who we best help
We work best with people who are either new to therapy or have previously been to a therapist but are looking for a therapist who is more direct and solution oriented than their previous therapist. We understand you’ve reached out for help because you want feedback and we want to offer it, so we tend to work well with people who are open and motivated. While every appointment is unique, our clients usually report feeling better after their first appointment because they are working towards developing a plan and steps to take to move forward with achieving their goals in future appointments.
How we help
Are you interested in how exactly we help our clients? We value the usage of evidence based therapy techniques that have demonstrated positive outcomes and improvement in symptoms in large scale studies and research. In other words, evidence based treatments are backed by scientific evidence. We have extensive advanced training in these specific therapy styles. Our clients find these styles to be direct, empathic, and solution focused. All the details and data are below for those of you that are interested in the science behind our therapy.
We are trained in the following therapy styles:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) encourages clients to better understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Unlike other forms of therapy, CBT is more present than past focused. CBT encourages clients to identify solutions and strategies for change.
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Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) provides clients with skills to help them manage difficult situations and create more positive and meaningful relationships. DBT also focuses on increasing clients’ ability to cope with painful situations and stressors.
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is similar to CBT, though focuses more on acceptance of things that potentially cannot be changed, creating action items for what can be changed, and living in accordance with your values.
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Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
Interpersonal Therapy IPT helps improve the quality of client’s relationships. IPT is less directive than CBT, and helps clients to identify how to strengthen their relationship through four areas that include: improving unfulfilling relationships, coping with loss in relationships, adjusting to transitions in relationships, and conflict management.
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Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy MBCT is a form of CBT that incorporates mindfulness. Mindfulness is a way of increasing focus to the world around us and being present, while also increasing our ability to be “less reactive” and overwhelmed by our current situations.
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meet our therapists
Some clients want to know about our education, licenses and advanced training. We were supervised for thousands of hours and worked in a variety of settings before we arrived in this office. If you are interested in our education and training, please read more below.Melissa A. Frey, LCSW
How do Melissa’s clients describe her?
“Direct/to the point, non-judgmental, accessible, and truly invested in her clients’ wellbeing”How does Melissa describe herself?
Conversational, authentic, and purpose driven You can read more about Melissa’s clinical interest of reducing isolation and the power of collective storytelling here on her blog. She conducts interviews about experiences that people have had throughout their lives and asks for what advice and feedback they would offer to others in similar situations.Becky Price, LCSW
Becky (she/her) attended and graduated from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon where she majored in Psychology. Becky then returned to her hometown of Chicago, Illinois to join her family’s manufacturing business. She spent four years doing Human Resources and Product Development until she realized that car mats were not, in fact, her passion and that she was destined for a different path.In reflecting on a new path, Becky decided that working with people is what really brings her great meaning. Thus, she ended up at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work, where she focused on the clinical track with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy.
In order to round out her education and clinical experience, Becky attended a two-year post-graduate program in Marriage and Family Therapy at Denver Family Institute. She spent several years working for the Denver Family Therapy Center, where she ran and eventually served as lead therapist for the Adolescent Substance Abuse Program (ASAP), an Intensive Outpatient program working with teenagers and their families.
Becky currently serves as the Clinical Director at the practice, offering supervision and consultation, in addition to seeing clients.
How do Becky’s clients describe her?
“Very focused in sessions resulting in a very good recollection of details, funny, solution focused and extremely helpful in motivating and encouraging change”How does Becky describe herself?
Genuine, warm, and forthcomingJudy Cohan, LCSW, ACSW
Judy (she/her) received her undergraduate degree from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and then received her Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois. She has advanced certifications in divorce mediation, pediatric bioethics, family therapy, aging, and adult learning.Judy strives to create a safe place to help clients discuss their needs, identify goals, and create a plan to take the steps necessary to achieve their objectives. While we cannot change difficult circumstances from the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve current challenges in life. Judy bases her work on the Japanese concept of “kaizen” which emphasizes continuous improvement by taking small steps that may have the greatest impact.
Judy’s practice includes work with individuals, couples, and families who experience challenges in their relationships, anxiety, depression, chronic illness and the formation of new behaviors and habits, as well as “letting go” of habits and behaviors that no longer seem effective. Additionally, Judy has extensive experience in working with people who want to focus on stress management techniques to help achieve balance in their busy lives. She is trained in EMDR, as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
How do Judy’s clients describe her?
