Meet Our Staff

Individual, Child & Family, Couples

Brian is a father, brother, and educator. He graduated with his M.A. in Clinical Psychology from the University of South Carolina (USC). Focused on the mental health and material well-being of Black and Brown persons, his clinical work utilizes culturally sensitive cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic approaches when working with clients of all ages. In developing our most aware and authentic selves, Brian believes in the co-development of helpful and engaging treatment plans that embody our ideal selves while confronting past and current barriers. Some of the target areas can include:

• Substance Use & Abuse

• Mourning/Loss

• Addiction

• Racial Stress & Stigma

• Interpersonal Violence

• Psychosocial & Emotional Concerns

• Family Conflict

• Mood Regulation

• Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress

• General anxiety and Depression

• ADHD & Autism

• Performance Capacity

• Suicide Ideation

Using warmth, empathy, humor and partnership, Brian strives to maintain a safe environment that allows for the discovering, unpacking, and unburdening of mental health concerns without fear of judgment. He operates from a holistic/body-centered approach, prioritizing an integrative therapeutic modality in his work. Brian is very dedicated to increasing personal awareness, capacity, and understanding. 

Professionally, his research interests include identity development, reflective glory, and the mental and material health of bodies of color. With over ten years of teaching experience, he has provided instruction for courses such as: Personality & Identity; Sports Psychology; Human Sexual Behavior; Introduction to Race & Ethnicity, & Human Development. Additionally, his latest course and seminar is: The Condition of Violence, Suffering, and Resistance. 

Individuals, Young Adults, Adolescents, Family

My name is Crystal Harris!

I received my Masters in Social Work from Aurora University. I specialize in Children’s therapy, play therapy, Art therapy and CBT.

I have six years of case management and therapy experience. I have worked in child welfare, community mental health and in medical management. I enjoy working with children, teens and young adults. I’ve always been a big advocate in self-care and like to apply holistic care with clients.  

I enjoy helping clients in treatment of anxiety, depression, and self eat building.  During my downtime, I enjoy being a mother, making candles and having fun

Individuals, Young Adults, Adolescents, Family

Hello! My name is Crystal Hart. I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Aurora University. I continued my education and graduated with my Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology in May of 2022.  I have a warm personality and have always enjoyed helping others. I have extensive experience working with individuals with substance use disorders, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. I have worked with individuals from all cultures and backgrounds.

I believe that we as humans all go through periods when we need some help with our mental health. I enjoy creating a safe space for my clients to share the issues that they are facing in their lives. I am very much looking forward to creating that space with you. 

My therapeutic approach stems from evidence-based treatment modalities. I tend to use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy along with Psychodynamic therapy. I like to explore the thoughts and feelings that are disrupting my client’s wellbeing. I also like to understand what experiences that they have gone through that has shaped those thoughts and feelings. I believe that both are important to explore in order to maintain positive change in our lives.

One of my main career goals is to make a positive impact on the world. I believe that I can do that by helping one person at a time. I want to help others live a happy, full, and authentic life. One of my favorite things about my career is that I get to witness positive transformations daily. It is an absolute honor to be a part of someone’s journey to self-discovery and happiness.

Individuals, Young Adults, Adolescents, Family

Elesha obtained her bachelor's in medical Humanities with a minor in Vocational Ministry from Baylor University in 2012. She later completed a dual master's in divinity and Master in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University Chicago in 2019.Currently, Elesha is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor for the State of Illinois for the Cook County Region.  While studying at Baylor University her research was how Spirituality affects Health in a Healthcare setting. While pursuing her dual master's degree, Elesha graduated from a Clinical Pastoral Education Unit at South Suburban Hospital and Trinity Hospital of Chicago where she served as a Chaplain. She currently serves and sits on the City Helps board, a program geared to at risk youth development. Her passion is for communities and outreach. She was awarded the Thomas A. Dart Cook County Medal of Honor Award where she was honored for her philanthropy work in Chicago, Haiti, and Croatia. Elesha cherishes her family and desires to one day open up full-service family counseling center that meets the needs of communities and churches. She hopes to inspire other young people to fulfill their dreams and calling that has been placed in their life. Elesha’s specialties are pastoral counseling, pastoral care, grief, vocational counseling, college and young adults, and those who are going through transitions in life. 
 

