Meet our Clinicians

---

Melina has worked within the counseling profession for over 21 years. She received her undergraduate degree from Beloit College in Psychology and Spanish and her graduate degree from Roosevelt University in Community Counseling.  Her experience includes providing individual, couples, family, group, and crisis counseling.  Melina is experienced in working with a wide range of clients in multiple settings, including private practice, mental health hospitals, residential treatment centers, state social services, domestic violence shelters, and therapeutic day schools. She specializes in working with individuals experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, relational issues, and other general adjustment issues.  Melina is licensed in the state of Illinois as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor.

​

Melina believes in the power of the therapeutic relationship. A strong relationship between therapist and client is essential to the progress a client makes. She approaches each session with an open and welcoming environment to ensure her clients feel comfortable to share. Melina focuses on her client’s strengths and adapts her modalities and interventions according to their needs. 

Melina's research on Parenting Styles and Self Actualization is published in The Journal of Personality and Social Behavior.

Jaret Ross is a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a Master’s in Social Work from Loyola University. Originally from Mexico, she immigrated to the United States at 16, an experience that shaped her deep understanding of cultural adaptation and resilience.

Jaret has extensive experience working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families. She integrates evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), tailoring her approach to meet each client’s unique needs. Her work focuses on helping clients navigate challenges such as trauma, anxiety, relationship difficulties, and cultural identity, always within a culturally sensitive and inclusive framework.

Her therapy style is collaborative, flexible, and grounded in empathy, with the intention of creating a safe space for self-exploration, acceptance, and growth. Jaret believes meaningful change comes through a strong therapeutic relationship, empowering clients to build resilience, challenge unhelpful patterns, and reach their personal goals.

Griselda has been a social worker for over 20 years. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in Social Work and a Master of Social Work degree from Aurora University. She holds a Professional Educator License as a school social worker. Her experience includes working in crisis situations, working with individuals, couples, and family counseling. Griselda has worked with clients in multiple settings including state social services, domestic violence shelters, and schools. She specializes in working with individuals experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. 

Griselda believes in that the path to mental health wellness isn’t linear, but by embarking on a mental health journey, one can appreciate positives by putting challenges into perspective and by focusing on the client’s strengths. She believes in engaging in a collaborative process that is client-centered and empowering. 

Jack received his undergraduate degree in social work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, followed by his Master’s program at the University of Illinois at Chicago with a concentration in School Social Work. Jack has been a School Social Worker within the high school setting for seven years including one year as a Behavior Interventionist. Jack holds a Professional Educators License and is a Certified Anxiety-Informed Professional (CAIP). Jack has an extensive history working with teens and young adults on anxiety/stress, depression, substance use, gender identity, grief/loss, and social/family issues within group and individual settings. He has also worked with teens and adults on professional/personal development trainings such as healthy relationships, goal setting, and mindfulness. Jack’s approach to therapy is deeply rooted in flexibility and empathy based on the varying needs of each client with the intention of creating a safe and comfortable space for conversation, self-acceptance, and growth. Jack believes that the therapeutic process naturally develops as the client-therapist relationship grows with the ultimate goal of creating lifelong, meaningful change for each client.

Connie holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Loyola University, specializing in children and families, with a sub-specialization in immigration studies. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and is certified in perinatal mental health. With seven years of experience, Connie has worked extensively with children and families, addressing life transitions, stress, anxiety, depression, adjustment to parenthood, family dynamics, and grief and loss.

Connie is passionate about supporting individuals and families in achieving their goals by leveraging their strengths and fostering self-awareness. She values the importance of building a trusting therapeutic relationship to guide clients through their personal growth and healing journey.

Outside of her professional practice, Connie appreciates staying active through walks and hiking. Connie also values quality time spent with friends and family. 

Alex completed both her undergraduate degree and Master's Degree from  Aurora University, and is currently in the process of obtaining her clinical licensure. Alex emphasized her focus throughout graduate school within the clinical realm of social work.

Alex's experience includes working in a  hospital setting and for the last six years has worked as a Behavioral Therapist for a non-profit organization. She has extensive experience working with children as young as 4 years old providing individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy.

Alex has obtained four trauma specific certifications: Child and Family Trauma Stress Intervention (CFTSI), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Structured Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress (SPARCS), and Nurturing Families. These trainings have been integral in the work she does with her clients by helping them make the connection of how trauma impacts their lives, or has played a role in current presenting challenges .

