Takisha Brooks, ALMFT
Takisha is an associate Marriage and Family Therapist. Her clinical interests include working with couples/family systems and empowering clients from culturally diverse backgrounds to work on communication, parenting, and intimacy. She has an empathetic and energetic personality, which helps clients find and understand their voices, regain trust, and have more fun together in their relationship.
Takisha uses a narrative and solution-focused systemic approach in therapy. She believes in the power of stories to help strengthen the core aspects of familial relationships, and she affirms collaboration and creativity in all of sessions. She is also passionate about de-stigmatizing the practice of getting professional help in marriages and working with couples on strategies to foster healthy communication/conflict resolution and rekindle the spark in their relationships.
Takisha has a bachelor’s degree in Theology (pre-counseling/pre-chaplaincy) from Oakwood University and a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University, where she graduated with distinction. She has traveled the world and remains connected to the value of changing lives.
Pronouns: she/her
Specialties: Couples • Communication • New Parents • Intimacy
Micki Burton, NCC, LPC Candidate
Micki Burton is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Candidate who works with individuals and couples to foster growth and improved wellness. Her clinical focus areas include mood disorders, self-esteem issues, life transitions, burnout, and career issues. She provides therapy to adults of all ages and has a particular interest in working with folks in academia (emerging adults, faculty, staff) and artists across mediums.
Micki utilizes an integrative, person-centered approach based on psychodynamic, feminist, multicultural, and relational-cultural theories and techniques. She aims to help clients unpack early experiences and cultural identity, as well as the sociopolitical systems that impact their lives and worldviews. Her approach builds an affirming and trusting therapeutic space that incorporates humor and a celebration of her clients’ strengths.
Micki received her B.A. in English Literature from DePaul University and her M.A. with Academic Distinction in Counseling from Northwestern University. Prior to entering the mental health field, she worked in both higher education and the nonprofit sector and was a frequent performer in Chicago’s improv scene.
Pronouns: she/her
Specialties: Emerging Adults • Mood Disorders • Burnout • Life Transitions • Self-esteem
Max Chang, ALMFT
Max is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who works with individuals, couples, and families. His clinical interests include couples experiencing transitions in emotional intimacy (i.e natural life stages, infidelity, divorce), couples navigating non-monogamous or polyamorous relationships, and individuals struggling with perfectionism, anxiety, and regulating their emotions.
Max utilizes a strength-based approach in his therapeutic work, crafting clear goals and objectives to serve as signposts for clients’ progress. He recognizes that various factors impact clients’ experience in the therapeutic process—including culture, gender, sexual dynamics, socioeconomic class, ability, race/ethnicity, etc.—and tailors strategies to meet the unique contextual needs of each client. With a collaborative and experiential approach, he helps clients identify and overcome barriers that have previously hindered their progress while nurturing a therapeutic relationship built upon trust, safety, and creativity.
Max received his Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations and Advertising from Chapman University. After working in the entertainment industry in Southern California, Max received his Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the Family Institute at Northwestern University. During his time at Northwestern, Max worked in research labs analyzing empirical data for clinical application; he also participated in community-led therapy programs, familiarizing himself with alternative modalities of therapy including movement and art therapy. Max is an international employee and has lived in Canada, Taiwan, and China before settling in Chicago.
Pronouns: he/him
Specialties: LGBTQIA-related issues • Men's Issues • Nonmonogamy/Polyamory • Immigrant related issues
Hannah Dailey, LMFT
Hannah is a licensed marriage and family therapist committed to working with individuals, couples, and families using a systemic and multicultural framework. Her clinical interests and specialties include issues related to mood, work with the LGBTQ+ community, grief and loss, relationship communication issues, life stage transitions and identity development, and trauma related to race, sexuality and gender.
Hannah utilizes a culturally informed, structural approach to therapy. Her collaborative style incorporates humor, compassion, and curiosity to help her clients reach the goals that effectively serve their unique identity, context, and environment. Ultimately, her work is rooted in the belief that all people are capable of change.
Hannah received a Bachelor’s degree in Family and Child Sciences with a minor in Psychology from Florida State University and a Master’s of Family Therapy from Mercer University. Her clinical work and research experience have included private practice and an integrated primary healthcare setting that emphasized a collaborative approach to overall health and wellness.
