Our therapists are experienced clinicians, with expertise in traumatic stress, grief, sexuality, adolescent development, and mind/body integration.

Our therapists focus on the emotional development of people, supporting their healing and resiliency in many areas, including:

o Relationship Issues/Development of Healthy Relationships
o Depression and Anxiety
o Childhood Trauma and Abuse
o Grief and Loss
o Body Image
o Blended Families
o Trust and Intimacy
o Coming Out/Identity Issues
o Sex and Sexual Intimacy
o Cutting and Self-Harm
o Divorce
o Non-Traditional Families
o Complicated Mourning
o School Problems
o Issues of Self-Worth
o Life Transitions
o Eating Disorders

Therapists

Laurie Kahn, MA, LCPC, is the founder and director of Womencare Counseling Center, established in 1978. She is an internationally recognized speaker on trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder and issues of importance to women. She has presented at the First African Conference on Traumatic Stress in South Africa and at annual conferences of the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies. She has been honored by the Family Institute as Alumna of the Year for her dedication to the field of family therapy. For the last ten years, as co-creator of the Trauma Consultation Postgraduate Training Program, she has trained numerous practitioners throughout the Chicago area in the treatment of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorders. Laurie's essays and articles address a wide variety of subjects spanning the serious and the light hearted. With a lively, authentic voice, her writing illuminates important aspects of love, feminism, betrayal trauma and healing.

Amy Derringer Chandler, MSW, LCSW, is a relational psychotherapist working with adults and couples struggling with the effects of trauma, grief and loss, depression, and anxiety. She specializes in helping individuals and couples navigate through the challenges that accompany love, intimacy, and relationship. Employing an empathic and nurturing approach, Amy engages individuals and couples throughout the healing process.

Nicole Howell, MSW, LCSW, is a relational, psychodynamic therapist whose practice focuses on supporting women, children, and families as they heal from traumatic events and face life transitions. Nicole addresses issues of trauma, self-harm, eating disorders, identity formation, and self-esteem. She has extensive experience with children utilizing play therapy and art therapy to provide a safe environment to work through difficult feelings and experiences. Nicole believes in supporting strengths and resilience in times of crisis and transition.

Beth E. Katz, MS, EdM, LCPC, CT, is a humanistic family systems therapist who specializes in the areas of grief, loss and life transitions. Beth has presented nationally on the topics of childhood grief and complicated mourning, and provides consultation and bereavement training to hospices, hospitals, schools, and agency professionals. She also provides clinical supervision and case consultation to social workers, hospital workers, clergy and school professionals. Beth’s work supports the emotional and spiritual healing of children, adults, couples and families.

Judith Ierulli, MSW, LCSW, is a cognitive behavioral therapist serving adults and adolescents. She has extensive experience in working with trauma survivors around such issues as anxiety, dissociation, self-injury and relationship difficulties. Judith uses a goal-oriented, collaborative style to support the healing and recovery process.

Ellen M. Lonnquist, MS, LMFT, is a family systems therapist who works with adolescents, children and families. Using a protective and nurturing approach, Ellen specializes in counseling adolescents struggling with life challenges such as depression, self-injury and difficulty with friends and family. She works collaboratively with individuals, couples and families to develop a more creative and effective path to healing.

Julie Scher Nebel, MSW, LCSW, is a relational therapist working with individuals and couples. She specializes in the areas of peri- and post-partum concerns, and issues related to loss and grief, life transitions, relationship challenges, sexuality, and depression and anxiety. Julie believes in the dynamic and integral relationship of mind-body-spirit, and uses a caring, collaborative approach with her clients to help guide them to a place of greater self-awareness, empowerment, compassion, and health.

Monica Robinson, MSW, LCSW, is a relational therapist. For over 20 years, Monica has promoted healing and well-being through the expressive arts and experiential learning. While Monica specializes in problems of transition, she also counsels on related issues of depression, anxiety, trauma and relationship dilemmas. From a stance of nurturing empowerment, clients are encouraged to develop insight and increase capacities for work, play and relationship.

Amy Steinhauer, AM, LCSW, ACSW, is an eclectic, feminist-relational therapist whose clinical expertise includes sexual relationships and problems as well as abuse-related trauma. For more than fifteen years she has provided individual, couple, and group therapy, lead workshops, and trained and supervised professionals on these topics. Her training in a women-centered healthcare setting has led to her awareness of the distorted information many adults have about sex, and to her strong commitment to sexual education as a means of empowerment. In addition to sexuality and trauma, her clinical interests include women's health issues and infertility.

Post-Graduate Therapists

Kristy Arditti, AM, LSW, is an integrative, relational therapist who works with children, women and families around the complex effects of trauma. She uses a collaborative and strengths based approach in companioning her clients through the healing process.

Vanessa Cañedo, MSW, is a family systems therapist who has extensive experience with children, adolescents and families. Her clinical interests include life transitions, healing and trauma.

Maco Cassetta, MEd, MAPC, LPC, is a feminist therapist who uses a relational model within a holistic framework. Her approach honors all aspects of development, including spiritual, sexual, and psychological growth. Her clinical interests include grief and sexuality.

Heidi Hayden, MA, LPC, is a psychotherapist who works with adolescents, adults, and couples around issues of trauma, life transitions, depression, and relationship issues. She uses a relationship and systems-oriented model that emphasizes a collaborative approach to create a supportive and safe working environment for her clients.

Administration

Emily Rose is our Administrator for Educational Programs and Clinical Services. With experience in customer service, education and youth outreach, she is glad to support and promote the growth of individuals and professionals in this important work.