COUNSELING FOR ALL - Key Persons
Ash has a bachelor's degree in Social Welfare and a minor in Political Science. They are currently finishing up their MSW from UW-Milwaukee and expects to graduate in December 2023. They have experience working in more intensive settings, previously interning at a medium security prison and an inpatient behavioral health hospital.
Ash decided to go the direct practice route, as the pandemic showed them that there was a desperate need for therapists. They have worked with clients from all different backgrounds, both adults and children with varying mental illnesses and severity. They have knowledge in working with clients in the LGBTQ+ community, clients with substance use disorder, and clients who have served in the military (active duty and veterans).
Ashley is a compassionate and dedicated therapist with a passion for healing and empowering minority youth through trauma-informed care and social emotional learning. As a Black counselor, Ashley brings a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by marginalized communities and strives to create a safe and affirming space for her clients to explore their experiences and emotions. She attended Alabama A and M University and National Louis University with a commitment to address trauma from a systemic perspective and works collaborative with her clients to navigate the impact of racism, discrimination, and intergenerational trauma.
With a holistic approach, she is dedicated to helping her clients cultivate a strong sense of identity, self-worth, resilience, and purpose, empowering them to create positive change in their lives and communities.
Job Titles:
- Branch Experience Manager
Callie is completing her final year for her graduate degree in social work with a specialization in mental health at the University of Illinois Chicago. Callie received her BSW with a minor in substance abuse treatment education from Central Michigan University.
Callie's previously interned at the child advocacy center, Northern Michigan Alliance for Children. This experience rewarded Callie vital experience working in the world of not-for-profit work which awarded her skills that are vital to have as an emerging mental health clinician.
Callie is passionate about assisting others come to terms with past experiences and trauma as well as understanding and processing feelings and emotions. She believes that understanding and processing emotions can lead to understanding our own individual tendencies and learning the reasonings behind our behaviors and actions.
In her free time, Callie enjoys spending time in nature and reading novels.
Job Titles:
- Community Leader & Philanthropist
Colleen earned her BS in Psychology from Eastern Illinois University and her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from National Louis University.
Colleen has experience working with all ages. She primarily works with adolescents and adults with anxiety, depression, trauma, and guidance to cope with change as well as everyday life. She incorporates Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Person-Centered Therapy within her sessions, and Play Therapy. Colleen believes the therapeutic relationship with the client is the key to opening the door to change, acceptance, and growth. In sessions, she provides a calm, relaxed and respectful environment where clients can feel comfortable being themselves.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Operations Manager
Dean Ames Projansky joined the YFC team in December 2022 as Clinical Operations Manager. After 35 years of working in retail corporate management, Dean left the corporate world and started at YFC. Dean strives to be a support function of the YFC team, taking care of as much as possible so our therapists can focus their time on helping people.
He enjoys his YFC work week with his evenings and weekends dedicated to his friends, family, and many charity organizations he is a member of. In his spare time Dean is pursuing a lifelong dream of learning to play the piano and has been documenting his journey of learning piano on social media under the title of "Old Guy Learning Piano."
Job Titles:
- Clinical Services Specialist
Emma Parker joined YFC in May 2022 as an undergraduate assistant, eager to learn more about the counseling world. After graduating from Lake Forest College in December 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Spanish, she joined YFC full-time as the Intake Coordinator.
Emma has an interest in becoming a therapist, so her current position managing intake allows her to garner some clinical experience while also learning about the inner workings of a counseling practice. Emma loves her job because she interacts with clients and is the "front line" for YFC-an important and impactful role.
Emma plans to return to school to obtain a master's in social work so she can become a therapist. In the meantime, she is grateful to be a part of the YFC team and mission in providing counseling to individuals from all walks of life. Outside of work Emma loves listening to her favorite K-pop artists.
Gary came to YFC as an intern from Northwestern University's Counseling program. After graduating in 1999, he saw clients part-time at YFC for 19 years while continuing his primary career as a foot and ankle surgeon (podiatrist). After retiring from his medical practice, Gary remains at YFC.
Gary treats adults and has a special interest in treating couples. He finds that most couples who come for therapy are not communicating effectively. Gary says, "It is very satisfying to help motivated couples regain the love that originally brought them together." Gary considers it a privilege to be invited into their lives with mutual trust to resolve marital conflict. Outside of work, he enjoys playing the guitar and traveling.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Clinical Director
Grisel Garena LCPC joined YFC in 2022. Her specialty is trauma and working with adolescents. Grisel's philosophy can be summed up this way: appreciate yourself regardless of what you have been through; your healing journey is yours and there is no rush.
Grisel earned her master's degree in 2015 in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University. Grisel has been in the field for ten years working hard on helping others be the best them they can be. Grisel is open and genuine to her work and loves to meet people where they are in life. She loves giving back and being a part of this fabulous community.
