Kim Vander Griend, AM, LCSW is a strengths-based, client-centered psychotherapist who focuses on partnering with clients while moving at their own pace. Her collaborative style utilizes an integrative, solution-focused approach where concrete skill development is addressed. Kim’s approach to therapy emphasizes the importance of seeking and creating healthy relationships. She believes strongly in utilizing the therapeutic relationship to explore positive change and growth. Kim draws from family systems, cognitive behavioral, motivational interviewing and psychodynamic theories in her practice.
Kim earned her Bachelor’s of Arts in Communications Arts and Sciences from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She earned her Master’s of Arts from The University of Chicago, The School of Social Service Administration. She completed her post-graduate clinical training at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Baltimore, Maryland. She also was a Field Consultant and graduate student instructor at The University of Chicago, The School of Social Service Administration.
Private Pay Only
United Healthcare/Optum
Our life has seasons, and sometimes we feel connected, vibrant, and on a path that feels designed for us. Other times we can feel unmoored, stuck, and unsure we are moving in the right direction. Feelings of sadness, anxiety, and disconnection can complicate our efforts to fully engage in what life has offered us. Colt believes the people he works with are experts on their own experience, and have an innate sense of when things aren’t where they want them to be. He uses evidence-based interventions that include exploring and deepening his client’s understanding of their own values, and then using those values to build a life aligned with what is most important to them. Colt believes in moving through therapy shoulder-to-shoulder with his clients, engaging in a process of mutual discovery and collaborating on a path forward. Making the decision to come to therapy can be a hard one, but is often the first step towards overcoming those barriers to getting what you want from life.
Colt has worked for the last eight years in community health settings in a variety of capacities serving individuals struggling with mental health challenges, addiction, issues related to sexual identity, and chronic illnesses including Hepatitis C and HIV. Colt earned his Master of Arts in Social Work at the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration and received ongoing training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in a post-graduate fellowship. Colt is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.
Aetna
Aetna Medicare Advantage
BCBS PPO
BCBS HMO (Site 475 and 489)
BCBS HMO Medicare Advantage (Site 475 and 489)
Humana
Medicare
Optum/United Healthcare
Samantha (she/her) is a Licensed Social Worker, who became a therapist because she believes that change is always possible, and that humans have an inherent ability to heal and transform when they feel safe, heard, and connected. She understands that sometimes patterns of thinking or difficult emotions feel like they pull us away from living life fully. In session, Samantha works with individuals to identify their strengths, increase self-compassion, create safety in their bodies, and expand their capacity to respond in the face of life’s difficult moments. She’s also a big believer in the power of humor, and encourages her clients to bring their full selves into their work together.
Samantha specializes in working with young adults and adults as they move through life transitions. She has worked with individuals experiencing complex trauma responses, processing grief and loss, working through identity related concerns or religious deconstruction, and those struggling with shame, self-esteem/body image, suicidal ideation, depression, and anxiety. In her couples and relationship work, Samantha helps partners strengthen connection, navigate deep-seated conflict, and improve day to day communication. She has experience working with couples preparing for marriage/life transitions, and partnerships navigating the impact of trauma on their relationship.
Samantha shows up to sessions with compassion, curiosity, honesty, and hope, creating a space to slow down and tune into emotions, beliefs, and responses. While she often works in the present moment through using mindfulness and coping skills to manage immediate needs, she understands the impact our histories have on our sense of self and current challenges. She therefore takes a holistic perspective to treatment, and provides space to challenge societal messages and experiences related to sexism, racism, oppression, and marginalization, and their impact on your mental health.
She earned her Master of Arts in Social Work at the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration, and her Bachelor’s degree in Human Service Studies from Elon University in North Carolina. Prior to coming to LifePath, Samantha worked with college and graduate students at Columbia College of Chicago Counseling Services, with children and adolescents experiencing community violence and trauma, and in the field of community development, where she partnered with a health center in Uganda to conduct human-rights focused HIV/AIDS research.
