programs like SPARCS and Seven Challenges. Additionally, as a certified school counselor, she possesses invaluable experience in educational advocacy, particularly in developing 504 plans to support students in need.

Jennifer Solomon is a compassionate and dedicated therapist, working with couples, families, and individuals, including adults, adolescents, and elders. Her approach prioritizes strong client relationships, utilizing her natural empathy and understanding to build a solid foundation for meaningful change. Jennifer recognizes that when clients feel stuck, it's crucial to slow down and investigate the barriers preventing progress. She actively encourages clients to identify their wants and needs, guiding them toward possible paths forward. Collaboration plays a vital role in her process, allowing clients to find their footing, enact change, and grow with confidence. Additionally, Jennifer has a specialized interest in supporting families dealing with anxiety related to life-threatening food allergies. She believes that human compassion and resilience are essential in navigating life's complexities. By fostering a therapeutic relationship rooted in trust, empathy, and a touch of humor, Jennifer helps clients explore the obstacles hindering their potential and empowers them to reach new heights.

Lisa Srour is a compassionate and skilled Clinical Social Worker/Therapist, LCSW, CADC, with a dedication to helping teens, adults, and elders navigate their emotional challenges. Lisa specializes in addressing a variety of concerns, including anxiety, depression, substance use, and trauma, employing both holistic and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approaches to support clients in achieving their goals and enhancing their overall well-being. Her practice is client-centered, focusing on the unique strengths of each individual, couple, or family. Lisa embraces the flexibility of telehealth therapy, allowing clients to engage in meaningful sessions from the comfort of their own homes at times that suit their lifestyles. She is not only an expert in treating serious mental health issues but also serves as a valuable guide for those seeking to live their best lives. Lisa looks forward to partnering with clients on their healing journeys and helping them make this a transformative year.

Patricia Stern is a dedicated Clinical Social Worker and Therapist with extensive credentials, including an MSW, LCSW, MBA, and PMP. With a wealth of experience in supporting adults and elders (65+), she specializes in guiding her clients through challenges such as depression, chronic illness, and significant life transitions. Utilizing a combination of psychodynamic approaches, solution-focused brief therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Patricia creates a compassionate and understanding environment tailored to individual needs. Her commitment to fostering mental well-being and resilience empowers her clients to navigate their journeys with confidence and clarity.

Katherine Stewart is a compassionate and skilled licensed professional counselor (LMHC, MA) dedicated to helping teens and adults navigate their mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. She believes that self-compassion is pivotal in fostering lasting change and inner strength. Utilizing a culturally-informed lens, Katherine employs cognitive-behavioral theory and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to empower her clients in identifying negative thinking patterns, building effective coping skills, and practicing self-love. She prioritizes creating a safe and collaborative environment where clients can process their experiences and forge genuine connections to their healthier selves. With extensive experience across various settings—outpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, and residential programs—Katherine supports clients on their journeys toward eating disorder recovery. Her gentle, interactive, and play-focused approach is especially effective for children and adolescents. Katherine specializes in assisting those struggling with disordered eating and body image issues, guiding them in understanding the underlying functions of their eating disorders while developing alternative methods to fulfill their needs. She is enthusiastic about fostering lasting connections to clients' authentic selves.

Dr. Jeff Stine is a licensed clinical psychologist renowned for his respectful and warm approach to therapy. He is dedicated to collaborating with clients to help them gain insight into their experiences, which may arise from challenging personal relationships, life transitions, or self-imposed expectations. With a focus on strength and resiliency, Dr. Stine fosters self-exploration and meaning-making in his practice. He has extensive experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, and relational conflicts. His integrative methods combine psychodynamic exploration with cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques, enabling clients to achieve their therapeutic goals. Clients often describe Dr. Stine as compassionate, effective, and personable, benefitting from his expertise in psychological evaluations addressing cognitive functioning, learning difficulties, ADHD, mood disorders, and neurodevelopmental challenges. Dr. Stine is committed to providing a kind, supportive environment for healing and growth.

