4614 Main Street, Suite 2, Lisle IL 60532
2712 Forgue Drive, Unit 112, Naperville IL 60564
Meet The Team
I am Patty Dirilten LCSW, CADC, Clinical Director and certified EMDR therapist. I am the owner of The Center for Insight and Connection. I have been helping others for over half of my life. My specialties are addiction, trauma, and first-responder behavioral health. I love using EMDR to help my clients experience change, and you can too!
My clients tell me that our sessions feel genuine and supportive. I am a passionate individual and this comes through in my sessions. I believe in working hard to help people get to where they want to be.
You rarely make time to prioritize yourself. Though you have accomplished many things, there are still feelings of worthlessness, imperfection, or "not enough" nagging at you. You want to be happy, but joy and contentment feels uncomfortable and you rarely take time to celebrate your wins. You feel disconnected from your friends and family, and wonder how everyone else is so happy when you feel like an imposter at work, in your relationship, or as a parent.
Wouldn't it be wonderful to experience some self love and compassion? It's time to get out of the cycle you're in and try something different. I work with clients using a therapy called EMDR that can help heal all those long standing negative beliefs you're walking around with. You want to feel better. I'm here to guide you.
With a direct and sincere approach, I can help you reconnect to your healthiest and most authentic self. You aren't alone. I will work with you to find ways of reaching your goals and connecting with others.
Hi, my name is Karen Olvera (she,her) and I am a bilingual/bicultural Licensed Social Worker /therapist. I completed my master’s degree in social work with a specialization in health and wellness at Dominican University. I have gained experience working in various healthcare settings. This includes providing support in college health and hospital-based care, as well as navigating the healthcare system to help individuals access the care they need. I have also worked in community mental health, where I have had the opportunity to assist a diverse range of clients. Additionally, I have worked in inpatient psychiatric hospitals, where I have provided care to individuals with acute mental health needs.
As a person of Latina heritage, I appreciate the significance of culturally sensitive therapy and the obstacles that the Latine community encounters when it comes to mental health stigma. I recognize the value of regularly practicing cultural humility during therapy sessions to establish an environment that is secure for clients to work on their mental health and achieve their goals. My goal is to provide a welcoming, empathetic atmosphere where my clients can fully connect with themselves.
In my therapeutic method, I strive to foster a cooperative relationship between my clients and I. Together, we explore ways to manage difficult thoughts, emotions, and experiences by identifying and practicing coping mechanisms that are tailored to unique needs and circumstances. I help my clients effectively identify and confront patterns of behaviors that keep them stuck. Through the relationship that is built with my clients, I utilize a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness and Motivational Interviewing (MI).
I am excited at the prospect of collaborating with you and working towards achieving your desired outcomes. Together, we will embark on a journey towards improving your mental health and overall well-being. I want to provide you with support, guidance, and tools you need to overcome challenges and reach your full potential. I am committed to creating a safe and compassionate space for you to explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences, and I am honored to be a part of your journey towards growth and healing.
Hi, I’m Kenna De Fina and I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CRADC), and National Certified Counselor (NCC).
I have over 5 years of experience helping adolescents and adults on their unique journey to healing, such as helping teens in a PHP/IOP setting find stability, assisting adults with taking powerful steps in recovery from trauma and addiction, and witnessing both teens and adults achieve peace and start living the life they value. I specialize in the treatment of anxiety-related disorders and trauma. My passion is helping anyone who struggles with feeling overwhelmed with stress, worry, or panic. Is pain from your past making it hard to enjoy your life? Sometimes the impact of trauma or anxiety are subtle. What started as a small fear can get more intense as time goes on. Sometimes it takes deep roots, growing until it starts getting in the way of everything– keeping you stuck – from truly living your life and connecting with others. Together, we will work on strategies that allow you to address the root causes of that stress and get you back to having meaningful connections with loved ones again. My approach provides you with a safe and non-judgmental space using a variety of techniques that are tailored to fit your individual needs, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, DBT, ACT, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing.
Hello, I am Mary Anastasi. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have a PhD in Cultural and Educational Policy Studies, specializing in early childhood development and care. I have worked for many years as a school social worker and therapist with children, adolescents and adults.
