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Counseling Staff
To help you get better acquainted with our counseling staff, we have provided a brief biographical sketch of each of our counselors and their areas of interest or expertise.
Samaritan Interfaith's counselors, graduates of clinical residency training
programs, are educated both academically and clinically to combine
theological insight and concern with the theory and skills of the
behavioral sciences. Professional staff include Licensed Clinical
Psychologists, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed
Clinical Social Workers, and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors.
Our professional staff are credentialed by the American Association of
Pastoral Counselors, the American Association for Marriage and Family
Therapy, the American Association of Christian Counselors, the American
Counseling Association, the National Registry of Group Psychotherapists,
and the Institute for Imago Relationship Therapy, among others.
For more information about our counseling staff, please call us at 630-357-2456.
Rev. Scott Mitchell,
Psy.D., Executive Director
 Rev. Scott Mitchell is a Licensed Clinical
Psychologist and is a Fellow of
the American Assoc. of Pastoral
Counselors. He holds a Doctorate in
Clinical Psychology from
the Illinois School of Professional Psychology.
He completed
his clinical residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Institute of Psychiatry with special training at the Family
Institute of
Chicago. Dr. Mitchell has special interest in
working with couples and
in individual assessment and psychological
testing. He also specializes
in working with persons suffering
anxiety disorders, grief reactions, post-
traumatic stress,
and with individuals in in-depth psychotherapy. In
addition,
he has interest and experience in consulting with congregations.
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Jane Ward Carlton,
M.Div., MSMFT
Jane Ward Carlton holds a Master of Science
in Marital and Family Therapy from Northwestern University
and completed clinical training at The Family Institute in
Evanston, IL. She also holds a Masters in Divinity
from Princeton Theological Seminary. She is an associate
member of the American Association for Marriage and Family
Therapy and is trained in premarital counseling utilitizing
Prepare/Enrich. Jane provides counseling for individuals,
couples and families experiencing a broad range of issues,
including survivors of childhood abuse, trauma, violence
and loss, couples experiencing communication and intimacy
difficulties, parent-child relationships and individuals
exploring spiritual issues. Jane also works with Stephen
Ministries in the church.
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Malinda Dobyne, LCSW
 Malinda Dobyne is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and holds a
Masters of Social Work from Florida State University. Malinda has
worked 16 years in the mental and behavioral health field providing
services to children, youth, adults, couples, and families. Though her
interest is working with older adolescents and young adults with
making the transition to adulthood, she also enjoys working with adults
and couples. She has the impeccable skill of rapidly engaging clients
in the therapeutic process through understanding and compassion.
Her counseling style utilizes many techniques to help the client
achieve emotional and life balance through self-empowerment. She conducts her therapy sessions in a warm, non-judgmental, and confidential environment.
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Todd DuBose,
M.Div., Ph.D.
Todd DuBose holds a Masters of Divinity from
Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He trained
as a chaplain at Bellevue Hospital, and as a pastoral psychotherapist,
marriage and family therapist, and group therapist at the
Blanton-Peale Graduate Institute, also in New York City. He
received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Duquesne University
in Pittsburgh and is a Diplomat with the College of Pastoral
Supervision and Psychotherapy. Dr.
DuBose is also an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the
Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Dr. DuBose
provides individual, couple, family, group and play therapy
and enjoys working with individuals across the life span
with a particular focus on families under extreme stress.
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Joan Guest, MSW, LCSW
 Joan holds a Masters of Social Work from George Williams College of Social Work at Aurora University, and her Bachelor's Degree in
philosopy from Gordon College in Massachusetts. She has done post-
graduate work in geriatric social work and is a certified marital therapist
with the Institute for Imago Relationship Therapy. Joan specializes in
working with couples to reduce conflict and enhance positive interactions.
She also enjoys working with seniors, engaged couples, young women
dealing with life transitions, and caregivers of older adults. |
Monica Guilhot,
LCSW
Monica Guilhot is a bilingual (Spanish/English)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She holds a Masters of Social Work from the University of Minnesota. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers. Monica specializes
in mood disorders, domestic violence, and trauma issues. She
has worked with individuals, couples, and families. She also enjoys working with older adults, particularly on issues related to unresolved grief and loss, as well as life role transitions. Monica
has extensive experience working with the Latino community. Other
areas of interest include blended families and cross-cultural
matters.
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Steve Hess, MA,
LCPC.
Steve Hess is a Licensed Clinical Professional
Counselor. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Counseling
Psychology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in
Deerfield, Illinois. He is a member of the American Association
of Marriage and Family Therapists. Steve specializes
in working with parents, children and adolescents who
are coping with ADHD, divorce adjustment, anger, depression
and anxiety. Other areas of interest include chemical
dependency, cultural, family and men's issues.
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Thor Johansen, Psy.D.
 Thor Johansen is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. He received his
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Adler School of Professional
Psychology. He is a member of the American Psychological Association
and the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. Dr.
Johansen provides therapy to children, adolescents, and adults. He
specializes in working with children and adolescents suffering with
depression, anger problems, and trauma. He is particularly
interested in anxiety and stress and often uses hynosis as part of his
treatment of these conditions. Dr. Johansen has published
several professional articles on topics such as misbehavior in children, psychotherapy,
hypnosis, and religion. In addition to providing psychotherapy, Dr. Johansen conducts psychological testing for children and teens.
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Sister Pat Kolas,
LCPC, LMFT
Sister Pat is a Licensed Clinical Professional
Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She
has a commitment to work with individuals dealing with
serious mental health problems such as depression, and
anxiety. In addition, she assists couples and families
with relationship and/or spiritual issues. Another
interest is working with those in AA, AlAnon, and Adult
Children of Alcoholics.