Holly is completing her master of arts program in clinical mental health counseling at Bradley University. She favors a person-centered style to help all clients feel safe, understood, and seen. She has special training in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and has completed level 1 Gottman Method Couples Therapy training.
Holly has over 20 years of Zen meditation experience, including ten years as a teacher. She enjoys long distance running, as well as cooking and talking about food. (Her last career was as a professional chef.)
Job Titles:
- President / Vice President, Enterprise Architecture
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Executive Director / Board Member Emeriti
- Executive Director Role at YFC
Janelle Miller Moravek has served as Youth & Family Counseling's Executive Director since 2009, when she was promoted from her previous position as Development Director. She holds a BA in French Studies from Wesleyan University in Connecticut. Janelle's vision, leadership, and passion for improving access to mental healthcare have steered YFC's steady growth over her 14-year tenure. Janelle is a champion for YFC's mission of opening doors to mental healthcare so people can cope, heal, and thrive. In service of this mission, she is responsible for overseeing programming, administration, and strategic plan implementation, as well as representing the organization to community partners and other stakeholders.
In addition to her Executive Director role at YFC, Janelle is engaged with the Lake County human services community. She served as Co-Chair of the Lake County Behavioral Health Action Team (2016-2018), and currently serves on the board of the Lake County Alliance for Human Services and the Co-Chair Lake County Behavioral Health Action Team.
Janelle lives in Libertyville with her husband and three children. Prior to joining YFC in 2000, Janelle served as Director of Development for Carmel Catholic High School, and Director of Annual Fund at Barat College.
Jeannette has been assisting families for over 20 years. She has an M.Ed. in Educational Counseling from Azusa Pacific University and is completing her second master's degree in clinical mental Health from Liberty University. Jeanette has worked with children, adolescents, and families as a School Counselor. She is certified by the International Coaching Federation as a Professional Certified Life Coach (PCC) and is also a Certified Enneagram Coach.
Jeanette specializes in helping youth, women, and families in crisis, (from current or past trauma). She will help you identify your strengths, areas for growth, identity, boundaries, and helpful ways to strengthen your current relationships. Jeanette desires to come alongside to help navigate and support you as you take the next right step toward greater success. She prefers CBT and Solution-Focused therapy but uses an integrated approach to counseling. She also enjoys using the Enneagram to help clients become more self-aware, improve relationships, and create more success in their personal and professional lives. If desired, she also specializes in faith-based counseling.
Jeanette has been married for 27 years and has five adult children. Her idea of self-care is drinking iced lavender lattes on the beach while walking her Chocolate Lab, Harvey.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer / Vice President, Aldridge Electric
Job Titles:
- Secretary / Chief Executive Officer, Flourish & Thrive Labs
Jodi received her BS in Psychology from Illinois State University and her MSW from Dominican University.
Jodi works with all ages and populations and uses a client-centered approach. She also utilizes CBT, mindfulness techniques, and was recently trained in EMDR therapy. She believes that therapy can be a truly healing process and enjoys helping clients recognize their strengths and abilities.
Jodi's self-care activities include hiking, kayaking, and yoga.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Clinical Director
Jovanka has a background in psychology with a specialization in sociology. She has a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Trauma.
She began her career at Holy Cross Hospital as a Crisis Worker/Inpatient Psych Counselor and continued her journey at NAMI Chicago as a Clinical Support Coordinator.
Jovanka knew that she wanted to be a therapist since participating in peer mediation in middle school. The purpose and satisfaction that she gained from helping her peers process situations solidified that this was her professional calling. I have remained in the non-for -profit sector of the mental health field to expand my exposure to various populations and help people that have barriers to obtaining mental health services.
Jovanka loves what she does because it brings her joy to know that she is helping someone with their mental health journey and wellbeing. For fun, she loves to travel to different places to experience the culture and food. New things intrigue her.
Julia attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and received her BFA in Theatre. She continued at her studies in Urbana-Champaign and obtained her Master of Social Work specializing in Mental Health- Clinical Practice.
Julia is passionate about providing a safe space for her clients without any judgement. She enjoys working with kids ages ten and up, adolescents, families, couples, and adults. She has a special interest in anxiety, depression, difficult life transitions, sexual health, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Julia utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Strengths Based Perspective, Art Therapy and Expressive Therapy in her sessions. She creates an empathetic, warm, bubbly approach to help connect with her clients. She believes that you are the most important person in your life. One of her favorite quotes is from Christoper Robin. "you're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think".
Fun fact: Julia loves voice acting and practicing different accents/dialects. She also loves shopping, watching Real Housewives and writing poetry in her spare time.
Job Titles:
- Director of Community Engagement
Karin Peterson, LCSW, joined YFC in 2021 and is YFC's Director of Community Outreach & Engagement. In this role, Karin seeks opportunities to shine a bright light on the work that we do at YFC with clients as well as the professional opportunities that YFC offers to therapists and interns. She graduated with a BA from Indiana University-Bloomington and an MSW from Boston College.
