Welcome!

Heather Frank, Psy.D., CGP

Founder/Clinical Psychologist

Certified Group Psychotherapist

pronouns: she, her, hers

I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the state of Illinois.  I earned both my Masters of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) from the APA-Accredited Clinical Psychology program at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology.  I completed my predoctoral internship at Pace University Counseling Center in New York and my postdoctoral hours at the University of Illinois Chicago Counseling Center.

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I practice from an insight-oriented, collaborative, and individualized approach to meet the unique needs of each person I work with. I strive to provide a supportive and accepting space for my patients to feel heard and understood while also feeling challenged to experiment with new ways of thinking, feeling and relating.  My hope is that therapy can be useful in providing tools to relieve immediate stress while also helping uncover the underlying meanings of unwanted or distressing symptoms, feelings and relational patterns in order to create lasting change.

I have extensive experience working with undergraduate and graduate students as well as early and mid career professionals.  I also specialize in women's mental health and work with women across the lifespan.  Additionally, I have specialized training in group therapy and am currently completing training in modern psychoanalytic group psychotherapy at the Center for Group Studies in New York.  

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Specialty Areas:

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Graduate and undergraduate student mental health

Early Career Professionals (psychology, law, medicine and business)

Career related concerns and professional growth

Women’s mental health; prenatal and postpartum concerns; fertility concerns

Identity exploration

Sexual, physical and emotional Trauma 

Family-of-origin concerns 

Coping with being a caregiver to parents who are aging and/or have significant medical needs

Relational concerns 

Life transitions (divorce, becoming a parent, changing career path)

Grief and Loss

Couples therapy 

Lauren Scheuermann, M.A., LPC

Staff Therapist

pronouns: she, her, hers

As a therapist I bring an empathetic, authentic, and collaborative approach to therapy. I strive to create a safe and empowering space where you’ll feel supported to challenge and untangle thoughts, experiences, and behaviors that are no longer helpful. Using evidence-based practices, we’ll work together to develop tools and skills that will help you grow, heal, and self-regulate. I practice through a trauma-informed, integrated framework and strongly believe in a holistic approach, including the mind-body connection, to treatment. I gravitate toward therapeutic modalities that utilize mindfulness (DBT), explore past experiences (Psychodynamic), create awareness around thoughts and behaviors (CBT), and celebrate your strengths. 

I earned my Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from The Ohio State University. Prior to joining Chicago Counseling Collective, I worked in a residential setting with a diverse adult population. I gained experience working with mood disorders, anxiety, self-esteem, emotional distress, identity development, substance use, trauma/complex trauma, eating disorders, self-injurious behaviors and suicide ideation, as well as relationship struggles. Before receiving my Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, I worked for several years in marketing and advertising.

Specialty Areas:

Anxiety 

Depression 

Mood Disorders

Communication Difficulties 

Trauma-Related Concerns and Experiences 

Low Self-Esteem/Self-Worth

Stress Management/Lifestyle Balance/Professional Issues  

Relationship and Peer Struggles  

Coping Skills 

Eating Disorders and Body Image Concerns

Family Conflict 

Life Transitions and Change 

Self-Injurious Behaviors 

Identity Development 

Women’s Issues 

Substance Use and Addictive Behaviors 

Stephanie Dykema, Ph.D.

Director of Clinical Training
Clinical Psychologist

pronouns: she, her, hers

Welcome! I provide individual, couples, and group therapy at CCC. I use a relational-cultural approach to therapy where we will explore relationship patterns and societal messages that can result in shame, self-blame, and disconnection. My work with clients often explores the traumatic impact of systemic oppression and the importance of gender, race, and sexual orientation (among many other identities) on our lives, mental health, and relationships. I also use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you understand any barriers preventing you from pursuing the life and relationships you seek and to help you connect with your emotions, body, and values. When appropriate, I incorporate Somatic Experiencing (a body-oriented trauma therapy) to process emotions and trauma, foster a mind-body connection, and to facilitate your body's ability to act on your needs.

I have extensive experience working with undergraduate and graduate students, young adults, and early career/emerging professionals. I obtained my PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Akron and my Master of Arts from Teacher’s College, Columbia University. I completed my APA-Accredited internship at Texas Woman’s University Counseling and Psychological Services, where I received specialized training in women’s mental health, multicultural counseling, and group therapy. I completed my Postdoctoral Fellowship focused on international students and the LGBTQIA+ community at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago Counseling Services. Currently, I am pursuing training in Somatic Experiencing through the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute. I have been a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the State of Illinois since 2018.

As Director of Clinical training, I am passionate about the training and development of postdoctoral fellows, social justice advocacy, and feminist supervision.

