Our counseling professionals have advanced degrees in clinical social work, clinical psychology, professional counseling and marriage and family therapy. They specialize in child and adolescent development; child, adolescent, and adult treatments; and parenting and family life.
Carla M. Beatrici, Psy.D
Director of Clinical Services
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.
Nancy Luepke
Clinic Office Manager & Parent Services and Community Outreach Coordinator
Ms. Nancy Luepke 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.
Laura Bentley, LCPC
Clinical Coordinator
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
Isabella Boccia, M.A. Candidate
Walter D. Miller Counseling Intern
Ms. Isabella Boccia is a current graduate student at Adler University completing her M.A. degrees in both Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Forensic Mental Health Leadership. She has worked with and mentored children and adolescents as a sports coach as well as in classroom and care settings. She is passionate about working collaboratively with a wide range of individuals including children, adolescents and their families, and hopes to create positive, supportive and encouraging environments where health and wellness is a top priority.
Christina Bolis, M.A. Candidate
Walter D. Miller Counseling Intern
Ms. Christina Bolis is currently working toward her M.A. in Clinical Psychology and her LPC at Roosevelt University. She has previously worked in a variety of settings including higher education, military, and community service, and has experience working with multigenerational groups from diverse backgrounds. Christina is committed to creating safe, supportive, and collaborative relationships to support clients in their therapeutic journey.
Megan Burns, LCSW
Therapist
Ms. Megan Burns, LCSW received her Masters of Arts in Clinical Social Work from the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago. She is a clinician with 15 years of experience working with children, adolescents, caregivers, and families from diverse backgrounds. Ms. Burns has worked in outpatient counseling centers, hospitals, child welfare agencies, schools, and group homes helping children and families overcome complex trauma, improve their well-being, and strengthen their relationships.
Stephen Budde, Ph.D., LCSW
Project Leader, Quality Care and Evaluation
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.
Anna Carty, MSW
Walter D. Miller Social Work Fellow
Ms. Anna Carty graduated from DePaul University with a concentration on Forensic Social Work. She is currently completing her post MA fellowship as a counselor with Smart Love Family Services. Anna has experience working with a diverse population in both legal and medical settings and primarily enjoys working with children and families. She is passionate about continuing to work with these populations throughout her career within the scope of therapeutic practice.
Yvonne Combs, MSW, LSW
Walter D. Miller Social Work Fellow
Mx. Yvonne Combs graduated from the University of Maryland with a Master’s degree in Social Work. She has experience providing individual therapy, group therapy, and conflict resolution to diverse clientele, in both residential and outpatient settings. Yvonne values client self-determination and is committed to creating a therapeutic environment where clients feel safe, empowered, and heard.
Nieves A. Esquivel, M.A.
William J. Pieper, M.D. Post-Doctoral Fellow
Nieves Esquivel is a bilingual therapist (English and Spanish) who will be graduating August 2022 from Illinois School of Professional Psychology at National Louis University, Chicago. She has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families in various settings including non-profit organizations, resource centers, and community mental health clinics. Nieves is passionate about helping the underserved, establishing a working therapeutic alliance, and collaborating with clients towards their own sense of happiness.
Dana Fenceroy, M.A. Candidate
Counseling Intern
Ms. Dana Fenceroy is currently working towards her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and her LPC at North Park University. She has worked extensively with individuals with intellectual disabilities, specializing in autism spectrum disorder for over twenty years in a variety of settings. Dana strives to create a welcoming, collaborative environment to help empower clients to reach their full potential.
Katherine Ford, MSW, LSW
Walter D. Miller Social Work Fellow
Ms. Katherine Ford, MSW, 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.
Kathryn Gadomski, M.A. Candidate
Walter D. Miller Counseling Intern
Ms. Kathryn Gadomski is a graduate student at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Her work includes mentoring young adults at a residential addiction treatment facility and helping families in distress to access emergency childcare at a crisis nursery. Kathryn also enjoyed playing with toddlers and parents at Smart Love Preschool. She is excited to partner with people of all ages, as together we discover how good it feels to be authentically happy!
Jane Weinberg, LCSW
Therapist
Ms. Jane Weinberg received her Master in Social Work degree from Loyola University Chicago and her Master of Science in Child Development from the Erikson Institute. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker experienced in working with children and families to provide individual and group therapy. She spent many years working in a private, multi-disciplinary setting and is passionate about understanding individualized developmental profiles.
Carol Johnson, LCSW
Parent Consultant and Clinical Supervisor
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.
Amy Krutky, Psy.D.
