SUMA KARANDIKAR, MA, LCPC, PMH-C

Suma joined us on The BirthGuide Podcast for the episode, “Aligning with your partner on decisions around pregnancy and childbirth’.  You can listen here.

Suma (she/her/hers) proudly serves as the Owner of Thrive Postpartum, Couples and Family, previously the Postpartum Wellness Center that was founded in October 2013. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with 20+ years of experience working with adults, couples and families and utilizes variety of therapeutic models including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, and Mindfulness Based Therapy.

• Certified Gottman Therapist: Over a three-year program, Drs. John and Julie Gottman have personally trained Suma in what the industry largely recognizes as the highest quality couples therapy. Using the Gottman Method, Suma works to help her clients leverage action-oriented techniques that are based on cutting edge scientific research into what makes relationships work. Suma has also completed the advanced Gottman course: Treating Affairs and Trauma.
• Certified Prepare and Enrich Premarital Counselor – Suma has undergone specialized training and certification in the field of premarital counseling through the Prepare and Enrich program. She possess expertise in utilizing the Prepare and Enrich assessment tools and interventions to guide couples in building strong foundations for their marriages.
• Certified Perinatal Mental Heath Specialist : Suma has extensive post-graduate training in the assessment and treatment of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs). In additional to the Postpartum Support International training, Suma has gone on to complete Karen Kleiman’s landmark postgraduate clinical training in PMADs. Suma is a member of Postpartum Support International.

KATIE KMIECIK, MA, LCPC, PMH-C

Katie (she/her/hers)  co-founded Postpartum Wellness Center, LLC in 2013. She has provided case management and counseling services to perinatal women, couples, and families for almost 20 years.

Katie specializes in Perinatal Mental Health and Trauma and has post-graduate training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Perinatal Grief and Loss of Miscarriages, Stillborns and the Loss of an Infant. She has extensive experience supporting families with babies in the NICU.

• Certified Perinatal Mental Health Specialist: Katie has extensive post-graduate training in the assessment and treatment of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs). Katie has completed Postpartum Support International’s basic and advanced training (and now teaches them) and completed Karen Kleiman’s landmark clinical training in PMADs as well as both of her Advanced Trainings. Katie was in the first group of women in the world to earn certification in PMADs.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Trauma Practitioner: Katie utilizes EMDR, the most effective and quickest acting trauma therapy, for people who have experienced traumas big and small including birth trauma, the loss of a pregnancy or baby, infertility trauma, and general life traumas.
• Maternal Mental Health Advocate – Katie has completed the Saybrook University Maternal Mental Health Advocate certification.
• Gottman Level 2 Trained Couples Therapist: Katie enjoys the dynamic of couples counseling and utilizes the Gottman Method of research-based assessments and interventions to improve all aspects of a relationship.
• Postpartum Support International: Katie is an educator and presenter for Postpartum Support International’s Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Training and their Advanced Psychotherapy Program in which she shares her expertise educating other therapists in the assessment and treatment of PMADs across the country. Katie is also a member of Postpartum Support International.
• Professional Speaker and Trainer: Katie has been a professional speaker and trainer throughout her career. She has written, copyrighted, edited, and managed three different psycho-educational programs. She has presented to thousands of teens, parents, educators, and clinicians.

STACEY O’CONNELL, MA, LCPC, PMH-C

Prior to joining Thrive Postpartum, Couples and Family Therapy, Stacey (she/her/hers) served as clinician in a transitional living program for women and children who are survivors of domestic abuse. Stacey chose to be a therapist due to her passion for treating those struggling with grief and loss. Stacey was also a long-time clinician at community mental health agency serving clients who suffered from many types of mood disorders, anxiety, women’s issues, trauma, attachment wounds, social anxiety, and family conflict. Additionally, Stacey has experience with anger and stress management.

Using Cognitive and Dialect Behavioral Therapy techniques, Stacey works to help her clients develop coping skills, transform maladaptive behaviors, create new, healthy and strong thought patterns.

