Christi Gardner is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC), in Chicago, IL, specializing in the treatment of addiction, trauma, and depression and anxiety-related disorders. She is originally from Chicago and has extensive experience working with persons battling addiction, trauma, and serious mental illness. In 2008, she started her career in mental health working as a case manager for women in recovery, at Catholic Charities’ SAFE Housing program. She earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology from North Park University and her Master’s degree in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago, where she focused her studies on addiction and psychodynamic orientation. During her master’s practicum, she served as a staff therapist at Deborah’s Place, providing group and individual psychotherapy to women with serious mental illness. During her second practicum, she served as an addiction therapist at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois Women’s Residence. In 2014, Christi completed the yearlong intensive narrative therapy training, under Jill Freedman and Gene Combs, at the Evanston Family Therapy Center. In 2014, she joined the staff at Jesse Brown Veterans’ Administration Medical Center, where she furthered her skills in CBT, DBT, IPT, and other evidenced-based treatment. She currently resides there as a therapist in the Drug Dependence Treatment Center. Christi has also served as an educator and supervisor within Chicago and adjunct professor at Northeastern Illinois University. She is fully trained in EMDR as well as the DeTUR Protocol.
Christi believes that effective therapy occurs by tailoring a treatment approach to your unique desires, needs, and interests. Christi draws from narrative and psychodynamic approaches in treatment, but also utilizes evidenced-based treatments such as CBT (cognitive behavior therapy), and DBT (dialectical behavior therapy). There is no standard prescription in therapy. The therapeutic relationship, as well as treatment, are collaborations between client and clinician that, when in harmony, will promote the positive change that you desire. Christi promotes the use of concrete goals to address stumbling blocks in our path, but ultimately, you are in charge of the direction of treatment. An environment of empathy and support is always maintained; however, she will acknowledge when it seems you are triggering your own impediments. Christi believes that therapy is not intended to be an indeterminately long solution and there are clear indicators when goals have been accomplished and you are ready to move on.
Susan Song is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received her Master’s of Social Work with a concentration in Mental Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2013. Some of her specialties include anxiety, mood disorders, bicultural identity, stress management, and gambling addiction. Susan has worked with clients in a variety of settings including inpatient treatment, community mental health, and Employee Assistance Programs.
She has special interest in working with individuals who struggle with bicultural identity, generational trauma, and parentification. Susan is dedicated to providing a safe environment where clients can process and reflect upon their unique backgrounds and experiences to enhance their quality of life.
Susan utilizes a multitude of treatment approaches, which include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, and humanistic therapy.
“The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination.” – Carl Rogers
Sarah Schroeder-Lebec is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 13 years of experience working with individuals, families, and groups to improve coping, promote resilience, and achieve recovery. A Chicagoland native, Sarah’s passion for social justice, psychology and holistic healing was evident from a young age. Sarah is also an alumna of the historic, Jane Addams College of Social Work at University of Illinois, Chicago. In 2006, she obtained her Master’s in Social Work from the Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work, specializing in clinical social work with a psychodynamic orientation. Throughout her career in behavioral health, Sarah has provided individual, group, and family therapy to a diverse clientele with a range of mental health issues. Her passion for knowledge and excellence in treatment led her to complete additional, specialized, training in multiple, evidenced-based, therapeutic interventions with a specific focus on trauma and recovery. Sarah is a trained practitioner of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as well as Hakomi Mindfulness-centered Somatic Psychotherapy. She has extensive experience in treating parent/family issues, attachment difficulties, depression, sexual assault recovery, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, single and complex trauma, bipolar disorder, substance abuse/dependence, domestic violence, and schizophrenia. Sarah masterfully uses internal family systems (IFS) therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance commitment therapy (ACT), play therapy , mindfulness-based stress reduction, and trauma-informed care. She joined CG Therapies as a resident psychotherapist in early 2018.
