If you've been immobilized by panic attacks or excessive anxiety, you do not need to suffer endlessly. Dr. Karen Cassiday describes effective treatment techniques in this US News and World Report article that can help you to successfully overcome your fears. At the Anxiety Treatment Center, our therapists can accompany you in situations where you feel [...]
Dr. Cassiday is quoted throughout the article OMG I Can't Even—How Much Anxiety Is Normal and How Can Millennials Cope? in Greatist.com. She discusses the positive impact that stress can have, and the importance of resilience. "Some anxiety in the face of stress is warranted, Cassiday says. (Think: nerves prior to giving a lecture, taking an exam, or performing; [...]
Dr. Cassiday discusses irrational fears and phobias on Rivet Radio on, appropriately, Friday the 13th of November, 2015. To listen to this 5 minute interview, Click Here.
In a series of morning news episodes, Dr. Karen Cassiday was enlisted by the news team at WCIU TV Morning News Show, You and Me, to work with staff members who struggled with animal phobias. The 'patients' came to The Anxiety Treatment Center for short-term exposure therapy, with impressive results! In this piece, Dr. Cassiday works [...]
OCD Live Forum: Manning the Lifeboat: What to do when someone you love is sinking fast. On Thursday, November 19th, 2015, Dr. Cassiday will be speaking at Francis Parker School in Chicago from 7-9pm about how to manage the difficulties of everyday life when someone you love has overwhelming anxiety symptoms. Sometimes typical outpatient treatment in not [...]
Dr. Karen Cassiday spoke to host Tony Sarabia on NPR Affiliate WBEZ's Morning Shift on Wednesday, September 2, 1015. She described the psychological causes and treatment of hoarding disorder, in response to the City of Chicago's new advisory board created to help compulsive hoarders. Click here to listen to the broadcast: WBEZ Morning Shift September 2, 2015.
Dr. Cassiday led a BeyondOCD LiveForum on Scrupulosity on April 18, 2015, at Francis Parker School in Chicago. Scrupulosity is a form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) involving religious or moral obsessions. Scrupulous individuals are overly concerned that something they thought or did might be a sin or other violation of moral doctrine. During the forum, [...]
Non-stop coverage of the Ebola crisis has raised the anxiety level in the calmest of individuals. Dr. Karen Cassiday writes about the steps you can take to avoid increasing your own anxiety in an article for BeyondOCD: Preventing Panic from Concern about Ebola.
Dr. Cassiday was asked to appear as a mental health expert on a HuffPost Live video session during Huffington Post's week-long series about mental health in America. In this video, several people who suffer from anxiety (including the host, Alyona Minkovski) share their stores while Dr. Cassiday offers expert advice on how to live with [...]
Dr. Karen Cassiday is quoted in an article on yahoo.com, where she she describes the importance of so many people stepping forward to disclose their own struggles with depression. “If something is kept silent, it creates stigma. It’s important for people to find out that they are not alone.” You can find the article here: Robin Williams's Suicide Inspires [...]
Philosophy of Care:
Kelly’s approach to therapy is rooted in empathy and understanding. She understands that anxiety can be crippling and works diligently to create a safe and non-judgmental space for her patients to explore their fears and challenges. By incorporating humor into her sessions, she helps her patients feel more at ease and creates a lighthearted atmosphere, making the therapeutic journey more enjoyable. By addressing perfectionism, self-criticism, and self-defeating behaviors, Kelly helps her patients develop healthier coping mechanisms and self-talk. She encourages her patients to challenge these negative beliefs and replace them with more positive and realistic thoughts. Through her collaborative approach, Kelly ensures that her patients actively participate in their treatment. She values their input and encourages them to set their own goals, enabling them to take ownership of their mental health journey.
Kelly is devoted to empowering her patients to overcome their anxiety and pursue fulfilling lives.
Special Interests:
Kelly has a special interest in treating performance anxiety, as well as other anxiety and mood disorders. She works with individuals across the lifespan, addressing the unique needs and challenges of each age group. Kelly is particularly passionate about working with patients from diverse backgrounds, including the LGBTQIA+ community.
Outside of her work, Kelly can be found taking photographs and spending time capturing moments in nature. She also enjoys being outdoors, playing frisbee, and cherishing time with her family and friends.
Experience and Training:
Kelly is currently completing her Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling at Rosalind Franklin University. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and has a minor in Music from Lake Forest College. Through her clinical coursework, Kelly has gained experience implementing evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) practices. She has received specialized training in treating individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, ensuring that she can provide culturally sensitive and inclusive care.
Kelly also has practical experience in working with children with autism using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy techniques. In addition to her studies and clinical work, Kelly is actively involved in volunteering at the Rosalind Franklin University Interprofessional Community Clinic. Through this role, she helps provide mental health care services to community members from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that they have access to the support they need.
Philosophy of Care:
Alex’s philosophy of care is centered around helping patients feel empowered, motivated, and supported in their journey towards growth and improvement. He believes in balancing compassion and motivation to encourage patients to step outside their comfort zone and achieve their goals. He values using evidence-based practices and tailoring treatments to suit the individual needs of each patient. Alex’s infectious enthusiasm, humor, and dedication make the process of therapy enjoyable and rewarding for both the patient and himself. The greatest satisfaction for Alex comes from helping patients achieve things they never thought possible, bringing a sense of fulfillment and purpose to his work.
Special Interests:
Alex’s areas of expertise include treating patients with OCD, anxiety, and mood disorders. He works with patients of all ages, adapting his approach to meet their specific needs
Alex is passionate about creating a safe and inclusive environment for all patients. He especially enjoys working with LGBTQIA+ individuals and ensuring their care is culturally sensitive and affirming.
Outside the office, Alex enjoys engaging in creative activities like drawing, as well as spending quality time with friends and family by playing board games. He also loves exploring different cuisines and is passionate about trying new foods from around the world. In his downtime, you may even find him singing karaoke in the city.
Experience and Training:
Before starting his graduate studies, Alex earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Northwestern University. This foundational knowledge in psychology has provided him with a solid understanding of the underlying principles and theories that guide counseling practices.
Alex is currently enrolled in the Master’s in Clinical Counseling program at Rosalind Franklin University, which provides him with advanced theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
During his time in the Master’s program, Alex has focused on evidence-based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) practices. In addition to his clinical experience, Alex also volunteers at Rosalind Franklin University’s Interprofessional Community Clinic. Through this work, he has gained experience working with patients from diverse backgrounds who experience various psychological and physical health issues.
Alex gained hands-on experience working with adolescents with eating disorders while employed at a residential treatment setting. This experience allowed him to apply his theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting and develop practical skills in working with this specific population.
Philosophy of Care:
Talha’s philosophy of care centers around getting to know each patient on a genuine level and customizing their treatment plan to meet their individual needs. He believes in helping patients across the life span, overcome anxiety and achieve their goals, empowering them to make meaningful changes and live the life they desire. Having a bi-cultural background, Talha understands the unique challenges and experiences of individuals from different cultures and incorporates this understanding into his practice. Through his spirited personality and good humor, he creates a positive and enjoyable therapeutic journey for his patients as they work together to overcome anxiety. Talha is dedicated to supporting his patients and helping them thrive.
Special Interests:
Talha has a passion for working with individuals who experience OCD and other anxiety and mood disorders across all stages of life. He is dedicated to helping these individuals overcome their challenges and improve their mental well-being.
