Rachel Epps, LCPC
she/her
Rachel Epps
LCPC she/her
Rachel Epps is a licensed professional counselor who received her masters in counseling from the Adler School of Professional Psychology. Her clinical focus is working with child and adolescent clients who present symptoms of emotional and behavioral disorders. Rachel has provided individual and group counseling services in school and residential living environments to youth from multicultural backgrounds. She has experience providing services that focus on trauma, grief, life transitions, school performance, learning disabilities, social functioning, depression and anxiety management.
In therapy, Rachel focuses on providing a safe environment that is conducive to effective treatment. To meet this goal, Rachel uses creative and enthusiastic methods to meet the needs of her clients. Rachel is a strength based clinician who utilizes cognitive behavioral techniques to assist her clients in obtaining a higher level of functioning and emotional comfort.
Rachel Epps
Email | racheleppsbauer@gmail.com
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Danielle Kraus, MA, LCPC she/her
Danielle Kraus
MA, LCPC she/her
Danielle Kraus is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with a Masters in Counseling Psychology, with a focus in Child and Adolescent Development. As a clinician, Danielle is committed to supporting you in the discovery of underlying emotional issues, while focusing on diminishing your undesirable symptoms. Danielle has experience in both an inpatient and partial hospitalization, in addition to her work in a private practice setting.
Danielle’s education includes working with a variety of symptoms related to mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorder behaviors, self-harming behaviors, family conflict and crisis intervention. She is also an advocate for Healthy at Every Size (HAES), recognizing the importance of inclusiveness for individuals of all sizes working towards adopting healthy behaviors.
Within each therapy sessions, she is dedicated to supporting you successfully confront those barriers to change. Building a trusting, therapeutic relationship creates a positive long-term change. If you have any questions on starting treatment, she invites you contact her to discuss all your options. Danielle values the significance of feeling comfortable with the process and would like to address any of your questions or concerns.
Danielle Kraus
Email | danielle.m.kraus@outlook.com
Christine Widuger, PsyD
she/her
Christine Widuger
PsyD, Post-Doctoral Resident, she/her
When choosing a career path, Christine Widuger had one motivation: to find her voice and to share it with others. Originally, she thought that meant singing and performing on stage. However, she discovered something more important: finding her voice and then helping others to find their voice too. Dr. Widuger earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Loyola University Chicago. She went on to earn her masters in counseling and doctorate in psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology. Her focus became advocating for populations who struggled to have their voices heard. Her attention was drawn to working with families involved in the legal system and youth populations to provide additional support and advocacy of mental health needs. She continues to work with a wide range of age groups from young children to adulthood through individual and family therapy services.
Dr. Widuger has worked in multiple settings including: private practice, outpatient clinics, partial hospitalization programs, in school services, specialized behavioral programs, and nonprofit community outreach organizations. She focused her experiences on supporting individuals with symptoms of anxiety, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Selective Mutism, Autism Spectrum Disorder, developmental delays, learning disabilities, divorce reaction, eating disorders, self-injury, and adjustment difficulties. She primarily utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Family Systems Theory in the therapy sessions.
Strength based treatment and positive psychology is the driving force behind Dr. Widuger's approach to providing therapeutic support. She believes that by focusing on a person's strengths anyone can discover their voice and achieve their goals. Therapy is designed with smaller, attainable goals to increase an individual's confidence and self-awareness as they continue moving towards greater opportunities and success. Dr. Widuger encourages each person to take a moment in the spotlight and let their unique voice be heard.
Christine Widuger
Ashley De La Paz, LSW
she/her
Ashley De La Paz
LSW she/her
Ashley De La Paz is a Licensed Social Worker who is passionate about offering services to adults who present symptoms of anxiety and depression. She obtained a Master of Social Work degree from Aurora University with a specialization in Substance Abuse.
Ashley focuses on evidence based practice while striving to promote a safe space for healing. She incorporates strength based methods and mindfulness in her practice to provide clients with self-awareness skills which helps solve current issues. She has diverse experience in the mental health field currently working as an employee of Linden Oaks’ partial hospitalization program and previously in an inpatient unit and homeless shelter. These experiences have allowed Ashley to work with a large scope of individuals with various needs.
In her free time, Ashley spends time with her two rescue dogs - Maci and Molli. Her greatest pleasure is traveling and reading. You may also find her practicing Yoga.
Manuel Meza, LCSW
he/him
Manuel Meza
LCSW, He/Him
Manuel is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who completed his master at Jane Addams College of Social Work. He believes we all have the capacity to change and grow given the appropriate tools and skills.
Manuel prioritizes creating a safe and trusting environment in which a client can work towards their goals in a comfortable, supportive setting. He uses Trauma Focused- Cognitive Behavior Therapy, motivational interviewing and family systems theory as a way to help his clients achieve their goals.
Manuel has worked with teens and young adults in a residential setting. He has experience helping others work through their depression, anxiety, trauma, and anger. He currently works with adults experiencing homelessness who have a mental health diagnosis and also conducts crisis assessments at Cook County Hospital ED.
Araceli Diaz, LPC
she/her
Araceli Diaz
LPC, she/her
Welcome! Araceli is a bilingual and bicultural licensed professional counselor. Her approach to counseling is grounded in the belief that holistic care is crucial to healing ourselves, our communities, and our planet.
Believing that all people are natural storytellers, Araceli takes the time to listen deeply to clients’ unique stories so as to co-create goals that will allow them to live their life with more ease, joy, and confidence. Araceli strives to provide a safe and affirming space where clients can speak their truth and explore their deep inner world with openness and self-love rather than shame or fear.
As a holistically oriented therapist, Araceli makes sure that to address the whole person all parts in treatment, incorporating the subconscious, the past, the body, the environment & the spiritual. She is also a certified yoga teacher and eco-therapist in training, so sessions may incorporate meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, or interacting with Nature therapeutically depending on client needs and goals.
Jessica Piña, LSW
she/her
Jessica Piña
LSW, she/her
Jessica Piña is a Licensed Social Worker with a Masters in Social Work from Lewis University. As a clinician, Jessica believes that therapy should be a process where the client works together with the therapist to gain an increase of self awareness and personal growth. She works with every client through an empathetic and strengths based perspective to create a trusting and safe environment. Every person deserves to feel seen, heard and empowered to embrace one’s self. To do so Jessica believes in utilizing a variety of treatments tailored to best fit each person’s needs and goals.
Jessica has experience working with children, adolescents and adults across different cultural backgrounds. She has experience working with a variety of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self harm, trauma, self esteem and family systems.