Therapeutic Orientation I am Antonio C. Ellzey, Sr., MS, LCPC, NCC received both undergraduate (B. A. / Liberal Arts) and graduate (M. S. / Counseling) degrees at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL, Ph. D. / Counseling Education & Supervision (Student), Adler University, Chicago, IL (2018-Present). I am retired military (Army Reserves) after 20 years. I am married, and I have 4 children, two of whom are adult age. Antonio is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), as well as a National Certified Counselor (NCC). In the Fall of 2018 Antonio entered the Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education & Supervision at Adler University, Chicago, IL. For many years Antonio has helped clients to discover or recover the zeal of life, and tools needed to manage intense emotions. As a psychotherapist Antonio contends to always be duty bound and obligated to provide genuineness, empathy, and positive regard for any client. Driven with compassion for helping others, Antonio’s counseling experiences have been filled with great edification to help empower others to deal with difficult matters, and to ultimately produce the best viable outcome regardless of the circumstance (s) causing the discomfort. Antonio is noted to be very passionate to help to discover client’s level of functioning in effort to better understand how to help them meet their needs. Antonio has become proficient to help individuals, couples, and families find relief in understanding self and others. It is through some therapeutic assignments and mental health therapy services that many have secured the esteem needed and understanding how to navigate through the natural maturation of forging health relationships with anyone. Antonio along with his wife, has served as chairpersons for the married couples ministry at church for 2 years. Antonio is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (ΑΦΑ) Professional Associations / American Counseling Association (ACA). My approach to therapy shall be the following: A) Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, the short-term therapy technique that can help Clients to find new ways to conduct themselves by shifting their thought patterns. Engaging in CBT can help Clients to diminish stress, manage difficult relationships, and work through other common life challenges. This approach may come with the deep breathing relaxation technique to practice 3x’s per day for 2 weeks, the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) or (Tapping) to practice for 2 weeks, or the anxiety diversion technique to practice for a couple of weeks to help manage intense emotions. B) Psychodynamic therapy may provide Clients insight to their unconscious processes as they are manifested in their present behavior, particularly the dissonance that they might have experienced. This approach would assist to help Clients with self-awareness and understanding of the impact of the past on present behavior. This approach will be met with encouraging Clients to process their feelings with supportive people at least 1x per week to help manage intense emotions and to perhaps unlock potential pint up feelings. Additionally, with this approach, Clients could benefit from asserting themselves more toward others about their needs and to help meet resolve in their collective relationships with others. C) Cognitive therapy approach may help to serve Clients needs by developing alternative ways of thinking and behaving which aims to reduce psychological stress. These collective approaches will serve as an integrative approach to help meet Client’s needs.

Welcome to the therapeutic journey towards self-discovery and healing. I'm Shelly Flachs, a compassionate Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) serving individuals across Illinois, Iowa, Maine, and Missouri. With over a decade of dedicated experience, I've had the privilege of supporting individuals facing various challenges, including depression, anxiety, trauma, abuse, and life-altering situations. My therapeutic approach is rooted in empowerment, focusing on solutions, and honoring your unique strengths. Drawing from cognitive-behavioral theory, emotional freedom technique (EFT), and Safe and Sound Protocol, I tailor each session to suit your individual needs. I believe in fostering a genuine, positive, and safe environment where you can explore your story with respect and authenticity. Embarking on the journey of therapy can be daunting, but it's a courageous step towards personal growth and resilience. I commend you for taking that first step. Together, we'll identify your goals and create personalized plans to achieve them, guiding you towards a more fulfilling life. Specializing in stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, depression, and navigating life changes, I offer a range of clinical approaches, including Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, EFT, and Safe and Sound Protocol. With a commitment to your well-being and growth, I'm honored to walk alongside you on this transformative journey. Let's embark on this path together, towards a brighter, more empowered tomorrow.

My approach to counseling is often didactic and is solution oriented. It is my opinion that clients come to counseling because they can not figure out what to do. So “teaching counseling” offers them new skills to use in their situation, as well as ideas to assist in coping in their world. I am somewhat eclectic in my approaches, realizing that everyone is unique, and one size does NOT fit all. I find a Cognitive Behavioral approach often encourages clients to set their own solution-focused path. I give feedback and assign homework tasks. I ask clients to join me in making a sort of treatment plan, and we work together on problem-solving. I periodically consult with trusted professional colleagues on a confidential bases, who practice outside of our local area. It is not my style to see what others have reported about their own work. I march to my own drummer and do what I believe is right in each situation. It’s fine with me if I am the only one doing it the way I do it.