Aetna PPO
Aetna Medicare Advantage
BCBS PPO
BCBS Choice PPO
BCBS HMO (Only Site 475 and 489)
Humana
Medicare
United Healthcare/Optum
Sacha is a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist who believes healthy relationships are the stepping stones to healing, processing, and understanding not only each other but also ourselves. While utilizing Gottman, emotion-focused, strategic, and experiential approaches, she seeks to create a space for clients to feel safe in their therapeutic process. She also provides a space for couples to reconnect, rebuild, and redefine their relationship at each stage of their lives.
Sacha acknowledges each client’s experiences as their own while providing a systemic perspective to assist them in their process to self-discovery. She has experience with guiding both individuals and couples through life transitions, anxiety, depression, relational challenges, and emotional healing. Sacha often works closely with clients to build skills around communication, healthy boundaries, and interpersonal relationships. She understands for people to process life’s challenges they need to experience a supportive, earnest, and genuine environment. Sacha provides that with empathy, cultural sensitivity, humor and a deep care for human nature.
Aetna PPO
Aetna Medicare Advantage
BCBS PPO
BCBS Choice PPO
BCBS HMO (Only Site 475 and 489)
Humana
Medicare
United Healthcare/Optum
* provides therapy in Spanish and English
Jack Lionberger is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who earned his master’s degree from the University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice where he was a member of a program of study that focused on the newest forms of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Jack enjoys working with both individuals and couples, and draws most from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Jack takes an approach that looks beyond diagnoses, and explores the larger patterns and processes of behavior and thinking that get in the way of people’s lives and relationships. He believes that challenges like conflict, uncertainty, worry, sadness, anger, grief, loss and more, are the natural outcomes of being alive, and often contain important information for what matters most to us.
Jack has extensive clinical experience in community mental health, inpatient psychiatry, and working with frontline and healthcare workers. He has a proven record of helping people who experience acute anxiety, OCD, suicidality, PTSD, moral injury, addiction, interpersonal difficulties, chronic pain, death and grief, and more. Beyond any one theory, Jack believes that therapy should focus on a client’s values and strengths to help them get closer to a life that is authentic and purpose driven; he makes it his mission to show up to every therapy session with empathy, authenticity, care, and humor.
In his personal life Jack enjoys simple pleasures like cooking, baking, good coffee, playing bass, time with his dog, eating pizza, and beach days.
Aetna PPO
Aetna Medicare Advantage
BCBS PPO
BCBS Choice PPO
BCBS HMO (Only Site 475 and 489)
Humana
Medicare
United Healthcare/Optum
Anu is a licensed clinical social worker with 15 years of psychotherapy experience. She received dual master’s degrees in Social Work and Women’s Studies from Loyola University, Chicago. She previously worked as a hospice and palliative care social worker for 7 years at Midwest Palliative and Hospice CareCenter (now Journeycare) where she provided care for individuals and families coping with with terminal and life limiting illnesses. Anu was a therapist at Thrive Counseling Center in Oak Park for 8 years, working with older adults providing at home psychotherapy, and also doing individual and family therapy with adults across the lifespan. There, she started and facilitated a support group for individuals struggling with death, loss and grief. She was one of the co-founders of the agency’s BIPOC group. She currently teaches core courses at Dominican University’s Graduate School of Social work. Anu’s previous experiences include running a shelter program and counseling women escaping partner violence.
As a clinician drawing from Family Systems theories, Anu has been utilizing concepts of a person in environment perspective to recognize and incorporate knowledge of systemic “isms.” She sees the therapeutic relationship as a collaboration between the individual and the therapist while exploring and creating supportive systems in the community which continue to aid the client and family in their recovery. She works with clients struggling with chronic mental illnesses and focuses on depression, anxiety, trauma and PTSD, marital and partner dynamics and challenges of individuals on the neurodivergent spectrum. She uses narrative and feminist therapeutic models to recognize intersectional challenges experienced by women, people of color and LGBTQI populations. Her therapeutic style is empathetic yet directive. Anu often utilizes her background in yoga teaching to help clients learn ways in which trauma manifests in the human body and incorporates mindfulness and meditative practices in her work.