For as long as I remember, I have been drawn to helping people. Throughout my childhood, I loved learning people’s unique stories and figuring out ways to support anyone experiencing difficulties and helping them to find resources and resolution to their challenges. I have learned that we can navigate our own life best when we understand our unique set of strengths and our valuable purpose. When life becomes challenging, we need support and guidance to attend to any pain and trauma we have experienced and to help us take charge of the narrative that defines our lives.
I am grateful to have learned a variety of tools and skills to help support and guide people throughout my career (e.g. CBT, Narrative Therapy, Solution-focused, EMDR) and have been awed to watch these modalities and the therapeutic process transform people, supporting them in overcoming adversity, building resilience and living their life to the fullest.
Hello everyone, I am Irina Salabai and I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). I am a patient-centered, compassionate, dedicated and attentive Nurse Practitioner working with children, adolescents and adults. I prescribe medications, as necessary, after proper and careful evaluation. I enjoy working with patients diagnosed with anxiety, depression, insomnia, trauma/loss, PTSD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, mood disorder, chronic illness, self-injurious behaviors, and chemical dependency.
I have been serving people with mental health needs for years in multiple settings, such as a hospital intensive care unit, hospital emergency Department, the Department of Corrections, home health care and private practice.
I believe in a holistic approach and the importance of therapy and lifestyle changes! My clients love my empathic and non-judgmental approach. In addition to English, I speak Ukrainian, Polish and Russian languages.
I have a passion for caring for vulnerable populations that leads me to volunteering and helping people in need. Currently I am volunteering with different organizations working with people from Ukraine in need of psychological and psychiatric help.
Hello! My name is Katie Ricamato, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with a master’s in art therapy. I am in the process of getting EMDR trained and specializing in first responder behavioral health.
Have you found that expressing yourself doesn’t work or backfires? Do you feel misunderstood and frustrated, or even angry? Does the past make its way into the present and come back to bite you? Would you like to learn a different way to express and learn about yourself emotionally, but do not know where to start or aren’t sure if it’s even important?
My clinical work focuses on forging tools for my clients’ healing. Facing past and present traumas has helped my clients look at life and themselves through a different lens. Having a process that they could use to develop skills for coping with life’s difficult thoughts, feelings, and circumstances has helped them feel more confident in themselves and their abilities to get what they need like healthier relationships, a reduction in anxiety, becoming more involved in life and overall feeling more alive and well.
I treat the underlying patterns that lead to depression, anxiety, relationship issues and other mental health struggles. EMDR and art enhance my work with clients which allows them to go deeper into the understanding of themselves in a way that just talking about the present cannot do. Many clients find it hard to express themselves without feeling like another person will criticize what they have to say or use it against them in the future.
Knowing that you are not alone and just researching mental health professionals for help is a brave task. Bravo! You’ve just completed the first step in helping yourself feel better!
My name is Addoria Driver. As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I consider the context in which we experience ourselves and others as an important consideration. In my work, I assess “problems” through a lens of group, community and world dynamics that are keeping relationships from thriving. From there, I collaborate with clients to create new dynamics that support their relationship goals. Sometimes change can be simple and concrete, and other times it can be more complex. Either way, I am looking at the whole system and developing solutions with my clients through this systemic lens.
In my life, I have learned the importance of advocating for myself and using my voice even when it is uncomfortable. I help clients learn what they need to do to feel and connect with their own inner strength to get lasting changes in their lives. I hope to encourage all my clients to see themselves as whole and worthy beings capable of creating the changes that they want to see in their own lives.
I earned a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy at Northwestern University, and I am currently a doctoral student. As a lifelong learner, I approach each client with the belief that development persists across the lifetime, and consequently, there is always something new that we can learn. This lens pairs well with adult concerns such as co-parenting dynamics, adult sibling estrangement, in-law conflict, marital estrangement and conflict, adult-child and aging parent issues, as well as other instances of family conflict. I also work with multicultural populations and dual identity concerns, including interfaith concerns.
To make therapy accessible to all schedules, my services are available in-person and via telehealth.