Melinda Osborn is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor based in Springfield, IL. Melinda has earned her Bachelor of Science in Social Work with a minor in Sociology from Illinois State University in Normal, IL, and later went on to earn a Master of Arts in Community Agency Counseling from Bradley University in Peoria, IL. She developed a particular interest in healthcare casework and counseled the sick, dying, and bereaved in a hospice facility. Other areas of experience include life stage transitions, self worth / value, general anxiety, and situational and chronic stress and depression. Melinda is familiar with addressing a client’s psycho/social /spiritual wellness, and takes a systems approach to info gathering. A lifelong Christian, Melinda also has further training with integrating faith based & religious strengths with psychology to work through challenging situations for clients who so choose. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy which is an approach that challenges cognitive distortions and behaviors and works to chage them to improve a person's emotional regulation and develop personal coping strategies going forward.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in the state of Illinois. I also have a Masters Degree in Education. I have over 30 years of experience working in the field of mental health. I consider it a privilege to have been invited into the lives of others as they seek to improve their daily lives. I believe in meeting my clients where they are. Not where they are ‘expected’ to be. I will work with you as a whole person, not just as a diagnosis. I believe in an individual’s inherent dignity and right to self determination. I would love to join you on your journey to positive change.

I bring 23 years of experience as a therapist and 16 of these years in behavioral health leadership. I have taught at several university and trained new therapists. I work with adults, adolescents, couples and families. I am energized by this profession and look forward to many more years. My treatment philosophy is holistic, systemic and client centered. I utilize a holistic picture including consideration of mind, body and spirit. I involve clients in their treatment planning. I am responsive to individual needs respecting preferences and life experience. Along with my client, I address the current issues and look at how to resolve these.

I am licensed in Illinois with over 20 years of professional work experience in the helping profession. I am a veteran of the U.S. Army. I have experience in helping clients with substance use related issues, stress and anxiety, lgbt-related issues, anger management, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am a licensed clinical social worker in Illinois with over 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, coping with grief and loss, & depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Illinois and California with 41 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, lgbt-related issues, & relationship issues. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Greetings and welcome! My name is Cheryl Lee Affrunti (I go by “Lee”), and I am a Florida-based clinical psychologist with more than 13 years of experience assisting clients of all ages. I have been privileged to work with clients struggling with a wide range of challenges including anxiety, depression, stressful life transitions, bipolar disorder, ASD, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, schizoaffective disorder, learning disabilities, parenting problems, and relationship concerns. I am especially honored to have helped veterans, first responders, and others experiencing the harmful effects of physical and emotional trauma. As a person-centered therapist, I believe you deserve to be treated with empathy, respect, dignity, and compassion. I offer a judgment-free zone where you can count on my commitment to provide a safe and welcoming environment during our time together. I don’t profess to have the specific answers you seek, but I fervently believe you have those answers within you, and I will focus our time together by listening to you and helping you discover your richest and most meaningful path forward. My theoretical orientation is based primarily on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and includes cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, mindfulness-based, and solution-oriented approaches depending on your unique challenges, preferences, and situation. I appreciate the courage it took for you to reach out to someone to improve the quality of your life. Yes, you absolutely can live your most meaningful and fulfilling life, and I offer to you my services as your guide who will strive to enlighten, empower, and support you on your journey. I hope we can travel this part of your journey together!

I am Nisha Agmata Paliwal, Clinically Licensed Psychotherapist & Healing Professional My deepest honor is to be able to authentically energize & utilize my heart, spirit, & global healing expertise in order to enhance your personal, unique, & transformative journey towards true & total mental wellness. If you feel like you are "not okay", tell me what you really need. I'm here for your pain, your goals, your amazing potential, & your GROWTH. I am a multicultural human, & it is important to me to practice cultural humility & provide unconditional positivity towards you, no matter what. I take respectful responsibility of your allowance of my presence in your personal wellness journey, & continue evolving myself specifically to serve our humanity. I honor & respect you as a whole; Your personal wisdom, various inner & outer experiences, & true Self finds home. If you’re on your mental wellness journey, I’d be honored to join you - to be by your side, supporting you with my expertise and authenticity. My approach is to keep you at the center of all we’re doing - this is YOUR space! We can journey forward towards your growth & healing, safely & honestly...

I am licensed in Illinois with over 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.