Aetna PPO
Aetna Medicare Advantage
BCBS PPO
BCBS Choice PPO
BCBS HMO (Only Site 475 and 489)
Humana
Medicare
United Healthcare/Optum
Paige (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker passionate about helping individuals better understand their emotions and experiences in order to expand their capacity to connect, heal, and grow. She uses warmth and authenticity to create an affirming and nonjudgmental space to unpack all the messy, painful, beautiful, and absurd aspects of life. She views herself as a collaborative thought partner, helping clients explore new perspectives and possibilities, challenge oppressive narratives and systems, and use their strengths to live more intentionally. Using a holistic approach, she strives to walk alongside clients with curiosity, empathy, cultural humility, and humor.
Paige specializes in working with adults struggling with perinatal mental health issues (e.g., postpartum depression and anxiety, infertility) and individuals working to heal from acute and complex trauma. She enjoys working with teenagers dealing with depression and anxiety, peer or family relational challenges, and questions about identity. She also enjoys facilitating support groups, recognizing the unique power of the group to help clients find validation and connection.
Paige earned her Master of Arts in Social Work from the University of Chicago, Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. Prior to joining LifePath, she worked with adolescents, young adults, and families navigating challenges related to depression, suicidal ideation, relational conflict, gender and sexuality, and so on. She also has experience in secondary education and higher education settings. Her therapeutic approach is tailored to the needs of each person and is informed by Humanism, Internal Family Systems, Trauma-informed approaches, Mindfulness and Self-Compassion, Motivational Interviewing, Attachment Theory, Queer Theory, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Aetna PPO
Aetna Medicare Advantage
BCBS PPO
BCBS Choice PPO
BCBS HMO (Only Site 475 and 489)
Humana
Medicare
United Healthcare/Optum
Aetna PPO
BCBS PPO
BCBS Choice PPO
BCBS HMO (Site 475 and 489)
Humana
Kelsey helps clients cultivate mindfulness, acceptance, and values-based living, empowering them to move beyond the obstacles of difficult thoughts and emotions. By fostering cognitive flexibility and resilience, they guide their clients in aligning their actions with their deepest values, even in the face of challenging circumstances.
In their work with couples, Kelsey utilizes evidence-based techniques to promote effective communication, understanding, and conflict resolution. Drawing from their training in mediation, they help clients navigate conflict and transitions with empathy and respect, fostering a collaborative approach to problem-solving and decision-making. Kelsey also enjoys working with folks in LGBTQ+ and polyamorous relationships, where they provide affirming and supportive care that honors the unique dynamics and needs of each relationship.
When partnering with prenatal and perinatal clients, Kelsey’s warmth and empathy guides the way for considering, expectant, and new parents. Their work spans every stage of the process – fertility concerns, pregnancy, childbirth, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), relationship changes, infant and pregnancy loss, abortion care, and adjustment to the postpartum period. They provide gentle support and validation, helping clients navigate the highs and lows of parenthood with grace and resilience.
Kelsey offers specialized support to LGBTQ+ and polyamorous individuals and relationships, addressing the unique considerations and concerns they may encounter on their journey to parenthood. They assist clients in navigating family-building, queer identity in parenthood, gender-diverse parenting, managing relationship dynamics, and preparing for the emotional challenges of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum adjustment. They collaborate closely with clients to develop personalized treatment plans, integrating evidence-based interventions that are sensitive to their identities and relationship structures.
In addition to their speciality areas, Kelsey also works with folks navigating identity development, grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, OCD, life transitions, relationship concerns, and healing and reparenting after childhood trauma.
Kelsey holds two master’s degrees in Social Work and Mediation and Conflict Resolution from Dominican University.
