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 or [email protected].
Contact Dr. Leone at 847-568-9642 or [email protected].
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 or [email protected].
Contact Dr. Cordeiro at 847-568-9642 or [email protected].
Rachel Albers MA, CCMHC, LCPC
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 or [email protected]. Ms. Albers is not currently accepting new patients.
Contact Ms. Albers at 847-568-9642 or [email protected]. Ms. Albers is not currently accepting new patients.
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 or [email protected].
Contact Dr. Buckelew, at 847-568-9642 or [email protected].
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 or [email protected].
Contact Ms. Lavin at 847-568-9642 or [email protected].
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 or [email protected].
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 or [email protected].
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 [email protected]. Dr. Pappa is not currently accepting new patients.
Contact Dr. Pappa at 847-568-9642 or [email protected]. Dr. Pappa is not currently accepting new patients.
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 or [email protected].
Contact Dr. Smith at 847-568-9642 or [email protected].
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 or [email protected].
Contact Ms. Sutter Gress at 847-568-9642 or [email protected].
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 or [email protected].
Contact Dr. Wolff at 847-568-9642 or [email protected].
John Nofar, PsyD
Dr. John Nofar received his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Adler University in Chicago in 2023. He has training and experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families in private practice, community mental health and hospital settings. He has worked with people of all ages experiencing depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, and trauma-related disorders, as well as those dealing with difficulties with self-esteem, life transitions, emotion regulation, relationships, and academic or work-related problems. He has a particular interest in studying the impact of intersectionality and LGBTQ+ issues on mental health and stress, and in supporting diverse individuals through ongoing identity development and exploring their own experience of diversity.
Dr. Nofar views therapy as a collaborative process, grounded in the development of a trusting relationship and involving a combination of new insights and new actions. Contact John at 847-568-9642 or [email protected].
Dr. Nofar views therapy as a collaborative process, grounded in the development of a trusting relationship and involving a combination of new insights and new actions. Contact John at 847-568-9642 or [email protected].
Jeff Shane, MS
Jeff received his MS in Counseling summa cum laude from National Louis University and pursued specialized training in psychodynamic therapy during a fellowship at the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis. He has worked with children, teens, and adults from diverse backgrounds in individual, couple, and family therapy. Jeff strives to create a safe environment for patients of all ages to explore fears, feelings, and concerns and deconstruct unhelpful patterns and behaviors. Using a collaborative approach, he guides clients toward growth and healing, emphasizing the importance of mutual reflection and trust.
Contact Jeff at 847-568-9642 or [email protected].
Contact Jeff at 847-568-9642 or [email protected].
Holly Johnson, MA
Holly received her MA from Bradley University in clinical mental health counseling and has received additional training in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Gottman Method Couples Therapy. She has experience working with people dealing with anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, grief & loss, and trauma in a community mental health setting, including children, teens, adults, and couples. Holly’s compassionate, flexible style reflects her commitment to providing a safe environment where all feel respected, seen, and understood. Her approach is collaborative and multiculturally sensitive. With over 30 years of meditation experience, she naturally incorporates mindfulness and attention practices when needed in treatment to help people heal and thrive. Areas of particular interest include work with children and teens, grief & loss, parenting, spirituality, and life/career transitions.
Contact Holly at 847-568-9642 or [email protected].
Contact Holly at 847-568-9642 or [email protected].