Adjustment, Couples, and Career Therapist

Farrah Ellison has experience working with adolescents and young adults who are dealing with a wide range of issues including but not limited to anxiety, relationship concerns and adjustment/transitional issues. She also has experience in career counseling - skills/values assessments and job coaching.

She has an holistic approach to counseling that allows her to meet clients where they are and assist them in becoming the best version of themselves. She utilizes a strengths base approach and believes that everyone has the capacity for change and growth. 

She received her Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Michigan and went on to obtain a Masters in Community/School Counseling from Loyola University Chicago and a Masters in Education Administration from Lewis University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor.   

She has previously worked as a high school guidance counselor and is currently serving as Dean of Students at Plainfield East High School.  She enjoys college sports, live concerts, food, and spending time with her family.   

Individuals, Adolescents, Young Adults, Families

Lori A. Smith graduated from DePaul University where she earned a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. For the past decade Lori has worked with adolescents, first as a middle school and high school teacher and later as a school-based therapist in diverse communities. During her teaching career, Lori realized that it is difficult for young people to concentrate on academics when they are experiencing mental health challenges, so she became passionate about helping teens, young adults, and families navigate through relational problems, depression, anxiety, grief, and the challenges of transitional stages of life. 

Lori practices from a multicultural perspective using evidence based, eclectic combinations of CBT, narrative techniques, solution-based and client-centered approaches. Her aim is to empower her clients to utilize the strengths they already have to resolve issues while integrating new life and coping skills. 

Lori believes that YOU are the expert of your life. She provides a warm, 

safe, genuine space for you to heal, grow, and cultivate a life that reflects your authentic values and goals. 

In her personal time Lori enjoys reading romance novels, watching sci-fi and fantasy genres and spending time with her son, family, and friends.  

Addiction, Adolescents, Young Adults, Individual, Family, and Trauma

Maureen Hall is a Pre-licensed Professional Counselor who holds a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Addiction Studies from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. With over a decade of clinical experience in a myriad of settings included outpatient and residential care, large non-profit organizations, and educational systems, she has become an expert in offering care to those on the margins, specializing in trauma recovery, anger management, grief and bereavement, addiction, depression, and anxiety. In her vocation, she applies a holistic and collaborative approach with clients, combining faith with clinical practices to address the roots of clients’ experiences to ensure sustainable success.

As a culturally humble clinician, Maureen has experience working with a diverse demographic and welcomes clients of all backgrounds. Her career goal is to empower clients of all ages in their journeys of self-awareness, healing, and resiliency as they persevere through challenging life transitions including but not limited to suicidal ideations, adoptions, deaths, career changes, and new or ended relationships. Maureen is passionate about providing excellent client-centered care and assisting clients to become experts in self-regulating effective coping strategies and decision making in discovering their given purpose.

Adolescents, Young Adults, Individual, Family, and Trauma

Rheaux is a Reiki practitioner and certified Integrative Life Coach with an emphasis on helping clients express their values and live balanced, healthy, and fulfilling lives of their choosing. Rheaux is passionate about assisting others in creating or co-creating their most honest and empowered lives since she has personally navigated many of the same life dimensions that her clients do. 

She works closely with her clients to build a dynamic and trustworthy relationship that promotes a powerful journey and outcome. She is based in Chicago, Illinois, and has both domestic and foreign clients. Her approach is wholistic, and she works with her clients to achieve their objectives by using a mind-body-spirit perspective. 

Rheaux received a certification from the Lumia Coaching School, an ICF-accredited institution, and will shortly receive International Coaching Federation credentials. Rheaux works with individuals, couples, teaches courses, facilitates group sessions, and delivers motivational speeches. 

Rheaux spends her free time caring for her four fur-babies, reading about spirituality and personal growth, and keeping up with the newest TikTok dance trends. 

Young Adults, Adolescents, Family 

My name is Shanika Reed! I received my Masters in Clinical Mental Health from Roosevelt University. My counseling and case management experience comes from working for non-profits in underserved communities around the Chicago area. I also work in residential care part-time. I enjoy working with young adults, women dealing with domestic violence. I am very caring and believe kindness and understanding is a major key to the therapy process. I allow people to come into their own while being supportive and strong support to rely on. When I'm not working. I enjoy reading, yoga, and time with family. I look for reasons to laugh daily.