Crescent Moon Therapy Services - Preparing for Pregnancy

550 Frontage Rd Suite 3520
Northfield, Illinois 60093

Additional locations listed below

Services in a nutshell

Crescent Moon offers a supportive hand for individuals throughout their reproductive journey, life transitions, and more. Through preconception, pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting, you deserve support during this delicate time.

More about us
Support for Fertility Challenges

Therapy for fertility challenges is a specialized form of counseling that provides emotional support and guidance to individuals and couples who are experiencing difficulties conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term. Infertility can be a challenging and stressful journey, and counseling can help individuals and couples navigate the complex emotions and decisions associated with fertility issues.

Ways in which therapy can help for fertility challenges:

  1. Emotional Support

  2. Coping strategies

  3. Decision-making support

  4. Relationship guidance

  5. Education and empowerment

Therapy can help individuals and couples explore their feelings, cope with grief and loss, manage stress, and make informed decisions about their reproductive options. They may also address issues related to relationships, communication, and self-esteem that can arise during the fertility treatment process.

Counseling can provide a safe and supportive space for individuals and couples to express their emotions, gain clarity, and develop coping strategies.

Support for Miscarriage & Loss

Miscarriage and loss are emotionally challenging experiences. Seeking professional support can be helpful in navigating the grieving process and coping with the emotional impact of a loss. Our providers are uniquely trained to support all types of loss throughout the reproductive journey including miscarriage, pregnancy loss, stillbirth, neonatal, or TFMR.
After loss, individuals often report a disconnect from their body’s. Additionally, it can feel challenging to trust oneself, your partner, and/or medical providers. The idea of trying to conceive again can feel out of your control and an exhaustive endeavor. Individuals often share that they don’t feel like themselves and it’s hard to get back into a normal routine.

At Crescent Moon, we understand that your reproductive journey greatly affects your sense of self. We provide a safe space for you to express your feelings, offer guidance, and help you develop coping strategies. Reproductive loss at any stage of the pregnancy results in an overwhelming range of emotions when things don’t go as planned.

Our team

TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONS
Stephanie DeFilippis, LCSW, PMH-C

Postpartum Anxiety & Depression | Grief/Loss | Postpartum OCD | Transitioning to Parenthood Trauma and Abuse

I’m so glad you’re here. My name is Stephanie and I’m a perinatal mental health clinician as well as the Founder of Crescent Moon Therapy. Taking the first step in your mental health journey is brave and rewarding. Growth requires vulnerability and trust and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to support you in your journey towards healing and change. When working with clients, I help uncover what is holding you back and identify where you want to see growth. It’s an honor to be a part of this transformative process.

My goal as a therapist is to empower you to feel confident in yourself in all the roles and relationships you hold.

I have more than seven years of clinical experience providing psychotherapy to adults. I work with individuals with a wide range of challenges: life transitions (college, young adulthood), transitions related to parenthood, preconception, pregnancy, postpartum, as well as ADHD, depression, anxiety, significant trauma, sexual abuse, and domestic violence (also known as IPV). I previously worked at Northwestern Medicine in a nationally-renowned program that specializes in maternal mental health. I provided mental health services and coordinated care with OBGYN’s and other mental health providers for pregnant and postpartum individuals. I had the privilege of working with leaders in the perinatal space and attribute a lot of my clinical knowledge and expertise to my time at NM.

Some techniques I utilize include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Behavioral Activation (BA), Somatic experiencing, and Mindfulness. I have taken Karen Kleiman’s 12-hour Clinical training as well as extensive advanced training through Postpartum Support International (PSI.) I have worked with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds and offer the utmost cultural humility in all therapeutic relationships. I support all family structures, gender identities, sexualities, races, and faiths.

Haejin Hwang

Intake Coordinator

My name is Haejin, a wife and proud mother of two boys, with a military background as an Army veteran. This background has instilled in me a profound understanding of the importance of mental health, making me a strong advocate for therapy.

My passion lies in helping individuals take their first steps toward improved mental health and well-being. My primary goal is to facilitate a seamless intake process, making it easier for individuals to access the services they need. It’s so nice to meet you!