• Certified Perinatal Mental Health Specialist: Stacey is Certified in the assessment and treatment of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs).
• Certified Bereavement Care Provider – The Compassionate Bereavement Care Certification® is an intensive four day training program through The MISS Foundation. The Miss Foundation is an international nonprofit group which aids parents whose children died. Stacey has also completed the Miss Foundation’s advanced grief training, facilitated by Dr. Joann Cacciatore, who is among the top two percent of researchers worldwide in the area of Traumatic Grief. As a bereavement specialist Stacey focuses on strengthening her ability to attend to each of her clients at a deeper level. She wishes to witness their grief in a way that allows her to be most in-tune with the way her clients needs to process their grief. Stacey believes in the importance of offering a flexible approach to grief support by being competent with a variety of approaches, tools and environments. Stacey hopes to teach her clients to trust themselves in expressing their grief and their needs so that ultimately they learn to integrate their grief and be present in their daily lives.
• Related, Stacey also has experience in working with grief and loss specific to miscarriage, stillbirth and infant loss and has completed The Perinatal Loss – A Framework for Healing certificate course.
• Gottman Level 3 Trained – Stacey is trained in Gottman Method couples therapy. She enjoys relationship assessment, couples treatment planning, and using Gottman specific interventions to get couples back on track. Stacey has completed the following advanced Gottman Trainings:
  • Couples and addiction recovery
  • Treating affairs and trauma – Helping Couples Heal and Rebuild Trust

AISHA KHAN, MA, LCSW, PMH-C

Aisha (she/her/hers) brings nearly a decade of direct practice experience working with children, youth and families. Her vast skill set includes individual and group counseling, parenting skills education and case management.

Aisha uses an eclectic approach to therapy tailored to her individual clients which may include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, play therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy. She has assisted individuals with a broad spectrum of emotional and behavioral issues including mood and anxiety disorders, grief/loss, trauma, suicidality and self-harm, relationship concerns, anger management/impulse control, adolescent issues, coping skills, postpartum depression and parenting issues.

In addition to her past work at child welfare agencies, domestic violence shelters and in a variety of school settings, Aisha also facilitated a series of groups and educational workshops for adults and youth.

• Certified Perinatal Mental Heath Specialist: Aisha has extensive post-graduate training in the assessment and treatment of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs). Related, Aisha also has experience in grief and loss work specific to miscarriage, stillbirth and infant loss and has completed The Perinatal Loss – A Framework for Healing certificate course.
• Gottman Level II Trained – Aisha is well versed in Couples Therapy. She enjoys relationship assessment, couples treatment planning, and using Gottman specific interventions to get couples back on track.
• Advanced Grief Counseling Specialist –Aisha has completed coursework and trainings over the last several years, including a 3 Day Advanced Grief Certification training course which is required to get her Certified Advanced Grief Counseling Specialist (CAGCS) Certification.  She explores with her clients all types of grief and loss, not limited to death, and helps them navigate, process and cope in a nonjudgmental, safe environment.
• Workshop and Group Facilitator Aisha has led several groups educational workshops for adults and youth on topics including eating disorders, bullying, self-injury, self-esteem, parenting, socialization and domestic violence.

Giselle Garcia, MSW, LCSW

Giselle Garcia (she/her/ella), MSW, LCSW, is a Latinx relational therapist who works with children, adolescents, adults, and parents as they navigate life transitions, trauma, identity exploration, and family dynamics. She is Level 1 trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS), and certified in both Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) and the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT). Her integrative approach draws from narrative therapy, play therapy, EMDR, Somatic Experiencing®, and other trauma-informed, client-centered modalities to help individuals make sense of their complex experiences.

Giselle previously worked at women’s centered counseling and training center, where she focused on enhancing engagement and the effectiveness of treatment for clients with PTSD, trauma, and attachment histories. During her time there, she also worked closely with the perinatal population, supporting clients through the complexities of pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenting.

With a multicultural perspective and as a heritage Spanish speaker, she offers therapy sessions in both English and Spanish.