Aetna PPO
BCBS PPO
BCBS Choice PPO
BCBS HMO (Site 475 and 489)
Humana
Anya (she/her) believes that every individual is unique, and that starting therapy can be difficult no matter your age. A person’s mental health is very important, and while it can be burdensome to start the process of improving it, reaching out for support is an important first step. Anya likes to spend the first session getting to know her clients and their goals. Then, through building- trust, Anya’s objective is to co-create an environment where clients feel open, relaxed, and comfortable. Therapy can be challenging, and at times it may be tempting to give up, but Anya is committed to supporting clients through all ebbs and flows of the journey to ensure clients get the most out of each session.
Anya received her Masters in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago where she specialized in mental health and gerontology. Anya has spent the last five years at the University of Chicago Medical Center working on the adult inpatient side, while managing private practice on the side. When working with clients, Anya likes to use a variety of therapeutic models. Not everyone benefits from the same standard practice, so she aims to customize her approach. Her primary models of practice are psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral therapy, strength-based, motivational interviewing, and acceptance and commitment theory. She believes that in order to change a person’s thought patterns (CBT) you need to look at their past and how these patterns started (psychodynamic). Anya has experience with anxiety, grief and loss, depression, adjustment to chronic illness, familial dementia stressors, and sibling relationships.
Anya enjoys spending time with her 80lb rescue dog Roland, watching sports, completing jigsaw puzzles and reading.
Aetna PPO
Aetna Medicare Advantage
BCBS PPO
BCBS Choice PPO
BCBS HMO (Only Site 475 and 489)
Humana
Medicare
United Healthcare/Optum
You are not what has happened to you, and you should not have to go through it alone. With a genuine commitment to clients’ well-being, Geneice creates a nurturing space for folks to explore their vulnerabilities and embark on a transformative journey toward healing and self-discovery. As a therapist, she aims to be a guiding force – offering support, understanding, and the necessary tools for individuals to navigate challenges.
Geneice understands that our histories and the systems we live in have not always equipped us with the tools that we need to manage the complexities of life. Specializing in a psychodynamic approach, Geneice helps clients understand the impact of early childhood experiences on their behavior and mental health.
Geneice enjoys working with adolescents and adults as they navigate challenges of life, social anxiety, past/current trauma, and their relationships with family members. She also works with BIPOC individuals navigating racial and ethnic inequalities, intersectionality, complex trauma, relationship and life challenges. She welcomes clients’ authentic selves to be seen, heard and validated.
Geneice previously worked to support Chicago Public School teachers and other staff members through weekly therapeutic consultation as a Mental Health Consultant. She also has rich experience working both in and out of school systems – conducting social emotional learning groups for students, and providing therapy to children in the Illinois Early Intervention program.
On the weekends you will find Geneice at any social gathering. She loves connecting with friends exploring new restaurants, festivals, and lakefront activities. She enjoys bringing laughter to others – life is already serious enough, Geneice believes in making time for fun and silliness.
Aetna PPO
Aetna Medicare Advantage
BCBS PPO
BCBS Choice PPO
BCBS HMO (Only Site 475 and 489)
Humana
Medicare
United Healthcare/Optum
Allison is a dedicated clinical social worker with a commitment to promoting healing and empowerment among individuals and communities. With a strong foundation in trauma-informed care, Allison approaches each interaction with sensitivity and understanding, recognizing the profound impact of past experiences on present well-being.
Grounded in a strengths-based perspective, Allison believes in the inherent resilience and capacity for growth within every individual. Through compassionate guidance and collaborative exploration, Allison seeks to help clients recognize and leverage their strengths, fostering a sense of agency and self-efficacy.
