Dr. Carla Beatrici received her Psy.D. at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. She is a clinical psychologist with over 20 years clinical experience working with children, adolescents, parents and adults and also has experience directing an outpatient, non-profit counseling agency. Dr. Beatrici is an Assistant Professor at Loyola University Medical Center in the Department of Psychiatry, where she treats patients, supervises interns and teaches child development to psychiatry residents.

Ms. Nancy Ponton holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Dominican University in River Forest, IL and has twelve years experience with marketing and communications in the insurance industry. A native Oak Parker, Nancy has volunteered in the community for close to two decades. Most recently she has volunteered as a trained domestic violence advocate for Sarah’s Inn in Oak Park.

Ms. Pam Bourdeau has been working for Smart Love for over 10 years.

Laura Bentley, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who graduated from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a M.A. in Counseling Psychology. She is experienced working with children, adolescents, and families involved with the juvenile justice system and has provided individual therapy, family therapy, parent guidance and group therapy in other outpatient settings. Laura is committed to journey with her clients to achieve happier, healthier lives.

Mr. Binns' early social work career included call center work with The Depression Line and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as 988). He then shifted to public health research for several years, studying behavioral health communication and tobacco-use prevention. He returned to social work, receiving his MSW from the Jane Addams College of Social Work, University of Illinois at Chicago, in 2025. During his MSW program he practiced group work for intimate partner violence intervention. He then joined Smart Love Family Services in 2025 to focus on individual and couple's therapy, appreciating the presence and importance of direct practice.

Dr. Stephen Budde received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. He is a psychotherapist who has over 20 years experience in child welfare as a clinical social worker, researcher, teacher, and administrator. He has had extensive experience as a Senior Researcher and Assistant Professor at Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago and a Lecturer at the University’s School of Social Service Administration (SSA). Dr. Budde is Associate Executive Director at the Juvenile Protective Association.

Coming soon

Ms. Carper earned her Bachelor of Arts in Community Art and Psychology from Wheaton College, IL. She is currently a second-year student at Adler University, IL studing to attain a masters in Clinical Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Regarding academic and professional interests, Ms Carper desires to learn more about the intersectionality of creativity, community engagement, and mental health—ultimately working towards social justice. With a passion in both the arts and psychology, she desires to use creative approaches to support genuine happiness with her clients at Smart Love.

Dr. Paula L. Ciccarone earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Delaware with a Child Clinical emphasis. She has worked in diverse community and clinical settings with people of all ages. Her expertise is focused on healthy child development and family relationships. Paula values the unique life experiences each person brings to the therapeutic relationship. She partners with clients to develop personalized treatment plans that allow for children, adults, and families to grow in happiness and self-fulfillment.

Ms. Katherine Ford, LCSW, recently graduated from Erikson Institute with a Master’s Degree in Social Work and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She has experience working with children and families doing dyadic parent-child therapy and parental guidance in outpatient settings. Katherine is committed to creating an alliance with her clients to help them achieve their goals.

Mrs. Yesenia Garcia is a Licensed Professional Counselor who earned her M.S. in School Counseling from National Louis University and her B.A. in Psychology from UIC. She is passionate about working in the counseling field in both a clinical and school setting. Her experience has been mostly working with at-risk youth and their families, but she enjoys working with diverse populations of all ages. Yesenia values building strong therapeutic relationships that are culturally respectful and create a safe space for clients to work towards their desired treatment outcomes.

Ms. Carol Johnson received her MSW from Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work. She is a psychotherapist with 25 years of clinical experience with children, teens, families, and adults in diverse settings, and an experienced parent educator. She was a teacher and school social worker in elementary schools, and a consultant for Easter Seals Head Start Program. Ms Johnson was also an adjunct professor at Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work.

Sara Johnson received her Master’s and Ph.D. in social work from Loyola University Chicago. She has over 15 years of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families in a variety of settings including outpatient mental health, foster care, and substance abuse programs. Dr. Johnson is committed to helping clients have happier and healthier experiences in their lives.

Coming Soon!

Coming Soon

Sydney Mesker, LPC earned her Masters in Counseling Psychology from the The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Ms. Mesker completed her full time internship at Smart Love Family Services where she gained valuable experience working with children, teens, parents, and adults. She has worked in case management settings for the past two years with individuals with mental disorders such as bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. Ms. Mesker is passionate about working collaboratively with a wide range of individuals including children, adolescents and their families, and hopes to create a positive, supportive therapeutic relationship where mental health and wellness is a top priority.

Dr. Pascale Moise provides psychological evaluation and treatment to children, adolescents and families in a broad range of settings including community based, inpatient, outpatient settings, and therapeutic day schools. Dr. Moise enjoys collaborating with parents in her work by engaging in dyadic parent-child therapy and parental consultation sessions. Dr. Moise values the unique qualities that all clients and families bring to the therapeutic relationship and uses that to empower her clients to navigate their challenges. She received her Psy.D from Adler University.

Ms. Ilinka Novakovic received her MSW at Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work. She is a psychotherapist, parent educator and coach who has extensive experience both writing and presenting child development seminars and courses to parents and professionals. She has worked in several outpatient mental health agencies providing psychotherapy to children, adolescents and adults.