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Gail Meyer, LCSW
 Gail Meyer is a Licensed Clinical Social
Worker. She holds a Masters
of Social Work from the Jane
Addams School of Social Work at the
University of Illinois,
Chicago, and has completed post-graduate work
in Marriage and Family Therapy at Northern Illinois University. She
is
on the National Registry of Group Psychotherapists,
and completed a
two-year program for Spiritual Direction
with the Shalem Institute,
Bethesda, MD. Special interests
include work with families affected by
chemical dependency, women in transition and spiritual deepening.
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Rev. Howard Milkman, Ph.D., LCPC
Dr. Milkman has forty years of experience as a parish pastor. He is a
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Fellow of the American
Association of Pastoral Counselors. Howard's special interests are
treating depression and anxiety, marriage and family therapy, gender
issues, and spirituality and health.
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Tracy Nitta Takeda,
MA, LCPC
 Tracy Nitta Takeda is a Licensed Clinical
Professional Counselor. She
holds a Masters of Clinical
Psychology from Wheaton College, in
Wheaton, Illinois.
She is a member of the American Association of
Christian
Counselors and the American Counseling Association. She
also belongs to the Association for Play Therapy. Tracy
specializes in
working with children and adolescents
with emotional and behavioral
difficulties in areas such
as anger, self-esteem, depression and
coping and social
skills. Other areas of interest include working with
family, cultural and women's issues.
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Amy Padron, MS, LMFT
 Amy Padron is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and is a
clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and
Family Therapy. She holds a Master of Science in Marital and
Family Therapy from Northwestern University and completed her
clinical training at The Family Institute in Evanston, IL. Amy
enjoys working with individuals, couples and families experiencing
a wide range of issues. She specializes in parent-child
relationships, divorce adjustment, adolescents with behavioral
and/or emotional issues, as well as individuals experiencing issues around anger, self-esteem, loss, depression and anxiety. Other areas of interest include working with couples encountering issues around communication, intimacy and/or parenting.
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Mark Pedigo, M. Div,
LCSW
 Mark Pedigo is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, with a Masters of
Social Work from Jane Addams School of Social Work at the University
of Illinois, Chicago. He has a Masters of Divinity from North Park
Theological Seminary, Chicago, and completed a clinical training
program in Pastoral Counseling at the Center for Religion and
Psychotherapy of Chicago. Mark has experience and interest in working
with individuals and couples experiencing conflict, stress, depression,
and anxiety. Mark is a Certified Therapist with the Institute for Imago
Relationship Therapy, a model for couples relationship therapy, where he is a clinical member.
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Kenneth Potts,
MS, D. Min.
 Kenneth Potts is a Licensed Clinical Professional
Counselor and
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
He is a Clinical Member and
Approved Supervisor of the
American Assoc. for Marriage and Family
Therapy and a Fellow of the American Assoc. of Pastoral Counselors.
He holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology
from
George Williams College and a Doctor of Ministry
degree in Marriage
and Family Therapy from Chicago Theological
Seminary. Dr. Potts
provides individual, couple, and
family therapy, with special interest in
the areas of divorce adjustment, remarriage, blended families, psychological issuesrelated to physical health, and working with church professionals
and their families. He also provides educational experiences and consultation to churches and their staffs. |
Blaine Rader,
M.Ed., M.Div., M.S.A., Ph.D.
Blaine Rader has a diverse background in pastoral counseling, parish ministry, and college/ university teaching. He is a licensed clinical psychologist (Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin) and a licensed marriage and family therapist (Michigan and Wisconsin). He is a Diplomate of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and a Clinical Member and Approved Supervisor of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Dr. Rader provides training and supervision for clergy and mental health professionals. He offers and supervises consultation for churches and not-for-profit organizations. Group conflict, team building, executive coaching, and strategic planning are his special interests. |
Nancy Sayer,
MS, LCPC
Nancy Sayer is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. She holds a Masters of Science in Education in Counseling and Guidance from Indiana University, and belongs to the American Counseling Association,, the American Mental Health Counselors Association., and the American Christian Counselors Association. She has done extensive work with couples in the areas of communication, conflict resolution, and parenting issues. She also does premarital counseling and is trained in the Prepare/Enrich program. She has extensive experience running retreats, workshops and programs focusing on women's spiritual growth, premarital preparation, marriage enrichment, teambuilding and parenting issues.
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Charlene Slezak,
Psy D
Charlene Slezak worked
for several years as a special education teacher prior
to pursuing her doctoral degree in clinical psychology
from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. Having
worked in settings such as a child and adolescent guidance
center, a residential treatment center, and a psychiatric
outpatient clinic, she has considerable experience working
with children and their parents. Dr. Slezak performs
psychological testing for children ages six months to
16 years of age, and she has specialized training to
work with children who experience sensory processing
difficulties and developmental delays. In addition
to working with children, Dr. Slezak enjoys working with
adults and couples.
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Shelly Zabielski, BSN, MAT, LPC
 Shelly Zabielski is a Licensed Professional Counselor who holds a
M.S. in Clinical Psychology from Benedictine University, a M.A. in teaching
from National Louis University and a B.S. in nursing from Northern Illinois
University. She has taught in a suburban elementary district for 15 years
and worked as a Registered Nurse for 7 years. She is currently
participating in the SICC Pastoral Counseling Residency. Shelly works
with clients on challenges related to life-changing illness, chronic health
issues, grief and loss. She can assist with educational and behavioral
issues. Shelly provides individual, adult, family and group counseling,
as well as working with children and adolescents. She also provides psycho-educational presentations to the public.
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