Meet Our Affiliates
Jennifer Byrne
My approach to therapy is supporting you in exploring and understanding your story and history, and how it lives in your body, your mind, your emotions, and your present-day relationships with yourself and others. I work with trauma, anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges and problematic substance use. I incorporate mindfulness and somatic techniques and interventions and have specialized training in addictions and trauma. Whether you are experiencing significant distress in your life or want to explore ways to grow and step into your potential, I look forward to working with you.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. I have over 20 years of experience as a clinician working with clients in a wide array of populations. I employ a variety of clinical approaches including somatic and mindfulness-based techniques, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and use a trauma-informed lens. I also have training in experiential approaches. I work with couples and individuals.
Sara Solheim
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have experience in working with both adults and adolescents with anxiety, depression, stress management issues and coping with trauma. I work from a multi-cultural, anti-racist/anti-oppression lens. All work with clients is trauma-informed and strengths-based. I have worked with high school students in managing a range of school-related issues including those who have been hospitalized and are re-integrating back into their lives. I have extensive experience working with individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community. Whether it is someone just starting to explore their gender and/or sexual identity, or someone who is navigating all that comes with living out and proud, I have worked with people all along their journeys to living their authentic selves. I am part of the Gender Affirming Clinicians Collaborative through Lurie's Children's Hospital and a member of Inclusive Therapists. I am a certified trauma and resilience therapist, and so, all my work comes from a trauma-informed lens. I also pull from CBT, mindfulness, narrative, bibliotherapy, and solution-focused modalities. I do not believe that one size fits most. I will work with you on the style that best works for you.
Jennifer Brandenberger
I am a Licensed Social Worker and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. My background includes working with children, adolescents and adults from an array of populations that experience depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, parenting demands, and problematic substance use. I provide therapeutic guidance that is individualized to fit your treatment needs and use different approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. I look forward to working with you to restore balance and joy in life.
LaKeshia Carr
I am a licensed psychotherapist in both Illinois and Indiana. I am here to guide you through some of the challenges that you have or continue to encounter in life. I provide therapeutic techniques that are individualized to assist you accomplish your goals. I have years of experience helping people face Trauma, PTSD, Anxiety, depression, grief & loss, work/life balance and parenting difficulties. Together we can work through these issues to bring balance back in your life.
Juliet Bond
I graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a Master’s Degree in Social Work in 1996. Since then, I have built a career centered on serving individuals, families, and communities across a variety of systems.
Immediately after graduating, I began working in foster care and adoption. Over time, I made the difficult decision to step away from a system whose goals I deeply respected, but whose practices I felt too often fell short of serving children and families in the ways they deserved.
In 2000, I completed the licensing requirements to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). In 2005, I founded my own nonprofit organization focused on supporting families throughout my community by providing food, housing assistance, school supplies, furniture, and other essential resources. That work led to recognition from Northwestern University, the Evanston Community Foundation, the City of Evanston, the University of Illinois, and the Daily Points of Light Award.
Advocacy has also been an important part of my life and work. I successfully challenged a longstanding history of sexist dress code practices in my local schools, an experience that was later featured in the documentary Nevertheless.
I am also an author and playwright, having written and co-authored a series of children’s books and plays. Much of my written work centers on multiracial main characters navigating experiences related to adoption, foster care, bullying, identity, and belonging.
As a daughter, friend, wife of more than 25 years, and co-parent of both biological and foster children, I have come to believe deeply in the value of interdependence. I believe learning how to give and receive support, remain connected to others, and recognize the importance of community can be an essential part of building a meaningful and joyful life.
Jennifer Biank
Life can hand us challenges that feel overwhelming, isolating, or unfair. Whether you’re grieving a loss, struggling with infertility or postpartum depression, moving through trauma and life transitions, or struggling with a cancer diagnosis, you don’t have to go through it alone.
I have been a therapist in various capacities since 1997, and for over 10 years I’ve focused on individual psychotherapy. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in both personal and professional experience. I believe therapy isn’t about fixing what’s “wrong,” but about helping you move forward with strength, clarity, and compassion for yourself.
In our work together, you can expect a professional yet relaxed environment. I integrate Internal Family Systems (IFS), attachment-based therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT). I don’t sit behind a desk — I show up as a real person. If you are ready to start therapy and this resonates with you, I encourage you to reach out.
Meera Raja
With more than thirty years of experience in social services, my career has been dedicated to supporting some of Chicago’s most vulnerable communities, including individuals experiencing homelessness, people impacted by domestic violence, and those living with serious mental illness. Through this work, I learned the importance of meeting people where they are and allowing their priorities, experiences, and goals to guide the process.
My therapeutic approach is client-led, collaborative, and grounded in trust. I believe one of the most powerful parts of therapy is creating a relationship where you feel safe, seen, respected, and fully understood. Rather than directing the process, I work alongside you, offering thoughtful observations, support, and guidance while honoring your unique understanding of your own life.
Our past experiences often shape the way we think, feel, behave, and understand both the present and the future. In therapy, I help you explore these patterns through the lenses of change, self-compassion, and acceptance. My goal is to provide a caring and nonjudgmental space where you can examine the thoughts, emotions, behaviors, relationships, and circumstances that may be keeping you from living the life you envision.
