Meet Our Staff

Practicing clinical psychology for over 35 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. He works mostly with adults, teens and couples.

Dr. Keith V. Bjorge is a clinical psychologist with nearly 30 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 C. Bell is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois. He has worked in private practice for over 15 years, with offices in both Deer Park and in Wheaton. His expertise involves working with children, adolescents, and their families, with extensive experience addressing behavior disorders. Brendan also works with adults and particularly enjoys counseling artists.

Ashley Yergler is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who has experience working with mood and anxiety disorders, identity, emotional regulation, self-injury, OCD, eating disorders and relational issues. Ashley helps people discover their strengths in the process of healing, while increasing their ability to relate in meaningful ways to the world around them.

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.

Amy Tanner is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been working in the field since 1998. She holds a Master’s degree in social work from the Jane Addams School of Social Work, University of Illinois at Chicago. Before joining Cherry Hill in 2008, Amy worked exclusively with abused and neglected children, primarily in the foster care and adoption arenas.

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.

Valerie Bond has over ten years of counseling experience, working with individuals, couples, families and groups. Her interactive, adaptive approach matches therapeutic interventions to her client’s personality, strengths and difficulties. She is skilled at helping people understand, identify, regulate and find comfort in their emotions.

Karen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has experience counseling teens, adults, couples, and families. She is trained in multiple therapeutic approaches and is highly trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which is scientifically proven to help struggling couples. Her focus is on developing rapport with clients and using strength-based approaches to facilitate healing and change.

Gary has a social work degree in gerontology and extensive experience working with the elderly and their families. He has also counseled teens, adults, and couples with several decades of experience in secular and church settings. His background includes working in the business world and in education.

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.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor Michelle Schaefer has experience working with adults, couples, teens, families, and groups. Michelle has a diverse background of work experiences in people-helping fields. Michelle strives to create a secure client-therapist alliance in order to support people as they navigate life challenges and heal relationships.

Amy is a Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist Candidate through Dr. Patrick Carne’s Highly respected International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals. She also loves working with clients who are invested in healing from low self-worth, depression, grief, general anxiety, or navigating career transition issues.

Chelsea A. Laliberte Barnes received an MS in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University with a focus in mental health for children, adolescents and families. Chelsea has nearly ten years of experience working with individuals and families struggling with substance use disorders and dual diagnosis. Chelsea is also a SMART Recovery facilitator and overdose education trainer.

Elizabeth is a Licensed 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.

Maria has a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Wheaton College. Maria enjoys working with a diverse spectrum of clients including individuals, couples, and families and ranging from children to adolescents to adults. She is currently working under supervision to become a certified play therapist.

Patrick’s mission as a Licensed 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 is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He has experience working with adolescents, adults, families, active duty military and veterans. He has training in evidenced-based treatments including cognitive-behavioral therapy. His clinical interests include depression, mood and anxiety disorders, family and relationship issues.

Lydia Klassen received her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Trinity International University. She has experience working with interpersonal issues, emotional regulation, grief, trauma, and addiction. Lydia strives to develop safety in the client-counselor relationship as she journeys with clients toward greater freedom in their lives. She has a particular interest in couples, families, and third-culture kids.

Maria is a Licensed 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.

Sara Vasilev received her Master’s degree in Social Work from Wayne State University. She works with adults and seniors who are facing life challenges such as anxiety, depression, grief and loss. Sara provides her clients with the support they need to find peace and restore joy in their lives.

Dr. Benjamin L. Michaels is a psychotherapist and post-doctoral fellow who provides therapy and completes psychological evaluations. He earned both his M.A. and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. He primarily works with adolescents and adult clientele. He also has experience with domestic violence and substance abuse.

I have worked for almost 10 years in Chicagoland helping children and their parents through various situations and difficulties. I received my Master’s Degree in Counseling from Argosy University in Chicago and since then have specialized in using Play Therapy to help them heal and grow. I also coach parents, giving them concrete tools to help their children and reconnect their families.

As an intern 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.