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ABOUT

What is trauma?  Trauma is the response to a distressing or disturbing event, which affects the ability to cope in a healthy way.  It can affect a person's day to day functioning and may result in the following symptoms and/or disorders:

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Difficulties with interpersonal relationships

  • Inability to focus

  • Eating disorders

  • Sleeping difficulties (nightmares, insomnia)

  • Feelings of guilt and shame

  • Fearfulness

  • Hopelessness, helplessness

  • Sadness, anger, denial

  • Nausea, headaches, gastrointestinal problems

  • Dissociative disorders

  • Substance use/abuse

  • Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks

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What kind of events can cause trauma?  Following are examples of traumatic events.  It is important to note that reactions to traumatic situations are very subjective and vary from person to person.  A traumatic event can be identified and defined more by its response than by its triggers.

  • Life changing events such as moving, job changes

  • Infidelity

  • Divorce

  • Difficult or toxic relationships

  • Verbal, physical, emotional abuse

  • Natural catastrophes

  • Car accidents

  • Sexual assault

  • Abuse, neglect

  • Domestic violence

  • War

  • Loss of a loved one

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A Bit About Us

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Dr. Franci Zingrone, Psy.D., CCTP

I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional in the state of Illinois, and have been working with clients since 1998.  I began focusing my work on trauma and abuse in 2002, and opened my private practice in 2010.  I specialize in and am extremely passionate about helping people who have experienced trauma or abuse at some point in their lives.

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I received my doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the

Illinois School of Professional Psychology/Argosy University, IL in 2006. 

I also hold a Master's degree in Professional Counseling.  Some of my

specialized training includes treating Complex Psychological Trauma

and PTSD.  Although my work involves traditional approaches to

psychotherapy, I have extensive training (EAGALA, O.K. Corral Series)

and experience in utilizing Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, and find

this to be tremendously effective when working with clients.

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I am a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), the

International Association of Trauma Professionals (IATP), as

well as several honors societies (Phi Beta Kappa, Psi Chi, Phi Sigma Iota).

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Please feel free to reach out with any questions about me or my work.

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Dr. Catherine Radosevich, Psy.D.

I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist in the state of Illinois.  I have been providing services to children, adults and families since 2014.  My training and work have included individual and family therapy in an outpatient setting, as well as three consecutive years of providing therapy to children and their families in therapeutic day schools.  I have extensive training in working with children who are neuroatypical, with diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).  I also find great joy in helping people of all ages with mood disorders, relationship conflicts, life adjustments, or difficulties with grief and loss.

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I received my Master of Arts and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Adler University, Chicago in 2019.  My approach to therapy is integrated, meaning that I draw from a variety of ways to view my client, their difficulties, and interventions to help them meet their goals.  I find a holistic approach is most effective.  Therapy will not only discuss the client as the self,

but also their biology, family, intimate relationships, work, community and cultural values.  I also

incorporate play, social skills and emotional regulation into my work with children.

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I believe all humans have relationship patterns that play out with other people in their lives,

therapist included.  If those patterns do not serve you, my job is to help you change those patterns

so that you feel healthier, fulfilled and connected to others.

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I am a member of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Illinois Psychological

Association (IPA).

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Please feel free to contact me with any questions about my work or availability.

Tina Wendt, Equine Specialist

I am an Equine Specialist providing support to children and adults during Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), specifically EAP therapeutic day camps and EAP corporate trainings.  As an Equine Specialist, I observe horses' behaviors and how this behavior may impact and affect individuals, groups and teams, and vice versa, how individual, group and team behavior can affect horses.   Interactions between our clients and horses can be crucial in facilitating growth, both in individuals as well as in teams.

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My experience and interactions with horses began as a young child.  Soon, horses became an integral part of my daily life, competing on a national level, teaching horseback riding lessons, and training horses for competition and pleasure.  I have always been intrigued by how horses can affect and provide us with incredible therapeutic healing tools.  Throughout my teaching career, I have been privileged to witness horses build confidence, compassion, strength (emotional and physical), assertiveness and hope, just to name a few.  I look forward to working with you and our equine therapists!

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Renae Mendez, LCSW

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Illinois who specializes in trauma treatment as well as depression, anxiety, self-esteem, identity, LGBTQIA+, attachment, and relationship issues. I received my master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Hawai’i in 2006 and practiced on ‘Oahu for 15 years. I have been working in the field of complex trauma throughout my career using evidence-based strategies including EMDR and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) to help individuals heal and grow beyond trauma. My practice also includes group therapy and I have been leading experiential and process groups for 11 years.  

I believe therapy is an opportunity to create a new path toward living a meaningful life. Often struggles or hardships we experience push us into following old patterns that may not fit our values or how we want to effectively live our lives. It can also be space to understand how we can be more fulfilled or effective in our roles in life and relationships. 

As a therapist, I practice from a trauma-informed, Person-Centered approach incorporating Psychodynamic theory, and Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT), and Nueroscience from a strengths-based perspective. I believe in working collaboratively to develop a clear plan to reach your goals for therapy while uncovering and building from your strengths. Developing a holistic understanding of the connection between how our brain processes information, our body responses, our emotions, and thoughts can help us take a fresh perspective on challenges that you may have been struggling with for a while. I encourage you to come into a session, willing to be curious or courageous, and together we can develop a plan that meets your needs.  ~Aloha~ 

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Brandy Lochen, LCPC, LASOP

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Licensed Associate Sex Offender Provider, and I have worked with all age ranges, as well as a variety of populations in all levels of care.  I have specialized training in working with trauma survivors, obsessive compulsive disorder, complex anxiety disorders (including panic, excoriation, and trichotillomania), depression, somatic disorders, chronic pain and illness, sex offenders, substance use. Additionally, I am a member of the LGBTQIPA+ community.

 

I obtained my Master of Arts Degree from North Park University in 2019, though I have been working in the mental health field for over 6 years. My undergraduate degree is from Alverno College, where I was inducted into Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology.

 

I use an eclectic approach to meet my clients’ needs, and often incorporate the following theories to find the best therapeutic interventions; Cognitive Behavioral, Existential, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Dialectical Behavioral, Psychodynamic, Feminist, Motivational Interviewing, and above all else, Client Centered. I have experience providing therapy in individual and group formats.  I am looking forward to working with you to live a value based, authentic, fulfilled life!

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