Outside the office, Talha enjoys various activities such as basketball, football, and following car trends. He also has an interest in fashion and values spending quality time with his family. These pursuits not only contribute to his overall well-rounded lifestyle, but they also help Talha maintain a sense of balance that ultimately enhances his ability to provide compassionate care to his clients.
Experience and Training:
Talha has a strong foundation in clinical counseling, with a particular focus on evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) practices. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Loyola University and is currently enrolled in the Masters in Clinical Counseling program at Rosalind Franklin University. Talha’s research interests lie in the effect of mindfulness-based interventions on patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), showcasing his commitment to understanding the effectiveness of different therapeutic approaches.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Talha has extensive experience with applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy and working with children on the autism spectrum. His dedication to providing accessible mental health services to individuals from diverse backgrounds is evident through his volunteer work at the Rosalind Franklin University Interprofessional Community Clinic.
Overall, Talha’s education, research interests, and practical experience in ABA therapy and diverse mental health service provision contribute to his holistic approach to counseling.
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR
Philosophy of Care:
When you work with Belma, you will be impressed with her compassion, enthusiasm for working with you, and her enjoyment of life. She wants you to achieve your goals for a peaceful and brighter future free from avoidance, worry, reassurance seeking, and compulsions. She knows what it is like to take the courageous step of making positive change because of her own prior journey of overcoming anxiety. She enjoys working with parents and significant others to help everyone in your, or your child’s, support system acquire effective skills that decrease and prevent anxiety and depression.
Special Interests:
Belma is fluent is Bosnian, Hrvatski, and Srpski and can assist patients who prefer to do therapy in their mother tongue.
Recognizing the toll anxiety can have on individuals, Belma understands the feeling of helplessness you, or your child, may experience when faced with unexpected dread, stress, and panic. She knows how isolating, frustrating, and time-consuming the symptoms of anxiety can be. She also knows that healing is possible through determination and the skilled support of a therapist who understands how to face and overcome anxiety.
Belma successfully treats those experiencing anxiety, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, health anxiety, separation anxiety, school refusal, specific phobias, body dysmorphic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). She especially enjoys working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
In her free time, Belma enjoys spending time in nature, reading, and traveling. She also loves spending time with her family and friends!
Experience and Training:
Belma received her Master’s of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Northeastern Illinois University. She has prior experience working as a family therapist at Rogers Behavioral Health. She received extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approaches and routinely uses Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Belma also may utilize creative therapeutic methods including Narrative Therapy and Art Therapy.
Belma is pursuing a PhD at Adler University.
Belma is a member of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), The TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior, and the American Counseling Association (ACA).
Patient Age Range: 3 years and up
Office Location: Deerfield, Downtown Chicago
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR
Philosophy of Care:
Milana Pehar is personable, warm, and non-judgmental in her approach to working with others. She believes that the therapeutic relationship is an essential part of treatment and the healing process. She supports her clients in becoming an expert of their own anxiety by providing psychoeducation, coping strategies, and a personalized anxiety toolkit. Milana believes in collaborating with her client’s support system throughout treatment so they can also learn how best to support their loved one. Her ultimate goal is to empower each client to become confident in managing their anxiety and get back into living the life they want.
Special Interests:
Milana’s passion for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) treatment comes from her own experience with the disorder. She knows how persistent, distressing, and time-consuming this disorder can be. She also knows that recovery happens once clients are willing to take this courageous first step and begin facing their fears.
Along with her skills in treating all OCD spectrum disorders, Milana successfully treats those experiencing anxiety, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, health anxiety, panic disorder, agoraphobia, specific phobias, body dysmorphic disorder, body-focused repetitive behaviors, and tic disorders.
In her free time, Milana enjoys baking and trying new restaurants. She also loves spending time with her family and friends!
Experience and Training:
Milana received her Master’s of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at DePaul University. She completed her practicum and internship at Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital in the Center for Anxiety & Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders. She received extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approaches and routinely uses Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
In order to provide her clients with the best care possible, Milana participates in continuing education training and current research relating to obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders and anxiety disorders.
Milana is a member of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), The TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior, and the American Counseling Association (ACA).
Patient Age Range: 4 years and up
Office Location: Deerfield
Odie serves an essential role at the Anxiety Treatment Center as the final canine exposure therapist. He loves coming to work and helping people complete their therapy with dogs. Our biggest dog, his friendly demeanor (especially if you have peanut butter, be prepared for lots of licks!) makes him an excellent partner in overcoming fear.
Odie is a boxer-hound mix. He loves howling along to the harmonica, playing with toys, and meeting new people. He will often jump up to kiss you! He is an excellent dog for those who have graduated from Cookie and Shiloh and are ready for an exuberant experience.
We are happy to have such a fun-loving animal to help our patients overcome their fears.
Shiloh loves being part of the Anxiety Treatment Center’s staff. He loves working with everyone and is always ready to give out his best dog kisses and tail wags for even the most anxious patients. His small size, fluffy soft curls, and constant enjoyment of people make it easy for any child or adult to feel loved and to overcome their fears.
Shiloh is a Cavapoo, a cross-breed between a miniature poodle and King Charles Cavalier Spaniel. He adores people and has never met a person he doesn’t like. He has lots of energy and loves helping Cookie (our other Canine Therapist) with her patients once they graduate to working with dogs who are overtly affectionate. He loves playing with children and helps shy children and adults meet other people because he is always ready to make a new friend.
We are thankful to have such an enthusiastic greeter and playful companion to help our patients overcome their fears.
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR
Philosophy of care:
Ulyana Fenyn is passionate about helping her clients overcome the obstacles, fears, and uncertainties they encounter. She has a warm and personable approach and believes in a collaborative philosophy. By providing a nonjudgmental, safe, and empathetic environment, her clients can be heard, valued, and understood. She works with each client in establishing a strong sense of self, believing that the solutions and strength already exist in each person she encounters.
Ulyana highly values therapeutic relationships and every opportunity to help others become better versions of themselves. She’s continually inspired by the self-growth she sees in others despite trials of adversity. Using a holistic approach, encouragement, and humor during sessions, her treatment plans are individualized for each client in order to provide creative and evidence-based treatment. She also recognizes the importance of working with parents and family members in order to maximize treatment outcomes for younger clients.
Special interests:
Ulyana has worked with clients from a wide range of socio-economic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. She has experience working with a variety of diagnoses such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), panic disorder, specific phobias, depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, PTSD, grief and loss, social anxiety, Oppositional defiant disorder, and adjustment to chronic or terminal medical illness. She also has experience working with young adults with neurodevelopmental disorders as well as physical disabilities. She has run social skills groups for children struggling with emotional and behavioral regulation and support groups for children diagnosed with cancer and their families. Additionally, she has provided post-adoption counseling and parent coaching.
Ulyana loves to help underserved communities and is an international volunteer. She spends her free time volunteering with local charities as well as in orphanages overseas. She enjoys reading, traveling around the world, exploring new cultures, working out, making floral arrangements, being outdoors, and visiting art galleries. She is fluent in Ukrainian and Russian.
Experience and Training:
Ulyana earned her Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She received additional training in Trauma-Focused CBT and Positive Psychology. She likes to incorporate CBT, trauma-focused CBT, ACT, mindfulness, strength-based, and solution-focused therapy.