Calming, helpful in finding creative ways to get through extremely difficult situations, thoughtful, and a very engaged and active listenerHow does Judy describe herself?
Optimistic, caring, and always looking for the best in people, even when they have a hard time seeing it in themselves and/or othersAgathe Ann Gabriel, LCSW
Agathe (she/her) earned her undergraduate degree in Anthropology at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia (southern girl in an Illinois world). Agathe then attended the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine where she completed her Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work. She is also certified as a substance use counselor by the Illinois Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.Agathe began her career as a social worker as a mental health and substance use counselor for Nicasa Behavioral Health Services in Highland Park. Agathe then shifted her career to the field of Medical Social Work, working for Bluecross Blueshield as a Medical Management Specialist in Government Programs. Agathe areas of clinical interest include: chronic health condition coping and management, substance abuse, and managing interpersonal relationships (couples and families).
Agathe believes in a client centered and solution focused approach. She utilizes a variety of treatment approaches including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, adjustment disorders, substance use, chronic illness, cultural conflicts and life transitions. Agathe is currently working towards becoming certified in Equine-psychotherapy and training her beloved Rottweiler, Brody as a therapy dog.
How do Agathe’s clients describe her?
Straight forward, trustworthy, reliable and extremely approachableHow does Agathe describe herself?
Welcoming, funny, and reliableNatalie Lorentz, LCSW
Natalie (she/her) received her undergraduate degree from the University of Miami in Florida with a double major in Psychology and Public Relations. After completion of her undergraduate degree, Natalie relocated back home to Chicago to complete her graduate degree at University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Jane Addams College of Social Work. She graduated from UIC with high honors, earning a concentration in mental health and completing an advanced certificate program in evidence-based treatment with children and adolescents.After graduate school, Natalie also pursued one of her passions and completed Yoga Teacher Training to become a Certified Yoga Instructor. This certification and training influenced Natalie’s work in the importance of the mind body connection. Natalie works within a Cognitive Behavioral approach to therapy and finds this therapeutic work to be goal oriented, direct, present focused, and interactive. She also incorporates mindfulness into her work through meditation, movement (walking, exercise) and yoga, when appropriate.
In addition to working in private practice, Natalie has worked as a crisis worker for NorthShore University Health System for nearly the past decade, working in the Emergency Room helping to address acute mental health needs. Natalie’s clinical interests are centered around working with individuals experiencing depression and anxiety, relationship needs including parenting transitions and communication improvement, health conditions and navigation of the healthcare system, and transitions through significant life changes.
How do Natalie’s clients describe her?
Direct, calm, funny, and compassionate.How does Natalie describe herself?
Open minded, patient, and intuitive. When she is not working you can find her wrangling her three wild young boys, reading, watching bad TV, and cooking.Tricia Milazzo, LCSW
Tricia (she/her) received her undergraduate degree from Marquette University, with a Major in Social Welfare & Justice, as well as Minors in Psychology & Peace Studies. Following this, Tricia went on to Loyola University of Chicago to pursue her Master’s in Social Work. During this time, Tricia worked within school settings enabling her to obtain advanced and comprehensive training in the mental health needs of children & families.Currently, Tricia works in both schools and private practice. Within the school environment, she provides ongoing support for students with identified special needs, completes safety assessments, connects families with community resources & provides ongoing support for school challenges (general trauma, school refusal, COVID, etc.). Within the private practice realm, Tricia specializes in working with clients undergoing life transitions, depression, anxiety, and people working to create balance within their own lives. Tricia works to design treatment plans that align closely with each client’s unique needs and goals. Tricia believes that there is no “one size fits all” in therapy and strives to ensure that each client she sees is working to address their particular needs and goals.
Tricia’s clinical interests include a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), solution focused therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches in her practice. Tricia particularly enjoys working to cultivate long-term therapeutic relationships that can foster growth and healing so that clients feel better equipped to feel more fulfilled in their daily lives. Tricia focuses on creating a safe environment where clients feel heard and understood. Depending on the client’s needs and preferences, sessions may involve a combination of structured exercises, open-ended discussions, and practical skills-building activities. She believes that together we can work towards fostering self-awareness, developing coping strategies, and promoting positive change within your life.
