Alanda Smith, MSW, LSW, CADC, CGCS, is a dedicated clinical social worker and therapist who offers a wide array of counseling services tailored to meet diverse needs. She specializes in individual, family, couples, and group services, with particular attention to addiction, couples therapy, and grief support. Proficient in addressing all aspects of mental health, Alanda is committed to walking beside her clients on their journey towards healing and emotional stability. Her warmth, expertise, and genuine care create a supportive environment for each individual's growth and recovery.

Julie Logan, LCSW, is dedicated to guiding individuals who are ready for transformative change in their lives. She understands that people often find themselves trapped in cycles of repetitive behavior, yearning for a different outcome. Julie believes that meaningful change requires support and practical strategies that foster lasting results. By providing a supportive and accepting environment, she encourages her clients to navigate their emotions, develop positive coping techniques, and embrace joy and happiness through mindfulness and presence. Julie employs a diverse range of therapeutic modalities tailored to each individual's needs, including Positive Psychology, Art Therapy, EMDR, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, among others. As a compassionate guide, she embodies authenticity and a commitment to personal growth, treating each client as a unique individual and focusing on their journey toward thriving beyond mere survival.

Eileen McCarten, MS, LCPC, NCC, is a compassionate counselor who believes in the power of genuine relationships founded on empathy, presence, and acceptance. With a wealth of experience working with a diverse clientele—including children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families—she excels in addressing complex issues such as grief, relationship problems, and divorce. Eileen's extensive background includes serving as a child specialist and coach in the collaborative law process, as well as leading workshops focused on conflict transformation and communication skills. Eileen employs Emotion-Focused Therapy, a robust and evidence-based approach, to guide her clients in understanding and utilizing their emotions as valuable wisdom for navigating life's challenges. Her philosophy centers on fostering each individual's inherent capacity for growth and mastery, believing that skillfully engaging with emotions paves the way for meaningful change.

Linda Nguyen is a compassionate Marriage and Family Therapist, MS, LMFT, dedicated to empowering individuals, couples, and families in achieving their fullest potential and restoring their emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. She specializes in helping clients navigate challenges such as anxiety, depression, grief, chronic stress, relational conflicts, and trauma. Linda adopts a holistic approach that integrates systemic, attachment, and trauma-informed methodologies. She understands that issues arise within the context of relationships, upbringing, environment, and personal experiences, and therefore, her therapeutic practice emphasizes these interconnected factors to facilitate genuine healing. With a background in fitness training, she promotes the importance of aligning mental and physical health, recognizing that optimal well-being is attained when both aspects are in harmony. Through her unique blend of somatic and culturally sensitive therapy techniques, including the Safe and Sound Protocol, clients are encouraged to thrive and conquer their challenges under Linda's nurturing guidance.

Kathleen Odierno, LCSW, is a dedicated therapist who believes in a holistic approach, skillfully integrating the mind, body, and spirit to help clients attain and maintain balance. With extensive experience in Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), Kathleen has conducted seminars on stress, resilience, and wellness, even managing wellness fairs. Her clinical background includes work in probation for court-ordered treatment, addressing mental health concerns, trauma, substance abuse issues, and collaborating with diverse populations in various crisis situations. She has been an integral part of a hospital behavioral health unit, a psychiatric clinic, and a trauma recovery center. Moreover, Kathleen has facilitated trauma groups developed by Stephanie Covington, specifically Beyond Violence and Beyond Trauma. She empowers individuals and couples by equipping them with effective skills for conflict resolution, enhancing communication, and providing the practical knowledge necessary to manage stress and anxiety, facilitating positive change for a better life. Kathleen is a proud member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), a certified Reiki Master, and previously served as an Adjunct Professor at Aurora University. Additionally, she holds the certification as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP).

Roseanne Oppmann, LCPC, is a dedicated therapist who passionately serves a wide range of clients, from preteens to elders. With a special focus on autism and relationship issues, she employs a variety of therapeutic modalities including Positive Psychology, Family Systems, and Person-Centered approaches. Roseanne is known for her culturally sensitive practice, ensuring that her clients feel understood and respected. She offers individual, family, and group therapy, utilizing integrative techniques that encompass mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and cognitive behavioral strategies. Roseanne's warm demeanor and compassionate approach create a safe space for her clients to explore their challenges and foster personal growth.

Ellie Riedelsperger is a compassionate and dedicated clinical social worker specializing in therapy for children and adolescents aged 5 to 18. She helps her young clients navigate a wide range of challenges including emotional awareness, anxiety, stress, depression, ADHD, trauma, and relationship issues with family or significant others. Currently in training to become a certified Child and Parent Psychotherapist (CPP), Ellie utilizes a relational approach to trauma therapy, particularly for children aged 0-5. She is committed to establishing an authentic and genuine connection with each child or teen, ensuring they look forward to their sessions. Ellie fosters a therapeutic environment that feels comfortable, relaxed, and validating, where kids can express themselves through games, music, and art. With an understanding of the challenges in reaching out for help, she strives to make the therapeutic process easy and enjoyable, reflecting her passion for working with young individuals and their families.