Specialty Areas:

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College students and young adults

Career concerns and professional growth

Women’s mental health

Size/body/weight/fat acceptance

Cultural/racial identity exploration

Trauma and complex PTSD

Family-of-origin dysfunction

Medical trauma

Mind-body connection/disconnection

Couples therapy and diverse relationship orientations

Hannah Payne, M.A., LPC

Staff Therapist

pronouns: she, her, hers

Hello and welcome! I provide individual, couples, and group therapy with a multicultural, client-centered, and psychodynamic approach. I am passionate about helping my clients find strength after experiencing adversity, learn more about themselves and accept who they are, and meet their goals for personal growth.  I believe that our childhood experiences and relationships greatly shape who we are and the way we think. If we understand our past experiences, we can gain clarity about our present selves and become who we want to be and create the change we want to see in our future. While exploring ourselves, I also find it important to highlight how culture and our society impacts us and what we need in therapy. I believe that the many layers of an individual's identity - race, gender identity, sexuality, ability, age, citizenship, etc. - must be acknowledged, respected, and appreciated in therapy.  As a therapist I create a safe space for my clients' identity to be fully explored and deeply understood. In sessions, I focus on empowerment, self-discovery, and adjusting to change. I enjoy working with clients who are willing to be vulnerable and motivated to transform. I hope to help my clients change their inner dialogues to create a more positive and meaningful understanding of self and the world around them.

I have my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Loyola University Chicago, and undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Religion. While at Loyola, I completed a 1000 hour internship at Haymarket Center providing individual and group therapy for adults with substance abuse; I then went on to work at Haymarket Center full time before transitioning to private practice therapy. I also have completed an internship with Synergy Services where I was an advocate and case manager for homeless youth. I also am a certified Rape Crisis Counselor and volunteer medical advocate with Resilience. I have received additional training on trauma informed care, LGBTQIA+ clients, human trafficking, sex work, group therapy, domestic violence, systemic racism, HIV & Hepitits C, and childhood sexual abuse.

Specialty Areas:

Substance Abuse
Domestic Violence
Sexual Assault/Abuse
Relationships & Couples
Multicultural Identity & Mental Health
Strained Family Relationships
Trauma
Sex Addiction
Anxiety
Depression
Chronic Mental Illness
Self-Esteem & Self Compassion
Codependency
People Pleasing
Life Transitions
Sexual Dysfunction/Satisfaction Concerns
Stress Management & Coping Skills

Kurt Stevens, Psy.D.

Clinical Psychologist

pronouns: he, him, his

I provide individual counseling and group therapy at Chicago Counseling Collective. I have extensive experience working with undergraduate and graduate students, young adults, and early career/emerging professionals. I also have a strong personal interest and clinical competency working with middle-aged adults. 

My therapeutic style is warm, relational, psychodynamic (processing past personal and relational experiences and exploring their potential connection to current personal and interpersonal functioning), and collaborative. As a clinician, I believe that the therapeutic relationship is paramount to establishing a safe, trusting, open, and interconnected space, which sets the tone for personal and interpersonal awareness, acceptance, healing, growth, and change to occur. I continually strive to provide an empathic, supportive, genuine, and collaborative space with my clients in which they can feel understood, supported, valued, and challenged to express their true selves in my presence, eventually (should they choose to do so) even those aspects of themselves that they generally hide from the majority of others in their life. I also believe that the focus of attention and discussion in a particular therapy session as well as the overall pacing of therapy varies by person with some clients preferring and benefiting from a more active therapeutic approach early in treatment, while other clients needing and/or preferring more time before they feel secure enough to delve deeper into their presenting concerns. As a result, I use my extensive clinical experience and strong intuition along with a collaborative approach to discern, discuss, and ultimately decide how to most effectively serve my clients in our therapeutic work together. If you feel like we could be a good therapeutic match, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the state of Illinois. I earned both my Masters of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) from the APA-Accredited Clinical Psychology program at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. I have spent the past twelve years working and training in several different university counseling center settings. Specifically, I have spent the past eight years at the University of Illinois at Chicago Counseling Center as a staff clinician and more recently as the Center’s Assistant Director for Group Therapy for the past five years. In addition, I completed my postdoctoral fellowship at Princeton University Counseling and Psychological Services and my predoctoral internship at American University Counseling Center in Washington, D.C. I also previously trained for two consecutive years as an advanced practicum extern at DePaul University Counseling Services in Chicago.

Specialty Areas:

College Students (undergraduate and graduate) and Young Adults

Middle-aged Adults

Relationship/Interpersonal Issues

Family of Origin Concerns

Depression

Grief and Loss

Anxiety

Identity Development

Phase of Life Transitions and Concerns

Career and Professional Concerns

Low Self-Esteem/Self-Worth

Women’s Issues

Men’s Issues

Group Therapy

Chrishane N. Cunningham, MA, LCPC, NCC

Staff Therapist

pronouns: she, her, hers

Chrishane Cunningham, MA, LCPC, NCC  is delighted to join us at Chicago Counseling Collective. After receiving her B.A. from Boston University in Psychology, Chrishane attended The Family Institute at Northwestern University for her M.A. in Counseling, specializing in working with children and adolescents. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Counseling Psychology at Fordham University in New York City. Along with children and adolescents, Chrishane treats across the lifespan working with individuals, couples, and families. She specializes in working with people of colour, with particular attention to youth and Black mental health wellness.  

