Everything You Want To Know About Therapy *but were too afraid to ask

In this episode, we interview Autumn Starks, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the founder of Starks Therapy Group in Oak Park. Autumn has been practicing psychotherapy for 15 years and her focus is on treating individuals with trauma, mood disorders, survivors of religious trauma and the treatment of other psychotherapists. She uses Internal Family Systems therapy in her work. Autumn is also a certified Psychedelic Assisted Therapist, through the Integrative Psychiatry Institute, and works extensively with Ketamine Assisted Therapy. We ask all the hard hitting questions (like what is considered depression and the differences between grief and being a little blue) and do a deep dive into all things related to Ketamine Assisted Therapy and everything you’d ever want to know about this treatment for depression and other mental health issues.

For more information about Autumn Starks, check out her website at www.Starkstherapygroup.com, Starks Therapy Group on Facebook and @StarksTherapyGroup on Instagram.

We will be posting more information on the therapy topics we discussed in our Instagram stories so give us a follow over there at @therapy_podcast_.

In this episode, we interview CC Burke, a Chicago based licensed clinical social worker who is also the Director of Adolescent Services at DASC, the Depression and Anxiety Speciality Clinic of Chicago. CC graduated with her BS from the University of Illinois and then received her MA in social service administration from the University of Chicago.

Her focus is on providing evidence-based practices for anxiety, depression, trauma and insomnia to adolescents and adults. She integrates protocols including CBT, ERP and ACT as well as using humor, irreverence and a non judgmental and collaborative approach in her therapeutic work.

We ask all the hard hitting questions (like how much sleep should we really be getting) and do a deep dive into all things related to insomnia, sleep aids, sleep hygiene and everything you’d ever want to know about treatment for sleep issues.

For more information about CC Burke, check out her website at www.Dascchicago.com or email her at: [email protected].

We will be posting more information on the therapy topics we discussed in our Instagram stories so give us a follow over there at @therapy_podcast_.

In this episode, we interview Dr Lisa Conway, a Chicago based clinical psychologist with a private practice called Exposure Therapy Chicago. Dr Conway graduated with her PhD from the University of Wyoming in 2010 and then completed a two-year NIMH postdoctoral fellowship in Traumatic Stress at the National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center in Charleston, SC. She worked as an Assistant Professor in the Clinical Psychology Department at Northern Illinois University before entering full-time clinical work.

She opened Exposure Therapy Chicago in 2020 with a focus on providing evidence-based practices for anxiety, OCD, BFRBs and trauma to more adults in need of this care. As a member of PSYPACT, she can currently work with clients in 36 states. Dr Conway is board-certified in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology, and serves on the board of OCD Midwest. She is also a member of the TLC Foundation, International OCD Foundation and Association for Contextual and Behavioral Science. She is also an active member of her therapy community, and participates in, and hosts, multiple consultation groups with local, national and international colleagues.

We ask all the hard hitting questions (like what are body focused repetitive behaviors and are they normal) and do a deep dive into all things related to anxiety, BFRBs and everything you’d ever want to know about treatment for these issues.

For more information about Dr. Conway, check out her website at www.exposuretherapychicago.com.

We will be posting more information on the therapy topics we discussed in our Instagram stories so give us a follow over there at @therapy_podcast_.

In this episode, we interview Sarah Farris, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. Sarah has a private practice in Illinois and is also licensed to practice in Wisconsin. Sarah works with adults seeking individual therapy and uses evidence-based practices in her work. Her specialities include anxiety, OCD, sports performance anxiety and Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Sarah also participates in advocacy work through a program called Anxiety in Athletes which is affiliated with the International OCD Foundation. In the role, Sarah helps spread awareness regarding the unique mental health needs of athletes while also providing resources for coaches, family members and athletes.

We ask all the hard hitting questions (like what is the difference between an anxiety and panic attack and what’s sports performance anxiety all about) and do a deep dive into all things related to anxiety, OCD, and everything you’d ever want to know about exposure therapy.

For more information about Sarah Farris, check out her www.chicagomindandbody.com.

We will be posting more information on the therapy topics we discussed in our Instagram stories so give us a follow over there at @therapy_podcast_.

In this episode, we interview Dr Autumn Cabell, Assistant Professor in Counseling at DePaul University. Dr. Cabell also has a private practice and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Certified Career Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. She has expertise in racial, generational and complex trauma as well as depression, anxiety, grief and career development. Dr. Cabell is trained in evidenced based practices such as EMDR, CPT, CBT and Progressive Counting.

We ask all the hard hitting questions (like what are barriers to treatment for marginalized communities and what exactly is EMDR) and do a deep dive into all things related to trauma informed therapy, working with marginalized communities and everything you’d ever want to know about EMDR therapy and see if it’s right for you.

For more information about Dr. Cabell, check out her website at www.thecareerandwellnesscenter.com or email her at [email protected].

We will be posting more information on the therapy topics we discussed in our Instagram stories so give us a follow over there at @therapy_podcast_.

In this episode, we interview Adam Honecker LCSW, Director of Adolescent Programs at Compass Health Center in Chicago. Adam helps to oversee the Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at the Chicago location for Compass and these programs focus in treating adolescents with mood and anxiety disorders. Treatment addresses issues including school refusal, OCD, trauma and complex anxiety.