Rachel Rothermel is a compassionate and dedicated Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with a Master's Degree in Applied Child and Family Studies from Northern Illinois University. With a passion for helping children, families, and individuals, Rachel employs a strength-based and family systems approach to therapy. She is skilled in various therapeutic modalities, including play therapy, expressive arts, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Rachel specializes in working with clients aged 6 to 18 and addresses a wide range of presenting issues such as trauma and PTSD, mood disorders, ADHD, depression, anxiety, and relational difficulties. Her commitment to creating a safe and nurturing environment fosters internal growth and resilience. Rachel's expertise also extends to issues like parenting challenges, divorce, and co-parenting strategies, making her a valuable resource for families in transition.

Julie Rylatt, a licensed clinical social worker and therapist, understands that children, teens, and their parents are facing unprecedented levels of anxiety. She has developed a comprehensive program that effectively addresses these challenges, utilizing a structured approach that involves both parties. Julie's expertise allows her to educate children about the nature of their anxiety, equipping them with practical strategies to manage their feelings and succeed in both home and school environments. Parents are guided on how to support their child's anxiety management without unintentionally reinforcing it. Many families feel overwhelmed as they watch their loved ones struggle; with Julie’s support, they can learn to not only manage anxiety but also foster resilience and thrive during these difficult times. Her program includes calming strategies beneficial for both children and adults dealing with anxiety and depression. Additionally, Julie works with families navigating family and juvenile court, offering reunification counseling and therapeutic sessions to address parental alienation issues. By providing nonjudgmental support, education, and insights, Julie builds strong therapeutic relationships that are essential for successful outcomes. She believes in the power of unconditional support from the therapist as a cornerstone of effective therapy.

Renita Shores-Gaston, a dedicated Clinical Social Worker and Therapist, provides a comprehensive range of counseling services, which include individual, family, couples, and group therapy. Recognizing that effective counseling and psychotherapy rely on mutual understanding and a strong rapport between client and therapist, Renita strives to create a nurturing environment where clients can explore their emotional needs and navigate barriers that hinder their full potential. With an open-minded perspective on client wellness, she thoughtfully considers how each person's mental, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual health intricately influences their unique journey to healing. Renita specializes in Trauma Focused therapy and employs culturally sensitive approaches, ensuring that her practice can meet the needs of a diverse clientele.

Katy Siler is a dedicated Marriage and Family Therapist (MS, LMFT) who assists clients in pursuing their life dreams. Her clients often arrive with a clear vision of their goals and seek guidance to navigate the path toward building fulfilling lives. Katy takes great joy in witnessing individuals blossom into their authentic selves as they connect deeply with their aspirations, find their voices, redefine significant relationships, and process difficult emotions that may have previously hindered their progress. With a strong focus on supporting the LGBTQ+ community, she is passionate about serving individuals from this vibrant and diverse population. Her therapeutic style is grounded in meeting clients where they are, helping them identify patterns that need to change to address underlying issues effectively. Katy's approach emphasizes empowerment, allowing her clients to make meaningful strides that lead to lasting changes well beyond their time together. Her expertise spans a variety of therapeutic modalities, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotionally Focused therapy, and the Gottman Method, among others, enabling her to tailor her methods to each individual's needs.

Anita Thomas-bua is a seasoned therapist and licensed professional counselor who provides support for change, emotional well-being, personal empowerment, and self-growth. She specializes in assisting individuals navigating changes in relationships, including those facing marital challenges, divorce, and adjustments in adult and child relationships, as well as employer-employee dynamics. Anita offers compassionate and empathetic guidance in the areas of mind, body, and spirit, addressing concerns such as ADHD, mood disorders—including depression, anxiety, panic disorder, and bipolar disorder—trauma, abuse (both emotional and physical), infidelity, conflict resolution, and various developmental changes throughout the lifespan. She understands the complexities surrounding new medical diagnoses, the arrival of a new child, and marriage, working diligently with her clients to address all adjustment issues. For those seeking a supportive, non-judgmental, and deeply human therapist, Anita Thomas-bua is ready to provide the guidance and understanding needed to foster healing and resilience.

Donna Kasper is a dedicated Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and National Certified Counselor with a Master’s Degree in Science, specializing in counseling. She offers a compassionate therapeutic program that utilizes animals, primarily horses and dogs, alongside Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Trauma-Focused Therapy. This unique approach significantly enhances both the mental and physical health of adults and children facing challenges such as disabilities, trauma from sexual and domestic abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Through her guidance, clients experience improvements in overall functioning, self-esteem, assertive skills, and impulse control, all while learning to nurture those who cannot voice their needs.<br /> <br /> Donna brings extensive experience to her practice, having served as a foster parent and in various roles, including foster care case manager and the Director of a Child Welfare Agency. The animals at Alternative Counseling Solutions are all rescues, contributing to a nurturing environment. Notably, Vegas, a rescue horse, has been a part of the counseling program for the past eight years, and Montana, another rescue horse, has joined the team for three years. Additionally, Baby, a therapy dog, is currently working towards her certification, further enriching the therapeutic experience for clients seeking support in handling issues like anxiety, depression, family conflict, and emotional disturbances.