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Counselor Bios
For more information about our services or to schedule an appointment, please call 1.800.240.7011.
Kate B. Culen, MSW, LCSW
(Joliet Location)
Individuals, Adolescents, Couples, Families
Relationship Problems, Crisis Intervention
Women’s Issues, Life Transitions, Grief
Kate is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years working with at-risk children, adults and families in a community based setting and she has been a manager at Catholic Charities for over 12 years. She obtained her Master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Jane Addams College of Social Work and earned a School Social Work Type 73 Certificate from Aurora University. Kate uses a variety of approaches, including cognitive-behavioral, strength-based, family systems and the Gottman Method. Kate’s philosophy involves offering practical solutions and empowering others to discover new ways to understand their difficulties, develop healthy ways to cope with life’s demands, improve relationships, and learn to feel and function better.
Mary Arbuthnot, MSW, LCSW
(Lombard Location)
Individuals, Children, Adolescents,
Adults, Elderly, Couples, Groups
Women’s Issues
Anxiety, Bereavement
Mary is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience working with abused and neglected children and their families. She has a BSW from Loyola University Chicago and an MSW from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Jane Addams College of Social Work. Mary uses a strength-based, bio-psychosocial, person in environment approach in practice.
Mary believes strongly in the therapeutic process, starting where the client is and joining with the client to accomplish the goals they establish. She is exceptional at building a rapport with clients that is empathic, empowering and enables them to continue to build on their success.
Mary has devoted many years to working with the preservation of families and family systems as well as becoming involved with community organizations and agencies.
Mary Novak, MA, LCPC
(Lombard Location)
Children, Adolescents and Families
Child and Trauma Treatment
Grief and Loss
Depression
Anxiety
Relationship Problems
Mary is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over 20 years of experience working with abused and neglected children, foster parents/caregivers and biological parents. Mary is also a teacher and is able to work well with children who are struggling academically. Mary is an expert advocate with the school systems. She provides a safe and nurturing counseling setting which allows children to open up and process grief. She works to help them cope and adjust to the chaos and disruptions that occur in life. Mary specializes in helping families work through transitions and prioritize the needs of children when decision making.
Christina Santiago, MS, CADC, LCPC
(Joliet & Daybreak Center Location)
Individuals, Children, Couples and Groups
Trauma Issues
Substance Abuse
Anxiety
Depression
Personality Disorders
Domestic Violence
Christina has a Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Purdue University Calumet and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Certified Reciprocal Alcohol and Drug abuse Counselor. Christina has extensive experience working with groups, couples, mental health disorders, substance abuse, domestic violence and individuals with trauma issues. She has over 15 years working in the mental health and the social service field. Christina has extensive experience using Dialectic Behavioral Therapy in group and individual sessions. Through personal and professional experience, Christina is familiar with the needs of the Hispanic community and is fluent in Spanish. Christina practices from the Cognitive Behavioral and Existential perspective. She believes it is possible for people to face the anxieties of life head-on, to embrace life, to revel in the freedom to choose, and for people to take full responsibility for their choices. Christina looks forward to helping clients grow and overcome life’s challenges.
Brooke Swisher, MA, LPC
(Joliet Location)
Individuals and Family
Children and Adolescents
Depression
Trauma Disorders
Disruptive Behavior Disorders and ADHD
Personality Disorders
Dual Diagnosis
Brooke has her Masters in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University and her undergraduate degree in psychology and education from DePaul University. Brooke approaches therapy from a psychodynamic and self psychology perspective. She uses a client’s history as an aid to understanding the presenting problem. She creates an empathetic and supportive therapy environment which aids clients in restoring their self-esteem. Brooke emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and acceptance of self.
Andrea Bird, MA
(Bourbonnais & Joliet Location)
Individuals, Children, Adolescents,
Adults, Elderly, Couples, Groups
Childhood Trauma
Depression
Anxiety
Relationship Problems
Disruptive Behavior Disorders and ADHD
Andrea has her Masters in Clinical Psychology from Lewis University. Andrea has more than 10 years experience working with children, adolescents, and families providing treatment in the area of children’s typical & atypical and social emotional development. Andrea’s specialties include treating depression, anxiety; behavioral disorders, parent coaching and helping families resolve conflicts. She also has experience providing career counseling for individuals, and providing professional training to community partners. Andrea believes in a solution-focused approach to therapy, helping individuals achieve their fullest potential through making their best choices possible. Andrea uses a combination of cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques with a focus on an individuals specific need.
Christina M. Magaña, MSW
(Morris Location)
Children, Adolescents, Adults, Elderly
Individuals, Couples, Family
Christina has a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a Family Concentration from Saint Louis University. Christina is currently working on her School Social Work Type 73 Certificate at Aurora University. Christina has previously worked on an inpatient Behavioral Health Unit for over 3 years and has experience working with individuals, groups, and crisis intervention. While Christina uses different approaches in the therapeutic setting she feels the best place to start is where the client is at in his/her life in order to determine the best treatment for that individual client. Christina feels the most important thing is that clients are given the tools they need to help them manage their symptoms and/or deal with their current life stressors and get back to a healthy level of functioning.