BOARD OF DIRECTORS

David Friedman
David Friedman is a Principal at Bridgewell
Partners, a Chicago-based company that
provides consulting and training aimed
at helping companies improve important
business relationships.

Martha Heineman Pieper, Ph.D.
Dr. Martha Heineman Pieper is an author
and psychotherapist in private practice
in Chicago. She also provides
consultation to mental health professionals
and agencies that work with children.

Richard H. Sanders
Richard H. Sanders is a senior partner
at Vedder, Price, Kaufman and Kammholz.
He is also legal counsel to a broad range
of health care providers.

Katherine L. Knight, Ph.D.
Dr. Katherine L. Knight is Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. She teaches immunology and microbiology to medical and graduate students and performs NIH-sponsored research in immunology. She has mentored numerous Ph.D. graduate students and has also served on multiple advisory groups for the NIH.

PROGRAM ADVISORY BOARD

Emily B. Carroll, LCSW
Emily B. Carroll is Clinical Supervisor
at Juvenile Protective Association.

Walter D. Miller, LCSW
Walter D. Miller is a psychotherapist
in private practice treating children and
adults. He also provides consultation
and supervision to other practitioners.

Mark L. Steinberg, Ph.D.
Dr. Mark L. Steinberg is a psychotherapist
in private practice in Chicago. He also
provides consultation and supervision to
other mental health professionals

DIRECTORS

Carolyn Stolper Friedman, MA

Executive Director
Ms. Carolyn Friedman has over 25 years experience in the non-profit field as an executive and as a consultant. Ms. Friedman, a parent herself, has taught and spoken frequently on the topic of parenting both to parent groups and in agency settings. She is a published author of a popular book in the non-profit field and was a founding member of the editorial board of Illinois Child Welfare, a professional journal.

Carla B. Fick, Psy.D.

Director of Clinical Services
Dr. Carla Fick is a clinical psychologist with over 15 years clinical experience working with children, families and adults and also has experience directing an outpatient, non-profit counseling agency. She is an Assistant Professor at Loyola University Medical Center in the Department of Psychiatry, where she runs a child therapy clinic. Dr. Fick also teaches child development to psychiatry residents and supervises doctoral level psychology students in child and adolescent therapy.

PROFESSIONALS

Stephen Budde, Ph.D., LCSW

Dr. Stephen Budde is a psychotherapist who has over 20 years experience in child welfare as a clinical social worker, researcher, teacher, and administrator. He has had extensive experience as a Senior Researcher and Assistant Professor at Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago and a Lecturer at the University’s School of Social Service Administration (SSA).

Margo Murvay, LCSW

Ms. Margo Murvay is a psychotherapist with clinical experience in a broad range of mental health concerns, including substance abuse and addictions, in a variety of settings. She also has extensive experience helping young adults with special needs and disabilities, focusing on linking them to meaningful employment opportunities.

Angela Hunsicker, LCSW

Ms. Angela Hunsicker is a psychotherapist who is also an experienced parent coach and educator leading child development classes in a range of settings. She also holds a type #73 certificate in School Social Work and has extensive experience in special education working with children with special needs and consulting with professional school staff.

Ilinka Novakovic, LCSW

Ms. Ilinka Novakovic is a psychotherapist, parent educator and coach who has extensive experience both writing and presenting child development seminars and courses to parents and professionals. She has worked in several outpatient mental health agencies providing psychotherapy to children, adolescents and adults.

Carol Johnson, LCSW

Ms. Carol Johnson is a psychotherapist with 20 years of clinical experience with children, teens, families, and adults. She also has extensive experience as a consultant to parents and other caregivers and professionals on the developmental needs of children, play therapy and with school issues. She also has helped school staffs develop a more caregiving environment. She was a teacher and school social worker in elementary schools, and an adjunct professor at Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work. She currently is a play therapist and consultant in an Easter Seals Head Start program in Chicago.

Annemarie Slobig, Psy. D.

Dr. Annemarie Slobig is a clinical psychologist with over 15 years clinical experience working with individuals and families, focusing on enhancing parent child relationships. She is also Dean of Clinical Psychology at Argosy University, Chicago Campus (formerly Illinois School of Professional Psychology) where she supports the development of psychologists in training.

Sara Johnson, Ph.D., LCSW

Dr. Sara Johnson is a psychotherapist with over 10 years of clinical experience. She has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of settings including: a child welfare agency, a therapeutic day school, a substance abuse program, and outpatient counseling centers. Dr. Johnson also has extensive experience coordinating and evaluating services for children and families in the foster care system, as well as providing supportive services to individuals with special needs and disabilities.

Tamara T. Garrity, Psy. D.

Dr. Tamara Garrity is a bilingual Spanish-speaking clinical psychologist with over ten years experience as a clinician. She has worked with children, adolescents, adults and families in a variety of settings including treatment of eating disorders, trauma and self-harm behaviors. Dr. Garrity is also on the allied staff at Linden Oaks at Edwards Hospital.

Danielle Principato, Psy. D.