Alex strives to facilitate the process of assisting her client's in understanding what is negatively impacting them, learning how to help themselves, and how they are able to overcome their presenting obstacles.

Alex is bilingual, speaking fluent Spanish and English.

Carolina is a bilingual, provisionally licensed therapist with a Master’s in Social Work and is currently working toward full licensure. She earned her graduate degree from Northeastern Illinois University, where she specialized in children, youth, and families.

Carolina takes a relational approach to therapy, emphasizing the importance of connection and collaboration. She has experience working with individuals across the lifespan, from youth to older adults, and has supported clients navigating concerns such as ODD, anxiety, ADHD, depression, and major life transitions.

In addition to her clinical work, Carolina has experience serving Latinx adults in McHenry County as a community navigator. In this role, she developed a strong understanding of structural barriers, which continue to inform her work with clients.

She holds a 40-hour Domestic Violence Certification from WINGS and integrates evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), grounded in a strengths-based perspective. Carolina is committed to empowering clients by building on their existing skills, resilience, and resources to support their progress.

Isaiah Tennell, LSW, is a clinician dedicated to providing evidence-based, compassionate care to individuals navigating complex emotional and relational challenges. His therapeutic approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic principles, with a focus on understanding how early experiences and current environments influence mental health. Isaiah has clinical experience working with trauma survivors, individuals coping with chronic illness, and clients seeking to strengthen self-awareness and emotional regulation.

He completed his Master of Social Work at Arizona State University and is currently practicing under clinical supervision toward independent licensure. Isaiah has provided counseling through the WINGS Program, specializing in domestic violence recovery, and at Rush University Medical Center’s Supportive Oncology Department, supporting patients and families facing cancer-related stressors.

Clinical Interests: Trauma recovery, mood and anxiety disorders, men’s mental health, chronic illness and grief, identity development, and interpersonal dynamics.

Nahara is a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker who obtained her undergraduate degree in social work from Trinity Christian College, followed by her Master’s program at the University of Illinois Chicago, where she built a foundation in trauma-informed care and community-based support. She has spent the past two years working as a Domestic Violence Counselor at a non-profit organization, providing clinical services to survivors of domestic violence. In addition, she also facilitates survivor support groups within the organization.

Nahara specializes in working with the Latinx community and frequently works with Spanish-speaking clients. Her work is grounded in empowerment, safety, and culturally responsive care.

Nahara holds the Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional (CDVP) credential. Nahara is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and is currently working toward full EMDR certification.

With a trauma-informed, strengths-based, and person-centered approach, Nahara strives to help individuals navigate healing, rebuild their sense of safety, and foster resilience.

Cynthia is a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years of experience providing trauma-informed, culturally responsive care across diverse settings. A first-generation daughter of immigrants from Honduras, she brings cultural humility, lived insight, and deep respect for each client’s unique story into her clinical work. She earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Cynthia specializes in working with parents and new mothers, with a particular focus on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. She also has extensive experience supporting children, adolescents, adults, and older adults across the lifespan. Her clinical background includes work with survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse, as well as families involved in the child welfare system.

Her approach is client-centered, strengths-based, and grounded in the belief that individuals are more than their trauma. Cynthia integrates evidence-based therapeutic modalities to tailor interventions that promote meaningful, sustainable change. She prioritizes creating a safe, collaborative therapeutic environment rooted in trust, authenticity, and compassion.

Cynthia is committed to supporting individuals and families as they navigate life transitions, heal from trauma, and build resilience. She views the therapeutic relationship as a partnership and considers it a privilege to walk alongside clients in their growth and healing.

Cindy is a bilingual Licensed Social Worker who  earned her Master’s degree from Aurora University. She is currently working toward her clinical licensure and her Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS) certification and brings prior experience providing behavioral therapy, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), to individuals on the autism spectrum.

Cindy is passionate about working with children ages 7 to young adults however, has experience working with adult clients as well. Cindy takes a strengths-based, goal-oriented approach to therapy and partners with clients to gain deeper insight into themselves and the patterns that may be holding them back. She integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to support clients in strengthening coping skills, improving emotional regulation, and building confidence in navigating life’s challenges.

She is passionate about helping clients become the best version of themselves by recognizing their strengths, building practical tools, and creating meaningful change. Cindy values a supportive, forward-moving therapeutic space where clients feel understood and empowered.