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