Whether you have struggled with anxiety and depression in the past or not, current polls suggest the pandemic has made a serious impact on Americans' mental health. While many things are out of our control right now, there are evidence-based practices that can help us cope. Join Christina Maxwell virtually at the Round Lake Area [...]
BBC Worklife asks the question, "Why do we feel uneasy about a ‘new normal’?" Many of us have longed for a return to normal routines, normal interactions, normal life. But now that stay-at-home orders are beginning to lift, some are beginning to feel anxious about returning to normal life. ATC's Dr. Cassiday and Dr. Rosmarin of [...]
Mental Health America, the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all Americans, is hosting a roundtable discussion on anxiety Thursday, May 28, at 3:30 p.m. (ET). The panel includes our clinic director Dr. Karen Cassiday, actor Tati Gabrielle, and [...]
Elle magazine explores the impact of quarantine on women who suffer from agoraphobia: is it easier to stay at home? Are there concerns about backsliding and losing ground? What will it be like to reopen? Dr. Karen Cassiday was interviewed as one of the experts. From the article: "[Dr. Cassiday has] already noticed what were previously 'little [...]
Though we continue to adapt to new situations and daily changes in routine during COVID-19, anxiety and depression have increased for so many. Since everyone is in the same boat, how do you know if you are suffering with normal symptoms or a treatable condition? Should you ask for medication, and if so, when? Dr. [...]
"What if you have the kind of anxiety that makes you feel trapped and panicky because of the stay-at-home orders due to COVID-19? While there are some whose anxiety disorder might find it a relief to stay home and engage in social distancing, there are many for whom this situation creates a special nightmare." In [...]
Christina Maxwell joined "Into the Night" host Ji Suk Yi on WGN Radio 720 to explain the differences and similarities between stress and anxiety, how to best manage them during the pandemic, as well as offer life-long tools to help cope with anxiety-triggering situations. Enjoy listening to the interview, and be sure to check out [...]
Sydney Frattura Kampschroer continues to encourage us, as we face shelter-in-place extensions, to maintain simple routines and connections as well as adding in time for fun throughout the day. She motivates us to look forward to and plan for the future when businesses reopen and travel is again a possibility, and remind ourselves daily of [...]
Join Dr. Karen Cassiday on Facebook Live, Thursdays at 1 p.m. (CST). She will answer questions about being at home with your kids, becoming an instant homeschool, and the general stress of COVID-19. Register for Dr. Cassiday’s new Zoom group, Enjoy Quarantine! Avoid Going Crazy with the Ones You Love. You will have an opportunity [...]
Need someone to talk to about being stuck at home with your kids, becoming an instant homeschool, and dealing with the stress of COVID-19? Join Dr. Karen Cassiday today on Facebook Live at 1 p.m. (CST) to ask your questions and get support. You will be glad you did!
Licensed Social Worker
Practice Philosophy:
“I want my clients to be and love the best version of themselves. Together we can create change, deciding which tools will be most beneficial and encourage confidence. The only regrets we have are the chances we don’t take; I want each of my clients to know they are worth the chance!”
Philosophy of Care:
Tammy Madrigrano believes that every client has the ability to reach their full potential and achieve success. She seeks to bring that about through a combination of Motivational Interviewing, CBT, DBT, and talk therapy. Tammy challenges her clients to find the good things about themselves and their lives, using the good to promote healing and change, instead of focusing on the bad. Tammy assists her clients to accept things they can’t change and learn to tolerate them, focusing on the things each client can control. The practices she models for her clients enable them to see the potential they have, increasing success in both their personal and professional lives.
For Tammy, the therapist/client relationship is one of teamwork: she works with each client to determine an initial comfortable level together, moving towards increasing comfort with tougher challenges.
She 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.). This is a safe, secure platform that can be easily navigated by most.
Special Interests:
Tammy works successfully with adolescents and adults who experience anxiety, depression, grief, emotion dysregulation, and alcohol and/or drug use.
In her free time, you can find her visiting with family and friends, traveling, and exploring near and far. Tammy loves music and often uses it in treatment as it is a universal language between all ages.
Experience and Training:
Tammy Madrigrano received her Masters of Social Work from the University of Southern California. She has been trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Non-violent Crisis Intervention (NCI), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Tammy is CPR certified. She is a certified grief counselor and has an extensive history of working as a behavioral therapist with Autistic children. 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
PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Practice Philosophy:
“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.”
Philosophy of Care:
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 in Social Work from the University of Illinois, Chicago, Jane Addams School of Social Work. She has received extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 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:
Ages 5 years through Adult
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
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.
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
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
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
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.
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, and phobias. She is also skilled in treating trauma in children and adolescents. She utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), 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.
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).
Age Range:
Ages 4 years through Adult
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:
Ages 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.
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:
Ages 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. 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:
Ages 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:
Ages 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.
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.
Watch Dr. Cassiday speak at the TedX Youth@WonderlandRd Event
Listen to Dr. Cassiday’s podcast, Moms Without Worry, on iHeartRadio
Patient Age Range:
Ages 2 years and up
Office Location:
Deerfield
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