Catherine Fairfield, M.A., D.Min., LCPC - Executive Director
D.Min. from Chicago Theological Seminary; Ordained American Baptist Minister; 25+ years of clinical experience; Specializes in feminist perspective; Extensive experience with women's issues and divorce recovery.

C. Michael Ideran, M.Div., D.Min., LCPC, LMFT - Director of Training
D.Min. from LSTC; Ordained ELCA minister; Approved Supervisor for American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy; Extensive experience working with people abused as children, couples and families.

Bruce Bonecutter, M.A., Ph.D., - Clinical Consultant
Licensed Clinical Psychologist; National Registry - Psychology, Masters in "Social Science Research Methods" - University of Chicago; Doctorate in "Clinical and Community Psychology" - Illinois Institute of Technology. Active in American Psychological Association (Governing Council & Committees, APA Divisions: Psychology of Men; Masculinity, Health Psychology, Addictions, Forensics & Psychology of Spirituality). Specializes in development, supervision and monitoring of clinical and health psychology services in public and private settings. Genesis consultant since 1987.

Carolyn Budz, M.A., LPC
M.A. in Community Agency Counseling from Saint Xavier University. Carolyn is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has experience working with adolescents, couples and families addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, relationships, trauma, domestic/sexual abuse, building assertiveness, life transitions and healthy anger exploration/expression. Carolyn has specific training around sexual and domestic violence issues and implements relational humanistic and cognitive behavioral as well as other theories into her practice.

Kimberly De Jong, M.A., LPC
M.A. from The Adler School of Professional Psychology in Marriage and Family Counseling. Kim is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families addressing issues such as anxiety, grief, ADHD, depression, adoption, parenting skills and marital conflict. Presentations include “How to Talk to Your Adolescents About Sexual Activity” and parent education groups using “Respectful, Responsible Parenting” and “S.T.E.P.”.

Naomi S. Effort, M.A., LCPC, NCC
M.A. in Counseling with a concentration in Marriage and Family from Governors State University, University Park, IL. Naomi is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who has experience working with couples, families, adults and children in addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, anger issues, marital conflict, sexual abuse, family issues, grief and loss, and life transitions.

Kirsten Ginn, M.A. Psy.D., LPC
M.A. and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL. Kirsten is currently completing her post doctoral fellowship. She has experience working with children, couples and families addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and family and life issues that include but are not limited to separation and divorce. Kristen has been trained using a number of orientations, including but not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Systems, and Humanistic approaches. Kristen also specializes in psychological testing and assessment for intellectual and personality functioning for children, adolescents and adults.

Joleen Hartland, M.S., LCPC, CADC
M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Illinois Benedictine College; Certified Addictions Counselor. Joleen is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with experience working with couples, families, and adults addressing such issues as depression, anxiety, abuse or trauma and relationship problems or conflicts.

Cayama (Kay) Ivester, M.A., LPC
M.A. from Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL. Cay is a Licensed Professional Counselor experienced in working with adults, children, couples and families. In her work with children, Cay uses play and expressive therapies to meet the developmental, emotional, and behavioral needs of school aged children ranging from ages 7 through 14. Other areas of interest and expertise include depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders, low self esteem, intimacy issues, and relationship conflicts.

Charmaine Jake-Matthews, M.A., D.Min., LPC, AMFT
M.A. from the University of Chicago, D.Min. from Amridge University. Charmaine works with families, couples, children and adults.

Maura Maloney, M.A., LPC
M.A. from Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL. Maura is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families in areas such as: ADHD, Asperger’s Disorder, depression, domestic violence, divorce and parenting issues. Maura facilitates social skills groups for children with ADHD. Maura has also volunteered in Capetown, South Africa doing group counseling with adults dealing with issues associated with HIV/AIDS.

Penny Scorzo McGrath, MA, LCPC
M.A. Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University, Sarasota, Florida (1999). Penny has 10 years experience working with children, adolescents, and their families. Penny’s areas of specialty include Childhood Anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sensory Integration Disorder, School Refusal, Learning Issues, Parenting Challenges and Divorce. Penny integrates play, art, and a family systems approach to recognizing the strengths of her clients and together they find strategies to encourage improved mental health. Penny facilitates Social Skills groups for children and adolescents at two of Genesis’ locations. She also consults with other developmental professionals within the area of Sensory Integration Disorder in order to address the social emotional components of this disorder, as well as the challenges in parenting. Penny has presented to schools and parent groups on the subject of positive reinforcement, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, parenting, as well as managing stress and anxiety. Penny also sees women who have experienced adjustments in their lives due to grief and loss, parenting special needs children, divorce and other life transitions. She is located in both the Oak Lawn and Downers Grove offices of Genesis.

