Northbrook Therapists specializing in Parenting

Jessica Myszak

If you are looking for someone to complete a psychological evaluation, you want someone who can understand what you need and take the steps to look at all of the information and provide you with answers. I have done thousands of evaluations for children and adults over the years for a variety of referral questions. This experience helps me understand the needs for different types of evaluations. The assessments used, the language of a report, and the recommendations can mean the difference between a good report and a great report.  I’ve been able to help families get the documentation they need to start ASD therapy for their young children, get accommodations in school and for high stakes testing, including the GRE, move forward with adoption, learn more about their ADHD or autism, and done IMEs (Independent Medical Examination) to support clients as they pursue disability benefits. 

Denise Ambre

Denise earned her Master of Social Work degree from Loyola University, Chicago, and a Graduate Certificate in Adult Psychoanalysis from the Wisconsin Psychoanalytic Institute (WPI), Milwaukee, WI. As a psychotherapist and certified psychoanalyst, Denise employs a psychodynamic approach that meets each client at their own personal “starting line.” She then applies tailored treatment methods to help clients identify specific patterns of behavior and develop strategies for overcoming them.

Kandyce McConico

My name is Kandyce and I specialize in working with adolescent, young adult, and emerging adults. Whether you're still in high school figuring it out or in the early stages of work, relationship, and setting intentions, I'd love to partner with you. I want you to thrive! Together we will look at what's holding you back, identify the origin, and create a clear path forward. It's okay if you don't know where to start... we'll figure that out together. I practice from a Rational Emotive Behavioral perspective to look at the intersection of your beliefs, feelings, and actions.

Ilyssa Lasky

My goal is to help you meet your goals, if you aren't sure what those are yet- don't worry we can do that together. I will give you tools that have helped many others dealing with similar things you have. They can be used anywhere you are. Together, we will work to address anxiety, self esteem issues, or anything that is bothering you right now. I will meet you where you are at in the moment and we will work to make you feel safe and secure. Most of my life has been focused on helping people get rid of anxiety and negative thoughts. Through my training and 7 years of professional work, I can teach you how to find relief. We will work together to figure out why you are feeling this way and establish positive coping tools to use quickly. The intervention is dependent on you; there is no one size fits all.

Angel Buchanan

My approach is best described as warm, encouraging, and collaborative. I treat a wide range of mental health issues in adults and specialize in trauma therapy. Should you decide to continue therapy with me, I adjust my approach to help you become your best possible self. Please see my website at www.AngelBuchanan.com for specific information about my experience, approach, and specialty areas.

Meggie Twible

We, as humans, hold a lot: our bodies, our emotions, our perceptions, our histories. I don’t believe we have to do this alone, and my intent as a therapist is to join you in the work of living your life. I begin with an effort to understand how you experience yourself, your relationships, your communities, and the systems which impact them. I then follow your lead as we navigate changes you may want to make or are facing. You already have what you need to grow. Through the therapeutic process, we can work together to create a space where that growth feels possible. I have led in the fields of intimate partner and sexual violence for 7+ years, I hold a Master's in Social Work from the University of Chicago, and I completed a Post-Graduate Therapy Fellowship with Live Oak, an LGBTQ+ affirming private practice. I am participating in the intermediate year of Somatic Experiencing training.

Carly Wolfram

The tools that I provide includes: Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectal Behavior Therapy (DBT), play therapy, executive functioning training for ages 3 and up, working with Autism, Dissociative Identity Disorder, C-PTSD, PTSD, and gender transitioning. My goal is to help the individual and view the individual has the ability to heal.

Michelle Magida

Individual therapy is one step in the therapeutic process. Parents are encouraged to be an active member in the process by supporting their child as they venture through their feelings to elicit change.

Hilary Davis

I hold dual licenses as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. I also serves as the Director of Clinical Operations at TFC. I am a Certified Gottman Therapist and am pursuing certification in Grief Movement and facilitating Therapeutic Tabletop Role Playing Games. I also focus on continued training in the areas of couples counseling, trauma, EMDR, anxiety, and grief. As a Certified Gottman Therapist I bring a unique perspective to counseling. Every individual has unique needs and desires, the Gottman Method is based of decades of research studying relationships and the factors that are most likely to increase the longevity of a relationship.

Amy Wagner

I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LCP) and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with over thirty years of experience treating individuals, couples and families from all walks of life. For twenty-five years I worked as a Senior Staff Therapist at The Family Institute at Northwestern University (TFI) and directed the Family Therapy Clinical Training Program for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Psychiatric Residents. I also am a Clinical Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Northwestern University. My undergraduate degree is from the University of Pennsylvania,I received my Masters and Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) from the University of Virginia. I am Approved Supervisor of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and a recommended therapist of the Stepfamily Association of America.

