
Brianna Yates
Hello there! Thank you for taking the time to read my bio. I look forward to hearing from you, and for the possibility of becoming a part of your journey. I have over five years of experience as a medical social worker and I have worked with clients who have chronic health conditions, and new health concerns. In addition, I’ve also worked in a local domestic violence agency where I provided children and adults with therapy and education. I tailor each individual therapy session to meet each client’s unique need, and I’m here to make a positive impact on your life by listening, validating and working with you to achieve your goals. I use many techniques from both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness. On a more personal note, I am the oldest of four girls, and I have an identical twin who is one-minute younger. I grew up on the north side of Chicago’s suburbs, and when I’m not working, I am usually in my kitchen trying new recipes, going on walks, and binge watching the latest shows. I wish you the best and I look forward to meeting you. Best, Brianna

David Vaccaro
Experienced therapist with over 10 years of experience working with a wide range of client issues. I specialize in several mental health therapies for depression, anxiety and panic, self esteem, trauma and obsessive compulsive disorder. I have also worked with clients from adolescent age, to adult and geriatric. Therapy specializations include client centered therapy, trauma focused therapies (TFCBT), mindfulness based therapies, cognitive behavior therapy, solution focused therapy, crisis counseling, and brain injury therapies. In addition to mental health treatment, I also specialize in substance use treatments such as mindfulness based sobriety and harm reduction counseling. I received my undergraduate degree in psychology from Southern Illinois University and went on to receive my graduate degree in mental health social work. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and cat (Molly), running, and traveling to new places. It takes courage to seek out counseling and I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Christopher "Chris" Dueker
I have over 16 years of clinical experience helping individuals, couples, and families seeking help to resolve some of their problems with conflict, adjusting to life event stressors, recovering from trauma to become survivors and not victims. Furthermore, I like to help others with addictions of practically every kind to change their habits with replacement thoughts, behaviors, and actions that improve their sense of purpose in life and handling their emotions rather than avoiding them with their maladaptive behaviors. A majority of my training and experience has been on helping clients incorporate positive communication skills, conflict resolution skills, and improve upon their ability to stop negative thinking habits that tend to interfere with change.

Richard Goldin
If I had only one piece of advice to share it would be that as human beings we only have one opportunity to experience the universe, and that is in our lifetime. We all have the power to make that experience an amazing journey, lived in gratitude and with positive emotions. My career in mental health/addictions counseling began 25 years ago in mid life. I am very fortunate to have made this career transition. It allowed me to align with an important value of mine, giving something back to the world. Also, I have experienced enormous personal benefit through the changes in my own thinking that lead me to live in gratitude, acceptance and serenity. My career began in business and education, and eventually I was part of a business startup that failed. I became depressed as my business was failing, and for the first time in my life I reached out for help to a therapist. My therapist helped me see that my depression was a result of me extrapolating the business failure to believing I was a personal failure. This experience of how changing one's perspective/attitude about life events can totally shift one's emotional outcome was powerful and life changing. I wanted to be able to help people challenge their own self defeating beliefs and think more effectively and live their lives more effectively. My primary counseling focus is in Cognitive and Dialectic Behavioral Therapy. My training in psychology and addiction counseling has enabled me to be of service to my clients as well changing my own thinking. While we are all going to experience some pain, loss and suffering, with tools and motivation we can work through the negative emotions and get back to positive emotions and make our life journey a better one. Identifying our own values and living according to those values is another key to more happiness and positive emotions. I have embraced spirituality in my life. Living in gratitude and honoring the gift of life by taking the best care on one's physical, emotional and spiritual health leads to an awesome life journey.

Jane Rhea
I am a self-advocate and activist with over ten years personal and professional experience working with adults and children in the Disability Community. I am trained in Social Work and Disability Studies and have an interdiciplinary practice orientation. I call New Orleans home again after a three years in Chicago, and am dedicated to involvement in local and global Disability communities. As a Coach and Counselor in Queer and Disability communities I understands the specific structural barriers people with diverse identities face. I bring a Neurodiversity and Disability pride perspective to coaching and counseling by sharing knowledge of history, theory, and social models. I believe employment or occupation seeking is a great place to begin exploring any change you want to make in your life. Employment counseling can bring up issues related to anxiety, depression, Autism, ADHD, chronic pain, and other Neurodiversities and Disabilities. I am Queer, Trans, and Non-Binary allied.