Stephen Sullivan is a dedicated licensed professional counselor (MA, LPC) who understands that life often presents unexpected challenges. He recognizes that individuals may find themselves asking, 'Can I deal with this?' or 'How am I going to get through this?' With a firm belief in the inherent strength within each person, Stephen supports his clients on their journey to uncover existing strengths and learn new coping skills to navigate overwhelming situations. He is passionate about creating a warm, welcoming, and judgment-free environment where clients can explore and embrace the best version of themselves. With experience in assisting clients across diverse backgrounds, Stephen is focused on providing a supportive space for individuals to unload their troubles. Together, clients and Stephen will discover their inherent strengths and develop effective coping strategies to enhance their lives. He specializes in helping clients manage anxiety, stress, and the curveballs life presents. Stephen looks forward to partnering with individuals as they seek to find strength, peace, and joy in their lives.

Bess Surmenkow is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with expertise in guiding individuals and couples through their struggles to reach their full potential. With offices in Northbrook, Chicago, and Schaumburg, she offers a safe and non-judgmental environment where clients can feel comfortable exploring their challenges. Bess's passion lies in fostering supportive therapeutic relationships that promote healing, insight, and personal growth. Her holistic and integrative approach emphasizes mindfulness-based therapy, allowing her to tailor treatment to meet the unique needs of each client. She works with adolescents, adults, and couples facing issues such as depression, anxiety, stress management, self-awareness, and transitions, along with relationship and parenting challenges. Notably, Bess specializes in food, weight, and body image, advocating for a non-diet approach to emotional eating. Drawing from both her personal journey and clinical expertise, she has successfully navigated her own struggles with food, resulting in a profound transformation where she lost 56 pounds and found peace with her relationship to food.

Sarah Taylor, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a minor in Child Development from Purdue University. She furthered her education by earning a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology (Counseling Practice) with a specialization in Clinical Child and Family Psychology at Roosevelt University. With extensive experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, adults, and families across various environments, including daycare centers, schools, healthcare facilities, private practice, and community mental health settings, Sarah is dedicated to guiding her clients through emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges. Utilizing evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), along with creative interventions, she fosters a safe, non-judgmental, and empathetic environment. Sarah prioritizes establishing a trusting therapeutic relationship, collaborating with clients to empower them to navigate stressful situations and reach their highest potential.

Genevieve Thornton, PSY D, is a dedicated licensed clinical psychologist who strives to create an enriching life for those she serves, particularly individuals with autism spectrum disorders. With nearly 20 years of experience working with children and adolescents, she fosters engagement and interest in community involvement among her clients. Genevieve's program, SociAbility, is a structured group therapy initiative designed to assist children, teens, and young adults facing social cognitive challenges. Recently, she expanded her focus to include adults navigating the complexities of finding and maintaining employment. Conducting thorough diagnostic evaluations for autism, Genevieve utilizes a spectrum of effective, evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), problem-solving, perspective-taking approaches, as well as Mindfulness, Video Modeling, and Role Playing. Together with her dedicated team of therapists, social workers, and actors, she supports clients in developing healthy, adaptive strategies, fostering confidence, cultivating healthy relationships, and promoting a positive lifestyle. Genevieve believes that the autistic community has much to contribute to the world and deserves equal opportunities for success and fulfillment.

Brittany Timberlake, a licensed professional counselor with an MS degree, is dedicated to providing personalized therapy that meets each client's unique needs. She understands that searching for the right therapist can be daunting, which is why she embraces the philosophy of 'different strokes for different folks.' Brittany is committed to tailoring therapeutic treatments that resonate with her clients, fostering a collaborative environment that emphasizes a strong therapeutic alliance. She employs a variety of evidence-based approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, play therapy, person-centered therapy, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, Life Space Crisis Intervention, and dialectical behavior therapy. As a licensed school counselor, Brittany has extensive experience helping students achieve academic success while overcoming school-related challenges. Her clinical interests encompass a wide range of issues, such as trauma, PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, gender dysphoria, self-harming behaviors, suicidal ideation, career issues, life transitions, relationship difficulties, self-esteem, ADHD, Autism Spectrum challenges, executive functioning, educational concerns, behavioral problems, parent coaching, family conflict, and developing social skills.