With a deep understanding of the complexities of human suffering and the importance of cultural competence, Allison is passionate about creating inclusive and affirming spaces where all individuals feel seen, valued, and supported on their journey towards healing. Drawing from evidence-based practices and a holistic approach, Allison tailors interventions to meet the unique needs and goals of each client, empowering them to navigate life’s challenges with courage and resilience. Allison enjoys working with teenagers who may be navigating peer or family challenges, young adults who may be feeling like they are experiencing a “quarter life” crisis, and parents from different walks of life whose children may be undergoing school problems or other mental health concerns. Continuously striving for personal and professional growth, Allison remains committed to staying abreast of the latest interventions and best practices in the field of clinical social work.
Allison holds a master’s degree in social work from Loyola University of Chicago and has 10 years of experience working in diverse clinical settings. She has worked in both elementary and high school settings as a social worker. Allison has extensive experience with IEPs, behavioral issues at schools and childhood mental health diagnoses that may interfere with school and home life. She has experience providing individual and family therapy in a community mental health setting working with adults struggling with anxiety, depression and trauma.
Compassionate, energetic, and dedicated to facilitating positive change, Allison is honored to walk alongside individuals on their journey towards healing, transformation, and renewed hope. Outside of session, Allison enjoys sitting on her back patio reading a book with her dog, trying new restaurants in the city, and spending her summers on the water in Lake Geneva.
Aetna PPO
Aetna Medicare Advantage
BCBS PPO
BCBS Choice PPO
BCBS HMO (Only Site 475 and 489)
Humana
Medicare
United Healthcare/Optum
Amy (she/her) is a Psychotherapist who is passionate about empowering clients to pursue lives of meaning, connection, and joy. Her approach to therapy is relational, drawing primarily from psychodynamic and behavioral models. She is committed to anti-oppressive practice and believes in challenging all forms of systemic injustice.
Amy is particularly interested in working with young adults, people navigating life transitions, and clients with anxiety and mood disorders. She also enjoys working with clients with ADHD, clients in the LGBTQ+ community, and those experiencing relationship issues. In sessions, Amy strives to create a therapeutic environment where clients feel safe, understood, and valued. Amy believes in the healing power of laughter and enjoys using humor as a means of connecting with clients.
Amy holds a Master of Arts in Social Work from the University of Chicago, and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Macalester College. Prior to joining LifePath, Amy taught ESL to adult immigrants and refugees, and worked as a case management intern at a residential shelter for unaccompanied minors. Originally from Texas, Amy desperately misses Tex-Mex food and seeks it out whenever she visits her home state. In her free time, Amy enjoys singing and playing the ukulele, listening to folk music, and exploring Chicago neighborhoods and parks by foot.
Aetna PPO
BCBS PPO
BCBS Choice PPO
BCBS HMO (Site 475 and 489)
Humana
Deanna earned her Master of Arts in Social Work at the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration and a Bachelor’s in Theatre from New York University. Prior to coming to LifePath, Deanna worked in community-based mental health treating violence intervention and prevention, child welfare, crisis intervention, LGBTQ+ identities and their intersections, foster care and adoption, grief and loss, complex trauma, and intensive outpatient treatment.
Deanna believes a person’s identity, values and beliefs guide their path of healing. Therapy can be a way of liberating ourselves from limiting ideas, societal messages, oppression and isolation. Deanna sees the client as the expert in their experience and collaborates with them to develop a space to learn and grow. Her therapeutic approach is both systemic and person-centered with a focus on inherent strengths and resilience. Deanna pulls from relational, attachment, family systems, racial trauma and polyvagal theories while using such modalities as ACT, DBT, CBT, TCI-F and Motivational Interviewing. She also draws, when appropriate, from her own life experiences.
Deanna’s peace comes from walking her dog, cooking, singing, connecting with my community and attending weekly meetings to continue recovery from addiction and oppression.
Aetna PPO
Aetna Medicare Advantage
BCBS PPO
BCBS Choice PPO
BCBS HMO (Only Site 475 and 489)
Humana
Medicare
United Healthcare/Optum
Xaviera, MA (She/Her) earned her Master of Arts in Clinical and Health Psychology in Instituto Superior Estudios Psicológicos.
