Cherry Hill Counseling - Preparing for Pregnancy

1100 East Washington Street Suite 101
Grayslake, Illinois 60030
21925 W. Field Parkway Suite 215
Deer Park, Illinois 60010
61 South Old Rand Road
Lake Zurich, Illinois 60047
977 Lakeview Parkway Suite 150
Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061

Additional locations listed below

Services in a nutshell

New parents are often surprised by the emotional challenges that come along with the adjustment to parenthood and don’t anticipate the emotional impact of the hormonal and chemical changes that occur in a woman’s body both before and after childbirth. These emotional challenges during the postpartum time period fall on a continuum and range from what are described as the “baby blues” to mental health concerns that are more severe and need professional treatment. Our perinatal mental health specialists have the experience and expertise to help.

More about us

What is little known or discussed in our culture is that a sizable percentage of women, approximately 20%, experience significant emotional difficulties both during pregnancy and following childbirth in the postpartum window.

Am I experiencing a perinatal mood/anxiety disorder (PMAD)?
  • Are you feeling sad or depressed?
  • Do you feel more irritable or angry with those around you?
  • Are you having difficulty bonding with your baby?
  • Do you feel anxious or panicky?
  • Are you having problems with eating or sleeping?
  • Are you having upsetting thoughts that you can’t get out of your mind?
  • Do you feel as if you are “out of control” or “going crazy”?
  • Do you feel like you never should have become a mother?
  • Are you worried that you might hurt your baby or yourself?

If you have answered yes to one or more of these questions, there is a reasonable chance you are struggling with a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder. While this may be a difficult or frightening time, be encouraged that identifying that is what is happening for you is a very positive first step.

When should I seek help?

If you are struggling with the transition to parenthood or with any of the difficulties listed above, there is no need to suffer alone. With the support from family and friends as well as a trained perinatal mental health therapist, you can find your way back to joy and confidence in your parenting journey. The sooner you reach out for support, the sooner you will be on your way to relief.

What about my partner?

Partners are critical and central to the transition to parenthood. Their support to the new mother is significant in the emotional well-being of mother and baby. Partners are also vulnerable to the emotional challenges that come with this huge adjustment and they need support as well. At Cherry Hill we work to include partners in the therapy process, to support the new mother and her partner, but to support the health of the relationship as well.

Have Hope

While perinatal mood disorders can be overwhelming and even frightening for both the pregnant/new moms involved and for their loved ones, the good news is that these concerns are highly treatable with very successful outcomes. Family and social support combined with mental health care and, sometimes, medication create a potent and holistic approach to healing that can yield fantastic results. What is most important is that women are activated to take that first step towards healing by asking for help. Give us a call!

For questions about therapy services or to find a therapist please contact Kelly DeHaan, our Client Care Coordinator at (847)438-4222
Our team

TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONS

These members of our practice specialize in perinatal mental health:

Jennifer Flanagan, MA, LPC – Grayslake Office

I see it as a privilege to walk with others through the challenges and transitions that life brings. While life isn’t easy, I believe there is hope to be found through connection and support. In my own life, I have found this to be true. I continue to be in awe of the courage and truth found in the counseling relationships built, and I am passionate about joining others on their journey of healing and growth.

I work with adults and older teens. I have a special place in my heart for those going through life transitions: young adults launching into new seasons of life, women experiencing challenges changing/adding roles, and anyone aware of needing support to make life changes.

My approach begins with listening, joining my clients in the process of learning, growing, and healing. Many times we stumble over our self-defeating ways, ignoring our defenses and bad habits. But with a look at the ways we think, believe and act, we can find a new sense of hope and purpose.

My counseling approach uses evidenced based practices while also engaging with grace, compassion and enthusiasm. I believe in being present with each person, giving attention and value to them, listening with patience, and understanding their context of struggles and stage of life. As clients receive encouragement and become aware of their strengths, they are able to overcome obstacles and begin to think, feel and act in ways that are more conducive to peace and purposeful living.

Education/Certifications

  • Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois
  • Perinatal Mental Health trained by Postpartum Support International
  • Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling, Trinity International University
  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Trinity International University
Liz Lattof, MA, LCPC – Deer Park & Lake Zurich offices

People are hurt in relationships and they are healed within relationships. As a therapist, my job is to connect with you right where you are and help you heal and grow in the directions of your choice. You are the expert in your life but I can bring new frameworks and help you hear what may be lingering below the surface of your life. As a cancer survivor and single mom familiar with the world of special needs, my experience and training help me walk in productive ways with my clients.