She welcomes and creates opportunities to speak to and with various audiences (parents, professionals, students, volunteers) on topics related to mental health and engage community members in volunteer opportunities that will enhance YFC's work. She is a a member of several community groups where ideas and information about resources are shared.
Her happy places are Cape Cod, Longboat Key, and the kitchen tables of her relatives in Sweden.
Job Titles:
- Director of Clinical Services
Katie Foster, LCSW, joined YFC in late 2022 as the Director of Clinical Services. She received her MSW from the Jane Addams School of Social Work and has a BA in psychology from Hope College.
She began her career in residential treatment for adolescents with severe behavioral and mental health needs. After many years of challenging and career-shaping work, she obtained her LCSW and prior to joining YFC managed a community mental health clinic in eastern Lake County. She finds her greatest vocational satisfaction in guiding, training, and teaching new workers, clinicians, and supervisors; supporting them as they grow into a strong mental health workforce that our community so greatly needs.
Katie is client-centered; using systemic knowledge of social services and organizational needs to support clinicians in achieving client-led goals. She is professionally guided by a quote from Van Gogh, "your profession is what you're put here on earth to do with such passion and such intensity that it becomes spiritual in nature."
Job Titles:
- Enterprise Architect / UL Solutions
Job Titles:
- Community Leader & Philanthropist
Mark is an experienced counselor who has been working with individuals, families, teams, and businesses since achieving his MA in Counseling Psychology from Northwestern University.
Mark's passion is helping others become more personally aware, especially of their strengths that can enable them to make better decisions, improve communication with others, and reduce conflict in their lives. Mark is also a Certified Public Account (CPA) who has worked with private and family-owned businesses to develop high performing leaders and teams.
Mark's counseling approach creates an empathic, genuine, and safe space to explore the client's needs, wants and desires. In doing so, clients gain a deeper understanding of motivations driving their behaviors and behaviors of those around them, while developing greater skills and self-confidence to help them achieve more satisfying lives and fulfilling relationships. Mark loves self-challenges that test his physical and empathic/emotional skills. This has included climbing 14,000 plus foot Snowmass Peak, encouraging others through stressful, difficult times and obstacles, and now his most current and pervasive focus, becoming a good, consistent and actually happy golfer.
Job Titles:
- Annual Giving & Stewardship Manager
Melissa Van Pelt joined YFC in January 2021 and is YFC's Annual Giving and Stewardship Manager. In this role, she works on campaigns for individual giving and manages the annual YFC Gala. Melissa grew up in Indianapolis and earned a BS in Accounting from Indiana University.
Melissa also brings HR experience, specifically in Compensation, from positions at Grainger and Medline. Her non-profit experience stems from being one of five women to open and operate a non-profit all-ages art center in 2012 in her Chicago neighborhood of Edgebrook, where she keeps the books on a volunteer basis and is a Board member.
She and her husband have three kids in college: a son at the University of Missouri and a son and daughter at the University of Illinois. Melissa enjoys finding new food/drink spots and live music, going to Cubs games, and taking road trips to visit her kids at school.
Miriam has her BA in Human Services from National Louis University and is currently pursuing her master's in counseling also from National Louis University.
I love counseling because I have a passion for people. While running a graphics and web design business with my husband allows me to comfortably live life, it is extremely un-fulfilling. I'm fascinated by what makes people unique, and the differences we have that highlight our similarities. I love the idea of giving people a space they might not get anywhere else in their lives to be open, honest, and judgment-free.
I am particularly interested in working with couples and with those who struggle with anxiety. I like the idea of using a client-centered approach.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Professional Counselor
- Therapist
Mutaal is a Licensed Professional Counselor who joined YFC in 2022 and is passionate about working with children and adolescents. She has an MA in Arts from Adler University and a BA in Arts from University of Illinois-Chicago.
She grew up in Pakistan and during her time there, she observed instances where children were not able to reach their fullest potential, which prevented them from leading fulfilling lives. Mutaal understands that today's youth face challenges that have evolved in complexity which, in turn, affects their daily functioning.
Mutaal has experience working with youth who face issues such as low self-esteem, anxiety/excessive worry, trouble with emotional regulation, school issues, domestic abuse, stress management, acculturation issues, trauma, relationship issues. Mutaal does not use a ‘one size fits all' approach because clients come from different backgrounds and cultures that molds their personality. In Mutaal's free time she enjoys going to arcades, especially after a long day!
Job Titles:
- Manager of Corporate & Foundation Grants
Sarah Armstrong Sarah joined YFC in November 2018 and currently serves as the Manager of Corporate & Foundation Grants where she is responsible for pursuing grant funding to support YFC's mission-driven work. She brings more than ten years of experience using narrative and data to communicate the impact of nonprofit organizations to her work with YFC. Sarah received her bachelor's degree in political science and sociology from Illinois Wesleyan University and her master's degree in public policy and administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
She and her husband Dan have two young children.