Xaviera brings warmth and empathy to her work allowing the therapeutic space to feel safe and comfortable. She is oriented in a multicultural perspective of care and engages therapeutic work with cultural humility and curiosity. She utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and blends evidence-based practices such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. With a trauma-informed lens, Xaviera acknowledges the profound impact of the past on the present and ensures a holistic and tailored approach to each individual’s needs. Her commitment to providing compassionate and expert care sets her apart as a valued resource for individuals navigating the complexities of this life-changing journey.
Xaviera works with adults and young adults navigating the varied stages of life. She has worked with clients experiencing trauma, grief and loss, chronic illness and chronic pain as well as depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. Xaviera also specializes in providing support for a wide range of perinatal challenges, including pregnancy-related anxiety and depression, postpartum depression, infertility and pregnancy loss, parenting stress, relationship changes, self-discovery, and self-fulfillment for individuals and couples during this life-altering period.
With couples, Xaviera utilizes a compassionate and understanding approach where she empowers partners to strengthen their connection, deepen intimacy, and improve their day-to-day communication
Xaviera provides therapy in both English and Spanish.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading, cooking, writing poetry and practicing archery.
* provides therapy in Spanish and English
Generosa (she/her) earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology at Roosevelt University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Human Development from DePaul University. Prior to coming to LifePath, Generosa worked in an inpatient hospital setting providing crisis management and therapeutic services to children, adolescents, and adults. Generosa has also worked alongside various non-profit organizations and community based mental health centers to address barriers to mental health services in underserved communities.
Many of the clients she serves are working through concerns related to trauma, grief, loss, life transitions, chronic illness, immigrant and multicultural experiences, caregiver support, family conflict, identity, anxiety, and depression.
Generosa’s therapeutic style is warm, supportive, collaborative, and strength-based. She aims to create a safe environment where clients can feel seen, heard, and valued. Through care and compassion, she works alongside clients to process and explore their most vulnerable thoughts and experiences, while creating goals that promote growth and healing. She works from a trauma-informed lens and draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic therapies to meet the individualized and unique needs of every client. Generosa is passionate about creating an inclusive and culturally sensitive therapeutic space while striving to empower clients to make positive changes in their lives as they work towards becoming the best version of themselves. She would be honored to be part of your healing journey.
Generosa is bilingual in Spanish. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, drawing, and painting.
Aetna PPO
BCBS PPO
BCBS Choice PPO
BCBS HMO (Site 475 and 489)
Humana
* provides therapy in Spanish and English
Your story is unique and invaluable. In sessions, Lisbet offers you a stage to express it, a chance to explore your experiences, and nurture your overall well-being. Trust and compassion will be the foundation of your partnership, unlocking your potential and amplifying your inner strength. Together you’ll unearth your core values, reclaim your peace, and rediscover joy at your own pace.
On Being a Counselor
As your therapist, Lisbet’s goal is to understand your unique experiences, dreams, and needs. Together, you’ll explore the narratives tied to your life’s challenges. With empathy and intuition, she tailors her approach to your needs and pace. Together, you’ll navigate life’s complexities, crafting a fulfilling and authentic path. Her passion is supporting BIPOC individuals facing intergenerational trauma, acculturative stress, and multicultural experiences. Lisbet also works with folks who are grappling with various personal challenges, including identity formation, anxiety management, depression, trauma recovery, grief/loss, work & academic stress, and significant life changes. In her work with couples, emphasizes promoting mutual acceptance and strengthening the overall bond between partners.
Background
After a decade in investment analysis, Lisbet consciously transitioned to working in mental health, compelled by a desire to support others through life’s challenges. Her transition was inspired by her deep-rooted compassion and desire to harness her perceptiveness and intuition.