I am especially drawn to working with teens and adults who are seeking greater clarity, growth, and a stronger sense of identity. I have a particular interest in supporting individuals who want to understand how marginalization has influenced the way they see themselves and the world around them. I am also deeply committed to working with immigrants and children of immigrants as they navigate cultural identity, generational differences, belonging, and the complexities that can arise when multiple cultures exist within an individual or family.
My own personal experience with mental health and healing ultimately inspired me to begin a second career in the field and earn a master’s degree in mental health. That experience continues to inform the empathy, authenticity, and respect I bring into my work with clients.
My approach combines evidence-based therapeutic practices with the transformative power of the client-therapist relationship. I believe you are the expert on your own history, needs, and goals, and that therapy is most effective when it is built around that individual knowledge. My work is rooted in empathy, acceptance, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard, creating an environment where you can feel valued without judgment.
I approach therapy without an air of authority or superiority, but instead as a genuine and accessible partner in the process. The trusting relationship we build becomes the foundation for exploring challenges, identifying meaningful solutions, and creating lasting change.
Ultimately, my role as your therapist is to walk alongside you as you navigate obstacles, better understand yourself, and move toward the life you want to create—with compassion, curiosity, and a deep respect for your individual journey.
Caroline Hopkinson
With a client-centered and holistic approach, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker dedicated to meeting individuals where they are on their mental health journey. My practice is rooted in empathy, understanding, and a deep commitment to supporting clients in reaching their personal goals. Through a collaborative and non-judgmental approach, I work alongside clients to help them uncover strengths, build resilience, and foster growth in an environment that is safe, inclusive, and welcoming.
As a school social worker for the past several years, I have been able to work with students with developmental and behavioral challenges. Additionally, my work is characterized by a profound respect for each client's unique experiences, values, and beliefs. I very much believe in creating a safe and compassionate space where individuals can explore their thoughts, emotions, and challenges without fear of judgment. I integrate various therapeutic approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and strengths-based techniques, to tailor care to each client's needs, preferences, and goals.
By focusing on the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—I am committed to guiding individuals toward balance and well-being. I work closely with my clients to identify not only their struggles but also the innate wisdom and resilience they bring to the therapeutic process.
Rose Ventrella
I am a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, as well as a Board-registered Co-occurring Disorder Professional. With over 20 years of experience in mental health/substance abuse and a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology, I am dedicated to helping individuals navigate the complexities of mental health challenges, substance use disorders, and co-occurring conditions. Throughout my career, I have worked with diverse populations, including adults and adolescents, addressing a wide range of issues such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance abuse.
I specialize in utilizing evidence-based practices, particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to empower clients in developing the skills and strategies necessary for long-term recovery and mental well-being. My expertise extends to working with individuals facing the unique challenges of substance use disorders and those managing co-occurring mental health conditions, providing a holistic approach to treatment that is both compassionate and effective. In addition to my therapeutic work, I have a strong foundation in forensic psychology, allowing me to address the psychological needs of individuals in legal contexts, while maintaining a client-centered approach that emphasizes dignity, respect, and positive outcomes. My focus is always on fostering a safe, supportive environment where individuals feel heard, understood, and empowered to make lasting changes in their lives.
Julia Harrison
Hi, I'm Julia. I work with late teens, young adults, and adults navigating big questions about identity, relationships, and how to build a life that feels sustainable in a demanding world. Whether you're facing burnout, grief, a major life transition, or just the exhaustion of trying to keep up, I'm here to help you make sense of it.
We can also get curious about what's underneath the day-to-day, exploring the patterns that keep you stuck, the intergenerational trauma and family dynamics you may have inherited, and the parts of your story that shape how you move through the world. This kind of self-reflection can feel daunting, but it doesn't have to be heavy or intimidating; I aim to make it safe, approachable, and a little freeing.
I'm especially passionate about supporting people through the mental and emotional demands of their work, including those of the restaurant and service industries. Before becoming a therapist, I spent over 20 years in restaurants myself, and I understand firsthand how workplace stress, an unpredictable schedule, financial pressure, and the demands of caring for others can wear on your mental health.
My approach is relational, intersectional, and collaborative. I strive to create a warm, grounded space where you can feel seen, supported, and able to show up as your full self.
Julia Harrison
Clients should know that I strive to create a therapy space that feels safe, supportive, and authentic. I value building a strong therapeutic relationship grounded in trust, collaboration, and nonjudgment. My style is warm and compassionate, while also gently encouraging growth and accountability when helpful. I believe therapy is most effective when clients feel both supported and empowered, so I aim to balance emotional processing with practical tools and skills that can be applied outside of session. Above all, I want clients to feel heard, understood, and comfortable showing up as themselves.
I take an integrative and individualized approach to therapy, drawing from CBT, DBT, ACT, trauma-informed, and relational approaches depending on each client’s needs. I strive to create a supportive and collaborative environment where clients can gain insight, build effective coping skills, and work toward meaningful, lasting change. I value balancing compassion with practical strategies to help clients navigate challenges, strengthen relationships, and improve overall well-being.