How do Tricia’s clients describe her:
“Direct, empathetic, and insightful.”How does Tricia describe herself:
Tricia describes herself as curious, funny, and an active listener, who enjoys time with family, friends and her cats.Claire Purkis, LCSW
Claire (she/they) is originally from Yorkshire, England, Claire received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. Following this, Claire went on to receive her Master’s degree from the University of Wales, Cardiff, where she received her Master’s of the Arts degree in Social Work. Claire began her social work career working in housing, specifically working with those most vulnerable and in need of supportive housing and wrap-around services (group therapy, case management, housing, access to resources, individual therapy). Over the course of many years, Claire launched and oversaw various programs that aimed to reach and serve those most vulnerable and in need of emergency housing and mental health support, particularly women with children. Claire spent much of this time working on crisis management teams and then transitioning to supervising and overseeing interns, therapists, case managers and other support staff.After spending nearly a decade in the Chicago area housing social work arena, Claire expanded her skill set from housing and crisis management into medically and employer based care management. Partnering with health care plans, employers, and hospitals, Claire began to work with individuals who had immediate stressors, provided needs assessment, and connected clients to services. She also was able to provide clients with individual counseling through this work. It was during this time that Claire found a passion for providing counseling to those facing immediate stressors and providing longer term care and therapy to her clients, versus the shorter term work of crisis management.
Currently, Claire spends her time between community based work and in private practice. In her community work, Claire oversees case management programs for older adults. In this role, she ensures that all programming is person centered and reaches diverse populations, including those in rural areas. She also conducts evaluations of the programs in terms of their reach, quality, and service. In private practice, Claire translates and applies her experience in crisis management and triage to being a solution focused therapist with individuals.
Claire’s clinical interest is centered around working with individuals, particularly with parents and families belonging to the LGBTQIA community. She enjoys working with parents, young adults, and older teenagers who are in the midst of transitions, dealing with anxiety and/or depression, and dealing with individuals who are dealing with life changes and coming to understand themselves more fully and deeply. Having worked directly with many aging-focused housing and care management programs, Claire also enjoys working with older adults. Claire works with a Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) approach to therapy, as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) frameworks. Claire is deeply invested in creating a safe and non-judgmental space for clients to feel welcome, seen, and heard in therapy.
When she is not seeing clients, she enjoys spending time with her family, kayaking, animal fostering, and spending time outdoors. She is often found singing jazz standards and drinking coffee.
How do Claire’s clients describe her/them?
Non-judgmental, empathic, and compassionateHow does Claire describe herself/themselves?
Down to earth, funny, caring, and hopefulRyan Rogulich, LCSW
Ryan (he/him) received his undergraduate degree in East Asian Studies and Japanese language from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. While in college, Ryan studied abroad in London, England and Tokyo, Japan. Post-graduation, he traveled back to Japan to live and work in a Zen monastery for one year. Throughout that year, Ryan cultivated a mindfulness practice living with a diverse group of people from around the world, meditating and working together each day to maintain the monastery. Upon returning to the Midwest, Ryan obtained a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Chicago Crown School of Social Work (formerly the School of Social Service Administration) with a focus on clinical and school social work.He began his early clinical work predominantly with school-aged youth, from ages 4 to 19, in Chicago, Evanston, and Seattle. He spent his time in schools working with children, adolescents, and teens- individually and in groups- treating a variety of presenting problems, including: anxiety, depression, chronic illness and pain, trauma, grief, ADHD, and difficulty with interpersonal interactions within school, in the community, and at home.
Ryan found, throughout his time working in schools, that he enjoyed working with family systems, couples, and parents and shifted his clinical focus to incorporating work with adults. He is able to use his extensive knowledge of working with children, adolescents and teens to help support parents and see all families and couples as a holistic system. Now in private practice, Ryan works with families, adults, and couples, providing a safe space for his clients to process stressors, parenting, and relationship dynamics/stressors, while also focusing on providing coping skills and solution focused interventions.
Ryan works within a humanistic, client-centered framework, with an emphasis on evidence based theories including third wave behavioral therapies (including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy). He is also extensively trained in family systems theory, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness.
How do Ryan’s clients describe him?
Patient, calm, wiseHow does Ryan describe himself?