As a Therapist
Lisbet offers a culturally sensitive perspective, and values working with BIPOC individuals, especially those with inherited trauma and first-generation challenges. Lisbet is particularly passionate about centering people with marginalized identities and supporting them on their paths to healing. Together you’ll explore your narrative at your own pace. No assumptions or hurry to “fix” things – just her compassionate presence as you process emotions, grief, and challenges. Living in an urgency culture and fast-paced world, Lisbet aims to provide a space where you can slow down, be present, and share whatever shows up.
As a Person
When not working with clients, Lisbet enjoys spending time in nature, the quiet peace of restorative yoga, reading, watching movies and enjoying quality time with friends and family. Lisbet cherishes these moments of tranquility and uses them to fuel her practice with a renewed sense of balance.
Katie Schloss, AM, LSW (she/her) is a Licensed Social Worker helping entrepreneurs, professionals, writers, survivors, and current patients navigate transitions. The uncertainty of the “in-between,” as it’s often called, can be an anxiety-riddled time—one with many peaks and valleys—and through client-centered, solutions-focused, evidence-based practices, Katie helps her clients traverse the highs and lows involved in life experiences.
Katie is known for creating a warm, supportive environment, helping her clients get from where they are right now to where they most want to be. Getting curious about and reframing anxiety, Katie helps her clients find the courage to look within, tell their stories, and handle anything that comes their way.
Katie earned her Bachelor of Arts from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study with concentrations in business administration and design in 2010. After experiencing entrepreneurial success as well as the greatly unexpected hardships of being a brain tumor survivor, she understood that she wanted to help folks stuck in the valley find their way back on the mountain trail. This led Katie to the University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy. Katie also has experience working at UChicago Medicine, where she worked as an Adult Inpatient Social Worker.
Payton is a Licensed Professional Counselor who is passionate about providing care for individuals and couples experiencing a wide variety of challenges. Payton creates a safe place for clients to feel valued, heard, and empowered helping to foster personal growth. As a relational-cultural therapist, Payton helps clients gain insight into how relationships impact life experiences. Payton has had substantial experience working with adolescents and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, interpersonal relationship issues, and substance abuse. Payton focuses on exploring values to aid clients in uncovering their life compass directing them towards a more fulfilled and purposeful life.
We face many challenges and stages in life’s journey and navigating through its different phases can sometimes be a difficult process. Payton focuses on supporting clients through this difficult process and collaborating with a strong therapeutic relationship. The beauty of therapy is that it will look different for each person and will be tailored to specific needs. Payton also specializes in facilitating sustainable empowerment and personal growth for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community.
Payton is building interest in working with couples who are experiencing disruption in their relationship. Payton utilizes Emotion Focused Therapy and the Gottman Method to provide structure, space, empathy, warmth, and compassion. Payton is focused on helping couples increase awareness, intimacy, acceptance, regulation, respect, effective communication, and connection.
Her therapeutic approaches are centered around Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, Attachment Theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Client-Centered, Solution-Focused, and trauma-informed care.
Payton earned her Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminal Justice from the University of Northern Colorado. Payton gained invaluable experience as an intern in the Weld County, Colorado Public Defender’s Office and at Hartgrove Hospital where she provided counseling services to a myriad of individuals experiencing life transitions, anxiety, depression, interpersonal relationship conflict, gender-identity questions, and trauma history.
Outside of work, Payton enjoys reading, pilates, yoga, hiking, traveling, and good food!
Aetna PPO
Aetna Medicare Advantage
BCBS PPO
BCBS Choice PPO
BCBS HMO (Only Site 475 and 489)
Humana
Medicare
United Healthcare/Optum
Alicia A. Wilson-Thomas is an experienced clinician and a (former) global leader, who brings a wealth of expertise in counseling, multicultural team development, and consumer research.
Alicia is an EMDR trained licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) with certification in Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Alicia specializes in trauma-focused therapies, working with diverse age groups and family systems across the Chicagoland communities. Her clinical areas of focus and interest include adjustment to trauma, anxiety, depression, and grief (loss) and bereavement for adults, couples, and families. Alicia has an expressed passion for providing services to older adult populations (55+). Prior to coming to LifePath, she co-created the Meaningful Living for Older Adults groups (sponsored by the village of Oak Park/River Forest & Concordia University) which were designed to facilitate and support this population as they navigate life transitions including grief, loss, and bereavement.