Pronouns: she/her
Specialties: Couples • Communication • New Parents • Intimacy
Priscilla De Llovio, LCPC, LMFT, CADC
Priscilla is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) committed to working with individuals, couples, and families. As part of her specialties and professional interests, Priscilla works with adults and couples experiencing relationship and intimacy issues, sexual difficulties or dysfunctions, pre-marital counseling, infidelity, trauma, anxiety, and depression.
Priscilla works with a holistic and client-centered approach, as she believes that a client’s environment strongly impacts their emotional, physical, and mental state. She helps couples and families to understand and respect one another, acknowledge, define and negotiate their differences, and resolve conflicts into safe, supportive, and healthier relationships. Priscilla focuses on a couples’ pattern of behavior and connection to one another, and uses their narrative to shape their communication of needs and develop a more emotionally supportive cycle in the relationship.
Priscilla earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in Puerto Rico and her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Adler University in Chicago. She has also completed the Certificate program at the University of Michigan/Sexual Health Certificate/Sex Therapy Certificate and is a certified PREPARE/ENRICH (premarital preparation program) facilitator. Priscilla is bilingual in Spanish and has experience treating individuals of multiple cultural backgrounds. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and friends, dancing ballet, running, and riding her bike around the city.
Pronouns: she/her
Intimacy • Mood Disorders • Communication • Substance Use
Natalie Dulin, ALMFT
Natalie is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist dedicated to working with individuals,
relationships, and families. Clinical interests include clients navigating grief and loss, anxiety, relationship challenges, identity development, and complex life transitions.
Natalie leads with warmth, empathy, and authenticity to foster a nonjudgmental therapeutic
space. Her direct approach weaves in humor, creativity, and curiosity to help her clients achieve their goals using various therapeutic models. Natalie strives for cultural humility in her practice while honoring her clients’ identities, strengths, and life experiences. Natalie empowers clients to deepen their self-understanding, communicate bravely, and reconnect with themselves and the important relationships in their lives. She believes that through a strong therapeutic relationship, therapy can foster healing and meaningful change.
Natalie received her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Psychological Services from Northwestern University. She received her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Family Institute at Northwestern University and received clinical training at the Bette D. Harris Family and Child Clinic. Natalie has additional experience facilitating trainings for early-stage and premarital couples to strengthen their emotional connection. When not engaging in clinical work, Natalie loves spending time outside biking or walking her dog, as well as engaging in various types of social justice advocacy.
Pronouns: she/her
Specialties: Grief & Loss • Couple/Family Conflict • Anxiety • Life Transitions
Jeffrey Kraft, LMFT
Jeffrey is a licensed marriage and family therapist committed to treating individuals, couples, and families. Jeffrey's clinical interests include working with couples around issues such as preparing for marriage, infidelity, betrayal and strenuous transitions in their relationship. He also holds extensive experience in treating those affected by anxiety, trauma and day-to-day stressors. Additionally, he holds a great interest in working with first responders, veterans and military families, and how their service has impacted their relationships with others.
Jeffrey came into the field to assist others in living a more fulfilled and meaningful life. Whether this includes internal struggles or issues with those important people in our lives, Jeffrey takes a caring and methodological approach when designing an individualized treatment for his clients. He enjoys incorporating a lighthearted and straightforward approach to help his clients feel both motivated and comfortable to produce change. He focuses on the strengths of each client and their relationships to produce long-standing change in their lives.
Jeffrey received his Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Drake University in Iowa. From there, Jeffrey attended St. Cloud State University in Minnesota to obtain his Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Additionally, he completed his Master’s thesis studying veterans’ intimate relationships and their families. Jeffrey is also an AAMFT Approved Supervisor for individual clinicians and is certified in PREPARE-ENRICH's Premarital Education program.
Pronouns: he/him
Specialties: Infidelity • Trauma • Relationships • Men's Issues
Casey Gamboni, PhD, LMFT
Casey is a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in working with sexual/gender minorities, siblings, and emerging adults. He integrates multiple therapeutic models to fit his clients’ needs—exploring the significant relationships in their lives and emphasizing the role that their individual strengths play in achieving their goals. Overall, Casey’s collaborative approach is designed to lift constraints and help his clients reclaim their identity.
Casey is passionate about all the ways sexuality, gender, culture, relationships, and systems influence one another. He recognizes that individuals with marginalized social identities experience unique health disparities and strives to recognize and respect everyone’s specific needs as they seek care. He also knows how to balance his clinical approach with empathy and humor to make his clients feel comfortable as they explore new perspectives on their lives.
