Families

Family as “a group of two or more persons consisting of parents and children living together in a household, related by birth, marriage, or adoption.”

This definition is a good starting point when trying to define what family consists of, however there are modern day definitions that redefine what family is today. Who is your family?

Separation, divorce, or blended family adjustments

Changes in the family unit are difficult for everyone, parents and children alike. Counseling can assist families with this adjustment, through addressing their feelings, communication, and boundaries. If the difficulties can be addressed early through Family Therapy then distress and struggles for the whole family can be lessened.

Behavioral issues and academic concerns in children and adolescents

Parenting can be challenging and kids can change so quickly. Families may find old discipline or coping strategies don’t work and need some guidance on new skills to help their children.

Stressors and Conflicts

Many life events can cause a strain on family, such as illness, financial problems, sibling conflict, parent and child disagreements, miscommunication of feelings and emotions, parenting inconsistencies, and marital problems. Family Therapists look to find the strengths within a family and encourage new ways to communicate and problem solve when life stressors occur. Family Therapy focuses on the family’s interactions with one another, clarifies miscommunications and barriers, encourages new coping skills and communication styles.

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Related Therapist Profiles

The following therapists specialize in working with this age group.

Devin Godzicki, Intern Therapist

Lake Zurich – Willow Ponds

Devin is a counseling intern with 13 years of teaching experience. She values meaningful relationships and is passionate about guiding individuals and families toward growth and healing.

Lara O’Malley, MS

Lake Zurich – Downtown | Lake Zurich – Willow Ponds

Lara O’Malley, MS, provides compassionate, practical, evidence-based care for individuals, couples, and families.

Carrie Meng, Intern Therapist

Grayslake

Carrie is a bilingual mental health counselor (English and Mandarin 中文普通话) originally from China, working with teens, adults, couples, and families. Drawing from her lived experience across cultures and her diverse academic background, she specializes in multicultural identities and concerns, career planning and transitions, and navigating the overwhelming emotions that can arise from these experiences—all through a trauma-informed lens. Carrie is also a Certified Binge Eating and Chronic Dieting Professional, committed to helping clients break free from disordered eating patterns and embrace body inclusivity.

Emily Nelson, MSW, LCSW

Lake Zurich – Downtown | Lake Zurich – Willow Ponds

Emily Nelson, LCSW, provides compassionate, evidence-based therapy for children, adults, and families navigating life’s challenges and transitions.

Tori Larsen, Intern Therapist

Grayslake

Tori is an intern therapist currently pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Walden University. With a deep passion for helping others, she strives to make a positive impact through compassion and empathy. Tori believes in the power of human connection and the importance of leaning on support systems. She views life’s challenges as opportunities to grow and connect, recognizing the beauty in navigating obstacles together.

Jennifer Koppe, Intern Therapist

Lake Zurich – Willow Ponds

Jennifer is a compassionate intern therapist committed to supporting children and young adults with ADHD, Autism, Depression, and Personality Disorders. She creates a client-centered, safe environment where individuals can develop coping skills and achieve emotional regulation.

Pamela Roble, M.Ed., LCPC, ATR

Deer Park | Lake Zurich – Willow Ponds

Pamela Roble, ATR, LCPC, MEd, offers creative therapy for clients 5-95, integrating art therapy and faith-based approaches to address life challenges and transitions.

Boaz Johnson, Intern Therapist

Grayslake

Boaz Johnson is a warm and integrative South Asian American therapist who works with adults, couples, and families across the lifespan, drawing from behavioral, psychodynamic, and mind-body approaches. Fluent in English, Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi, he helps clients uncover meaning, resilience, and healing through a culturally responsive, logotherapy-informed lens.

Elizabeth Skjoldal, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist

McHenry

Dr. Skjoldal is a psychologist with over 30 yrs of licensed experience. She was born in Cuba and is bilingual. Her primary areas of interest are psychological treatment of chronic illnesses including cancer, trauma, grief and loss. She also has taught at the graduate level in the area of multicultural competency including cultural humility.