Dana Rivera

I take an eclectic and holistic approach to therapy. Every human being is their own unique self and needs to be understood and seen. I choose to use a multitude of techniques and modalities to fit your specific needs. I am direct but down to earth. Part of therapy is asking tough questions and looking at things that we might have avoided in our life because of fear. I strongly believe the way we think impacts the way we move through the world and often encourage the use of self compassion. When we are kind to ourselves, we allow ourselves the time we need to get to where we want to be. I will be your cheerleader, insight facilitator, skill builder, and personal guide through all of life's transitions being thrown your way.

Megan Brady

I use a relationship-based approach to identify your strengths in order to start where you or your child is at. Together we will identify needs and challenges in order to determine the goals for therapy. Using a variety of creative interventions, we will build upon strengths and interests in order to create positive change.

Kenan Pojskic

I am a systematic and solution-oriented therapist that is experienced in working with individuals, families, and couples on various issues ranging from anxiety, depression, relationship and communication issues, and difficulties in cultural assimilation/acculturation. I often utilize a more light-hearted approach to therapy where humor is welcome and used as much as the situation allows it! Due to my history working with parents, I am also able to help you explore various parenting techniques that you can apply with your children as well as gain a deeper understanding the role communication plays between you and your immediate family members.

Elizabeth Bierbaum Clarke

I think of myself as a general practitioner, whose personal style is warm and interactive. I utilize a relational approach informed by acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and mindful cognitive-behavioral (CBT) principles. Psychotherapy at Third Wave Wellness provides a unique opportunity to transform one’s suffering. Learning to be more present, create space for discomfort, and mine for greater meaning allows us to take new actions to find joy, calm and purpose. Therapy is highly collaborative, and we work together toward your goals. I received a BA in English from Skidmore College, and also studied photography, dance, and theatre for many years. I attended Smith College for my MSW, and very much value the wonderful clinician education I received there. In recent years I have pursued advanced training in Trauma, Gottman Couples Therapy, and Contextual Behavioral or Third Wave therapies. I loved being a student, and enjoy my continuing education.

David Michiels

In my therapy practice, I use the following evidence-based approaches: ACT (Acceptance and Commitment therapy), Marriage and Family therapy, CBT (Cognitive Behavioral therapy), EFT (Emotionally Focused therapy), Substance Use therapy (including harm reduction for any addictive issues), Relationship counseling, Trauma-informed therapy, Grief and Loss therapy, Exposure therapy, mindfulness-based therapy and DBT (Dialectical Behavior therapy). I work with a wide range of clients and have experience working with: PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), anxiety, depression, ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), grief and loss, relationship issues, marriage counseling, parenting, children/adolescents, family counseling, substance/addiction issues, bipolar, sexual identity concerns, personality disorders and psychotic disorders. Areas of improvement: eating disorders, borderline personality, fertility issues and autism/learning disabilities.

Sergio Hernández

I will assist you by clearing the way to bring about meaningful change through innovative, tailored interventions that help cultivate mindfulness and self-awareness. I strive to help clients recognize patterns that underlie psychological or emotional distress, and to provide symptom relief. I do this by using an integrative, strengths-based approach, drawing from person-centered, Humanistic/Existential, Cognitive Behavioral, trauma-focused and Psychodynamic approaches. A Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the state of Illinois and holding National Board Certification (NBCC), I am also a Bikram Yoga Teacher. Learning from years of experience in both, private and community mental health settings, I hold specializations in substance use treatment (CADC), positive parenting, individual, couples, and LGBT affirming counseling. I deliver professional, culturally sound counseling services with the utmost respect for the uniqueness and dignity deserving of your story.

Rachel Albers

I have an an MA in Clinician Mental Health Counseling, am a Nationally Certified Counselor, and a Licensed Professional Counselor. My background is in PTSD and trauma informed approaches. I believe that every client is unique and is the expert on themselves. It's my goal to offer empathy, compassion, clarity, and an objective, non-judgmental, third party perspective. Some folks need a listening ear, others need to process childhood trauma, some folks want to learn communication skills, and others just want some encouragement... honestly, therapy is whatever you choose to make of it. My job is to support you in whatever way I can, as we go about this journey called life.

Catherine Boyce

I help women with anxiety and overwhelm. Many of the women I see are going through major life transitions or are just tired of feeling lonely and stuck in their lives. I give them tools that empower them to feel calm and confident, to slow their brain and thinking so they can feel clear about what they want, and to find creative ways to get their needs met. Utilizing relationship therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and hypnotherapy my clients become skilled in navigating whatever life throws at them. They learn to create their lives rather than avoiding them and they fall in love with who they are.

Cheryl Weiss

I come from Strengths - Based and Cognitive Behavioral approaches sprinkled in with some Dialectical Behavioral Approach into my ten years plus of experience doing therapy. My work with clients is collaborative. I don't just focus on one or two specific modalities and I can be eclectic in my approach depending on what clients bring into their session. Because therapy may bring up different levels of discomfort because of the unpleasant emotions, memories or thoughts that come up, I believe that in order to engage in this therapeutic process, a therapist and client should be able to establish rapport as well as to promote a safe and nonjudgmental environment. I work with clients with varying life issues related to stress, anxiety, depression, identity, relationships, and trauma.

Anna Grinshpun