Dr. Danielle Principato is a post-doctoral fellow receiving training at Smart Love Family Services to complete her licensure as a clinical psychologist. She recently received her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Chicago. Her clinical experience includes working with children, adolescents, adults, and families in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She has helped children and families with emotional, behavioral, and learning issues through psychological assessment, individual and family therapy, and parent consultation.

Amy Thompson, Psy. D.

Dr. Amy Thompson is a clinical psychologist as well as the Clinical and Outreach Coordinator at Smart Love Family Services. She completed both her master’s and doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is experienced in providing therapeutic services to children, adolescents, parents, and adults in a broad range of settings including community based, outpatient settings and therapeutic day schools. In addition, Dr. Thompson has experience in providing psycho-diagnostic assessments and facilitating therapy groups with children and adolescents.

Michael Zakalik, Psy. D.

Dr. Michael Zakalik is a post-doctoral fellow receiving training at Smart Love Family Services to complete his licensure as a clinical psychologist. He recently received his Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in child and adolescent from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University. Before graduate school, Michael gained extensive experience working with at-risk children and adolescents within a residential facility, a therapeutic day school, and an inpatient psychiatric hospital. Additionally, he has developed therapy skills working with adults from diverse backgrounds in an outpatient setting. Dr. Zakalik has an interest in parent education and has completed research in developing an effective parent education video program.

Sara Stone, Psy. D.

Dr. Sara Stone is a Clinical Psychologist with over 6 years of supervised clinical training working with individuals, couples and families in outpatient hospital and community clinic settings, as well as children and adolescents in school. A Chicago native, Sara received her doctorate at The Wright Institute, Berkeley, California. Dr. Stone has interests in and experience with helping couples improve their intimacy and communication, working with parents to improve parenting, and helping individuals explore issues related to identity, gender and sexual orientation.

Amanda Beedy, LCSW

Ms. Amanda Beedy is a licensed clinical social worker with experience providing therapeutic services to children, adolescents, adults and families. She has worked in a variety of settings including a community-based mental health program, a pediatric medical facility, a day treatment program and public schools. Amanda has extensive experience helping children and adults impacted by violence, trauma, grief and loss

Kathy Rake, LSW

Ms. Kathy Rake is a Licensed Social Worker with clinical experience working with children, adolescents, parents and adults. She received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago. She has experience working with a broad range of mental health issues, including anxiety, trauma and domestic violence in a variety of community based, outpatient settings. In addition, she has extensive experience providing therapeutic services to at-risk youth, as well as facilitating therapy groups for adolescents.

Adam Shafer, M.A.

Adam Shafer is a master’s level therapist and psychology intern working toward his doctorate in clinical psychology (Psy.D.) at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology (Argosy University, Chicago). A Chicago native, Adam recently completed his psychotherapy training at the Institute for Juvenile Research in the Disruptive Behaviors Clinic at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Mr. Shafer’s previous clinical experience includes working with older adolescents and adults with dual psychological and substance abuse concerns. Additionally, he began his training as a therapist helping a diverse and underserved population at a not-for-profit organization in Chicago. Mr. Shafer is currently finishing his clinical research project on the relationship between athletic identity and mood profiles in retired Division I athletes

Caroline Burdett, MA Candidate

Caroline Burdett is a psychotherapist in training, working towards her M.A. in Clinical Social Work at the University of Chicago. Ms. Burdett studied art and music during her undergraduate career and has several years of experience caring for and providing music instruction to children and adolescents. Her previous experience includes working with homeless women providing case management, including facilitating linkages to financial, educational, and medical resources as well as providing interpersonal support and assistance on a weekly basis. In addition, Ms. Burdett conducted intake assessments to evaluate the needs of clients and match them with necessary and appropriate resources. Ms. Burdett has also participated in an intensive tutoring and mentoring program for at-risk youth in Chicago, providing instruction and social support to assist youth in meeting educational and personal goals

Andrea Cohen, M.A.

Andrea Cohen is a master’s level therapist and psychology intern, working towards her doctorate in clinical psychology (Psy.D.) at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University (Chicago). Ms. Cohen has a wide range of clinical experience, which includes providing services to at-risk children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders. She has also worked with adults seeking treatment for a variety of clinical concerns, as well as provided psychotherapy and psycho-diagnostic evaluations to individuals of all ages in a medical setting. Ms. Cohen’s research interests include examining the positive role of relationships in psychological wellbeing. She is currently exploring these benefits across the life span with specific attention to areas of diversity.

Megan Gierhart, Psy. D.

Dr. Megan Gierhart is a psychotherapist with clinical experience in a broad range of presenting concerns. She has worked with children, adolescents, adults, and couples in a variety of settings. She served as a behavioral consultant for children and their families to help them establish healthy social behaviors in school and home settings. She has worked extensively with young adults to help them manage their mental health concerns while achieving successful academic and social pursuits. Dr. Gierhart is an Adjunct Faculty member at Argosy University, Chicago where she teaches psychology courses. She received her Doctorate of Psychology degree from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology of Argosy University, Chicago.