Anne Morrill-Ploum, M.A., ATR, LCPC
M.A. from University of Illinois at Chicago, 1992. Anne Morrill-Ploum is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Registered Art Therapist specializing in working with children, adolescents and their families. Anne is a strong child advocate who uses art, play therapy and Theraplay in her work with youth. Families are involved in the treatment of the youth and are seen as their youth's best resource. Anne will treat the emotional and social consequences of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Asperger's Disorder and Non Verbal Learning Disability. In addition, she treats mood disorders, anxiety, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, sexual and physical abuse, school related issues and issues that arise in families that are blending or divorcing. Anne leads a Social Skills Group for children, facilitates a Co-Parenting Group and on occasion, Parenting Groups. Anne has presented topics on utilizing Play and Art Therapy in work with children and adolescents.

Julie Mueller, M.A., LCPC, NCC
M.A. in Community Counseling with a study sequence in Employee Assistance Programs from Governors State University, University Park, IL - 1994. Experienced in working with individuals, groups, couples and families experiencing depression, anxiety, grief and loss, low self-esteem, extreme stress, life transition, physical abuse recovery, sexual abuse recovery, communication problems and couples conflicts. Expertise in counseling, coaching and educating others on stress management, relaxation techniques, mindfulness, assertiveness, cognitive restructuring, anger management, Kaizen and vocational issues. Julie works at the Oak Forest and downtown Chicago locations.

Larry Nash, M.A., LPC, NCC
M.A. in Counseling from Governors State University, University Park, IL. Larry is a Licensed Professional Counselor who works with adult men or women individually or as couples. Expertise includes adjustment disorders, anxiety, depression, and interpersonal problems. Special interest areas include men's issues such as anger management and life transitions.

Bola Obajimi, M.A.
M.A. from Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL in Professional Clinical Psychology. Bola is completing his Doctoral Program at Argosy University Chicago and has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. His areas of interest include anxiety, depression, anger management issues, marital conflict, family issues, trauma, crisis intervention and testing.

Kasia Rabianski, M.A., LPC
M.A. from Saint Xavier University in Community Agency Counseling. Kasia is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has experience working with adults, children and families addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, abuse, domestic violence, divorce, grief and loss, relationship conflicts, and life transitions. She also works with clients who have severe mental disorders and clients who have special needs. Fluent in Polish.

Mervat J. Sha’ini, MD, MA, LPC
Mervat has a medical degree from the University of Jordan, a Master’s degree in Community Agency Counseling from Saint Xavier University. She has experience in Individual, Couple, and Family Counseling and in counseling clients who have multiple medical problems. She is bilingual, speaks both English and Arabic fluently.

Matthew Teske, M.A., LPC
M.A. from Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois. Matthew is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has worked with families, couples, adolescents and individuals in such areas as: depression, anxiety, life transitions, domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse, divorce, motivation, communication, relationship problems and anger management.

Cheri Tobolski, MA, LCPC, NCC
MA in counseling with a concentration in Marriage and Family from Governors State University. Cheri is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Nationally Certified Counselor. She has over fifteen years experience in social services working with individuals and groups affected by abuse, post-traumatic stress, low self-esteem, depression and anxiety. Cheri has been a therapist for over ten years working with families, couples, adolescents and children addressing such issues as relationship conflicts, bereavement, life transitions and interpersonal problems. In addition, Cheri has taken post graduate training in school counseling and has a Type 73 Certificate. She has provided group and individual counseling at three different school districts.

Christine Yoo, M.A., Psy.D. LPC
Christine Yoo holds a M.A. and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology and she is currently completing her post doctoral fellowship. She has experience working with adults, children, couples and families addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, self-esteem, PTSD, ADHD and relationship and personality issues. Christine has been trained using a number of orientations, and is particularly interested in psychodynamic and relational approaches while integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Systems, and Adlerian interventions. Christine also specializes in psychological testing and assessment for intellectual and personality functioning for children, adolescents and adults.