Our Therapists //
Reem Cutinello is a LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) and a Certified Practitioner for Rapid Resolution Therapy. She graduated with a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Reem received her training and certificate of completion for Mediation from Northwestern University. Reem continues to find avenues to enhance her counseling and mediation skills through continuing education seminars, classes and conferences.
As a therapist and mediator, Reem focuses on being genuine and mindful as to what is in the best interest of the client(s). She believes that working together as a team produces the best results and helps you identify and explore sources of stress, set specific goals, and identify methods to achieve the desired outcome(s). Often times, simply shifting the way we think, behave, or our expectation, leads to significant improvements in how we feel. A new way of thinking can help one begin to take steps forward.
Reem has always enjoyed working with a variety of clients and a wide array of conditions. Along with her clinical expertise, she brings humor and dedication to each situation. She focuses on strengths and techniques to promote progress toward desired outcomes. Her clinical expertise includes working with adolescents, adults and families, marital and relationship challenges, mood disorders, anxiety, and depression. Reem coaches families through the challenges of divorce to provide healthy compromises and outcomes for both the parents and children.
Reem Cutinello | Licensed Clinical Social Worker, RRT Certified Practitioner
Adolescents, adults and families, marital and relationship challenges, mood disorders, anxiety, and depression
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Ray Strzykalski is a LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) and Certified School Social Worker. He graduated with a Master's degree in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago in 2006. Ray began his career in mental health residential treatment facilities in Chicago and the suburbs where he developed and managed treatment plans for residents and their families.
Ray has worked throughout the Chicagoland area as a school social worker. This background experience includes working with developmental disorders, and mental illness, as well as other psychological stresses brought on by life circumstances. These experiences have shaped his perspective that working together in a team approach while focusing on the individual's and families' strengths is optimal for personal growth and healing to occur. His therapeutic approach is non-judgmental, client-centered and strengths based. He seeks to form a collaborative, therapeutic relationship with clients, allowing them a safe space to explore and gain understanding about obstacles to personal growth. He then provides empathic support and feedback to ultimately empower clients to set realistic goals and make necessary lasting changes. His passion to help others drives his continued education through seminars, classes, trainings and conferences to enhance his skills.
Ray Strzykalski | MSW, LCSW, CERTIFIED SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER
Children, Adolescents, and Adults
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Nicole Prescott is a LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor). Nicole graduated with a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Lewis University in Romeoville, IL. Nicole is also currently licensed in the state of Wisconsin as an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor). Nicole has worked towards several certifications in Equine Assisted Therapy, Brainspotting, and Grief Recovery Specialist from the Grief Recovery Institute. Nicole is focused on learning new and integrative ways to work with her clients to provide the best services possible. Nicole is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), where she is continuing her training in order to become a consultant and trainer. Nicole has worked in a variety of service locations from Non-profit community mental health organizations, Wilderness Therapy, Online Counseling, Residential treatment, and Private Practice. Nicole enjoys working with young adults, and adults. Nicole enjoys bringing experiential and creative methods into working with her clients to integrate mind and body to heal the whole individual.
Nicole focuses on client rapport in understanding that relationship and attachment is an integral piece to the therapeutic process. Nicole’s experience include, individual, family, couples, group, and adventure therapy in the areas of depression, anxiety, self-esteem, attachment, adoption, grief, trauma, PTSD, postpartum, and parent coaching. Nicole is available to work young adult and adults.
Nicolę Prescott | MA, LCPC, LPC
Young Adults and Adults
Megan (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor with specializations in trauma, addictions, eating disorders, and forensic psychology. As a therapist, Megan’s utmost priority is creating a safe, non-judgmental environment where clients can freely and fully experience their healing journey. Megan prides herself on providing trauma-informed care and incorporating anti-racism into therapy sessions. With a focus on healing from internalized oppression, Megan treats clients looking to process race/gender/sexuality-based trauma, among many other lived experiences.