Casey completed his Ph.D. in Couple and Family Therapy from the University of Iowa and received his master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the Family Institute at Northwestern University. He is an AAMFT-approved supervisor candidate with his certificate in college teaching from the University of Iowa. In addition to his work at Pinnacle, Casey is a professor at Northwestern University and Adler University graduate-level programs. His work has been referenced in national news outlets, and he has been featured on Good Morning America and The Daily Mail. His work is regularly published in numerous academic journals both nationally and internationally.
Pronouns: he/him
Specialties: Sexual/Gender Minorities • Sibling Relationships• Emerging Adults • Anxiety
Matt Garman, LMFT, LPC
Matt is a licensed marriage and family therapist who enjoys working with individuals, couples, families, and groups. His specialties include reducing anxiety, managing grief, and de-escalating anger. He also works with couples and singles around improving communication, rebuilding trust, increasing emotional connection, and goal setting in relationships. In addition, Matt runs a New Moms support group! Read more and sign up here.
Matt gives honest feedback, and uses warmth and humor while holding clients accountable in a safe and supportive environment. He helps his clients work toward their specific needs and to revisit the patterns in their lives. He pays attention to overlapping social and family systems, past and present, to better establish the future his clients want. Knowing that the quality of the partnership between therapist and client is the strongest indicator of success in counseling, Matt prioritizes client growth, strength, and trust.
Matt received his MA with honors in Couples and Family Therapy from Northeastern Illinois University. He was a therapist intern at UCAN Chicago, supporting families and individuals. Prior to becoming a therapist, Matt worked at multiple crisis intervention call centers, helping people get the resources to manage their immediate needs.
Pronouns: he/him
Specialities: Grief and Loss • Rebuilding Trust • Anger Management • Communication
Tyler Goldsberry, ALMFT
Tyler is an associate marriage and family therapist who specializes in working with couples, families, and individuals experiencing a variety of relational and emotional challenges. He is passionate about helping clients prepare for and navigate new transitions in their lives, such as marriage, parenthood, empty nesting, retirement, and end-of-life. He also enjoys helping individuals deepen their awareness of their identity and explore the impact of their trauma.
Therapy with Tyler looks different for each client, but his approach emphasizes mindfulness and personal strengths through the utilization of Narrative and Experiential therapies, which he practices through an anti-racist, culturally attuned, LGBTQIA+ affirming, Feminist, trauma-informed lens. His collaborative process establishes an environment in which clients feel safe and comfortable exploring their challenges to ultimately create lasting change in their lives.
Tyler received his Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Indiana University and his Master’s degree in Couple and Family Therapy from Purdue University Northwest. Tyler has received training in both Gottman Method Couples Therapy and Pragmatic Experiential Therapy for couples. He is also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).
Pronouns: he/him
Specialties: Life Transitions • End of Life/Terminal Illness • Trauma • Finding Meaning/Purpose
Crystal Grimsley, PLPC
Crystal is a licensed professional counselor committed to treating individuals, couples, and families. Her professional interests include treating children with emotional or behavioral issues, adults struggling with life transitions, co-parenting, family of origin dysfunction, couples’ issues, self-compassion, trauma, and anxiety.
Crystal uses a holistic and client-centered approach to collaboratively design and guide the therapeutic experience. Highly driven by mindfulness-based principles, sincerity, and humor, she strives to create a therapeutic climate that is safe, supportive, and culturally inclusive for all to pursue change. Crystal places high value in the art of introspection, thus transferring this skill to empower individuals, couples, and families to unapologetically embrace their unique journeys while simultaneously striving to evolve into healthier and more fulfilled versions of themselves.
Crystal received her Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. She received her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Webster University. Prior to joining Pinnacle Counseling, Crystal worked in an intensive outpatient therapy program where she provided therapeutic services to children and families struggling with severe behavioral and mental health challenges. She has extensive experience in trauma-informed care, positive parenting methodologies, and family system dysfunction. In addition to her clinical work, Crystal is in pursuit of attaining a PhD in Educational Psychology with an emphasis on childhood and adolescent development.
Pronouns: she/her
Specialties: Co-parenting • Self-Compassion • Trauma • Family of Origin • Infidelity
Sausha Gruca, ALMFT
Sausha is an associate marriage and family therapist committed to treating individuals, couples, and families. Sausha’s clinical interests include working with youth and their families ages 0-22, pre-marital couples, issues of spirituality and intellectual/developmental disabilities.