Patient Age Range: Ages 8 and up
Office Location: Chicago and Deerfield
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR
Philosophy of care:
Ying places a high priority on helping her clients overcome anxiety while developing a courageous and self-compassionate view of life. She enjoys helping each person discover how they can become their better self by discovering that they can do more than they ever believed possible, one step at a time. She uses the latest scientific approaches to anxiety, resilience building, and emotional self-regulation to help each client identify the beliefs, experiences, and challenges that make it difficult to overcome anxiety. She combines cognitive behavioral therapies, mindfulness, trauma-informed care, ACT, and solution-focused interventions to customize a treatment program. She strives also to teach everyone ways to prevent future relapse by cultivating robust mental wellness.
Special interests:
Ying is fluent in Mandarin and especially enjoys using her mother tongue to help those who prefer a Mandarin-speaking therapist. Her background immigrating from her homeland to the United States gives her a special appreciation for patients experiencing anxiety related to cross-cultural challenges. She has special training in working with trauma and especially enjoys working with children, teens, and families. She loves working with all anxiety disorders, ADHD and those who suffer from mood disorders.
Outside the therapy setting, Ying enjoys different kinds of outdoor activities, including hiking and cycling, and dancing. She especially loves to try different coffee shops with friends during her free time.
Experience and Training:
Ying completed her Masters of Education from the Pennsylvania State University – Clinical Mental Health in Schools and Communities program. She has been trained in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and solution-focused therapy. She also has experience working with the BIPOC and LGBTQA+ populations and is a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and Chi Sigma Iota (CSI). Ying has worked as a therapist in the Penn State University counseling center, high school district counseling center, college of education and equity office of PSU, and career center.
Patient Age Range: 6 years and up
Location: Deerfield
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR
Philosophy of Care:
Sonia Chand is dedicated to providing a safe space for patients to grow their abilities and face the challenges that come with having anxiety. She is especially adept at working with the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) community, providing skills training and building for those on the spectrum. She is passionate about helping patients achieve their fullest potential so that they can live their best lives, using techniques like family intervention, parent training, and social skills training to assist patients in their family environments. Sonia aims to build her patients up through self-empowerment, helping them manage the challenges they face with courage and resilience.
Special Interests:
Using Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma-focused therapy, Sonia works with a variety of different conditions including autism spectrum disorders, ASD with co-occurring anxiety, anxiety, social anxiety, depressive disorders, body dysmorphia, personality disorders, self-esteem issues, and anxiety with features of psychosis.
Outside the office, Sonia is an avid runner, participating in marathons with the charity TeamUp Autism Speaks. Apart from running, she lives life to the fullest, enjoying music, movies, Broadway shows, travel, cooking, going to sporting events, food and street festivals during the summer, reading, and writing.
Experience and Training:
After getting her law degree and practicing for some time, Sonia realized that her desire to help people would be better fulfilled in the field of counseling. She pursued her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler University. She has worked in a variety of settings with children, adults, and families. She has a special interest in serving the ASD community, belonging to the Autism Speaks Young Professionals organization, and is a sought-after speaker and volunteer.
Patient Age Range: 6 years and up
Office Location: Deerfield and Chicago
LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER
Philosophy of Care:
Lauren Caldwell enjoys helping people with anxiety overcome the challenges they face, teaching them resilience in facing their fears. She values the importance of building a strong therapeutic relationship with her patients, utilizing both evidenced-based talk therapy and skills-based therapy to create and maintain this partnership. She also believes in the importance of family involvement in treatment, working closely with parents and loved ones to support their family member.
Special Interests:
Through the use of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Lauren has experience in helping patients manage and overcome anxiety disorders, general anxiety disorder (GAD), school refusal, depression, self-esteem issues, and motivation issues.
When not in the office, Lauren enjoys spending her free time traveling, being outdoors, cheering on her favorite sports teams, and being around animals (especially dogs!).
Experience and Training:
Lauren received her Masters of Social Work at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She has worked successfully with adolescents and families from a range of backgrounds in schools, hospitals, and PHP/IOP settings and is trained in CBT, DBT, and ACT modalities. Lauren is licensed in both Illinois and Tennessee and is able to provide telecounseling to Tennessee residents from our Illinois offices.
Patient Age Range: 6 years and up
Office Location: Deerfield
LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER
Philosophy of Care:
Tammy enjoys helping her clients and their families face their fears step-by-step so they can live with confidence and peace of mind. She understands how difficult it is learning to face your fears, or helping your child learn how to face their fears. Using warmth, good humor, and teamwork she helps you and your family transform the way you think about and react to anxiety. She loves teaching her patients how to overcome anxiety so they can learn the skills that create resilience, grit, and an enjoyment of adventure. Tammy is experienced at helping even the most reluctant clients gain motivation and confidence to overcome their anxiety. She especially enjoys working with complicated clients who need extra help following through with treatment, such as people on the autism spectrum, people with personality disorders, reluctant teens, and people who suffer from emotion dysregulation.
Tammy is available to work in person and via teletherapy to accommodate your schedule. She understands the dilemma of being a busy parent, teen, or worker with many schedule demands. One of her priorities is helping parents and significant others learn how to become an effective anxiety coach.
Special Interests:
Tammy works successfully with children, adolescents, and adults to overcome all types of anxiety including social anxiety, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, specific phobias, and OCD. In addition she has expertise in treating autism spectrum disorder with accompanying anxiety, personality disorders, emotion dysregulation, and substance abuse.
Tammy loves hanging out with her family and friends. In her free time, you can find her boating in the Northwoods, exploring new local eateries, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers.
Experience and Training:
Tammy Madrigrano received her Masters of Social Work from the University of Southern California. She is a certified grief counselor and worked for many years at a nationally recognized PHP/IOP treatment center known as a leader in evidence-based treatments for anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and borderline personality disorder. She has extensive experience providing dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) as well as training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Non-violent Crisis Intervention (NCI). In addition to clinical work, she has worked in non-profit settings, outpatient clinics, and addiction treatment centers.
Patient Age Range: 5 years and up
Office Location: Deerfield
LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER
Philosophy of Care:
“I love being able to walk the path of progress with clients, leading them to do all kinds of things they never thought possible. My goal is to empower clients to manage situations on their own, and to feel prepared, based on our work, to successfully approach situations with new skills and confidence. It’s so rewarding to observe clients’ enthusiasm as doors begin to open and opportunities arise that allow them to thrive.”
Engaging and down to earth, Sarah Peterman approaches clients with compassion, insight, and a strong dose of humor. She easily establishes rapport with clients of all ages, including children as young as 5 years old, creating a calm and supportive environment for successful treatment. Clients develop an understanding of the barriers that are holding them back, as Sarah teaches them to challenge anxious thinking and modify behaviors. She gently pushes clients to engage in situations that they have been avoiding, increasing tolerance for anxiety and helping them to recognize triggers and approach circumstances in a new, more helpful way. As an experienced clinician, Sarah is creative in finding ways around each person’s unique barriers, and personalizes strategies that motivate change. She recognizes the importance of involving parents when working with children, and provides guidance on boundaries, limits, and communication that facilitates improvement and progress in their children. Sarah consistently helps her clients overcome anxiety and achieve positive outcomes, teaching new skills and strategies that increase self-confidence and result in an improved quality of life.
Special Interests:
Sarah has success in helping children and adults overcome all types of anxiety, including OCD, social anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, trichotillomania, and dermatillomania. She specializes in the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness, including relaxation practices. She relates well to children and adults, tailoring age-appropriate treatment for children and adolescents that can include play, music, and rapport-building.