Nazree Williams, MSW, LSW

Wheaton

Nazree Williams is a therapist with a background in science and medical research. She combines creativity, nature and neuroscience into her practice, offering a safe, non-judgmental space for individuals to heal, grow, and achieve goals. She makes understanding your brain engaging and easy to grasp. By breaking down how different neurological regions and chemicals influence your mood, anxiety and behavior, Nazree helps you grasp the interaction between our mind and body, which can assist with managing of emotions.

Julia Gold, MSW, LSW

Vernon Hills

Julia is a Licensed Social Worker that treats clients across the age continuum. She has a Masters in Social Work, Concentration in Advanced Clinical Mental Health from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is passionate about creating a safe, non-judgmental space for all of her clients.

Luke Bruschuk, MSW, LSW

Vernon Hills

Luke Bruschuk is a Licensed Social Worker in Illinois, holding a Master’s in Social Work from Western New Mexico University and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He specializes in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, anxiety and depression, substance use disorders, life transitions, and veteran-related concerns. Luke employs a strengths-based approach, integrating cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness techniques to empower clients toward self-determination and personal growth. He serves adults aged 18 and older, offering flexible in-person and remote sessions.

Valerie Dobrow, MSW, LCSW

Deer Park | Lake Zurich – Willow Ponds

Val is passionate about empowering clients of all ages through skill development to achieve their goals. Val utilizes evidence-based treatments including CBT, DBT, and play therapy techniques that prioritize resilience (all ages, starting at 2 years).

Veronica Gillen, MSW, LCSW

Wheaton

Veronica Gillen is a licensed social worker with a Masters Degree from West Chester University of Pennsylvania with an emphasis on trauma informed care and strengths-based recovery support. Veronica is a bilingual therapist and provides services in both English and Spanish. Veronica enjoys working with women, children, and teens as well as families.

Cris Goodfellow, MA, LPC

Grayslake

Cris is an intern therapist, seeking completion of her Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Trinity International University (Graduation May 2024). Cris is passionate about working with teens and adults, couples, and families, helping all people to seek individual and relational health.

John DeArvil, MSW, LSW

Vernon Hills

John studied psychology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and earned his master’s degree in social work from Loyola University Chicago. He has experience working with adolescents, adults, and families in outpatient and residential treatment settings. John is motivated to work with people to help them progress towards their goals and see genuine improvement.

Deb Landeene, MA, LPC

Lake Zurich – Downtown

Deb is a Master’s level counseling intern from Concordia University Chicago. She provides treatment to clients of all ages, but has a passion for working with adolescents and their parents. She is a wife and a mother to 2 grown children. She enjoys her animals, gardening and making jewelry. Deb considers herself a life-long learner.

Emily Nikfar, MSW, LSW

Teletherapy Only

Emily is a recent graduate from the Tulane School of Social Work, where she completed her MSW and had a concentration in Mental Health, Addiction, and Family Therapy. She has a background in Theater Arts and received her BA in Acting from Columbia College Chicago.

Clark Barshinger, Ph.D.

Lake Zurich – Downtown | McHenry

Practicing clinical psychology for over 50 years, Dr. Clark Barshinger has broad and deep experience counseling patients. His graduate education includes a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Northwestern University and a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from DePaul University, and Master’s Degree of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary. He works mostly with adults, teens and couples.

Keith Bjorge, Psy.D.

McHenry

Dr. Keith V. Bjorge is a clinical psychologist with 33+ years of experience. He has experience and passion working with troubled marriages, teen and family related problems, chemical addictions, and mood disorders. Dr. Bjorge earned the Master of Arts and Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology.

Brendan Bell, MA, LCPC

Deer Park | Wheaton | Lake Zurich – Willow Ponds

Brendan Bell is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois. He has worked in private practice for the last 20 years, with offices in both Deer Park and in Wheaton. His expertise involves working with middle schoolers, adolescents, and their families, with extensive experience addressing behavior disorders. Brendan also works with adults and particularly enjoys counseling artists.