Sausha believes that the therapeutic relationship is one of the biggest indicators of change, which is why she strives to create a safe, warm space in which clients can feel seen and heard. She places importance on understanding a client’s context and meets them where they are in the therapeutic process. Once a relationship is established, she compassionately challenges and collaboratively works with clients to recognize and identify the constraints that might be hindering their goals. She works from an integrative, strength-based approach and empowers clients to reconstruct or create new narratives that bring about understanding, healing, meaning and a stronger sense of self. Sausha hopes to help clients realize that they are not defined by their struggles, but rather are human beings first and foremost.
Sausha received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of San Francisco, with a double minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies and Child and Youth Studies. She received her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Family Institute at Northwestern University. Prior to joining Pinnacle Counseling, Sausha worked at an interdisciplinary clinic that specialized in providing services to children, teens and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has extensive training in DIR/Floortime®Therapy, Social Skills group work, social/emotional challenges and familial, couple and sibling relational issues. Sausha has experience in treating clients of various cultural backgrounds, especially Spanish-speaking clients.
Pronouns: she/her
Specialties: Children and Adolescents • Developmental Disabilities • Pre-Marital • Emerging Adults
Vanessa Harper, ALMFT
Vanessa is an associate Marriage and Family Therapist dedicated to working with individuals, couples, relationships, and families. Her clinical interests include working with high-conflict systems, family-of-origin issues, self-esteem and identity development, infidelity, sexual difficulties or dysfunctions, and race-related trauma.
Using a collaborative and strengths-based approach, Vanessa tailors her work to meet each client's specific needs. She utilizes a systemic lens and considers interpersonal and intrapersonal factors that contribute to the challenges clients experience. Vanessa balances humor and empathy in her sessions, striving to meet clients where they are with warmth and curiosity. She hopes to gently challenge and empower clients along their learning, unlearning, and self-exploration journey.
Vanessa received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Loyola University of Chicago and her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Family Institute at Northwestern University. During her time at Northwestern, Vanessa actively participated in the Community Outreach program and the Project Strengthen program working with clients who struggled with trauma, inter-partner violence, and relational abuse. These programs inspired Vanessa's interest in various forms of therapy, including music, art, and dance therapy interventions.
Pronouns: she/her
Specialties: Family of Origin • Infidelity • Intimacy • Race-Related Trauma • Self-Esteem/Identity Development
Nia Henderson, ALMFT
Nia is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist committed to working with children, adults, and families. She is passionate about helping people navigate romantic/platonic relationships and address individual/interpersonal challenges related to trauma. Other clinical interests include racial and gender identity, self-esteem, family of origin, depression, anxiety, family dynamics, and life transitions.
Nia believes that safety, choice, empowerment, and collaboration are the foundation for a productive therapeutic experience. She strives to be non-judgmental, affirming, and lovingly challenging in her work, often weaving in humor, imagination, and artistic expression. Her creative and integrative approach draws on various therapeutic models to honor her client’s inner strengths and intersectional identities, while aligning with their present needs and therapeutic goals. She is dedicated to assisting her clients down an introspective path to foster a deeper understanding of all parts of themselves, helping them cultivate meaningful relationships, balance, pleasure, and joy.
Nia received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Puget Sound (minors in Neuroscience and African American Studies). She received her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the Family Institute at Northwestern University. During her time at Northwestern, she received extensive clinical training at the Bette D. Harris Family and Child Clinic and the Community Outreach program working with people from historically marginalized groups. She is a Fellow in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Minority Fellowship Program, receiving specialized training in working with children, adolescents, and youth in transition to adulthood who are navigating co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges. Beyond her clinical work, Nia loves visual art, creating new recipes, and writing poetry.
Pronouns: she/her
Specialties: Couples • Children • Family Relationships• Trauma• LGBTQIA+
Melanie Macatee, LSW
Melanie is a licensed social worker (LSW) that works with individuals, relationships, and families experiencing a wide range of issues. Her clinical interests include identity development, life transitions, mood disorders, trauma, and self-esteem issues. She also has a particular interest in working with LGBTQ+ populations and individuals in close, personal relationships with identified members of these populations.
Melanie engages with clients through a culturally-informed lens and actively works to understand the specific context they experience in their daily lives. Her therapeutic approach is grounded in genuine curiosity and warmth to create a non-judgmental and open space where clients can find healing and growth.