An animal lover, Sarah enjoys spending time with her dog and cat. To relax, you’ll often find her reading and listening to music. She especially loves hanging out with her awesome nephews.
Experience and Training:
Sarah is an experienced licensed clinical social worker, having worked in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings as well as in private practice. She received her Masters of Social Work from the University of Illinois, Chicago, Jane Addams School of Social Work. She has received extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and has worked with clients struggling with all kinds of anxiety disorders. In addition, she has expertise in treating Borderline Personality Disorder and clients who struggle with emotion regulation. She is a member of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) and the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF).
Patient Age Range: 5 years and up
Office Location: Deerfield
Description
Insomnia occurs when someone is unable to readily fall asleep or stay asleep. Often times, worrying about sleep quality and the ability to function while awake combines with the effects of sleep deprivation to interfere with everyday life. Worry about sleep quality and deprivation is a significant factor in insomnia. The presence of anxiety disorders or mood disorders can also result in insomnia. The good news is that insomnia is highly treatable using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the method repeatedly shown to work in research studies. The Anxiety Treatment Center staff will work with you to address the underlying causes of your insomnia and help you, or your child, learn to sleep better again. Your sleep can improve and you can learn to feel confident about going to sleep and staying asleep.
Treatment
If your insomnia is chronic and not related to a medical condition, you may benefit from the treatment we provide at the Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago. CBT for insomnia is a unique approach that our therapists are trained in specifically to treat insomnia, grounded in the science of sleep. We will work with you using a combination of cognitive and behavioral techniques such as relaxation training, mindfulness training, sleep hygiene improvement and decreasing worry.
For More Information
Anxiety and Depression Association of America – Sleep Disorders
American Sleep Association – Insomnia
Mayo Clinic – Insomnia Treatment
Description
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) includes Autism, Aspergers’ Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. Children, teens and adults with ASD experience difficulties with anxiety that can include excessive worry, anticipatory anxiety, phobic reactions to feared situations, sounds or sensations and social anxiety. Difficulty with reading the social environment and difficulty with being flexible can make it very hard for those with ASD to handle changes in routine, friendships and daily challenges. Frequently children and teens with ASD experience school refusal, oppositional behavior, failure to launch and failure to make and keep friends despite being able to make good grades. Many children with Autism Spectrum Disorder have one or more types of anxiety disorders. Research has demonstrated that anxiety disorders exacerbate the social difficulties and other functional impairments caused by ASD. Anxiety may worsen during adolescence, as young people face an increasingly complex social milieu and often become more aware of their differences and interpersonal difficulties.
Treatment
The staff at the Anxiety Treatment Center will work with you, your child, teen or young adult to build individual skills in anxiety management, flexibility, social perception, social skills and self-management so that a richer and more independent life is possible. We are committed to helping children, teens and adults with ASD to live a full productive life free of anxiety. Our team will work with school staff, IEP teams, college staff and support agencies to create a community of support for long term success.
For More Information
Autism Speaks Inc.
National Institute of Mental Health – What Is Autism?
Description
Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, stereotyped, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics. Tic disorder is diagnosed when a patient has either a repetitive or motor tic. Some of the more common simple tics include eye blinking, facial grimacing, shoulder shrugging, and head or shoulder jerking. Simple vocal tics might include repetitive throat-clearing, coughing, sniffing, or grunting sounds. Complex tics are distinct, coordinated patterns of movements involving several muscle groups such as facial grimacing combined with a head twist and shoulder shrug. Parents of children with TS or tic disorder frequently worry about the social impact of TS or tics for their child. Concern about repetitive motion injuries and the side effects of medications is also common. TS and tic disorder also co-occurs with Attention Deficit Disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and oppositional behaviors which can make parenting a child with these disorders very challenging.
Treatment
The majority of children and teens with TS and tic disorder will outgrow their tics by the time they reach their mid twenties, but life prior to that time can be painful and frustrating for everyone. The staff at The Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago offers the latest cognitive behavioral interventions designed to help children and teens suppress their tics using comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics (CBIT), assertion training and bullying prevention training. We want any patient with tics to feel self-confident and ready to face the world so that they can express their talents and gifts regardless of their TS or tics.
For More Information
Tourette Syndrome Association
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke – Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet
American Academy of Pediatrics – Tics, Tourette Syndrome and OCD
Description
Separation Anxiety Disorder occurs when a child fears physical separation from a caretaker and experiences anxiety and worry whenever anticipated separation might occur. They may worry about something terrible happening to the caretaker while they are apart. Children with separation anxiety disorder protest goodbyes at any leave-taking, such as going to daycare, school or to bed. They frequently cry and plead to stay with the caretaker, despite apparently enjoying school or daycare. Children with separation anxiety disorder are often unable to sleep alone. Children with more severe separation anxiety may insist on being within touch or sight of family members. Adults may also experience separation anxiety disorder.
Treatment
Successful treatment of separation anxiety disorder involves exposure therapy that gradually teaches your child that they can tolerate and enjoy separations such as going to daycare, school or to bed and can master their anxiety about being alone. Imaginal exposure is used to help overcome frightening thoughts about separation. Caretakers are taught how to help their child become confident about separation and growing up.
For More Information
Anxiety and Depression Association of America – What Parents Should Know About Separation Anxiety
Mayo Clinic – Separation Anxiety Disorder
Psychology Today – Separation Anxiety
Description
School refusal can be a symptom of many different problems, including an anxiety disorder, depression, poor social skills or academic difficulties. Anxiety disorders are the most common reason that elementary aged children refuse school. Many children who refuse school complain of feeling sick rather than of feeling anxious and often feel sick every day. Parents often engage in fruitless medical testing for GI disorders or other maladies only to be told that there is no diagnosable or treatable condition. Children and teens who engage in school refusal often find it most difficult to return to school after long holidays, 3-day weekends or legitimate absence due to illness.
Treatment
Treatment for school refusal involves correct diagnosis of the underlying problem(s) followed by exposure therapy that returns the child to school as quickly as possible. Whether panic disorder, agoraphobia, OCD, social anxiety, health anxiety or a more complex set of problems is causing school refusal, our team of specialists will develop a plan with your family and school system that helps your child overcome the cause of their school refusal. When necessary, we will come to your home to help escort your child to school so that they can return to successful living.
For More Information
Anxiety and Depression Association of America – School Refusal
Description
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) distorts a person’s perception about a specific aspect of their appearance and causes them exquisite shame about the imagined defect. It is not a disorder of vanity, in which a person takes great pleasure in focusing upon their appearance. It is a disorder of agonizing shame and despair about appearance. Those who have BDD focus upon a particular feature or minor defect in their appearance and believe themselves to be severely disfigured and distracting to others. They feel convinced that their imagined ugliness is obvious to others despite the attempts of family and friends to reassure them otherwise. Shame and disgust about their misperceived ugliness can result in social avoidance and isolation, repeated plastic surgeries or cosmetic procedures and severe depression and suicidal thoughts. Body dysmorphic disorder can focus upon any aspect of appearance, including the shape of various body parts, hair or complexion. Patients with BDD may also take great risks in order to their appearance by seeking out medications, treatments or surgeries that are not under the supervision of licensed or well-qualified professionals.