Diane Geiser, MSW, LCSW

Lake Zurich – Downtown

Diane Geiser is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience working with adults, adolescents, couples and families. Diane is a highly skilled clinician who can work with clients in identifying goals and change strategies that promote growth. She also has experience conducting wellness seminars with corporations and executives.

Rick Coffaro, MA, LPC

Teletherapy Only

Rick Coffaro’s work experience prior to Cherry Hill includes twenty-eight years in sales, marketing, and management. The theme of his career was making, building and maintaining relationships. Rick offers first-hand knowledge of life and career transitions. He enjoys working with individuals, couples, adults, adolescents and young adults, and groups.

Karen Robbins, MSW, LCSW

Teletherapy Only

Karen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has experience counseling teens, adults, couples, and families. She is trained in multiple empirically supported approaches including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples. She focuses on developing rapport with clients and using strength-based approaches to facilitate healing and change.

Gary Gruebnau, MA, LSW

McHenry

Gary is a social worker with several decades of experience counseling teens, adults, and couples in secular and church settings. He enjoys working with a broad age range of clients from teens to the elderly. His background includes military service, working in the business world, and teaching in both public and private settings.

Leslie Scofield, MSW, LCSW, CADC

Vernon Hills

Leslie Scofield, MSW, LCSW, CADC is a Licensed Social Worker who has worked in the field of substance abuse for over 15 years. Her practice ranges from children to adults, and focuses on trauma, grief and loss, family issues, and addictions. She is passionate about working with groups. Leslie is also retired from military service, which informs her clinical perspective.

Michelle Schaefer, MA, LCPC, PMHC

Grayslake

Michelle Schaefer, LCPC, has experience working with adults, couples, teens, and families. Michelle has an advanced certification in Perinatal Mental Health and specialized training in Emotionally Focused Therapy for individuals, couples, and families. Michelle strives to create a secure client-therapist alliance in order to support people as they navigate life challenges and heal relationships.

Elizabeth Haines, LCPC, NBC-HWC, YACEP

Teletherapy Only

Elizabeth is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She values a strong therapeutic alliance and believes that a supportive and collaborative working relationship is instrumental in helping clients improve their overall quality of life. She uses her expertise in yoga and mindfulness to assist clients in learning to calm and relax the stressed body and mind.

Patrick Kelly, MA, LCPC, CCATP

McHenry

Patrick’s mission as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor is to utilize his diverse life experience and graduate-level education to make a positive difference in the lives of struggling and hurting people. His passion is working with troubled marriages along with helping individuals cope with and rise above anxiety and depression brought about by life’s challenges and difficulties.

Jack Gordon, LCSW, DCSW

Deer Park | Lake Zurich – Willow Ponds

Jack is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a certified clinical anxiety treatment professional. He works with adults, families, and adolescents ages 12 and up. He specializes in anxiety treatment and has a passion for work with clients with chronic pain/illness. His clinical interests include anxiety, parenting skills, life/career transitions, and family/relationship issues.

Maria Statkus Ritchey, MA, LCPC, CCATP-CA

Deer Park | Wheaton | Lake Zurich – Willow Ponds

Maria is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. Maria is enthusiastic about working with different populations, including children, adolescents, young adults, and families. Maria has experience utilizing non-directive play therapy and her approach is client-centered based, while integrating client strengths within the process.

Liz Lattof, MA, LCPC, CCATP

Deer Park | Lake Zurich – Downtown

As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor at Cherry Hill Liz works with a wide variety of clients, children, adolescents, families, and adults. She has additional training in play therapy and groups. She enjoys helping people with anxiety, depression, grief, relationship issues, and other challenges and transitions.

Wayne Corapi, MS, LMFT

Lake Zurich – Downtown

Wayne is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist whose passion is helping couples in relationship distress find healing and connection. Married for 40+ years and trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy, he is dedicated to using his experience and training to help couples find a deeper level of satisfaction and emotional intimacy in their relationship.