Melanie received her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Baylor University, and her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Denver. Melanie is also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).
Pronouns: she/her
Specialties: LGBTQIA+ • Anxiety • Trauma • Life Transitions
Jessica Miro, LMFT
Jessica is a licensed marriage and family therapist committed to treating individuals, couples, and families. Her clinical interests lie in treating couples’ issues in periods of transition (preparing for marriage, parenthood, or divorce), perfectionism, loss, and issues related to family business relationships or entrepreneurship.
Jessica uses a systemic and strengths-based approach in working with clients and the relationships they have in their lives. Using an integrative model of change, she highlights the strengths of different theories to fit the client’s identified needs. She believes there are constraints in a client’s life that impedes his or her ability to identify and reach goals. Using this perspective, she is able to begin on a behavioral level to work on changes in action, and if the client continues to feel stuck, the treatment continues to address cognitions and underlying emotions, to identify where progress is constrained.
Jessica is both a nurturing and direct therapist, displaying patience with the process of treatment and providing a safe and secure relationship with which clients can process their vulnerabilities. With a client’s aspirations in mind, she holds him or her accountable for the change they desire and moves with them on their path to achieving their goals.
Jessica received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Rochester with a thesis focus on close relationships. She received her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the Family Institute at Northwestern University. She has extensive training in crisis intervention, clinical and research experience regarding manifestations of trauma in children and adults, experience in couples’ issues (particularly regarding marriage prep, infidelity, loss, and infertility), and family relationships across generations in the context of a business environment. In addition to her clinical work, Jessica pursues her interests in supervision and clinical training as an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, and as a member of the group supervising faculty for the MSMFT program at Northwestern University.
Pronouns: she/her
Specialties: Premarital • Parenting • Infertility • Entrepreneurs
Austin Ross, ALMFT
Austin is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist committed to working with couples, individuals, and families. Austin’s clinical interests include working with couples navigating issues such as life transitions, co-parenting, infidelity, relationship maintenance, and intimacy. He also specializes in working with fathers and young men facing the challenges of understanding their identities and emotions.
Austin is passionate about helping people live happier, more meaningful lives. He customizes his approach for all his clients and designs unique treatment plans that motivate them to implement and maintain the desired change in their lives.
Austin received his Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Texas Tech University, where he also served as President of the Council for Family Relations. Austin received his Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the Family Institute at Northwestern University.
Pronouns: he/him
Specialties: Couples • Men’s Issues • Family of Origin • Communication
Gianna Saviano, LMFT
Gianna is a licensed marriage and family therapist committed to working with couples, individuals, and families. Some of Gianna’s clinical interests include relationship and intimacy issues, sexual difficulties or dysfunctions, infidelity, family of origin issues, and women’s issues.
Gianna works with an integrative and strengths-based approach, while incorporating mindfulness and holistic principles. Gianna believes therapy is a collaborative process between herself and her clients. She uses a warm, directive, and authentic approach to create a safe and supportive environment that invites clients to build insight and achieve balance. She empowers clients to accomplish their goals, while utilizing their strengths for change. Gianna strives to be a source of motivation and commitment for clients as they navigate the ebb and flow of life.
Gianna received her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Indiana-Bloomington, with a double minor in Psychology and Human Sexuality. She received her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Family Institute at Northwestern University with extensive clinical training in integrative and systemic models at the Bette D. Harris Family and Child Clinic. Gianna is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, and in addition to her clinical training, she is certified in Yoga-Informed Psychotherapy training.
Pronouns: she/her
Specialties: Anxiety • Intimacy • Mindfulness • Self-Esteem
Zubia Siddiqui, NCC, LPC
Zubia is a Licensed Professional Counselor committed to working with individuals, couples, and families. Her clinical interests include working with adults and adolescents who have experienced intimate partner violence, anxiety, depression, trauma, infidelity, self-esteem, and life transitions. She is committed to social justice advocacy and is trauma-informed, sex-positive, and proudly welcomes and affirms all who identify as LGBTQIA+
Zubia utilizes a therapeutic approach that is conversational, collaborative, and holistic. She draws on evidence-based insights from Solutions-Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and incorporates psychodynamic methodology when/where appropriate. She also promotes the use of meditation and breathwork to help clients with their self-care and healing process. Overall, she is passionate about helping clients tap into their own unique power and agency to create sustainable change and improve their quality of life.