Treatment
Treatment for body dysmorphic disorder consists of cognitive behavioral therapy and medications. Cognitive therapy helps patients learn to recognize that their disorder is one of misperception and misplaced focus upon particular aspects of their appearance. They are taught how to gradually decrease efforts to examine and camouflage or hide their appearance. Exposure therapy helps patients gradually resume normal activities that they avoided due to fear of having their misperceived defect become noticeable. BDD sufferers are also taught how to more correctly view their body in its entirety and how to build meaningful relationships despite their BDD.
The Anxiety Treatment Center staff has experience in treating body dysmorphic disorder. We offer a compassionate step by step program to help those who suffer from body dysmorphic disorder learn to live their lives free of painful preoccupation with their appearance. We offer home visits, or special scheduling of sessions to allow for privacy, to those patients who may initially feel unable to come to our offices due to their BDD.
For More Information
BDD Foundation
Los Angeles Body Dysmorphic Disorder & Body Image Clinic
International OCD Foundation – BDD
Description
Many children, teens and adults live in daily terror about being seriously ill, or even terminally ill, when no symptoms of serious illness exist. They misinterpret normal bodily sensations or physical symptoms as being dangerous and life-threatening. Reassurance from friends, spouses, diagnostic testing or reassurance from health care professionals may provide temporary relief, but the fears return anyway. These patients may make many unnecessary visits to the doctor. They may repeatedly undergo unnecessary medical testing and procedures. Paradoxically, some with these health-related concerns may end up avoiding any contact with health care providers for fear that they receive bad news.
Treatment
Treatment for health anxiety includes cognitive therapy to learn to tolerate uncertainty about health status and physical sensations, exposure therapy and imaginal flooding to learn to tolerate feared thoughts about death and illness. Interoceptive exposure is used to help patients learn to tolerate normal changes in physical sensations.
Staff at The Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago have specialized experience in helping patients overcome health anxiety so that they can learn to enjoy their good health and stop fearing poor health, disability or terminal illness. Our team helps patients learn when it is appropriate to contact their health care providers and when to seek out health-related information. We will also work with your health care provider to help them know how to best help you when your health fears become problematic.
For More Information
Mayo Clinic – Illness Anxiety Disorder
Description
Trichotillomania, compulsive non-cosmetic hair pulling, and Dermatillomania, compulsive skin picking, are two of the many Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs), in which a person can cause harm or damage to themselves or their appearance. Other BFRBs include biting the insides of the cheek and nail-biting. Compulsive hair pulling results in noticeable hair loss, or bald patches. Hair can be pulled from any site on the body, with areas that are most easily reached being the most likely sites. Teens and adults who suffer from hair pulling experience intense shame and distress. They may avoid activities that they fear will reveal their hair loss such as being outside on windy days, standing near people taller than themselves, exercise classes, or going to hairdressers. Those who suffer from trichotillomania often incorrectly fear that hair pulling must indicate that they are especially “sick” or “self-injurious” because they are unable to stop. Scientists and therapists who are familiar with hair pulling and skin picking know that these behaviors are a habit that is probably caused by a genetic predisposition that accidentally becomes self-reinforcing.
Other body-focused repetitive behaviors such as compulsive skin picking, compulsive nail-biting, cheek biting and nose picking are very similar to trichotillomania in their effect on the family and the sufferer’s self-image. They often co-occur with trichotillomania. These disorders are understood to be similar to trichotillomania and the same treatment approach that is used for trichotillomania is used for these disorders. Many scientists are now beginning to classify this group of disorders in a category of their own, body-focused repetitive disorders.
Treatment
Treatment of trichotillomania and other body-focused repetitive behaviors involves detecting and defining the patient’s individual profile for pulling or picking. Since no two patients with these disorders are alike, a customized plan of behavioral and cognitive strategies must be developed. These strategies are applied to gradually dismantle the automatic chain of events that leads to pulling or picking and to replace it with more adaptive behaviors. The goal of treatment is to achieve either a substantial decrease in pulling or picking, or abstinence from pulling and picking, so that the patient no longer has to feel embarrassed about hair loss and concealment of hair loss.
The staff at The Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago will help you, or your child, overcome body-focused repetitive behaviors one step at a time. We want to help stop the cycle of pulling or picking so that you, or your child, can feel full of confidence and beauty.
For More Information
The TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors
StopPicking.com – On-line Behavioral Program
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry – Hair Pulling – Facts for Families
Description
Specific phobias occur when someone develops a sudden irrational fear of a situation or object that causes intense fear and avoidance. Only about 30% of those who suffer from specific phobias have a traumatic onset, such as fearing dogs after being bitten by a dog. For most, the fear just occurs spontaneously during childhood. Specific phobias can be about any situation or be associated with any object. Examples of typical phobias are fear of heights, needles, flying, enclosed spaces, dental procedures, spiders, snakes or people wearing masks. In order to be diagnosed, the phobia has to interfere with the patient’s ability to do necessary daily tasks or causes them to plan their life around avoiding things that trigger their fear.
Treatment
Exposure therapy is the treatment of choice for specific phobias and can result in a rapid and lasting cure. Exposure therapy can take place in weekly sessions, in intensive daily sessions, or in a single session. Some specific phobias can be successfully treated in a single several hours long session when the patient has the determination to overcome their fear rapidly. Exposure therapy involves gradually practicing the situations that provoke the phobia until anxiety subsides.
The Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago staff helps patients successfully practice the situations that phobias makes difficult, whether it be driving, flying, riding elevators, or completing medical or dental procedures. Staff at The Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago have specialized experience in helping patients overcome medical or dental phobias so that patients can successfully and confidently complete medical tests, procedures, surgeries or vaccinations that they have been avoiding.
For More Information
Anxiety and Depression Association of America – Specific Phobias
National Alliance on Mental Illness – Specific Phobias
Description
Those who suffer from social anxiety disorder feel more than just shy. Social anxiety disorder occurs when someone feels embarrassment, shame or humiliation because they fear that others are noticing them in social situations and judging them. Sometimes simply being noticed can result in anxiety attacks. Children, teens and adults may blush easily, tremble, have panic attacks or cry when in social situations that make them uncomfortable. Social anxiety disorder can affect just a few situations such as fear of public speaking or fear of using the public restroom (called paruresis). Social anxiety disorder can also affect almost all social situations, making it painful for someone to interact with all but their closest friend and immediate family. Social anxiety disorder can result in avoidance that makes attending classes, shopping, dating, job hunting or greeting others at work seem like insurmountable tasks.
Social anxiety disorder in children can also result in selective mutism. Selective mutism occurs when a child or adult has the ability to speak well, but is unable to talk in a normal speaking voice in situations outside their comfort zone. Children and adults with selective mutism may whisper or be unable to talk with more than a few people due to extreme anxiety.
Treatment
The Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago staff enjoy helping patients build social confidence and real life skills that lead to confidence and social success. Cognitive behavioral therapy often combined with medication, is the best treatment to alleviate social anxiety disorder. Cognitive therapy helps challenge the misperceived expectations from others. Exposure therapy helps patients master and enjoy the social world. Assertion training helps patients learn how to handle life’s inevitable awkward moments without having to dread them. When needed, social skills training in conversation, job interviews, public speaking, dating and conflict management helps patients to feel well prepared to manage life.