Hello, my name is Marianne Vranek, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker/therapist. I have a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Loyola University in Chicago. I have been in the field of social work for 6 years and practicing therapy for 4 years. My professional experience has included a diverse population, children, adolescents, and young/older adults. I have also had the experience of working in a variety of treatment modalities such as inpatient, outpatient (PHP) and residential centers. With this professional experience I have been allowed to experience all levels of care. My background includes working with mental illness, anxiety disorders, Bi-Polar, Mood Disorders, Depression, Eating disorders and addictions.
My philosophy in practicing is to see the whole person and not just their diagnosis, struggles or their behaviors. I will help them understand that their behaviors, struggles maybe a coping mechanism to trauma, abandonment, or their illness. By learning to understand their symptoms, behaviors and/or addictions this will help them become more engaged in their life’s, relationships, and their professional careers.
I bring into my practice the Holistic approach in treatment (mind, body, health, spirit) to build on their strengths, resilience and how they have used these to help themselves. Having a well-rounded healthy lifestyle environment supports a person mentally.
With my education in Social Work, I consider the influence of the family dynamics has on an individual and their family. My approach with therapy is to take into account a child’s upbringing, attachment theory, childhood experiences, relationships, and how they impact us as adults.
I believe everyone has their own journey, threw life with many different paths. I will work alongside the person with CBT,DBT,Mindfulness, Poly Vagel theory, and trauma informed care and allow them the space to grow.
I am a mother of 4 children ages 30-18yrs. I enjoy traveling, biking, hiking, kayaking just being outside but also a good book, and a movie. I have volunteered in Puerto Rico, different mission experiences to Haiti, which I also still am involved in. I look forward in meeting with you.
Hello, I’m Taylor Biagi. Many of us experience circumstances in life that make it challenging for us to function healthily. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker that has experience working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, loss, various addictions, and trauma. I have a strong passion for working with individuals that may feel like they are “outsiders” in their communities or in society. I provide a sincere and safe space for people to discuss what they may be unable to discuss or process otherwise. I utilize modalities including EMDR, CBT, DBT, ACT, and mindfulness to meet people where they are and address any symptoms they are identifying. I believe all people deserve health and wellness, and I feel it is my responsibility
to provide a nurturing space to assist individuals in achieving that for themselves.
Hello, I am Gina Wolf and I am a licensed social worker.
My passion in life is to help others reach their full potential whilst in a safe and supportive, therapeutic environment. I believe in meeting my clients where they are and cultivating relationships based on trust, acceptance, and empathy. I employ many modalities of practice including, but not limited to, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and trauma focused therapies. I have experience working with children, adolescents, and adults.
I received my bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University in family and child studies and my Master’s Degree in social work from Arizona State University. I have thoroughly enjoyed raising my children and caring for my family, while also continuing my education in the field of social work. Ever since I was an adolescent, I have been drawn to helping others with life’s difficulties. I have always felt that I have a unique ability to empathize with others while also creating authentic, meaningful relationships. I love to travel, hike, kayak, read and experience everything our world has to offer. I look forward to meeting you and participating in your journey of healing.
“Every day begins with an act of courage and hope: getting out of bed.” – Mason Cooley Hi my name is Elizabeth Dufur & thank you for reaching out. It is not always easy asking for help & that is okay, but you are taking the first steps & I am here to help guide you along your journey. There are things that can happen in our lives in which we were not prepared for & have no control over & that can leave us feeling overwhelmed & afraid. I’m here to provide a safe pathway for you as you cope with & overcome these issues in a judgment free & inclusive environment. Never underestimate the power of your own resilience
Trauma is something many people have to deal with in some form. It can cause us to feel anxious, depressed, angry & affect aspects of our lives including our relationships, performances at school or work & even how we just think & process our feelings. The thought of addressing & processing trauma can be an uncomfortable and scary venture but it can done.
I have a Masters Degree in Forensic Psychology & am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. I've worked with clients who ranged from children to elderly adults with mental health & substance abuse issues. I specialize in the use of CBT therapy & EMDR. If you think I could be the counselor to help, please feel free to give me a call.