Zubia has a Bachelor’s degree from Loyola University Chicago (Summa Cum Laude) and a Master’s Degree from Northwestern University (with Academic Distinction) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with an emphasis in Children and Adolescents. She is fluent in Urdu and Hindi and has worked in community mental health settings and as a crisis text line counselor. She is also certified in Psychological First Aid Training.
Pronouns: she/her
Specialties: Emerging Adults • Trauma • Self-Esteem • Life Transitions
Alana Stramowski, LPC Candidate, NCC
Alana is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Candidate who works with individuals and couples navigating anxiety disorders, life transitions, relationship concerns in all spheres of functioning, complex family dynamics, and grief. She strives to help her clients expand their understanding of how community and relationships intersect with their emotional well-being.
Alana approaches therapy from a trauma-informed, integrative relational lens that utilizes existential and psychodynamic theories as well as feminist and systems-based theories. Sessions with Alana may focus on exploring clients’ past experiences to build insight and support meaning-making and authenticity for the future. With patience and empathy, she helps guide them toward a harmonious relationship between the past, present, and future—holding them accountable as they work toward long-lasting, meaningful change.
Alana received her B.A. in Journalism from Columbia College Chicago and her M.A. with Academic Distinction in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Roosevelt University. Alana has also completed Level 1 and Level 2 training in The Gottman Method for couples counseling. Prior to her mental health career, Alana worked as a writer and editor for organizations throughout Chicago.
Pronouns: she/her
Specialties: Complex Relationship Dynamics • Transitions • Couples
Kamille Thompson, ALMFT
Kamille is an associate marriage and family therapist committed to providing therapy to couples, families, and individuals. Some of Kamille’s clinical interests include working with high-conflict couples, socio-cultural issues, trauma, high-achieving minorities, and identity development.
Kamille uses an integrative and collaborative approach, and tailors her work to each client’s specific needs and goals in the context of their life. She believes that through the client’s will to change and through cultivating a strong therapeutic relationship, therapy can catalyze effective and beautiful change. Kamille is warm and direct, uses humor in her sessions, and embraces complexity. Kamille values and strives for culturally-sensitive, responsive, and humble therapy.
Kamille received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Southern Adventist University in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Family Institute at Northwestern University. She is also an avid traveler has lived and studied in Argentina for one year to learn Spanish. In addition to her extensive training, she is certified in PREPARE-ENRICH’s premarital educational program.
Pronouns: she/her
Specialties: Socio-Cultural Stress • Couple Conflict • Identity • Trauma
Rolando Torres, LPC
Rolando is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) committed to treating individuals, couples, and families through a systems and multicultural lens. His clinical interests include working with adolescents and their families, along with adults struggling with stages of life transitions, couple and family conflict, anxiety, and depression. Other clinical interests include working with the LGBTQIA+ community, racial and gender identity, trauma, grief and loss, and stressors related to health and wellness.
Rolando utilizes a client-centered, strength-based, and holistic approach, meeting clients where they are to collaboratively build a pathway towards sustainable change and improved well-being. He creates a therapeutic space built on compassion, peace, and motivation, and is engaging and open with clients as he explores their experiences, relationships, identity, change, and life challenges. In all his clinical sessions, he wants his clients to be seen, heard, and empowered, as he guides them toward becoming more intentional while living a life that aligns with their values.
Rolando received his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology from Baylor University. He received his master’s degree from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a concentration in Health Psychology. While at the Chicago School, he gained additional training in the application of psychological and counseling principles to treat problems related to health and illness. Prior to joining Pinnacle Counseling, Rolando worked at a community health medical center where he served clients of a wide age range and treated a variety of diagnoses. Additionally, Rolando worked with community health clients around prevention, adjustment, and management of difficulties related to health problems across the lifespan. Rolando is trauma-informed and has training in crisis intervention and crisis prevention. Rolando is bilingual in Spanish and has experience treating individuals of various cultural backgrounds. He is also currently getting certified in sex therapy.
Pronouns: he/him
Specialties: Anxiety • Life Transitions • Health Psychology • Emerging Adults • LGBTQIA+ • Sex Therapy
K'Nya Trimble, ALMFT
K’Nya is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist committed to providing therapy to individuals, couples, and families. She is passionate about helping people navigate the nuances of life’s challenges and has a particular affinity for women struggling with life purpose, self-esteem, and self-confidence. Other clinical interests include life transitions, career paths, military families, trauma, grief/loss, conflict, family of origin/childhood dilemmas, and (as a self-identified Christian) helping clients who wish to incorporate their religion into their therapy.
