Carla Leone, Ph.D.
Dr. Leone is the founder and director of North Suburban Family Psychologists. She received her Ph.D. from Loyola University Chicago in 1989, and has over 25 years experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families in private practice and community mental health agencies. She is on the faculty of the Institute for Clinical Social Work in Chicago. She is on the governing council and advisory board of an international psychoanalytic organization and co-chairs its Couples Therapy Interest Group. She has published several papers in peer-reviewed journals, including a paper on adolescent experience, a paper and a book chapter on family therapy and two papers on couples therapy, and has lectured and presented extensively on these topics.
Contact Dr. Leone at 847-568-9642, ext. 1 or cleonephd@gmail.com.
Contact Dr. Leone at 847-568-9642, ext. 1 or cleonephd@gmail.com.
Anna Kessler Cordeiro, Ph.D.
Dr. Kessler Cordeiro received her Ph.D. from the California School of Professional Psychology in 1997 and has over 20 years experience working with adolescents, adults, couples and families in several different settings. She is currently a supervising psychologist at Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital in Chicago where she supervises psychology interns and consults to medical clinics. She has special expertise in women’s issues, including pre- and post partum adjustment, depression, anxiety, health-related issues and relationship issues. Dr. Cordeiro is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Contact Dr. Cordeiro at 847-568-9642, ext. 2 or annacordeirophd@gmail.com.
Contact Dr. Cordeiro at 847-568-9642, ext. 2 or annacordeirophd@gmail.com.
Rachel Albers, MA, NCC, LPC
Rachel received her M.A. in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler University (Chicago, IL) in 2020. She has a background in trauma-informed counseling practices and spent the last year working at Advocate IL Masonic’s Behavioral Health Services. Rachel has experience working with groups, families, individuals of all ages, from young children to older adults. Her professional interests and expertise include working with people of all ages who are struggling with issues related to trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, grief/loss, parenting difficulties, other life stressors, and LGBTQIA+ issues. Rachel is passionate about helping clients understand their inherent worth and form a holistic sense of self through the therapeutic relationship.
Contact Ms. Albers at 847-568-9642, ext. 9 or ralbers.lpc@gmail.com.
Contact Ms. Albers at 847-568-9642, ext. 9 or ralbers.lpc@gmail.com.
Joseph Alger, LCSW
Mr. Alger received his Master’s in Social Work from the University of Chicago in 2008 and has worked as a school social worker and athletics coach in several area high schools since then. He specializes in working with adolescents and their families and is experienced in the treatment of anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorders, self-esteem and relationship issues, and behavior disorders. He has weekday evening hours at our Evanston and Buffalo Grove offices.
Contact Mr. Alger at 847-568-9642 or jalger.lcsw@gmail.com.
Contact Mr. Alger at 847-568-9642 or jalger.lcsw@gmail.com.
Cassidy Buckelew, PsyD
Dr. Buckelew received her Psy.D. from Adler University in Chicago, IL where she gained training and experience working with individuals, couples, and families across the lifespan. She has worked in psychiatric and medical hospitals, private practice, and community mental health organizations with people navigating a range of experiences related to mood, relationships, phase of life, identity, ability status, and coping behaviors. Dr. Buckelew prioritizes socially responsible practice that respects and affirms individual and cultural differences and recognizes the historic, systemic roots of our individual and community challenges.
Contact Dr. Buckelew, at 847-568-9642 ext. 3, or cbuckelewpsyd@outlook.com.
Contact Dr. Buckelew, at 847-568-9642 ext. 3, or cbuckelewpsyd@outlook.com.
Julia Cibul Fording, LCSW
Julia received her MSW in 2003 from New York University. After taking time off to raise her family, she has spent the last several years working with college students, adults, and couples in clinical settings, working both individually and with group treatment. Julia completed a fellowship in Advanced Clinical Psychotherapy from Cathedral Counseling Center in 2016. She also completed a Post Graduate Clinical Training program at Live Oak Chicago in Trauma-Informed Practice and Affirmative Practice with the LGBTQ community in 2014. Professional interests include: Adolescents, life transitions, parenting, grief and loss, LGBTQ, depression and anxiety, and couples work.
Contact Ms. Fording at 847-568-9642 or jcfording33@gmail.com.
Contact Ms. Fording at 847-568-9642 or jcfording33@gmail.com.
Olga Kilstein, PsyD
Dr. Kilstein received her Doctorate in Clinician Psychology and Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Adler University. She has several years of training and experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families in various settings, including private practice, hospitals, partial hospitalization programs, and community mental health centers. Dr. Kilstein’s interests and expertise are in child therapy, parenting support, pre-marital and couples therapy, mood disorders, and reproductive health issues, including maternal and paternal depression, anxiety, psychosis, infertility, grief and loss. She speaks English, Russian, and Ukrainian.
Contact Dr. Kilstein at 847-568-9642 ext. 10, or olga.kilstein@gmail.com.
Contact Dr. Kilstein at 847-568-9642 ext. 10, or olga.kilstein@gmail.com.
MaryAlice Lavin, LCSW
MaryAlice received her Masters in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago in 2007. She has over twenty years experience working with children and adolescents with social/emotional, learning and developmental challenges and their families in a variety of settings, as a special education teacher, consultant and now psychotherapist. She has also worked with adults and couples coping with an array of issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, life transitions and interpersonal relationships. A veteran herself, MaryAlice is interested in working with active duty service men and women, veterans and their family members struggling with the profound effects of war and with difficulties integrating back into civilian life.
