Counselor Bios

For more information about our services or to schedule an appointment, please call 1.800.240.7011.

Laura Vargas, MSW, LCSW (Joliet Location)

Laura is the Counseling Supervisor and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience working with children who have been abused and neglected.  She has over 15 years working in Community Based Mental Health Services and seven years in management.  Laura runs a supportive women's group focusing on self-esteem and empowerment skill building, has written our parenting curriculum, and is a skilled life skills psycho-educational presenter.   Laura practices from Strength based, Bio Psycho/Social and Person in Environment Perspective.   She believes that all people have a right to live a safe and secure life with appropriate supports in times of need.  She believes that all people are unique and have strengths that can mediate challenges and difficulties.

Tracy Martin, MSW, LCSW (Joliet & Kankakee Locations)

Tracy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with nine years of professional experience. She is a Certified Sexual Abuse Counselor and advocate. She spent six years of her career working with high-risk teens who have severe behavioral and emotional problems. Tracy currently works with clients of all ages. She enjoys the senior population and works with them to adjust to life changes, depression, dementia and elder abuse recovery. Tracy is trained in play therapy, which works well with younger children with behavior and school related problems. Her approach to treatment is client-centered and psychodynamic. She also practices using systems theory and cognitive behavior techniques. She is a trained facilitator of the Systematic Training for Effective Parenting.

Brooke Swisher, MA Clinical Psychology (Joliet & Kankakee Locations)

Brooke has her Masters in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University and her undergraduate degree 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 and begins the healing. Brooke emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and acceptance of self.

Cathalene Silver, Ed.S., LCPC, LMFT, Clinical Member, AAMFT (Joliet Location)

Cathalene is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She has 15 years experience with adolescents and adults in “non-profit” and “for-profit” settings.  Cathalene focuses on a strength-based family systems model, believing that individuals and families are resilient despite multi-stressors within our culture.  Cathalene believes that families and individuals are “the experts” of “what works and what doesn’t work”.  She currently runs a Women’s Group focusing on strengths and self-empowerment.  Recommended readings include: The Shelter of Each Other, by Mary Pipher, and The Dance of Anger, by Harriet Goldhor Learner.

Christina Santiago, MS LMHC (Joliet Location)

Christina has a Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Purdue University Calumet and is a Licensed Mental Health counselor. Christina has extensive experience working with groups, mental health disorders, substance abuse and children with trauma issues. She has over 14 years working in 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 client’s grow and overcome life’s challenges.

Mary Novak, MA, LCPC (Lombard Location)

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 making decisions.

Cari Dufel, MA, LCSW (Lombard Location)

Cari has her Masters of Arts in Social Work from the University of Chicago.  She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.  She has extensive experience working with children and adolescent victims of abuse and neglect.  She has over two years working in the field of domestic violence where she advocated and empowered victims to take control over their life and circumstances.  Cari has researched and has extensive experience treating individuals that self-injure.  She recognizes self-injury is a maladaptive coping mechanism and more positive coping mechanisms can be learned and used to cope with life’s situations.  Cari is a trained facilitator in Systematic Training for Effective Parenting.  She works alongside parents to help them implement effective parenting skills.  Her approach to therapy is client centered, strengths based, and cognitive behavioral.  She believes each person is the expert on their lives and the therapist role is to provide empathy, support, and empowerment in order for the individual to reach their full potential and live a satisfying and fulfilled life. 

Michelle Slocum, MA (Morris Location)

Michelle has her Masters in Counseling Psychology from Lewis University. Michelle is a Community Services Counselor with extensive experience working with children, adolescents, adults and elderly with extensive experience working with issues including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and self-injury. She has experience in working in Community Based and Residential Mental Health Services, and 20 years in management. Michelle runs a supportive women’s group focusing on self-esteem and empowerment skill building. Michelle has facilitated and coordinated many trainings in psycho-education for both staff and clients. Michelle practices from Strength-based, Positive Psychology, Dialectical and Client Centered Perspective. She believes that all people have a right to be heard and feel empowered and important. She believes that all people are special and have the strength to overcome significant obstacles. She is exceptional at building therapeutic relationships that can help empower clients to be successful.