K’Nya’s therapeutic approach is both collaborative and strength-based. She is dedicated to facilitating a space where her clients feel heard and encouraged to do the work—often filling her session with both warm laughter and words of empowerment. She also knows how to pinpoint exactly where to begin the therapeutic work to help her clients understand the nature of their dilemmas prior to intervening and offering solutions.
K’Nya received her Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University (Family and Child Sciences/Psychology) and her Master’s degree from Valdosta State University (Marriage and Family Therapy). K’Nya’s previous clinical work involved working with couples using the Pragmatic Experiential Therapy for Couples (PET-C) approach.
Pronouns: she/her
Specialties: Life Purpose • Grief/ Loss • Trauma • Communication
Natalie Underway, LMFT
Natalie is a licensed marriage and family therapist committed to working with individuals, couples, and families. Some of her clinical interests include managing life transitions, relationship issues, working through family of origin, trauma, and bereavement experiences, improving self-esteem, and working with those impacted by chronic medical issues, mental illness, or disabilities in their family system.
Natalie’s approach is integrative and direct, tailoring treatment to meet collaboratively-defined goals and needs. She incorporates warmth, genuineness, and humor into her work, aiming to create a space where diverse client systems feel comfortable engaging in critical thinking and introspection. Natalie believes in the importance of integrating past and present experiences, helping clients feel strengthened and more satisfied both individually and in relationships with others. She helps clients access greater understanding and resiliency to create long-standing, meaningful change.
Natalie received her Bachelor's degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and her Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the Family Institute at Northwestern University. In addition to her extensive clinical training, Natalie has many years of experience working with couples, families, and individuals affected by autism. Natalie is also an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, serving as an Individual Supervisor for Pinnacle and the MSMFT program at Northwestern University.
Pronouns: she/her
Specialties: Women’s Issues • Self-Esteem • Family of Origin • Transitions
DJ Watson, LMFT
DJ is a licensed marriage and family therapist whose clinical interests include couples/family conflict, social and cultural stressors, anxiety, depression, trauma, and meaning making.
DJ uses an integrated, person-centered approach that draws upon CBT, Gottman, and Narrative Therapy techniques. He uses these techniques to identify skills, build upon strengths, and reduce negative symptoms. DJ understands that therapy is most successful when there is mutual respect and trust between the therapist and client. He has successfully worked with families, teens, and adults from diverse sexual orientations, ethnicities, cultures, and religious backgrounds. DJ blends humor, knowledge, passion, and compassion to help couples, families, and individuals in an ever changing world.
DJ received his B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Central Arkansas. He earned his M.A. (with honors) in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northeastern Illinois University. Prior to joining Pinnacle, DJ worked as an outpatient clinical counselor treating couples, families, and individuals who struggled with anxiety, depression, anger management, sexuality and gender, substance use, grief, and PTSD. DJ also has extensive knowledge in the fields of secondary education and college readiness.
Pronouns: he/him/they
Specialties: Emerging Adults • Social-Cultural Stressors • Couple and Family Conflict • Mood Disorders
Sowmya Warrier, ALMFT
Sowmya is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who is passionate about working with individuals, couples, families, and adolescents. She is passionate about supporting clients as they navigate life transitions, experiences of trauma, difficult family relationships, or anxiety and socio-cultural stressors.
Sowmya’s approach to therapy is collaborative and strength-focused. She strongly values the relationship between client and therapist, and sees it as a key aspect to driving growth and change. Sowmya brings warmth and humor into the therapy room and often uses art to facilitate exploration and expression. Being an immigrant herself, she understands the complexity of identities and is mindful of a client’s context. She is empathic and leads with curiosity in supporting her clients as they deepen their understanding of themselves. As clients end therapy, Sowmya strives to rekindle a renewed sense of hope and belief in their own abilities.
Sowmya received her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Family Institute at Northwestern University. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s in Clinical Psychology from reputed institutions in India. Prior to moving to the US, Sowmya worked as a school counselor. She also co-founded a not-for-profit that aimed at making culturally appropriate mental health resources available to populations in need. Sowmya is also fluent in Hindi.
Pronouns: she/her
Specialties: Trauma • Socio-Cultural Stress • Anxiety • Life Transitions