About Us
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to provide high quality and individualized behavioral health therapy to our clients in a relaxed and confidential environment. Our goal is to empower clients by developing and enhancing coping skills, and establishing solutions that are effective for them.
Meet the Team
Stephanie Johnson
MSW, LCSW
I have been working as an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) for over 20 years. My experience spans from inpatient mental health hospital for acute short term stabilization, adolescent residential treatment for mental health/ behavioral issues, and private practice. The last 14 years have been in private practice partnering with individuals in working through their personal difficulties. I have a general practice specializing in trauma, from single incidents to working with those who have a history of trauma experiences. Trauma will often manifest itself in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and with the presence of flashbacks.
In conjunction with my use of a “traditional” style of talk therapy, I have found EMDR to be an effective treatment approach for addressing trauma. The AIP (adaptive information processing) model is based on foundational belief that early life events set in motion a continued pattern of affect, behavior, cognitions and consequent identity structures (pg15), being held in the brain in a state-specific form. EMDR assists with shifting the lens from which we view these events diminishing the intensity of our response to the memory, providing a current age view of the events.
Besides the clinical side of my practice I provide basic training consultation for EMDR Trainees who received basic training by EMDR Consulting. I am also an approved consultant through EMDRIA- providing EMDR consultation to EMDR clinicians working towards certification or on a case by case situation. I am an EMDR trainer for EMDR Consulting, assisting with EMDR Basic trainings for EMDR consulting.
As a LCSW, I provide clinical supervision to master's level clinicians towards their clinical licensure. This is done in both group and individual settings.
Kimberly Jozwiak
LPC
As a licensed professional counselor, I help people become more connected to their unique and authentic selves through person-centered collaboration that assists in the discovery of inner strength and resources. I am trained in EMDR to assist individuals in building up their own inner resources to resolve trauma related symptoms like anxiety, depression, dissociation and flashbacks.
As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional I continue to research and practice evidence-based trauma treatments and interventions which include mindfulness training, cognitive restructuring and equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP). EAP utilizes the power of horses in externalizing emotional and psychological pain in a dynamic way that creates meaning and strengthens internal resiliency.
Allow me to support you in your very important work in identifying negative beliefs and dysfunctional patterns of behavior that block you from living your best life. Isn’t it time to make sense of your past and create more of what you would like to see for yourself? Professional counseling can be one of the best gifts you can give yourself.
Natara Elliot
CCM, CADC, QMHP, LPC
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Illinois. I have had the privilege of working with many different populations in many different settings. I have worked with toddlers, adolescents, teens, adults, and the elderly. I have worked in school settings, case management, the foster care system, and substance/mental health.
I have been trained in the clinical interventions of REBT, Play Therapy, and EMDR. I have obtained my certification in REBT, thus being able to further assist clients with anxiety and stressor related symptoms. While utilizing the base interventions of CBT and DBT, I am able to build a therapeutic relationship tailored to each client’s individual needs. Goal Setting and acquisition of Coping Skills will assist as I support each client on their journey to achievement and self-internalization.
I currently hold an active CADC (Certified Addiction and Drug Counselor), and CCM (Certified Case Manager) certification within the state of Illinois. I have worked outpatient adolescent and adult substance groups. With my CCM, I can assist clients by utilizing advanced evidence-based practices, working with clinical teams to improve client outcomes, and help clients achieve individual health and wellness goals.
My educational background consists of a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Psychology with a Child and Adolescent Specialization, and a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology with an Addictions Specialization. On my days off I enjoy family time, my many animal companions, and gardening.
Liz Brekelbaum
MA,
Clinical Mental Health Counselor
The framework for the work I do as a therapist comes from my belief that every person has the ability to grow and change and has the resilience to heal from difficult life experiences. When we find ourselves struggling in life – reeling from trauma or feeling stuck, confused, hurt, or alone - we need a space where someone will listen without judgment and not be afraid of the pain and messiness of life. I provide a safe and nurturing environment in which we can work together to unravel the places where you have become tangled and to uncover the negative beliefs and ways of being that may no longer be serving you.
Utilizing a variety of treatment modalities (including EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches), I work with people who have experienced many different types of trauma, individuals who are going through life transitions, and those who are navigating relational challenges. I tailor my approach around the uniqueness of each individual with the goal of reducing suffering and moving towards purpose, inner peace, and joy.
Beth Mutton
LPC, CADC, SAP
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC), and a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) offering services for the Department of Transportation (DOT) employees. I have been in the substance abuse and mental health field for over 20 years. It is a privilege to work with individuals in various stages of life and to be a part of their healing journey.
Stacie Young
MA,
Clinical Mental Health Counselor
I believe the development of an authentic therapeutic relationship is at the center of successfully assisting individuals experiencing stressful life events and/or more serious mental health concerns. My clinical experience includes assisting individuals in both a private practice and an outpatient community mental health agency. These two settings afforded me the opportunity to work with clients both individually and in a group therapeutic setting. I also have experience working with a variety of age groups, including toddlers, middle-school, adolescents, and adults at all stages of life.
As an EMDR-trained therapist, much of my experience has been working with trauma, including complex and intergenerational. Trauma occurs in many forms and everyone’s brain and body manage those experiences differently. I have found EMDR to be an effective therapeutic approach to relieving the intense responses to the memories associated with those experiences. I have assisted clients in addressing various types trauma, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, reproductive trauma (infertility, miscarriage, infant loss), and medical trauma. I am also trained in CID (critical incident desensitization) and A-TIP (acute traumatic incident processing), both of which can be used to reduce the stress of recent traumatic events. In addition to EMDR, I also integrate CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy), and DBT (dialectical behavior therapy) interventions where appropriate for the client’s needs.
In addition to my clinical experience, I have worked with survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation for several years. Through case management and resource development, I walk alongside individuals as they move through a journey from victim, to survivor, to thriver.
When I am not at the office, I enjoy spending quality time with my husband and our dog, along with getting together with friends and family. I also spend time giving back to the community through various organizations.
No matter what is happening in your life, and where you may be in your journey to healing, I look forward to the opportunity to walk alongside you as we partner to achieve your therapeutic goals.