Eager to grow and learn, observant, curiousHenry Rosh, LCSW
Henry Rosh earned his Master of Arts in Social Work from the University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, where he completed the Trauma-Responsive Social Work Program of Study. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services and Social Justice and International Affairs from The George Washington University. Henry is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Illinois and holds certification in Trauma-Informed Care.
Henry has extensive experience supporting children, adolescents, and families through complex emotional and medical challenges. His background includes work at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, where he provided psychosocial care within the Regenstein Heart Center, supporting patients and families navigating chronic and critical illness. In addition to clinical care, he developed interdisciplinary models to enhance collaboration between medical and behavioral health teams and led initiatives focused on family support, staff sustainability, and trauma-responsive practices.
Before his hospital-based work, Henry served with the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, developing advocacy briefs, analyzing policy impacts, and identifying funding opportunities to strengthen community-based services. Across his roles, Henry has been dedicated to integrating compassion, evidence-based practice, and advocacy to improve systems of care for those he serves.
Henry’s clinical interests center on medical and behavioral health social work, trauma-responsive care, and family systems. He is passionate about fostering resilience in individuals and families coping with life transitions, health challenges, and relational stressors. His work emphasizes empowerment, self-determination, and the integration of trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches within non-judgemental therapeutic settings.
How do Henry’s clients describe him?
Henry’s clients have said he is kind, thoughtful, an attentive listener and works hard to help them reach their goals or meet their needs.How does Henry describe himself?
I am curious and patient. I love learning new languages or exploring new cities. I aim to be a supportive presence for my clients, walking alongside them as they navigate various difficulties or complexities their life may bring.Jennifer “Jenny” Scheiwiller, LSW
Jenny (she/her) received her undergraduate degree from Northern Illinois University as a double major in Psychology and Chemistry. Upon completion of her degree, Jenny spent her time working in the pharmaceutical industry as a researcher. After nearly two decades of working as a researcher, Jenny wanted a career change and the opportunity to help people in a more active and direct role.As a result, she returned to school and obtained her Master’s Degree in Social Work at Dominican University. Her specialization at Dominican was in Mental Health, with additional certifications in Mediation and Divorce Mediation. Jenny began her social work career working in addiction counseling, which included working with substance usage, as well as gambling addictions. Following this, she expanded her specializations by working in a hospice setting where she helped both patients and their families. In a hospice and palliative setting, Jenny’s passion has been working in bereavement to help those who have lost loved ones, or those who are coping with chronic and/or terminal illness.
Jenny’s clinical interests are centered around interpersonal relationships, chronic illness and terminal illness, substance usage, chronic stress environments, and individuals, couples and families in the midst of transitions. Her vast experiences have helped her obtain a high level understanding of and insight into individual needs during high-stress events. Jenny works with a strength-based, client-centered approach to therapy- with an emphasis on evidence based theories. She prefers to work within the modalities of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Outside of her formal clinical positions, Jenny volunteers for the National Suicide Hotline and hosts a weekly meeting for a COVID-19 Widows Bereavement Group. When not at work or volunteering, Jenny enjoys hiking locally as well as visiting national parks across the United States. Her favorite national park is Zion National Park in Utah.
How do Jenny’s clients describe her?
Compassionate, trustworthy, dependable, and extremely warmHow does Jenny describe herself?
Thoughtful, and consistently holding onto hope for best possible outcomes that will improve the wellbeing of her clientsPatrick Shaver, MSW (intern)
Patrick Shaver is an MSW candidate at the University of Denver, specializing in trauma-informed care for individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, and the daily struggles and stressors of working towards finding balance in life. His work in mental health is deeply personal, drawing on a lifetime of resilience, self-discovery, and dedication to fostering well-being in himself and others. With over 25 years of experience across social work, community service, and residential design, Patrick has spent his career creating spaces—both physical and emotional—where individuals and families can find stability, healing, and hope.
Patrick’s journey to becoming a therapist has been shaped by his own experiences in overcoming adversity and rediscovering resilience. He is committed to redefining what it means for individuals to seek help, embracing vulnerability as a form of strength. In a world that often pressures us to suppress our struggles, Patrick provides a space where they can explore, heal, and grow without judgment. He believes that no one should carry their pain in silence and that the human spirit has an extraordinary capacity to heal—even after life’s most difficult setbacks. He often shares that healing begins within, in those quiet, private moments when individuals learn to trust themselves again.