Therapist
Dr. Amy Krutky is a clinical psychologist with over 10 years of experience in providing therapeutic services to children, adolescents, parents, and adults in a broad range of settings including community based, inpatient, outpatient settings and therapeutic day schools. She is also experienced in conducting neuropsychological and psychological evaluations for children and adolescents. Dr. Krutky received her Psy.D. from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Jennifer Lubelchek, M.S., LCSW
Therapist
Ms. Jennifer Lubelchek is a licensed clinical social worker. She received her master's degree from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. She has experience in providing individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy in outpatient psychiatry and community mental health settings. Jennifer has worked with children, adolescents, teens, adults, and families experiencing a range of mental health concerns and stressors.
Ilinka Novakovic, LCSW
Therapist
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.
Felicia M. Owens, Psy.D., LPC
It Takes a Village Founder
Dr. Felicia M. Owens received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and her Master’s in Community Counseling from Concordia University Chicago. She has more than 10 years of experience working in mental health settings, education, and student growth and development (academically, spiritually, and emotionally). She also has experience working with parents, children, and adolescents in various settings including community churches, inpatient psychiatric hospitals and college counseling centers. She is dedicated and actively involved in her church ministry where she serves as a Licensed Minister, Administrator, and Teacher.
Bill Pasola, Psy.D.
Therapist
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.
Blaire Paulsen, M.A., LPC
Therapist
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. In the past year, Blaire has completed her counseling internship at Smart Love Family Services, enhancing her counseling skills with individual therapy and parent support. Blaire is committed to the therapeutic alliance with her clients and the cohesive process of working towards healthier and happier lives.
Janine Phan, M.A., LPC
Therapist
Ms. Janine Phan received her M.A. in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is a Licensed 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.
Haley Rosenthal, M.A. Candidate
Walter D. Miller Counseling Intern
Ms. Haley Rosenthal is currently working towards her Master’s in Clinical Psychology (Counseling Practice) and LPC at Roosevelt University. 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 develop highly individualized treatment plans, integrating strengths-based and humanistic approaches, as well as creating meaningful therapeutic relationships in order to promote each individual’s overall well-being.
Silvia Rosman, LSW, MSW, MA
Therapist and Facilitator, It Takes A Village
Ms. Silvia Rosman is a licensed bilingual (Spanish-English) psychotherapist. A graduate of the Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois, Chicago, Ms. Rosman also hold an MA in Psychology from Universidad J.F. Kennedy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She has worked with children, adolescents, adults and families from diverse cultural backgrounds in a variety of outpatient therapy settings.
Tamara L. Tencer, Psy. D.
Director of Training & Clinical Supervisor
Dr. Tamara Tencer received her Psy.D. at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is a bilingual Spanish-speaking clinical psychologist with over 20 years of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, parents, couples, adults, and families. Dr. Tencer has worked in a variety of settings including: hospital inpatient and intensive outpatient hospitalization programs, outpatient counseling centers, and therapeutic day schools, specializing in crisis management and trauma. Dr. Tencer supervises staff and trainees, and leads a weekly counseling training seminar on various clinical topics.
Kari Terrill, Psy. D.
Director of Assessment and Learning Services
Dr. Kari Terrill is a licensed clinical psychologist with 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 extensive training in conducting neuropsychological and psychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults, and she is 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.
Olivia Tinati, M.A., LCPC
Therapist
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.
Daniece J. Townsend, M.A., LPC, NCC
Therapist and Facilitator, It Takes A Village
Ms. Daniece Townsend obtained her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Northwestern University in 2020. She views the therapeutic process as a collaborative journey between the client and therapist. She is committed to creating a safe, integral, and empathetic space in which her clients can process and discover their potential and authenticity.
Monica Van Duyne, M.A. Candidate
Counseling Intern
Ms. Monica Van Duyne is currently working towards her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and her LPC at Northeastern Illinois University. She has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in various settings including a behavioral health hospital and high school. Monica is passionate about establishing a safe and compassionate therapeutic alliance, helping empower clients, and moving together towards holistic happiness.
Sara Stone, Psy. D.
Therapist
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.
Skylar Wittenberg, M.A. Candidate
Counseling Intern
Ms. Skylar Wittenberg is currently working towards her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and her LPC at Adler University. She is experienced in working with children of all ages and in multiple settings, including Athens County Children’s Services, overnight camps, and schools. Skylar is committed to working collaboratively with her clients and creating strong bonds to help them achieve their therapeutic goals.
Julia Wright, LCSW
Clinical Supervisor
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.
Michael Zakalik, Psy. D.
Director of Clinic Marketing and Clinical Supervisor
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.