Contact Ms. Lavin at 847-568-9642, ext. 7 or mlavinlcsw@gmail.com.
Contact Ms. Lavin at 847-568-9642, ext. 7 or mlavinlcsw@gmail.com.
Joan LePontois, LCSW
Joan LePontois is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 20 years’ experience in individual, family and group therapy. She has spent the majority of her professional life supporting and advocating for clients with anxiety and depression related to emotional or physical trauma. She has a passion for working with young children and adolescents coping with abusive situations, chronic illness and family conflicts. She enjoys empowering children and young adults with low self-esteem and lack of self-confidence to continue on their chosen path despite various obstacles.
Joan has worked in both children’s and adult hospitals. She was on the Psychiatric Access team at a major teaching hospital in Chicago. She was Director of Family Counseling at a Chicago Community Center and was on the faculty at National Lewis University. She received her BA in Psychology from Miami University, her MA in Psychology from the University of Chicago and her MSW from Loyola University. She has published articles on children coping with chronic illness and trauma. She received an award from Lutheran General Hospital for Compassionate Service and the President’s Medallion from Loyola University for Leadership, Scholarship and Service.
Joan uses creative modalities such as storytelling and art to help clients of all ages perceive their present and future life with hope.
Contact Ms. LePontois at 847-568-9642 ext. 6, or Jlepontois.lcsw@gmail.com.
Joan has worked in both children’s and adult hospitals. She was on the Psychiatric Access team at a major teaching hospital in Chicago. She was Director of Family Counseling at a Chicago Community Center and was on the faculty at National Lewis University. She received her BA in Psychology from Miami University, her MA in Psychology from the University of Chicago and her MSW from Loyola University. She has published articles on children coping with chronic illness and trauma. She received an award from Lutheran General Hospital for Compassionate Service and the President’s Medallion from Loyola University for Leadership, Scholarship and Service.
Joan uses creative modalities such as storytelling and art to help clients of all ages perceive their present and future life with hope.
Contact Ms. LePontois at 847-568-9642 ext. 6, or Jlepontois.lcsw@gmail.com.
M. Laura Pappa, Ph.D.
Dr. Pappa received her Ph.D. from the University of Akron with specialized training in counseling psychology. She has several years of training and experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. She has worked in an array of facilities including hospitals, community mental health centers and college counseling centers. Dr. Pappa’s interests and expertise are in family and child therapy, teens with self-esteem, anxiety and relationship concerns, women’s health, including peripartum anxiety and depression, sexuality, and trauma. She speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Contact Dr. Pappa at 847-568-9642 or laurapappaphd@gmail.com.
Contact Dr. Pappa at 847-568-9642 or laurapappaphd@gmail.com.
Maureen Shayman, LCSW, M.S.Ed.
Maureen Shayman has her Masters in Social Work and has worked with children and adolescents in several school districts in the Northwest suburbs for over 25 years. She has extensive knowledge of school systems and has worked with children with a variety of social and emotional issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, autism, attention difficulties, and socialization. She has facilitated groups for children and parents and has specialized training in helping children build social competencies and regulate their emotions.
Contact Ms. Shayman at 847-568-9642, ext. 8 or maureen.shayman@gmail.com.
Contact Ms. Shayman at 847-568-9642, ext. 8 or maureen.shayman@gmail.com.
Whitney Smith, Psy.D.
Dr. Smith received her Psy.D. from Pepperdine University in Los Angeles, CA. She has several years of training and experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families in community mental health, school, college and hospital settings. Dr. Smith has interest and experience in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders. She is dedicated to helping individuals identify and overcome the barriers impacting their personal, relational, professional and emotional growth.
Contact Dr. Smith at 847-568-9642, ext. 11 or whitney.smith.psyd@gmail.com.
Contact Dr. Smith at 847-568-9642, ext. 11 or whitney.smith.psyd@gmail.com.
Morgan Sutter Gress, LCSW (She/Her)
Morgan received her MSW in 2019 from Loyola University Chicago, with a specialization in Mental Health and a sub-specialization in Migration Studies. She has spent the last several years working with families, groups and individuals of all ages in both community mental health and inpatient hospital settings. Morgan works from a person-centered, trauma-informed, and collaborative approach to assist people in increasing self-awareness, identifying and expressing emotions, and developing coping skills that foster healthier relationships. She is passionate about working with adolescents and families, treating trauma and its impact, addressing women’s issues, and providing group support.
Contact Ms. Sutter Gress at 847-568-9642, ext. 5 or msgress.lcsw@gmail.com.
Contact Ms. Sutter Gress at 847-568-9642, ext. 5 or msgress.lcsw@gmail.com.
Debra Wolff, Psy.D.
Dr. Debra Wolff is a licensed clinical psychologist who earned her doctoral degree from Argosy University and has worked in private practice for over a decade. She has particular experience and expertise in the treatment of anxiety disorders (including OCD, PTSD, social phobia, and generalized anxiety), depression, life stressors, grief and loss, and relationship issues in children, adolescents, adults and families. She has been trained in the latest cognitive-behavioral approaches as well as family systems and psychoanalytic models. This flexibility allows her to work with a wide variety of individuals at whatever depth they require.
Contact Dr. Wolff at 847-568-9642 ext. 4, or dwolff.psyd@gmail.com.
Contact Dr. Wolff at 847-568-9642 ext. 4, or dwolff.psyd@gmail.com.