As a therapist, Patrick’s goal is to empower individuals to reclaim their lives, reconnect with their values, and live authentically. He believes that everyone has the right to live in alignment with their true self, and he is dedicated to supporting that journey. His work goes beyond helping clients heal from trauma; he aims to help them emerge with renewed purpose, autonomy, and connection, ready to lead lives rich with meaning, compassion, and resilience.
Kevin Stanford, LCSW
Kevin (he/him) earned his undergraduate degree in Social Work with a minor in Spanish from Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island. Following this, he then completed his graduate work by earning a Master of Social Work degree at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work. His focus in his MSW program was individual casework and counseling.After receiving his graduate degree, Kevin worked in a variety of clinical settings including in-home work with children and their families, inpatient psychiatry, Employee Assistance (EAP) counseling, and outpatient counseling. Working for over a decade in different settings afforded Kevin the opportunity to work with a wide variety of individuals, families, and groups across the lifespan with varying clinical needs.
Now in private practice, Kevin works with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and negative habits they’d like to change. Kevin’s therapeutic approach draws from multiple evidence-based frameworks including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Therapy with Kevin is a collaborative effort in which he and his clients are equals in moving toward a common goal.
Kevin particularly enjoys working with young adults and adults in the midst of transitions. His areas of specialization include behavioral changes, seeking balance in times of stress, health and wellness, compulsive behaviors, and increasing mindfulness to be more focused during difficult transitions and life events. Kevin also specializes in supporting and identifying ways to create sustainable behavioral changes in those looking to break habits, create new habits, and/or live a life more congruent with the client’s values.
Kevin strives to foster an inclusive, safe, and comfortable therapeutic environment, while at the same time challenging his clients to actively seek and embrace the change they want to see in their lives. Kevin firmly believes that no individual is “broken” and therefore does not need to be “fixed,” but rather that with the right help and guidance, individuals can become a version of themselves that enables them to live a life filled with purpose, meaning, and contentment.
How do Kevin’s clients describe him?
Laid back, easy to talk to, and “real.” Kevin is level headed and focused in his sessions. He makes therapy comfortable even if the subject matter may be uncomfortable for the person to talk about.How does Kevin describe himself?
Open, honest, and takes a genuine interest in seeing his clients succeed.Danielle “Dani” Weiss, LCSW
Dani (she/her) received her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign in Human Development and Family Studies and holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration.In addition to working in private practice, Dani currently works as an outpatient social worker in the Department of Social Work and Community Health at Rush University Medical Center and the Department of Neurology. Dani approaches her work with clients through a Cognitive Behavioral Therapeutic approach with pediatrics, adults and older adults. In addition to using CBT evidence based approaches, Dani also uses mindfulness practices into her work with clients. Dani’s clinical interests include a range of presentations including mood disorders, anxiety, health issues, chronic health issues and caregiving, loss, life-transitions, and trauma.
How do Dani’s clients describe her?
Flexible, an active listener, a calming presence and very thoughtful and thorough in her approach to ensuring she understands exactly what brings someone to her officeHow does Dani describe herself?
Thoughtful, compassionate, and detail orientedLindsey Wixom, LCSW
Lindsey (she/her) graduated with a double Masters Degree in both Public Health and Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Upon graduating, Lindsey began her social work career working in an intensive outpatient behavioral health setting, focusing on offering evidence based therapies including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She has continued to work in intensive outpatient settings, gaining extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and their families. Through her outpatient work, Lindsey supports youth and their families who require a higher level of care, as well as practical tools, case management, and care planning. Lindsey’s unique clinical experiences include facilitating individual, family and group sessions.In addition to her intensive outpatient work, Lindsey works with Frey & Associates as a private practice clinician. Lindsey’s clinical interests involve treatment of depression, anxiety, and identity conceptualization. Lindsey works with adolescents, teens, and adults- particularly enjoying work with parents and families. Lindsey’s experience and expertise also centers on supporting LGBTQIA+ youth and their families, providing a safe and affirming space for patients to show up as their full selves as they navigate the complexities of identity.
Lindsey’s approach focuses on a client’s strengths, providing a warm, caring, and affirming space where clients can feel safe to embrace change. She firmly believes in the idea of client and therapist as equals in a collaborative relationship.