The heart of Sarah’s approach to therapy is the belief that self-acceptance is the gateway to wholeness and freedom! Sarah seeks to help individuals connect to self-compassion as the foundation for the changes they desire. She is a holistic therapist who understands the power of the mind-body connection and its vital role in mental health. If allowed, Sarah will gently guide you in reaching a deeper level of awareness of this connection and teach you ways to promote balance and increase resilience. Therapy is always client-driven, and Sarah trusts the inner wisdom of each individual to guide the process of therapy at the pace and in the manner that is optimal for growth and healing. Connection, trust, safety, self-reflection, loving presence, mindfulness, empathy, and compassion are the most evident qualities in a session with Sarah.
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” – Carl Rogers
Marcus Han is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who values the depth and breadth of humanity, while understanding the many challenges that come with it. Marcus started his professional career as a consulting actuary and worked for ten years in that field before deciding to change careers to pursue his true passion of helping others. Spurred by life experiences and genuine interests, Marcus earned his Master of Social Work degree in 2014 from Loyola University Chicago, with a specialization in Mental Health. During his graduate studies, Marcus worked at EdgeAlliance, where he assisted in providing emotional and resource support for individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. He completed his clinical practicum at Harold Washington College, where he provided individual psychotherapy for people struggling with depression, anxiety, panic attacks, eating disorders, and acculturation and identity issues.
The majority of Marcus’ post graduate work has been with people struggling with major depression, bipolar disorder, severe anxiety, trauma, schizophrenia, and other serious mental health conditions. Marcus has a passion for volunteering and has done so, in a variety of settings, including sports and recreation. He also spent a summer working as a therapist in a youth program. Marcus is fully trained in EMDR and has in-depth professional experience with ethnic and racial minorities, individuals who identify on the LGBTQ spectrum, and the intersection between sports, exercise, and mental health. His goal is to continue working towards being a leader and innovator in the mental health field.
Marcus approaches therapy with the mindset that each person’s unique set of strengths, abilities, needs, perspectives, and experiences are vital to overcoming barriers and living a healthy and satisfying life. He values the diversity and complexities of life and is sensitive to how cultural factors can influence one’s own well-being. Through exploration and discovery, aided by the power of the therapeutic relationship, people can learn to identify the well of strengths and resources within and draw upon these facets to make positive changes and attain whole health.
These changes are facilitated by deeper self-insight, cultivating and enhancing resiliency, and fortifying determination and resolve. As new strategies, skills and tools are learned, we are better able to solve our problems which leads to a greater feeling of well-being and security in our identity.
Marcus has extensive experiencing using a vast array of effective, psychological interventions to assist in this process, including EMDR, CBT, DBT, Humanistic Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, Client-centered Therapy, and Solution-focused Therapy. He strives to collaborate with each individual to develop a therapeutic strategy that will most effectively achieve their desired outcome.
Lourdes Carvajal is a master’s level, Licensed Social Worker (LSW) with background in treating mental health issues faced by the adolescent and emergent adult population. Her focus is to guide clients in finding, prioritizing, and maintaining balance and whole health in life. She is bilingual Spanish.
Lourdes began her social work journey at Aurora University where she obtained her bachelor of social work. She continued her studies there and was awarded her Master’s of Social Work in 2019. Her prior internships include work with youth in care at Big Brothers and Big Sisters as well as a clinical internship providing individual and family grief and loss counseling as a hospice social worker. For the last few years, Lourdes has worked as a student support specialist, providing brief therapeutic interventions for college students with a variety of mental health issues. She specializes in treating anxiety and depression.
Lourdes believes the strength of the therapeutic relationship and finding meaning in challenges are key to facilitating change, healing, and growth in treatment. Lourdes will work with you to create clear and attainable goals and help empower you to reach those goals. Lourdes is trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) theory, Exposure and Response Prevention, and also uses a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness techniques.
“Just when you feel you have no time to relax, know this is the moment you most need to relax.” – Matt Haig
1066 W Granville Ave, Chicago, IL 60660