Megan’s passions lie in treating co-occurring disorders with specific interest in treating clients living with complex PTSD and eating disorders. Within her work, she employs an All Foods Fit model and emphasizes the Health at Every Size approach. Megan primarily aligns with Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, in addition to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Megan integrates these therapy skill sets in such a way to meet each and every client’s individual needs. When working with Megan, your autonomy and choice is always prioritized and valued.
Megan received her Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Grand Valley State University and her Master’s in Counseling, with a specialization in forensic psychology from Adler University. She continues to expand her knowledge through education and is currently pursuing her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Adler University. Megan has clinical counseling experience at all levels of care, across various settings and populations. For professionals, Megan provides consultation upon request and has experience in training and supervision limited licensed counselors. Additionally, Megan is trained in Eye Movement Reprocessing Desensitization (EMDR).
Megan Heary | LICENSED CLINICAL COUNSELOR
Children, Adolescents, Adults
Christina Vazquez | MA, ACHT
Adults, Adolescents, Couples and Families
Christina Vazquez MA, ACHT has received her masters degree in counseling from Trinity Evangelical University in Deerfield, IL. Over the past two decades she has been practicing psychotherapy with an emphasis on relationships and codependency. Christina’s desire to heal her clients on a root level inspired her to receive her certification in advanced clinical heart-centered hypnotherapy (ACHT) from the Wellness Institute in Seattle. She additionally is a certified Reiki Master and EFT (emotional freedom technique) practitioner, modalities that can offer a deeper level of healing.
Besides her passion to heal relationships and break clients free from codependent patterns that inhibit their authentic self, Christina’s clinical work also includes working with anxiety, depression, eating disorders and OCD.
Christina works from an integrative model which considers all aspects of our lifestyle; hormones, chronic stress, foods we eat, trauma and everything in between. She empowers her clients to step into a position of a self-healer through the tools she offers in and outside of sessions.
Christina’s eclectic style translates into her practice by bridging science and spirituality in her work with her clients both in individual and couples’ settings.
As author of a book that focuses on marriage and relationships, Christina brings her passion to the couples she works with to help them find new and fresh perspectives as the delve into the tools that make relationships work.
Christina believes we all have one purpose in life: to GROW and become all that we are to be through the experiences that life gives each of us.
Khadeejah Kurdi | COUNSELOR
Children, Adolescents, Young Adults
Khadeejah Kurdi graduated from Depaul University with her Bachelors in Psychology with Minors in Islamic World Studies and Sociology. She is currently working to obtain her Masters in Social Work with University of Illinois in Chicago under the Jane Addams School of Social Work and is working toward licensure under the supervision of Reem K. Cutinello, LCSW.
Khadeejah specializes in care for children and adolescents who may be experiencing difficulties with adjustment to life experiences and traumatic events. Khadeejah is trained in trauma informed care for all ages and works as an advocate for her clientele. Khadeejah has worked extensively with children and adolescents experiencing PTSD, physical and sexual abuse, grief and loss, and severe mental health and behavioral challenges. Khadeejah utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational therapy methods within her practice to ensure clients will receive the best benefits from their sessions.
Khadeejah is dedicated to creating a safe space for her clients in which they can freely speak and share their struggles while actively working on obtaining goals together. Khadeejah is a strong believer in allowing clients a space to be their full self and use their sessions as a chance to experience growth.
Alia Elshaer Celebi | MSW
Children, Adolescents, Adults
Alia Elshaer is a LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) and graduate of the Jane Addams School of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago, obtaining a Bachelors and Masters in Social Work in 2006. She has also completed the Domestic Violence Professional Certification training, and is the former assistant director of Family Shelter Services. Alia has managed courses for children, adolescents, and adults to promote self-esteem, communication, accountability, relationship-building, and individual success and growth. She has also completed certification for Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy with the Wellness Institute, in addition to previous certification for Rapid Resolution Therapy to support individuals with Trauma and PTSD symptoms. She is currently working with clients who present with symptoms related to Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Sexual Abuse, OCD, ADHD, LES, Adjustment Disorders,Codependency, relationship issues, building communication, and life skills, as well as a wide variety of personality disorders and life setbacks that are commonly incur.