Counseling Center of Arlington Heights
Counseling Center of Arlington Heights
Our Therapists
Our Therapists
Experienced, skilled, and eager to help you
Experienced, skilled, and eager to help you
Tamara Nowak, LCSW, CADC, JD
Director
Tamara Nowak is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor with over fifteen years of experience in mental health and addictions. Tamara believes in helping others with their struggles in an empathic, knowledgeable and resourceful manner. Tamara has extensive experience and knowledge in working with bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, addictions and ADHD with ages ranging from children five and up to mature and older adults.
Halley Jacobs MS, LPC, NCC
Practice Manager
Halley Jacobs is a Licensed Professional Counselor and CCAH Practice Manager, experienced in working with a range of issues including depression and other mood disorders, anxiety, self-injury, suicidal ideation, executive function disorders, substance use and family conflict. Before joining CCAH, Halley ran a Partial Hospitalization Program for adolescents working with teens and their families. She now primarily sees adolescents, young adults and families utilizing an evidenced-based, empirically supported DBT foundation while incorporating other treatment modalities as appropriate for the individual client. Halley also specializes in serving LGBTQ+ populations. She sees individuals, groups and families. Halley’s style as a therapist emphasizes being open, honest and real with clients while supporting them in establishing and reaching their goals.
Patricia M Cerenil, MA, LCPC, NCC
Patricia is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and CCAH Clinical Supervisor with 17 years of experience working with adolescents and young adults at various levels of care including inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization and outpatient. She began her career as a Youth Counselor/Officer in Juvenile Detention after graduating from Western Illinois University with a BS in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration. Her Masters in Mental Health Counseling is from Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois. She is a skilled therapist in mental health and addiction, crisis assessment and response, psychiatric hospitalization, and community counseling. Patricia is well versed in the treatment of grief/loss, anxiety (including separation and social anxiety), suicidal ideation, school/social difficulties, substance use, panic disorder, family conflict, Bipolar Disorder, depression and other mood disorders, ADHD/ADD (adult and children), identity formation and complex trauma. Patricia specializes in working with children, adolescents, young adults and families with an emphasis on cultural competence. She uses a client centered, holistic approach to treatment in conjunction with evidenced-based psychotherapy such as DBT and CBT incorporating meditation, mindfulness, and behavioral modification techniques into assisting clients with change.
Medina Ruci, MA, LPC
Medina is a Licensed Professional Counselor experienced in working with a range of issues including depression, anxiety, self-injury, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, substance use and family conflict. She specializes in working with adolescents and young adults utilizing an integrative approach that is tailored to each client's needs. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral, Dialectical Behavioral, Acceptance and Commitment, and Solution Focused Therapy. Medinas therapeutic approach emphasizes building trust, being authentic, and using value based behaviors to help clients overcome their struggles.
Rachel Kenealy, BA
Rachel is currently working towards her Master’s degree at Benedictine University and received her Bachelor’s degree from Benedictine University in Clinical Psychology. Her training has included CBT, Family Systems Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy supported by a client-centered approach and emphasizing multiculturalism. She has also trained specifically to work with the unique challenges faced by first responders in their careers and she works with individual clients of all ages, couples and families. Rachel’s clinical focus is in working with individuals and families who are experiencing grief due to the loss of loved ones through death, the ending of relationships, the onset of disability, or other types of life changes which require significant adjustment. She is dedicated to upholding high ethical and legal standards with an understanding of those issues associated with mental health care. Rachel’s therapeutic approach is client-centered with the goal of building and establishing trust with empathetic listening to better help clients overcome their struggles and accomplish their goals.
Nicole Sherbert CADC, MA, QMHP
Nicole is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor with a masters in counseling from National Louis University. She has worked with substance use for 6 years and in the mental health field for a total of 8 years. Nicole primarily works with adults but is also experienced in working with adolescents and children. She specializes in treating addiction. Her primary therapeutic modalities are Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Nicole’s approach is characterized by collaboration with clients to reach the best outcome possible for them and their individual goals.
Shari A. Brady, LCPC, CADC
Shari is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Board Certified Drug and Addiction Counselor. Drawing on both professional and personal experience, Shari brings a unique level of depth and authenticity to her work. She approaches the therapeutic process in a holistic manner, utilizing scientifically proven methods for change, mindfulness practices, life coaching and nutritional treatments based on what’s best for each individual client. She has extensive experience working with adults treating addictions, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, grief/loss, life transitions, complex trauma, substance abuse, weight loss, and women’s issues.
Alison Spillers LCPC, Ed.S.
Alison Spillers is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with a Master’s degree from Loyola University Chicago in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has gained extensive experience in crisis stabilization inpatient settings working with individuals and groups who struggle with chronic mental health and substance use issues. Her therapeutic approach is integrative and collaborative, tailoring her treatment according to each client’s individual needs. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Gottman Method, and Internal Family Systems approaches. She works with individuals, families and couples on presenting issues including, depression, anxiety, trauma, self-injury, substance use, eating disorder, adjustment, relationship, and communication issues.
Gregg Bagdade, MA, LPC, NCC, EMT-P
Gregg Bagdade is a Licensed Professional Counselor with his Master’s degree from Concordia University and his Bachelor’s degree from Penn State in Human Development and Family Studies and interned at the Chicago Fire Department employee assistance program. Much of his studies were dedicated to understanding trauma-related issues such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Gregg is also a firefighter/paramedic for the Chicago Fire Department with more than 20 years in this position. He heads the First Responder Program at CCAH helping fire/police/military/dispatchers cope with the rigors of their career. In addition, Gregg helps others that are struggling with trauma-related issues, relationship issues, addictions, self-harm behaviors, transitional life issues, anger management, and more utilizes a Person-Centered approach involving CBT, DBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, Gottman Method for couples and is an EMDR-trained therapist for trauma work.