For More Information
Anxiety and Depression Association of America – Social Anxiety Disorder
International Paruresis Association
Description
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) produces intrusive thoughts or images that cause anxiety. The person then engages in behaviors or thoughts to reduce the anxiety, called compulsions. Most teens and adults recognize that their obsessions do not make sense, but feel compelled to do their compulsions anyway in order to feel less anxious or uncomfortable. Children as young as 2 years old can exhibit the symptoms of OCD. Some of the more common forms of OCD are:
Treatment
Effective treatment of OCD involves exposure with response prevention therapy, cognitive therapy and possible pharmacotherapy, especially when the symptoms are more severe. The Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago specializes in offering intensive rapid treatment of OCD by meeting daily in the places where OCD disrupts your life. Staff will train you to gradually face the situations and thoughts that provoke your OCD while learning how not to respond with rituals, compulsions, reassurance seeking or avoidance. We will accompany you into the situations that OCD makes difficult and help you learn how to get used to it without giving in to the OCD. If your OCD hinders much of your daily life, then we will help you to undergo an intensive treatment program that involves 2-7sessions per week that may last several hours at a time. Research shows that this will give you the best chance to overcome OCD.
For More Information
International OCD Foundation
Anxiety and Depression Association of America – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Description
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) causes chronic worry and chronic symptoms of anxious arousal, such as muscle aches, insomnia, headaches, stomachaches, feeling tired or mildly ill or feeling chronically restless and irritable. GAD frequently co-occurs with other anxiety or mood disorders. Often those who worry believe that their worry, though bothersome, may have some value in protecting their own safety, or the safety of others, or in maintaining high standards or schoolwork or job performance. Children, teens and adults with GAD frequently attempt to seek reassurance from others but with no apparent end to the worry. Parents, friends and spouses of those who have GAD frequently feel that they are being hounded by reassurance seeking.
Treatment
Successful treatment of GAD includes cognitive therapy to learn to tolerate uncertainty, effectively solve problems and decrease perfectionism. Exposure therapy and imaginal flooding helps patients learn to embrace uncertainty, to engage in effective problem solving and to reduce perfectionism. If chronic physical arousal makes it impossible for a patient to relax, then relaxation training and mindfulness training will be taught to help restore the body’s normal resting state. Referrals for yoga and massage therapy may be especially helpful for patients whose bodies are chronically sore from the chronic anxious hyperarousal associated with worry.
Staff at The Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago have specialized experience in helping patients learn to stop and escape the endless cycle of worry and reassurance seeking. Our goal is to help worriers learn to live in the present so that they can relax and enjoy their daily lives.
For More Information
Anxiety and Depression Association of America – Generalized Anxiety Disorder
National Institute of Mental Health – Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Description
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) results when someone has personally experienced or witnessed a life threatening situation. Examples of traumas are auto accidents, fires, physical or sexual assault, or surviving an extreme weather event such as a tornado. Those who suffer from PTSD find that they are unable to return to normal functioning after an initial adjustment period of 2 months. They experience intrusive thoughts, memories or nightmares, an exaggerated startle response, irritability, insomnia, and anxiety attacks when reminded of the trauma. They may also avoid any reminders of the trauma, such as being unable to drive after an auto accident or being unable to be around dogs after being bitten by a dog. Sufferers may also find that they feel numb and unable to experience affection or happiness.
Treatment
Staff at The Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago have received training from the top international experts in the field of PTSD. The best treatment for PTSD includes prolonged exposure in which the person learns to face their memories and real life reminders of the trauma until they no longer feel anxious. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps to restore a healthy rewarding life by improving sleep, overcoming nightmares and rebuilding trust in self and others. The Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago staff will help you or your child re-establish a secure and comfortable life.
For More Information
Anxiety and Depression Association of America – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Philosophy of Care:
Dr. Nina Pacholec’s patient-centered approach to care creates a respectful and responsive environment in which each person can gain confidence in managing their anxiety and learn the tools to overcome it. She addresses each patient with caring, understanding the difficult challenges that anxiety creates, and uses evidence-based methods to assist each person in identifying ways to face those challenges successfully. Using a collaborative approach and a sense of humor, Dr. Pacholec develops individualized treatment plans to help patients reduce their symptoms and achieve their goals. She also offers distance counseling for Illinois residents via secure videoconferencing. Distance counseling offers a convenient alternative for patients who find it difficult to meet with or travel to a therapist and can flexibly accommodate patient schedules.
For busy professionals, Dr. Pacholec is approved to practice teletherapy under PsyPact in participating states and can provide therapy sessions via phone and video when appropriate, based on a client’s diagnosis.
Special Interests:
Dr. Pacholec successfully helps children and adults manage all types of anxiety with particular interest in social anxiety, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), performance anxiety, OCD, and phobias. She is also skilled in treating trauma in children and adolescents. She utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and mindfulness in her treatment.
When not in the office, she loves all things outdoors and will often find time for hiking, exploring new places, and trying new things. An animal lover with a dog and two cats, she also enjoys spending time with her family and cooking up delicious things to eat!
Experience and Training:
Dr. Pacholec received her master’s and doctorate from Palo Alto University in California with a Child and Family emphasis. She completed her pre- and postdoctoral internship at WellSpan Philhaven Behavioral Health in Pennsylvania and continued working there after graduation as a practicing psychologist for several years. She has extensive training and experience in CBT and most recently was a supervisor for the internship program at her previous position. She also has experience in DBT-informed care and enjoyed facilitating DBT-informed skills groups for adolescents and parenting groups based on the Parenting Your Strong-Willed Child evidence-based protocol. Dr. Pacholec has additional training in trauma-focused CBT and recently completed specialized training in OCD from the prestigious Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) through the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF).
Dr. Pacholec is a Diplomate and Certified CBT Therapist through the Academy of Cognitive Therapy (A-CBT), and a member of the American Psychological Association (APA).
Patient Age Range: 4 years and up
Location: Springfield
Cookie is an important part of the Anxiety Treatment Center staff. She loves working with people and brings a great deal of enthusiasm to her job as an exposure therapist. Her small size and friendly nature make it easy for those who fear dogs to practice overcoming their anxieties.
Cookie is a female “Teddy Bear” dog, a cross-breed between a Bichon Frise and a Shih Tzu. She is very sweet and puts our clients at ease. She assists our human staff in working with patients who have fears about dogs and animals. A devoted companion, she also assists children with autism spectrum disorder and other very shy patients with socialization skills.
We are thankful to have such a sweet, calm animal to help our patients overcome their fears.
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Philosophy of Care:
Clients of all ages find Dr. Dustin Siegel to be warm, empathetic, and approachable, as he helps to identify and resolve troublesome thoughts and behaviors. Treatment begins with an assessment aimed at learning about your concerns and how they are impacting your life. Using a collaborative approach, Dr. Siegel defines specific goals and develops an individualized treatment plan aimed at reducing symptoms and improving overall mood. He uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to teach you new ways to respond to anxious and depressive thoughts and feelings. Therapy with Dr. Siegel helps you to live a richer, less anxiety-driven life, and to better manage anxious thoughts and behaviors whenever they arise.
Dr. Siegel also offers distance counseling for Illinois residents via secure videoconferencing. Distance counseling offers a convenient alternative for patients who find it difficult to meet with or travel to a therapist and can flexibly accommodate patient schedules.
Special Interests:
Dr. Siegel successfully treats all types of anxiety disorders including Social Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and specific Phobias. Often, this includes helping clients manage mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, which frequently appear in conjunction with other anxiety problems. He relates particularly well to college students and young professionals, providing valuable support during challenging life cycle transitions for both women and men.