Alicia brings a unique blend of mental health expertise, leadership, consumer research acumen, and humor to drive positive change with and for her clients. Alicia’s mixed approach of humor, authenticity, and empathy cultivates a “come as you are” environment with her clients which facilitates their ability to feel heard and begin the process of healing and positive growth.
Her career spans leadership roles at UCAN and the Concordia University Counseling Center, where she led trauma-focused CBT sessions and facilitated grief counseling. She received her master’s degree (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Concordia University-River Forest and her bachelor’s degree from Purdue University majoring in biology with a minor in psychology. Outside of sessions, Alicia enjoys sewing, music (she was a former gospel soloist), and active participation in several national service organizations, namely Delta Sigma Theta, Inc, NCNW, and NAACP.
• EMDR
• Trauma Focused Therapies
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Relational
Aetna PPO
Aetna Medicare Advantage
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BCBS HMO (Only Site 475 and 489)
Humana
Medicare
United Healthcare/Optum
Therapy is a process of examining your experiences, both past and present, to gain a deeper understanding of why you think, feel, and act in certain ways. While this exploration is essential, the relational context in which it occurs forms the foundation for meaningful change. A safe and trusting therapeutic relationship is the cornerstone of psychotherapy, and should not be underestimated. Whether we use a behavioral or narrative approach, the relationship is key to fostering lasting growth.
Kiernan creates a sense of safety with his laid-back, calm demeanor and use of humor. His approach with clients is intentional and curious. Kiernan especially enjoys working with clients who may feel skeptical or uncertain about therapy. His areas of expertise include:
In addition to his person-centered approach, Kiernan uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to address distressing thoughts and feelings. Learning to tolerate unwanted thoughts and feelings is foundational for healthy coping, and thus a key part of psychotherapy. Other modalities that influence Kiernan’s practice include Motivational Interviewing and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
Kiernan completed his Bachelor of Social Work at Goshen College and earned his Master’s from the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration. He has advanced trauma training, including completing the Clinical Training Program from the Chicago Center for Integration and Healing. Outside of his professional work, Kiernan enjoys gardening, disc golf, and even a swim in the lake when he’s feeling adventurous.
Aetna PPO
Aetna Medicare Advantage
BCBS PPO
BCBS Choice PPO
BCBS HMO (Only Site 475 and 489)
Humana
Medicare
United Healthcare/Optum
Samantha (she/ her) has joined Life Path as an Intake/ Billing Specialist. She majored in psychology and received a bachelor’s degree from Roosevelt University in 2016. Since then, she has been working in mental health in various intake, administrative and patient care roles. As a mental health advocate, she believes that her life’s purpose is to help others and she is extremely passionate about connecting individuals to appropriate mental health care and resources. Inclusivity and acceptance are her priorities and she believes in creating safe spaces for all people.
Being raised on the southside of Chicago, she has a lot of love for the city and in her spare times enjoys exploring different neighborhoods and restaurants. She also enjoys time spent outdoors at local parks with her dogs and strongly values quality time with her family and close friends.
Bobbie is Life Path’s incredible Billing Specialist. She enjoys working alongside therapists who have a passion for this growing and ever-changing field. Bobbie understands how daunting the task of navigating the maze of insurance can be, particularly when you are seeking support for other stressors in your life! Her 15 years of experience in mental health billing allows her to work diligently with our clients and their insurance companies, ensuring mental health benefits are easily accessible and understood.
She graduated from the University of Toledo in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. After graduation, she took a job as an Office Manager for a psychiatry practice and has remained in the mental health field ever since. Born and raised in the suburbs of Toledo, Ohio, she enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, traveling and exploring with her husband and four children.