Risa Becker, MA, LCPC

McHenry

Risa is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has a passion for seeing people come into the fullness of what their life could be. Sometimes life takes an unexpected turn, and having someone alongside can make a difference. Other times we need to make a change and need support to make that happen. Either way, I am here for you.

Haley Kaimakis, MS, LCPC

Deer Park | Lake Zurich – Willow Ponds

Haley has a master’s degree from Marquette University. She has experience working with young children and their families to address various issues such as trauma, behavioral problems, and emotion regulation. Haley has a passion for working with children ages 6 and younger. Haley believes in emphasizing a client’s strengths and advocating for their needs.

Alessa Rosati, MA, LMFT

Deer Park | Lake Zurich – Willow Ponds

Alessa Rosati is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She graduated from Adler University with a Master’s Degree in Couple and Family Therapy. Along with her work in private practice, Alessa has experience working in school environments and hospital settings. She specializes in helping adolescents and adults with relationship difficulties, issues of low self-esteem, grief and loss, anxiety, and stress.

Alison Yu, MA, M.Div., LCPC

Teletherapy Only

Alison Yu, M.Div, MA, LPC, is a bilingual (English and Mandarin Chinese) counselor who is experienced working with individuals, couples and families. She has a special heart for immigrant families. Trained in both psychology and theology, she is passionate about helping people to integrate the Christian faith in their healing process.

Justin Feinberg, MA, M.Div., LCPC

Grayslake

Justin’s Graduate education includes both a Master’s degree in Mental Health counseling as well as a Master’s of Divinity from Trinity International University. He works with individuals, couples, and families and has a heart to see relationships flourish and people become who they were meant to be. He has training in Emotionally Focused Therapy and utilizes this toward helping marriages, families, and individuals thrive.

Rebecca Wiegman, MA, LCPC

Grayslake

Rebecca received her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Trinity International University. She has experience working with children, individuals, families, and within groups. Rebecca is enthusiastic about working with different populations and has prior experience in the fields of education, health & fitness, and substance abuse.

Laura Ronkoske, MSW, LCSW

Lake Zurich – Downtown

Laura has been a school social worker for 23 years. Nothing brings her more joy than helping young children, adolescents, and adults through life’s most challenging times. She has recently moved to private practice to help others outside the school environment to be their best selves and help give them the tools to be able to do so.

Patti E. Krivo, MSW, LCSW

Teletherapy Only

Patti is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with decades of experience in the mental health field. Patti specializes in work with trauma recovery and PTSD as well as the impacts of those experiences on family relationships.

Georgene Manley, LCPC, CAADC

Grayslake

Georgene is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She has worked in a clinical setting most of her career. She has treated clients in residential, outpatient addictions and mental health treatment programs, and corporate settings. She loves helping clients tap into the resilience that is often overshadowed when anxiety, depression, or addiction surfaces.

Diann Pomeroy, M.Ed., LCPC

Grayslake

Diann has an M.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling from DePaul University. She has a passion for working with women, supporting them across the lifespan as they navigate continuous change and transition. She believes that all parents need support in the parenting journey at every stage and considers being a part of that process a great privilege.

Jennifer Irocky, PhD Clinical Psychology Intern

McHenry

Jennifer is passionate about health, wellness, and the body- mind connection. She is finishing her doctorate in Clinical Psychology and is currently interning at Cherry Hill Counseling. Professionally, she has completed ten years of studies and three years of clinical work, and is currently working on her dissertation.

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Groups

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Rising Together

Join our workshop for a deeper understanding of mental health challenges and how they affect you and your child. Learn practical tools and discover resources for navigating mental health and addiction issues. Empower yourself with knowledge and support from people who get it!

Date: July 19th, 2025 @ 10am-11:30am

Location: Cherry Hill Counseling - Vernon Hills, 977 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 150, Vernon Hills, IL 60061

Cost: $50/person

Contact: Joshua Flanagan, MA, LPC & Jennifer Flanagan MA, LCPC, Email Josh at (jflanagan@cherryhillcounseling.com) or Jennifer (jennifer@cherryhillcounseling.com)

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