Jen is away from the podcast this episode so I will be asking Adam all the hard hitting questions (like what does IOP and PHP mean and what’s it really like to be in these programs) and do a deep dive into all things related to higher level treatment programming, adolescent mental health and everything you’d ever want to know about this type of psychological treatment.

For more information about Compass Health Center and their programming for adolescents and adults, call 844-552-0242 or check out their website at www.compasshealthcenter.net. Compass Health Center is located in Chicago, Northbrook, Oak Brook and offer virtual services.

We will be posting more information on the therapy topics we discussed in our Instagram stories so give us a follow over there at @therapy_podcast_.

In this episode, we interview Rachel Spizzirri LPC & Lauren Solarz LCSW, two Illinois based therapists. Rachel has had extensive experience working with children and adolescents in PHP and IOP programs and currently works in a group practice where her clinical area of focus include eating disorders, anxiety, OCD, depression, academic stress, kids on the autism spectrum,and she is an LGBTQIA+ ally.

Lauren Solarz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Illinois. Her background includes extensive training in direct clinical therapy in both the school and behavioral hospital settings and across various child and adolescent PHP/IOP programs. Lauren currently works in a a group practice and her specialities include OCD, anxiety, eating disorders, ADHD, emotional dysregulation, coping mechanisms, and anger.

Together, Rachel and Lauren run Understanding Your Anxious Child: A series of five online group sessions for parents. This process group for caregivers to help them understand and collaborate with their anxious children using strategies to help children gain mastery over their anxiety.

We ask them hard hitting questions (like how exactly does anxiety present in children and teens and when does our brain really mature) and do a deep dive into all things related to treatment for anxiety, depression, parent coaching and ways to help young people manage their anxiety and depression symptoms.

For more information about Rachel Spizzirri LPC, call 847-920-7250. For more information about Lauren Solarz LCSW, call 312-841-7752 or email at [email protected]. You can also find both of their profiles on the Psychology Today website.

We will be posting more information on the therapy topics we discussed in our Instagram stories so give us a follow over there at @therapy_podcast_.

In this episode, we interview Kelley Kitley, an Illinois based Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been working in the field for over 20 years and owns her own private practice, Serendipitous Psychotherapy. Kelley is a sought after speaker and media expert, author and producer. She wrote and self-published an award winning, Amazon best selling autobiography, My Self. Kelley also produced a short film called GRAY AREA with her husband, adapted form her own book. She travels the country and uses her film to educate others about mental health.

Kelley is known as Chicago’s go to expert on mental health and is a regular contributor to daytime television and talk shows. She has been featured on the TODAY show, CNN, The Drew Barrymore Show, and Tamron Hall. Her work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, WebMD, Shape, Cosmopolitan and the Washington Post. Currently, she is a weekly mental health expert contributor for NBC News Daily.

We ask her hard hitting questions (like what exactly is gray area drinking and what are the symptoms of postpartum depression) and do a deep dive into all things related to treatment for gray area drinking, postpartum depression and ways to help others when we see signs of these two issues.

For more information about Kelley Kitley, LCSW, please visit her website at: www.kelleykitley.com.

We will be posting more information on the therapy topics we discussed in our Instagram stories so give us a follow over there at @therapy_podcast_.

In this episode, we interview Grace Dickman, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has a private practice, Real Therapy, in Brooklyn, NY. Grace has over 10 years of nonprofit experience working in schools in the south and west sides of Chicago and transitioned to working in private practice in 2017. She holds a MSW from the University of Chicago and is trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention, and EMDR. Grace has been awarded several international fellowships and professional exchanges in the UK, Morocco, Egypt, and India to study the intersections of gender, trauma, and community services. She is currently licensed in three states and actively working on expanding her private practice. She is passionate about working with young adults, teens, women, and people exploring their gender and sexual identities. She specializes in trauma and the many ways the brain and body adapt to it. Many of her clients struggle with anxiety, OCD, difficulties in relationships, low self-esteem, life transitions, and are members of the LGBTQ+ community. She uses a mix of several evidence-based therapy modalities to help clients deepen their relationship to self, experiment with new ways of living, and move confidently towards the things that matter most. We ask her hard hitting questions (like does the acronym LGBTQ+ stand for and what is OCD) and do a deep dive into all things related to two of her specialities- working with the LGBTQ+ community and helping clients with anxiety and OCD.

For more information about Grace Dickman, LCSW, please visit her website at: www.realtherapy.co and Instagram @realtherapyco.

We will be posting more information on the therapy topics we discussed in our Instagram stories so give us a follow over there at @therapy_podcast_.

In this episode, we interview Kate Engler, a licensed marriage and family therapist who has a private practice in Skokie, Illinois. Kate has been featured in publications including Fatherly.com, Bustle, Rewire, Insider and The Toronto Sun. Currently, she is working on her book dealing with Gen X relationships. We ask her hard hitting questions (like what to expect in a marital session and what are some reasons couples should not be in therapy) and do a deep dive into all things related to marital therapy.

For more information about Kate Engler LMFT, please visit her website at: www.threepointsrelationships.com and Facebook/Instagram @threepointsrelationships. We will be posting more information on the marital therapy topics we discussed in our Instagram stories so give us a follow over there at @therapy_podcast_