Hannah Ritze, LSW

Grief/Loss | Eating disorders | Perinatal OCD | Transitioning to Parenthood | Birth Trauma 

Mental health is just as important as your physical health. My name is Hannah and I am a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and received my Master’s in Social Work from Loyola University. My background is in nursing as well as medical social work in both the inpatient and outpatient settings where I’ve seen firsthand the importance of prioritizing your emotional well-being. I have experience working with young adults treating eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. I have a strong passion for working with the perinatal population. With my experience, I bring a comprehensive view of health and mental health into my therapy practice.

In therapy, I offer a warm, tailored approach focusing on the individual’s self-identified needs. I work to create an environment in which all clients feel seen and heard in order to cultivate space to explore and process.

Life is hard and I hope to have the opportunity to support you through life’s challenges.

Some techniques I utilize include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). In utilizing these techniques, I work together with you, supportively, in order to help you become the best version of yourself.

Erika Heller, LCSW

Infertility | Fertility Challenges | Transitioning and Managing Parenthood | Grief/Loss

My name is Erika and I am a bilingual, Spanish-speaking Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Illinois. I am an empathetic, compassionate therapist that supports individuals throughout the physical and emotional experience of the perinatal period. I hope to create a safe and supportive therapeutic space where we will work collaboratively on your journey toward healing and wellness.

Prior to transitioning to the perinatal field, I worked in the public school setting serving students and their families. I have a decade of experience providing therapeutic support and enjoy working with individuals as they develop new skills and observe improvements in their emotional well-being. I have a special interest in working with those experiencing infertility, going through treatment, and parenting after infertility.

I am keenly aware of the unique challenges and difficulties associated with infertility, I welcomed a young daughter through IVF.

As a therapist, I use a holistic approach to support you through your needs and goals. I strongly believe that through collaboration and utilizing your strength and resiliency, we can work together to explore life’s challenges and help you manage your life experiences.

Katie Craft, LSW

Perinatal Mental Health | Life Transitions | Perinatal Loss | Perinatal OCD | Trauma and Abuse | Medically complex pregnancies | LGBTQIA+ | Disability Rights

My name is Katie and I am a Licensed Social Worker and received my Master’s from the University of Chicago. My background is in crisis management, women-focused perinatal support in the shelter setting, and research in maternal and infant mental health. I also have experience working with LGBTQ+ individuals. I bring this comprehensive view of medicine and mental health into my therapy practice.

As a therapist, an individual who identifies as disabled, and as someone who identifies as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, I believe healing comes from within. I work with individuals on their self-identified needs and goals utilizing an inclusive approach. In my work, I create an environment in which each client feels seen and validated as we work together to support them through their individual challenges and crises.

Life can be incredibly challenging and I hope to have the opportunity to support each client as they experience the joy, loss, and fear that comes with this period in their life.

Tools I utilize in the therapeutic space include mindfulness, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and solutions-focused therapy.

Allison (Ally) Mahlo, LPC

Transition to Motherhood/New parent | Managing Anxiety | Grief/Loss | Miscarriage | Infertility | Blended Families | Fatherhood| Foster Care/Adoption | Divorce | Life Transitions

My name is Allison, but prefer to go by Ally. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, receiving my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Western Illinois University. I pride myself on being a warm, nurturing, empathetic, and compassionate therapist, and I’m so glad to be supporting women and their families here at Crescent Moon. I look forward to holding space for my clients to work together toward peace, emotional wellness, and healing.

Prior to working at Crescent Moon, I worked in the fitness and nutrition space at an OBGYN clinic, providing support to women of all ages, including those either pre-pregnancy, postpartum or after child-bearing years. In my most recent position before coming to Crescent Moon, I specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the digital mental health space. I have over 15 years experience of working in the wellness and mental health fields, and have special interests in working with women in the child-bearing years, women over 40, co-parenting with an ex-spouse/partner, and families struggling with the transition of becoming new parents.

On a personal note, I myself am a mom of two: as both a parent to an adopted foster child and as a mom of a biological child conceived after infertility and miscarriage. With this experience, I understand the challenges in both of these roles and hope to provide support to women and families who have experienced the same.