Dr. Bill Pasola received his Psy.D. from Roosevelt University, where he specialized in child, adolescent and family therapy. He has experience serving a diverse array of clients and his clinical work has spanned short term crisis intervention to long term individual and family therapy. His previous settings of practice include: outpatient clinics, parochial schools, a therapeutic day school, a psychiatric hospital, and residential treatment.

Ms. Blaire Paulsen is a staff therapist who graduated from Adler University with an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is experienced working with children and families of all ages in multiple settings and has provided services within Riley’s Children Hospital, preschools, and ABA therapy centers. Blaire is committed to the therapeutic alliance with her clients and the cohesive process of working towards healthier and happier lives.

Ms. Janine Phan received her M.A. in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with experience focused on grief and loss; identity concerns; couples therapy; parent guidance and anxiety and depression symptoms. She has extensive experience in working with people of all ages and multicultural backgrounds in various clinical settings. She appreciates the opportunity to work with families to help strengthen relationships and better understand one another's experience of themselves and each other.

Kaelyn Pineo, LPC graduated from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with her M.A. degree in Counseling Psychology with a focus on children and adolescents. Ms. Pineo completed her full time internship at Smart Love Family Services where she gained valuable experience working with children, teens and their parents. She has experience working with children and adolescents in transitional living facilities and working with adults in inpatient settings. Ms. Pineo is passionate about creating a safe therapeutic relationship for individuals of all ages and backgrounds so they have the opportunity to get support for themselves, allowing them to thrive.

Maureen Powell is a current graduate student at Adler University, pursuing an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She received her B.B.A. from Loyola University of Chicago. With a prior twenty-year career in media, Maureen honed her strong communication skills and natural ability to connect with others. As a counselor in training, she is inspired to serve children, adolescents, and their families, championing mental health and believing in the potential for change and lasting happiness.

Mr. Joey Romansky is currently a doctoral student at Roosevelt University. He previously received his BA in psychology with a minor in Spanish from Northwestern University. Mr Romansky has worked with children, adolescents, and families in a variety of settings, including academic mental centers and trauma-informed work in community mental health. He is particularly passionate about providing a safe and welcoming environment for his clients, where they are able to be their true selves and have the space grow. 

Ms. Haley Rosenthal is a Licensed Professional Counselor who graduated from Roosevelt University with an M.A. in Clinical Psychology (Counseling Practice). She has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in a broad range of settings, including elementary schools, high schools, and long-term care facilities. Haley is passionate about collaborating with clients to help them reach their treatment goals and utilizes a positive, strengths-based humanistic approach. She focuses on creating meaningful therapeutic relationships in order to promote her clients’ overall well-being. 

Dr. Marian Sharkey received her Ph.D. from Loyola University Chicago.  She is a psychotherapist with over twenty five years of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families in a variety of inpatient and outpatient community mental health, hospital and private practice settings. Dr. Sharkey is on the adjunct faculty in the School of Social Work at Loyola University Chicago and has taught at the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago. Dr. Sharkey directs the training program at Smart Love and provides clinical supervision.

Dr. Sara Stone received her Psy.D. at The Wright Institute in Berkeley, California. She is a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of clinical experience working with adults, couples and families in outpatient hospital and community clinic settings, as well as children and adolescents in school settings.

Dr. Kari Terrill is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 10 years of experience providing therapeutic services to children, adolescents, parents, and adults in a variety of settings including community mental health agencies, schools, and outpatient clinics.  She has specific training in conducting psychological and psychoeducational evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults, and she is especially passionate about helping children and young adults receive the necessary support to achieve success in academic settings.  Dr. Terrill received her Psy.D. from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology.

Ms. Olivia Tinati is a licensed clinical professional counselor.  She received her Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Northwestern University in 2018. Olivia has had experience working in non-profits providing community support, group therapy, and individual and family counseling to children, teenagers, and adults. Olivia currently provides individual and couple’s counseling services to children, adolescents, and adults from diverse backgrounds. Olivia is passionate about understanding her clients’ unique experiences and individual needs in order to help them live their happiest and most fulfilled lives.

Ms. Sahana Viswanathan is a rising second year masters student at the Crown Family School of Social Work at the University of Chicago. She completed her bachelors in Psychology and minor in Counseling at SUNY Buffalo. Sahana is passionate about working with children, adolescents and adults, particularly in the areas of mood disorders and attachment. She is committed to facilitating an open and collaborative therapeutic relationship whilst maintaining integrity and curiosity. 

Ms. Julia Wright is a licensed clinical social worker. She received her MSW from the Jane Addams College of Social Work and the University of Illinois at Chicago. Ms. Wright’s 15 years of experience include working with children and families of diverse backgrounds in residential and school settings. Ms. Wright joined Smart Love Family Services in 2015 helping children, adolescents and adults pursue their innate desires for well-being.  She also enjoys providing parent guidance counseling, helping parents to better understand their children’s behavior and enjoy their relationships with their children.

Dr. Michael Zakalik received his Psy.D. at The Illinois School of Professional Psychology. He has over 17 years of experience working with diverse populations of children, adolescents, couples, parents, and adults. He has worked within residential facilities, public and therapeutic day schools, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, and outpatient services. Dr. Zakalik has experience in all these settings with helping children and families effectively cope with trauma and loss. He has also provided parent education seminars on important mental health topics to parents in the community.