Dr. Siegel has a passion for helping clients with Tourette Syndrome and other tic disorders. He uses Comprehensive Behavioral Interventions for Tics (CBIT), Habit Reversal Therapy (HRT), and other techniques that have been proven effective in reducing the severity of tics.
In addition to his clinical work, he enjoys spending time exploring the city, cooking and trying new foods, and pursuing issues related to social justice and the stigma of mental illness.
Experience and Training:
Dr. Siegel received his Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Hartford. He completed his doctoral internship at Counseling and Psychological Services of Clemson University in Clemson, SC where he worked with a culturally diverse population of college students presenting with a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties. Dr. Siegel has received extensive specialized training from the prestigious OCD Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) as well as the Tourette Syndrome Behavior Therapy Institute. He is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), and the Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA).
Patient Age Range:
Ages 5 years and Up, Adolescents, and Adults
Office Location:
Chicago and Deerfield
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Philosophy of Care:
Dr. Julieanne Pojas’ life motto is: “Do one thing that scares you the most.” She teaches her patients to live a life of confidence and resilience rather than fear. Dr. Pojas believes in developing a relationship that is collaborative, non-judgmental, supportive, and emphasizes each patient’s strengths. She provides evidence-based interventions to target each individuals’ symptoms. These treatments result in patients who are able to improve more quickly.
Special Interests:
Dr. Pojas’ specific clinical interests include anxiety disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Hoarding Disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. She is particularly skilled at working with families and enjoys helping young adults work through life transitions. Dr. Pojas is also passionate about reducing the stigma of mental illness among the Asian American population.
Dr. Pojas currently leads the Buried in Treasures Workshop, a CBT-based workshop that teaches skills to help people with Hoarding Disorder overcome the clutter in their lives. She also offers training to family members of hoarders through the Family-As-Motivators program. This program teaches the friends and families of individuals with Hoarding Disorder how to approach the issue with their loved one and encourage them to seek the help they need.
In her spare time, Dr. Pojas enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering, scrapbooking, and watching scary movies. She is known for her inquisitive demeanor and is always willing to try something new – whether it is a new type of food, learning a new recipe, or trying out a new exercise class. In the winter time, Dr. Pojas is either ice skating or cheering on her favorite football team – the Green Bay Packers!
Experience and Training:
Dr. Pojas received her doctorate and masters’ degree in clinical psychology from Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Illinois. As a licensed clinical psychologist, she specializes in the treatment of anxiety and related conditions. She is trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy and exposure response prevention. Dr. Pojas has received specialized training and certification from the Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) at the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF).
Dr. Pojas has experience working in a variety of clinical settings in Illinois and California treating a culturally diverse population. She believes in providing culturally appropriate treatment. She has done several talks training mental health professionals and educating parents about mental health topics. Dr. Pojas is a member of the Anxiety and Depression Association of American (ADAA), the IOCDF, and the Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA).
Patient Age Range:
Ages 5 years and Up
Office Location:
Deerfield
LICENSED CLINICAL PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR
Philosophy of Care:
Spend a few minutes with Christina Maxwell, and her genuine spirit and zest for life become clear. Empathetic and encouraging, she has a positive approach with clients and quickly puts people at ease. She operates as an active therapist, utilizing homework and working on practical solutions while teaching patients how to manage their anxiety. She is able to quickly establish rapport with children and adolescents and understands the need for parents to have tools and guidance in best responding to their anxious child. She provides suggestions and prompts for a variety of situations and works closely with parents and loved ones to support their anxious family member. Utilizing mindfulness and compassion-focused therapy techniques, her goal is to provide you with the ability to successfully manage situations on your own.
Special Interests:
Christina works with adults and children as young as 5 and uses her natural humor to establish rapport with children and adolescents. She is most interested in helping patients learn to manage their own anxiety and OCD. Parents are often surprised at how willing their children are to work with and confide in Christina. In addition, she has experience with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive spectrum, PTSD, and mood disorders.
Outside the office, Christina and her husband are busy managing their own brood of three young boys. After 11 years in Boston, she is appreciating the sights of Chicago and the slower pace of the Midwest. A health enthusiast, she relaxes with a daily run or yoga class and enjoys reading and traveling.
Experience and Training
Christina earned her Masters of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology from Boston College. She worked in a variety of clinical settings in the Boston area, where she provided individual and family therapy to children, adolescents, and adults. As she trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), she found that an active, engaged treatment approach resulted in a more responsive and sustainable change. She received further training in Trauma-Focused CBT, as well as a certification in Parent Management Training. Christina has completed specialized training in Pediatric OCD from the prestigious Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) through the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). She is a member of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) and the IOCDF. Christina is a licensed counselor in both Illinois and Massachusetts and is thus able to provide telecounseling to Massachusetts residents from our Deerfield office.
Patient Age Range: 5 years and up
Office Location: Deerfield
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Philosophy of Care:
Kind, warm, and supportive, Dr. Brian J. Schmaus approaches patients with compassion for the challenges that anxiety has brought into their lives. He teaches patients how to manage their worries and fears so they can learn how to tolerate uncertainty. By encouraging patients to face their fears, he enhances their ability to successfully manage stressful situations. When working with children and teens, he often involves parents in the treatment plan by providing guidance and strategies that help their children feel less anxious. Dr. Schmaus motivates patients of all ages to make positive changes in their lives and is most gratified to see the progress patients can make when they are taught the skills to overcome their worries and fears.
For busy professionals, Dr. Schmaus is approved to practice teletherapy under PsyPact in participating states and can provide therapy sessions via phone and video when appropriate, based on a client’s diagnosis.
Special Interests:
Dr. Schmaus is sought out for his expertise in working with patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In addition, he works extensively with patients with various anxiety disorders as well as OCD and related disorders, including body-focused repetitive behaviors. He successfully treats many patients who have complex symptoms that other therapists find difficult to treat.
You’ll often find Dr. Schmaus playing with his young children and watching sporting events. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
Experience and Training:
Dr. Schmaus earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, Illinois. He completed his doctoral internship at Vancouver Coastal Health, where he worked in the Anxiety Disorders Clinic at the University of British Columbia, training with leading international experts in the fields of anxiety and OCD.
Dr. Schmaus presents at national conferences on the treatment of anxiety and OCD and has also authored publications in peer-reviewed journals. He specializes in the use of evidence-based treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). He has extensive experience working with school staff on how to manage anxiety problems in schools, including working with students with school refusal. He has also supervised a number of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the treatment of anxiety and related disorders. His professional affiliations include the American Psychological Association (APA), the TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (TLC), the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA).
Patient Age Range: 4 years and up
Office Location: Deerfield
PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Philosophy of Care:
Sydney Frattura Kampschroer uses her warm and calm demeanor to put clients at ease, creating a welcoming environment where clients feel heard, understood, supported, and empowered. She helps teens and adults remove the barriers to living the life they want, collaborating with clients as they work toward treatment goals together. She couples the evidence-based practice of cognitive behavioral therapy with an innate perceptiveness and compassion, to identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and teach clients skills and coping strategies to improve their lives. She works closely with parents to offer recommendations on how they can best support their adolescent in treatment. By providing opportunities to practice and learn outside of sessions, clients experience decreased symptoms and increased progress.