Erin Ryan, LCSW, PCGC, SAP
Erin Ryan, LCSW, PCGC, SAP
Erin has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for 17 years with a Master’s degree in Social work from University of Illinois at Chicago as well as a certification as a Problem and Compulsive Gambling Counselor. She originally started a career in corporate Human Resources, enjoying helping people improve their situations in the workplace. As a therapist, she works with adults of all ages dealing with anxiety, stress, compulsive gambling, depression, self-esteem challenges, relationship issues and difficulties in the workplace. Her approach begins with building a healthy therapeutic relationship in a supportive and interactive style incorporating humor, at times, to collaborate with clients and find solutions that fit. Together, Erin and clients look at the areas of life they would like to change and create a plan for doing so. Erin considers it an honor to be that helpful other person, providing feedback, support and a collaborative place to get people back on their right path in the journey of life.
Alicia M. Osborne, MA, CRC, LCPC
Alicia is a nationally Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She received her BA in psychology from the College of St. Elizabeth (Morristown, New Jersey) and her MA in Rehabilitation Counseling from New York University. She has more than 30 years experience in behavioral health services. Alicia’s specialties include working with vocational and educational issues, justice-involved individuals, relationship issues, adoption issues and substance use in addition to treating other mental and behavioral health needs. She works with adults, children, adolescents and families. Alicia has also been part of a non-profit center since 2004. Prior to her position there, Alicia provided both management and clinical services for a number of organizations in New York City. Her therapeutic style is solution focused using reflective listening, CBT and health realization modalities.
Siera Lavoy, MA, LPC
Siera Smith is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master’s degree from Northwestern University. She spent 4 years working at an in-patient psychiatric facility providing care for a variety of patients experiencing depression, anxiety, mania, psychosis, and substance use disorders. Siera specializes in working with adolescents and young adults in treating anxiety, aggression, adjustment issues, and mood disorders. Her philosophy revolves around tailoring communication styles, providing psychoeducation, and building a foundation of trust. Siera also utilizes the knowledge she gained from her Bachelor’s of Science in Neuroscience to drive treatment that is both effective and lasting.
Carol A Fisher, MS, LCPC
Carol is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who sees clients struggling with mental illness including anxiety and depression, developmental disabilities, relationship issues, grief and loss, gender dysphoria and substance use. She has experience in private practice as well as in the court system. She utilizes an minimally directive, eclectic approach to counseling that incorporates treatments and methods based on individual need rather than adhering to one therapeutic modality. The foundation of Carol’s approach is an understanding that individuals are not an illness or a label but rather persons with extenuating factors that contribute to the reasons for seeking help. Carol’s goal is to help her clients find inner peace and their authentic selves.
Winona Desarmes, MS, ALMFT
Winona Desarmes is an Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist experienced in working with a range of issues including mental health disorders, substance use, family concerns, autism spectrum disorders, grief, trauma, and couple’s conflicts. She works with a diverse population of families and couples in addition to seeing individuals in need of support with their interpersonal relationships including family members, friends partners and other types of relations. Winona utilizes Cognitive Behavioral, Dialectical Behavioral, Solution Focused, Emotion Focused, Gottman, Structural and Systematic therapies to facilitate positive change within the family system. Before joining CCAH, Winona worked in a program for substance abuse as a family therapist and has worked with children, families, couples, individuals, and military clients in an outpatient therapy program. Winona’s approach is to provide a positive, supportive, and collaborative environment to work toward overcoming challenges presented in clients’ lives and accomplish the goals they have for themselves.
Marsha Vaughn, PhD, LMFT
Marsha Vaughn is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and AAMFT-Approved Supervisor, with experience working with couples, families, kids, and adults. She received her Master’s degree from Abilene Christian University (TX) and PhD from Texas Tech University, both in Marriage and Family Therapy. She also completed a residency as a hospital chaplain, gaining experience in working with grief, loss, and trauma. She enjoys using play, expressive arts, and nature-based activities in sessions. Marsha’s therapeutic approach draws from family systems and narrative therapy models to help clients identify areas of individual and relational strengths, creating opportunities for new ways to tackle life’s challenges more effectively.
David Floyd, LSW
David Floyd is a Licensed Social Worker who is passionate about helping clients with anger management, anxiety, depression, men’s issues, life transitions and addictions. He works with first responders, adolescents and adults using a solution focused, client-centered and non-judgmental approach. In addition to being in private practice for several years, David currently works with clients at the VA hospital experiencing crisis, PTSD and addiction issues. David’s treatment modalities include CBT, DBT, ACT, Addictions Medical Model, Trauma Treatment and Family Systems. He believes that there are answers within every person who reaches out for help and with a little guidance and support, clients can access those internal resources to effectively manage their stressors and roadblocks.
Simone Newman, BA
Simone is currently working on her master’s degree at National Louis University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Missouri. Her experience involves working at multiple levels of care, including an inpatient psychiatric behavioral hospital as well as an outpatient mental health clinic. Simone is passionate about helping clients navigate through life challenges and improve their mental health. With many years in the field, she has developed a commitment to fostering positive change by providing a safe and supportive environment for clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Her therapeutic approach is rooted in empathy, active listening, and collaboration. She utilizes evidenced-based therapeutic techniques, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) to address each client's specific needs. Simone's area of focus is working with clients of all ages who experience anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, mood disorders, substance use, and addiction as well as those in need of support with other life transitions and difficulties.