Kevin Shepherd
I have always been a big fan of Dolly Parton's quote "If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving a new one." However, paving a new path for ourselves can be overwhelming and I feel that no one should have to do that alone. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over a decade of experience in the field of social services. I became a therapist to help people navigate life transitions and cope with anxiety disorders. I have worked in a variety of settings including social service agencies and private practice groups. The majority of my work has been assisting undergraduate and graduate students with navigating their challenging academic programs as well as assisting young professionals (especially new teachers and social workers) to navigate the anxiety and stress associated with starting their career which can present numerous challenges with anxiety and setting boundaries. I have also developed experience in assisting adult gay men in coming out by being an informed clinician in processing the challenges that have come with living with unaccepting family members and friend groups and providing support and coping strategies to deal with this difficult process. As a lifelong gamer myself, who has played on numerous video game competitive teams, I am informed and affirming about video games. This is an important quality for some client's to be aware of as I feel this quality about me allows a reduction in the propensity for introducing a negative bias toward video games in the therapy space. Therapy is a flexible space that looks different for every client. However, in general, you can expect a client-centered approach and I tend to also draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. As you begin to start paving that new road, I'll come along and help guide this process using these tools and provide support, help you build awareness, work toward a reduction in symptoms, and provide encouragement as you move through your experience.

Delia Shaeffer
I am licensed in Illinois with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with family conflicts, parenting issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Kayce Bragg
I look forward to the opportunity to walk this journey together! Let me tell you about myself: I’m a wife, mother to four, and a dog mom! I live in SC but love to travel to see new places and try new things. My favorite place is anywhere with a beach as I love anything involving sunshine and water! Professionally, I am a Board-Certified Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, and a Licensed Addiction Counselor in the state of South Carolina and have been practicing in the mental health field since 2011. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Kansas, a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington, a Licensed Professional Counselor in Oregon, and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois . I am currently working on my Doctorate of Psychology and was EMDR trained in 2021. I am very person-centered in my work with clients as I believe that you know you better than I know you! My practice is solution-focused as I believe in focusing more heavily on the problems you’re experiencing right now and working together to develop effective strategies for improving not only your current symptoms, but also your overall life satisfaction. I often incorporate Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy at times to help identify problematic thinking and retrain your brain to be more positive! Some other theories I believe in are Positive Psychology and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I have significant expertise in dealing with adults (18+) who are experiencing the following: various mental illnesses (including but not limited to Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, other Psychotic Disorders, Depression, Anxiety); difficulty adapting to life situations; relationship issues; stress caused by pressure at work or home; grief and loss; self-esteem issues; other difficulties maintaining life balance. I also have experience with addictions issues and am able to help in those areas. I am skilled in aiding others in developing coping skills, interpersonal skills, independent living skills, stress management, personal empowerment and advocacy, healthy leisure habits, and other important life skills. It is important to understand that therapy is about you and what you need, so the process is really driven by the client! My role is to facilitate discussion and prompt new ways of thinking in order to inspire fresh perspectives. :)

Dr. Dr. Antonio Champion
I am licensed in Illinois with 17 years of professional work experience. I have my Ph.D. in community psychology and master degree in clinical social work. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. 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.

Felicia Muhammad
I am licensed in Illinois with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & trauma and abuse. 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. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.
Find a therapist serving clients in Illinois
What types of therapists are available to clients in Elvaston?
Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist. Be sure to narrow your search for therapists in Elvaston that can offer psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), therapeutic talk therapy, group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy depending on your needs.
Licensed therapists & mental health professionals available through BetterHelp's online platform
Mental health therapists in Elvaston available through BetterHelp are accredited as psychologists to help individuals and couples. Elvaston therapists' credentials can include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinician or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, Elvaston therapists are trained in any type of therapy in the Elvaston region and in the state of Illinois.
How can a therapist help you destress, manage your emotions, and guide you towards the life you want?
Therapists in Elvaston can help clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, couples challenges, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, self help tips, offer life coaching, family life, or change in negative thinking patterns. A therapist in Elvaston may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain, or that simply want a psychological assessment.
Is it better to find a mental health counselor or therapist in Elvaston offering online therapy or in person?
Studies show online therapy can be just as effective as in-person counseling. Online therapy with licensed counselors is often more affordable, with BetterHelp pricing ranging from $65-$100 weekly, while in person therapy can cost up to $200 per session.