Sydney also offers virtual counseling via secure videoconferencing and can flexibly accommodate client schedules. Virtual counseling offers a convenient alternative for clients who are not able to meet in-person for any reason (e.g., work travel schedule, studying outside of Illinois, scheduling limitations, etc.).
Special Interests:
Sydney works successfully with adolescents and adults who experience anxiety, depression, obsessions, compulsions, perfectionism, hair-pulling, and alcohol and/or drug use. She is gifted at developing rapport with teens, and passionate about helping them to develop and practice lifelong skills for current and future challenges. She specializes in using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to help clients to overcome anxiety.
In her free time, you can find Sydney shopping at local farmers’ markets and baking delicacies in her kitchen. A lifelong dog lover, she also loves to spend time with family, friends, and of course their dogs.
Experience and Training:
Sydney Frattura Kampschroer received her Master’s of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis, George Warren Brown School of Social Work. She has been trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). She also has experience providing addiction treatment, understanding the complex interactions between anxiety and substance use. She has worked in non-profit settings, outpatient clinics, and addiction treatment centers.
Patient Age Range: Children and Adults
Office Location: Deerfield and Chicago
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Philosophy of Care:
Dr. Alison Alden approaches her work with warmth, flexibility, and gentle humor. Recognizing the incredible courage and strength that it can take to overcome anxiety, she works closely with patients to directly face the thoughts and situations that scare them and strives to be in the trenches facing these situations alongside them. Using a collaborative, therapeutic relationship, she helps patients understand that investing in hard work can ultimately provide relief from the anxieties that plague them. She is also sensitive to the pressures faced by working moms and other professionals, and the world of anxieties that can be unleashed by parenting challenges. Dr. Alden applies research-based, gold standard treatments based on a thorough understanding of the unique problems faced by each individual. Her ultimate goal is to help patients develop the skills and understanding to both overcome their current difficulties and better deal with whatever life may throw at them.
For busy professionals, Dr. Alden is approved to practice teletherapy under PsyPact in participating states and can provide therapy sessions via phone and video when appropriate, based on a client’s diagnosis. She is also a registered telehealth provider in the state of Florida; for more information about Florida telehealth, please visit their website.
Special Interests:
Dr. Alden enjoys working with patients with all anxiety, obsessive-compulsive spectrum, and mood disorders. She is particularly skilled in working with adults and older adolescents and in helping individuals tackle social anxiety and panic disorder. In addition, she has experience treating adult ADHD and difficulties regulating emotions and/or relating to others. Dr. Alden offers phone and video sessions
Outside the office, Dr. Alden enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and good friends. She also likes playing board games and is an avid reader and television enthusiast.
Experience and Training:
Dr. Alison Alden earned her Ph.D. from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, where she focused on researching and treating anxiety. She also completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. She has extensive training and experience in cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety, OCD, and mood disorders, and integrates mindfulness and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) into her practice, including Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT). Dr. Alden has published several research articles and book chapters on anxiety, depression, and emotion regulation, and has presented talks and posters to state and national professional organizations. She has also taught in Northwestern University’s School of Continuing Studies. Dr. Alden is a member of the Anxiety and Depression Association of American (ADAA), and was the recipient of the highly competitive ADAA Young Leadership award in 2014.
Patient Age Range: 8 years and up
Office Location: Deerfield
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Philosophy of Care
Dr. Rahan Ali is an engaging clinician, using an active, results-oriented approach with patients. His style blends warmth, encouragement, and a sense of humor, coaching patients to address problems in more effective ways. A dynamic teacher, he uses skills honed during a 20 year clinical career to help patients identify symptoms, target areas of difficulty, and develop specific, achievable goals. He customizes a treatment plan utilizing CBT and other research-proven best practices for treating anxiety and other issues.
Special Interests:
Dr. Ali focuses on successful treatment for anxiety disorders, including social anxiety, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic. He is a passionate teacher, and enjoys presenting to the community and in one-on-one therapeutic situations. He finds great satisfaction in empowering his patients, as they learn to face uncomfortable situations with a new sense of self-control and confidence.
In his spare time Dr. Ali likes to read, listen to music and spend time with family. As a native Chicagoan, he loves Lake Michigan, Bulls basketball, and construction traffic (one of those isn’t true!). He also likes to play piano, especially when no one is listening!
Experience and Training:
Dr. Ali earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Bowling Green State University and completed his internship at University of Cincinnati, where he specialized in treating anxiety, depression, and trauma. He completed a clinical fellowship at Northeastern Illinois University and a teaching fellowship at Penn State University. He has worked in numerous settings with a variety of clinical populations, and has extensive training in cognitive-behavioral and exposure-based treatments. In addition to his clinical experience, Dr. Ali also taught for several years in the psychology departments at University of Pennsylvania and Penn State University, where he was an award-winning instructor. He regularly offers presentations on anxiety and other mental health topics, and he enjoys educating the public as well as training other therapists. His professional affiliations include the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), American Psychological Association (APA), International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), and the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT).
Patient Age Range: 6 years and up
Office Location: Deerfield
Philosophy of Care:
Dr. Karen Lynn Cassiday empowers patients to overcome their struggles with anxiety, compulsions, phobias, social anxiety, worry, and depression. She approaches each patient with enthusiasm, persistence, and a keen sense of humor, crafting individualized, research-based treatment plans for each person. Her goal is to make each patient an expert at managing their own anxiety, so that they can face any future event with confidence and courage. She loves being able to laugh and celebrate along with patients as they overcome their most difficult situations.
For busy professionals, Dr. Cassiday is approved to practice teletherapy under PsyPact in participating states and can provide therapy sessions via phone and video when appropriate, based on a client’s diagnosis.
Special Interests:
Dr. Cassiday is often sought out to treat the most challenging patients who have not had success in other treatment environments. She is particularly skilled at working with complicated cases of anxiety disorders, young children, selective mutism, OCD and school refusal. She also specializes in working with parents. Her experience as a special needs parent gives her a unique insider’s perspective, and she understands the challenges of balancing work, family, and a child’s complex needs.
Dr. Cassiday is the mother of five. She credits her blended family with fine-tuning her sense of humor and humility. She loves to spend her spare time volunteering in her church and hanging out with friends. Regardless of how busy she is, she cannot pass up a good book or great chocolate!
Experience and Training
Dr. Karen Cassiday received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 1990 from the Rosalind Franklin U
niversity of Medicine and Science. Nationally recognized as an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders in children, teens and adults, she has conducted extensive research into anxiety and is widely published. She is the Past President of the prestigious Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), and served on the board of Beyond OCD Chicago. She is a Founding Fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy (A-CBT). In addition, she serves on the faculty of the International Obsessive Compulsive Foundation Behavior Therapy Institute and at the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. A sought after national speaker on television, radio and at professional training seminars, Dr. Cassiday has appeared as an expert consultant on Animal Hoarders on TNT and on NBC’s Today Show. Her expertise has been tapped through commentary in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and numerous other publications. She is the author of two books: The No Worries Guide to Raising Your Anxious Child: A Handbook to Help You and Your Anxious Child Thrive and Freedom from Health Anxiety: Understand and Overcome Obsessive Worry about Your Health or Someone Else’s and Find Peace of Mind.
Watch Dr. Cassiday speak at the TedX Youth@WonderlandRd Event
Listen to Dr. Cassiday’s podcast, Moms Without Worry, on iHeartRadio
Patient Age Range: 2 years and up
Office Location: Deerfield