I use an evidence-based, Adlerian approach to counseling. This flexible and integrative approach allows me to tailor the counseling process to each individual client. I implement a variety of cognitive, behavioral, emotion focused, and experiential interventions based on each client’s needs.

Education/Certification:

  • Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois
  • MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grace College
  • Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional
  • Immanuel Prayer Facilitator
  • Perinatal Mental Health provider, Postpartum Support International
Katy Robb, MSW, LCSW – Vernon Hills office

People come to therapy because they want to be heard, understood, and feel better. I encourage an open dialogue with my clients about what they want to be different in their lives, and together we discover ways to get unstuck. I genuinely care about my clients, and believe that healing happens through the therapeutic relationship. I believe that people inherently possess the necessary skills to overcome challenges, and that some of life’s problems cannot be solved or fixed. Leaning into discomfort, rather than fighting it or avoiding it, leads to inner peace and self-acceptance.

I am most passionate about working with older teens and college students, and have special interests in life changes, stress, anxiety and depression, relationships, trauma, and identity exploration.

I utilize a trauma-informed approach, rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I am sensitive to how past experiences influence present challenges, and work closely with my clients to rewrite their life narrative, ultimately lifting the burden of shame, self-doubt, and uncertainty.

Education/Certifications

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Illinois
  • Masters in Social Work, University of Michigan
  • Bachelors in Psychology, Michigan State University
  • THTC (TeleMental Health Training Certificate)
Michelle Schaefer, MA, LCPC, PMH-C – Grayslake Office

I am passionate about walking with others through the challenges that life can hold. In my own life journey I have discovered the value and importance of secure relationships in the healing process. Fear, shame, or wounds frequently become life-dominating issues that are difficult to process alone. I love to create an environment in the counseling relationship that is marked by high levels of trust, grace, and acceptance that I refer to as “hospitality of the heart.” It is my sacred honor and privilege to share an experience with clients through the counseling relationship where they heal, learn, explore, and grow, experiencing new levels of peace and freedom.

I work with adults, couples, teens, families and groups. I have a special heart for working with women through life transitions and other issues unique to women’s reproductive events such as infertility, pregnancy loss, abortion grief/shame, peripartum and perimenopausal mood disorders, and adjustment to parenting and maternal/infant bonding. To support this specialization I have an advanced certification in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International. Through my previous work and life experiences I also know that parenting can be tough at times and I love to support individuals and couples on the journey of parenting. Fathers/birthing-partners are often overlooked in care settings which I believe is a flaw in the support of families during this transition. I aim to have a partner-inclusive practice in my treatment philosophy for the perinatal population, because I believe it is the best model for the flourishing of babies, mothers, fathers, and the couple’s relationship.

I’m passionate about working with couples to create healthier and more secure marital relationships, both emotionally and physically. My approach with couples is to work to understand the perspective of each partner, creating a strong therapeutic alliance with both, and then to assist couples with exploring, understanding, and changing relational patterns through increased empathy, vulnerability, and trust.

My theoretical approach is tailored to the individual needs of my clients but is firmly grounded on the foundation of a secure client-therapist alliance. Once a strong therapeutic relationship is established, interventions are selected based on current empirically supported treatment options and the unique needs of the individual client(s). When working with couples or families, my primary treatment approach is Emotionally Focused Therapy. Faith-based counseling is an additional layer that I provide for clients that desire this as a part of their counseling experience.

Education/Certification:

  • Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Illinois (LCPC)
  • Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Wisconsin
  • Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C)
  • Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy Level 1 Certificate
  • Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples and Families advanced training
  • MA in Mental Health Counseling from Trinity International University
  • MA in Secondary Mathematics Education from DePaul University
Taylor Sheahen, MA, LCPC – Deer Park Office

My goal is to help clients develop a healthy level of functioning, leading to renewed hope and happiness. This therapeutic relationship is a collaborative journey, allowing me to help clients find the next step toward improving their life situation, relationships, and outlook.

I have experience in many therapeutic settings, including: inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities, substance use disorder programs, the criminal justice system, and emergency room crisis intervention. I work with adult men and women in individual counseling. My background allows me to develop a strong alliance with diverse clients and restore hope in their lives. My goal is to collaboratively and holistically work with each individual and tailor my treatment approach according to his or her needs. I integrate interventions from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Narrative Therapy to help clients reframe and view patterns of behaviors with new insights.

Education/Certifications

  • Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois
  • MS in Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
  • BS in Psychology and Criminal Justice, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
  • Certified Clinical Trauma Professional
  • Perinatal Mental Health trained by Postpartum Support International
Testimonials

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