Chrishane’s therapeutic approach is holistic and eclectic, including a mix of modalities attuning to her clients and their needs. Her therapeutic work is centered upon cultural humility and empathy, and she believes a strong therapeutic alliance is integral to successful treatment. Overall, Chrishane’s therapeutic work is highly collaborative and she works diligently to help her clients achieve wellness. She sees herself as a very encouraging and validating therapist and her goal is always to help her clients gain insight and make the changes they wish to see. 

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Specialty Areas:

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ADHD

Adolescent Mental Health

Anxiety

BIPOC Mental Health

Black Individual Mental Health

College, Graduate Student, and Young Adult Mental Health

Communication Difficulties

Cultural/Racial Identity Development

Depression

Family Therapy and Family-of-Origin Issues

Life Transitions

Relationship and Couples Counseling

Self Esteem/Compassion

Therapists in Therapy

Ryan Mather, Psy.D.

Clinical Psychologist

pronouns: he, him, his

Hello. I received my Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D) from Adler University’s APA-Accredited Clinical Psychology program. Prior to coming to Chicago Counseling Collective as a postdoctoral fellow, I completed my APA-Accredited predoctoral internship at Adler Community Health Services. I have previously worked in community mental health and school settings providing individual and group therapy for youth and adults. These experiences reflect my commitment to social justice and I strive to have this echoed in my work through acknowledging the impacts of social forces on our identities and lived experiences.

My therapy style and approach is relational and collaborative. I believe openness and acceptance are central to growth, and I want you to feel comfortable discussing whatever may feel important to you. I enjoy working with people experiencing communication difficulties; struggling with low self-esteem or frequent guilt; people who are seeking greater relationship satisfaction (family, peer, work, and romantic); finding meaning in life; previous, recent, or anticipated grief and loss; exploring religion and spirituality (including conflict and identity); those diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI); and LGBTQIA+ folx. I look forward to empathically accompanying you in discovering greater meaning and life satisfaction.

Specialty Areas:

Anxiety

Communication difficulties and conflict

Depression

Existential issues

Family of origin issues

Grief and loss

LGBTQIA identity

Phase of life transitions and concerns

Relationship and peer satisfaction

Religion and spirituality

Self-esteem and self-worth

Serious mental illness and psychosis

Jeremy Cohen, PhD

Clinical Psychologist

pronouns: he, him, his

I like working with people to help figure out what keeps them stuck in certain patterns in their lives, and flexibly and collaboratively explore opportunities for change. I strive to establish a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship, tailoring the space to each unique individual by taking the time to understand the multiple layers of someone’s identities, experiences, and environments. My approach to therapy draws from multicultural, relational/interpersonal, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and mindfulness perspectives, and I ground the therapy in a humanistic and affirmative core. I aim to help people find greater understanding and compassion for themselves while also fostering new ways to cope and navigate challenges. I provide individual and group therapy at CCC, and am humbled by the opportunity to join people in their lives in meaningful and authentic ways.

I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the state of Illinois. I received my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Temple University in Philadelphia. I completed an APA-accredited internship at the University of Pennsylvania’s Counseling & Psychological Services and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Delaware’s Center for Counseling & Student Development where I received specialty supervision in working with LGBTQIA+ individuals. I was a staff psychologist at the University of Delaware for 5 years and served as the Advanced Practicum Coordinator. Most recently, I was a staff psychologist at Northwestern University Counseling & Psychological Services and served as the Associate Director for Chicago CAPS where I coordinated outreach efforts and the postdoctoral fellowship. 

Specialty Areas:

Graduate and professional students, early career professionals

Undergraduate students and college mental health

LGBTQIA identity

Identity exploration

Men’s Issues

Anxiety

Family of origin concerns

Interpersonal and relationship concerns

Life transitions 

Low self-esteem/self-worth

Stress management, coping skills

Perfectionism

Benedetta Rossi, LCPC

Staff Therapist

pronouns: she, her, hers

Welcome! I am a bilingual Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, born and raised in Italy. I provide individual therapy at Chicago Counseling Collective using a multicultural, empathic, and individualized approach. I value creating a strong therapeutic relationship to guide you through your healing journey, to support your growth and validate your feelings. I strive to empower you to create change, letting go of behaviors that no longer serve you, and discovering your unique self. I use a trauma informed and client-centered approach to support you with balancing new life roles, coping with interpersonal conflict, exploring identities, and dealing with academic and professional concerns. I also utilize various theoretical approaches that are tailored to your specific needs and goals, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness skills, and psychodynamic techniques. 