I’m so grateful to provide support as a therapist here at Crescent Moon, where I am inclusive of all gender and sexual identities, family structures, races, faiths, and beliefs.

Jaclyn Contreras, LSW

Transitioning to Parenthood I New Motherhood I Birth Trauma I Stress Management I Perinatal Mental Health I NICU Experiences

Healing is not a linear journey, it ebbs and flows with the inevitable changes life brings. I am honored to have the opportunity to support you in your personal growth and mental health wellness.

My name is Jaclyn and I am a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and mindfulness advocate. I have a background in macro-level community social work and the treatment of PTSD, trauma, and community violence. I am passionate about assisting my clients with an open mind and immense recognition of how cultural and social implications impact our life experiences.

I strongly believe in the positive power of community and social support systems in our emotional health. As a therapist, I utilize a collaborative and holistic approach to assist my clients in their unique journey. I work to cultivate a space in which all individuals feel safe to show up as their truest self in order to work together toward their self-identified needs and goals. Together we will create a treatment plan that will give you sustainable tools to make you feel empowered to live your most authentic life.

As a mother of a NICU baby, I know the heartache and unexpected change that can come with pregnancy and birth. This is a vital moment in your life and I am here to help you navigate it with your needs at the core of our work.

Some techniques that I utilize include Mindfulness, EFT-Tapping, Strengths-Based Therapy, Somatic work, and Motivational Interviewing. In my work, I am inclusive of all gender and sexual identities, family structures, races, faiths, and beliefs.

Tara Lattanzi, LCSW

Perinatal Mental Health I Grief/Loss I Foster Care/Surrogacy I Co-parent/Couple Support I Child-Parent Relationship I Fussy Babies I Infant and Child Development I Parenting Neurodivergent Children

My name is Tara and I am a Licensed Clinician Social Worker (LCSW). I feel honored to come alongside individuals and families during the perinatal period, a time that can contain so much rawness, beauty, and everything in between.

In our therapy sessions, I hold space for you to share your challenges as we collaborate together to move toward healing and growth. My focus is empowering people to relate to their own sources of strength, through an integrated approach that can include building connections, spiritual beliefs, and reframing past trauma.

My professional and personal experiences have given me a unique perspective to support families during the foster, adoption, and surrogacy process. I started my career as a teacher and child welfare worker, then provided behavioral support to children. I later pursued my social work degree and infant mental health certification at Erikson Institute. I have worked with families and individuals in the OB/NICU hospital setting, Fussy Baby Network, and a pediatric clinic. I have been trained in the following: Child Parent Psychotherapy, Fussy Baby Network Facilitating Attuned Interactions,Trust-Based Relational Intervention, DIRFloortime, and Circle of Security interventions.

I have extensive clinical experience with infant-parent dyads, diverse family structures, and individuals. My therapeutic approach is flexible based upon your comfort level and goals, and I believe in including all aspects of your identity in our time together.

Melissa Shikany, LCSW, PMH-C

Perinatal Mental Health | Grief/Loss | Transitioning to Parenthood | Stress Management

Taking the first step towards supporting your mental health is so brave. My name is Melissa and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Illinois and a certified Perinatal Mental Health Clinician (PMH-C). I have a background in school social work and the treatment of trauma, anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and much more in the inpatient and outpatient settings.

In addition to my work at Crescent Moon, I also work at Northwestern Medicine in a nationally-renowned program that specializes in maternal mental health. I provide mental health services and coordinate care with OBGYN’s and other mental health providers for pregnant and postpartum individuals.

It can feel scary to address your fears, but it also takes strength to reach out and ask for help- be proud of yourself!

In our sessions, we will work collaboratively to create a treatment plan that works for you to accomplish the goals we set together. I approach each individual client from a holistic perspective. Through our work together, you will learn skills that can be utilized for you to feel like the best version of yourself and to live with confidence.

Some techniques I utilize include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Behavioral Activation (BA), and Mindfulness. My practice is oriented towards you achieving your goals as quickly as possible by utilizing the latest evidence-based protocols and techniques.

Testimonials

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