Ashley Tabata, MSW, LCSW, PMH-C, CFSW

Ashley (she/her/hers) graduated with her Master’s in Social Work from Aurora University. Ashley specializes in Perinatal Mental Health, Perinatal Loss, Transitions into Parenthood, Couples Counseling, EMDR and Trauma Recovery, Grief, Bereavement, and Surviving Life After Loss.

After experiencing a second-trimester loss, Ashley aligned with educating and advocating for this life experience. As a yoga and wellness practitioner, she facilitates book clubs, women’s circles, group yoga classes, and special events supporting Perinatal Loss Awareness.

She hopes to help families navigate the complexities of life and learn authentic ways to parent their living and non-living children.

Ashley has completed:

• Postpartum Support International’s two-day intensive on Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders and is working towards becoming a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Specialist.
• Resolve Through Sharing (RTS) – Perinatal Death Certification. Ashley has completed the two-day intensive perinatal death certification.
• Resolve Through Sharing (RTS) – Coordinator. Ashley has completed the intensive coordinator training and is now an RTS Coordinator.
• The Perinatal Loss – A Framework for Healing Certificate Course. Ashley has completed this training to support the individuals experiencing perinatal loss fully.
• Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – Ashley has completed her clinical foundation training in EMDR, specializing in Perinatal Mental Health through Touchstone Institute and Institute for Creative Mindfulness. EMDR is a type of therapy that allows clients to process traumatic events throughout their lives.
• SHARE’s Support Groups in Perinatal Bereavement Care course from the Sustaining Awareness and Access to Perinatal Bereavement Care series.
• Gottman Level I & II Trained – Ashley is trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. She will utilize Gottman-specific interventions to help support couples as they create new meaningful connections.

Ashley serves on the Postpartum Support International-IL Chapter, Board of Directors leading the Advocacy and Social Justice Committee. PSI is a leading organization researching and advocating for mental health and therapeutic interventions for all birthing people.

Certified Yoga Facilitator – As a yoga/wellness group facilitator, Ashley creates trustworthy spaces for her students to explore their experiences through mindful movement.

Jennesa Gober, MBA, MSW, LSW, PMH-C

Jennesa (She/her/hers) earned her BA in Business Administration and Spanish from Augustana College and her MBA from Northern Illinois University. She spent over a decade at Motorola in international business and marketing before transitioning to work in public schools as a substitute teacher and mentor.

Her journey into parenthood was challenging, as she personally experienced infertility, miscarriage, postpartum depression, adoption, and infant loss.

Education: Jennesa’s profound experiences led her to pursue a Master of Social Work degree at Southern Illinois University, focusing on Mental Health.

Jennesa spent the first year of her MSW program as a therapist intern at BZA Behavioral Health in Schaumburg and Lake in the Hills, working with a diverse range of clients. She is now a therapist at Thrive Postpartum, Couples, and Family Therapy, where she is excited to work in her area of passion and connect with new clients.

Crystal Marin,  B.A., MS [Spanish speaker]

VLADANKA MITROVIC. MA, ALMFT [English, Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian speaker]

Vladanka Mitrovic, ALMFT(she/her/hers) is an Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who works with individuals, couples, families, children, adolescents, and adults. She offers a thoughtful, relational approach to therapy and has experience supporting LGBTQ+ clients and individuals across the lifespan.

Earlier in her career, Vladanka worked as a teacher and psychologist in Serbia, including in foster care and residential settings serving children and youth with diverse emotional, developmental, and learning needs. Her experience also includes work in substance use treatment settings, where she supported individuals in building structure, stability, and functional coping skills.

Vladanka is especially interested in helping clients navigate life transitions, relationship challenges, and emotional stress with care, curiosity, and collaboration. She has completed Gottman Levels I and II, deepening her ability to support couples in strengthening communication, rebuilding connection, and fostering deeper understanding in their relationships.

She is fluent in Serbian, Bosnian, Croatian and English. and values creating a therapy space that feels supportive, respectful, and culturally responsive. Vladanka approaches her work with warmth, thoughtfulness, and a strong commitment to helping clients feel seen and understood.