As a former international student, I have firsthand experience navigating the immigration system and adjusting to a different culture. My personal background has shaped my approach to providing care, taking into consideration different identities, beliefs, and communication styles. I believe that therapy is a journey of self-discovery, where you will learn valuable skills that will serve you and empower you throughout your life. 

My previous professional experience includes working at Thresholds, serving individuals with serious mental illnesses, including Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I have also trained as a group counselor at St. Joseph Hospital Intensive Outpatient Program, using evidence-based practices, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to treat mood disorders, anxiety, relationship issues, and life stressors. Additionally, I have received training on managing high-risk behaviors and providing crisis intervention, including safety planning for suicidal and homicidal ideation, self-injury and aggression. I earned my Master’s degree in Counseling from Loyola University Chicago, and my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Dayton. 

Specialty Areas:

Graduate and Undergraduate students, International students

Early Career professionals

Life Transitions

Identity Exploration

Trauma – emotional, physical and sexual abuse

Interpersonal issues

Mood Disorders

Anxiety Disorders

Self-harm and Suicidal Ideation

Personality Disorders

Psychotic Disorders

Stress Management

Group Therapy 

Constance Victor, Psy.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

pronouns: she, her, hers

Hello and welcome! It takes a lot of courage to begin therapy and I hope to encourage and foster this courage in our work together. I view therapy as a collaborative process. I integrate and draw from a variety of therapeutic approaches such as Adlerian, dialectical behavior therapy, existential, humanistic, narrative, person-focused, internal family systems, and positive psychology. Overall, I take a holistic and multicultural perspective, which means that all parts of your life are welcome and encouraged in our work together. I believe your identities and history are essential to who you are and how you navigate the world. You are the expert of yourself, and I collaborate with you so that you feel less alone and more understood. I offer genuine encouragement and help you recognize your progress. 

I am passionate about working with individuals who have experienced physical, emotional, relational, and sexual traumas as well as working with individuals who are struggling with symptoms of depression and anxiety. In my therapeutic work with clients, I strive to create a safe and welcoming environment in which non-judgmental self-exploration can be fostered and encouraged to promote growth and change. We may explore how your early life experiences and family dynamics have influenced the messages you received, how your worldview was formed, and how you move towards your goals. We may also explore other facets of your mental health, such as community involvement, belonging, values, connection, and identity. 

I received my Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) from Adler University’s APA-Accredited Clinical Psychology program. Prior to coming to my work at the Chicago Counseling Collective as a postdoctoral fellow, I completed my APA-Accredited predoctoral internship at Northern Illinois University’s Counseling and Consultation Services. I have also previously worked in community mental health, hospital, and additional college/university counseling settings in which I provided individual and group therapy.

Together we'll figure out the purpose of your symptoms, and how to better reach your goals. Progress may not be linear, but we'll get you to where you want to go, and we'll get there together.

Specialty Areas:

Adlerian Therapy 

Anxiety

Boundary Setting/Asserting One’s Needs

Communication Difficulties 

College/Graduate School Issues

Depression

Identity Exploration – Racial, Cultural, Sexual, Gender, Religious 

Internal Family Systems/Parts Work

Life Transitions/Phase of Life Issues

Self-Esteem/Self Compassion

Stress Management

Trauma -emotional, relational, physical and sexual 

Irina Rivera, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

pronouns: she, her

Welcome! I work from a relational paradigm because I believe therapy is a co-created, collaborative process. I bring to therapy my previous experiences working in creative environments, to help clients foster new perspectives and solutions that fit your unique issues, identities, and personality. Also, I have found that warmth and empathy from me helps clients relax and feel safe enough to explore parts of the themselves that may be hidden or unconsciously buried. I have worked with a diverse range of clients, many of whom have experienced abuse, loss, and/or marginalization. Areas of ongoing interest and research are in the experience of awe and spirituality. This is just a brief description of my work, so please feel free to ask questions so that you can decide if we are a good fit.

I earned my PhD in Clinical Psychology at Fuller Psychology & Marital and Family Therapy in Los Angeles, CA. My undergraduate degree is in Communication, Film Emphasis, from Loyola Marymount University. I completed my APA-accredited internship at University of Illinois, Chicago counseling center. Prior to coming to CCC, I worked at a private practice, community mental health center, and university counseling centers. I provide therapy for individuals, couples, and groups. I also have experience leading workshops on topics such as Compassion for Our Inner Critic, Unconscious Bias, and Perfectionism. 

Specialty Areas:

Anxiety

Adjustment to College/University

Creativity Issues

Cultural Identity Development

Depression

Existential Issues

Grief and Loss

Parenting 

Perfectionism

Religion/Spirituality

Stress

Trauma