Mental health care in Chicago, Illinois

Courtney Behrens is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in a suburb of Chicago. She graduated from Aurora University with her master's in social work in 2016. As a mental health therapist Courtney is passionate about providing support to individuals and families with diverse lived experiences. Courtney has spent most of her career supporting individuals in both a clinical and community setting. She utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy as well as a heavy focus on mindfulness. She has also obtained additional training and education through Postpartum Support International. 

In addition to her clinical work, Courtney is passionate about supporting clients who have complicated pregnancies including clients who have had pregnancy and infant loss. 

Courtney is also a neuro-affirming therapist who support various client's intersectionality of identity. She is also a LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist.  

Paulette is a licensed clinical professional counselor who has previously worked in the hospital and outpatient clinic settings. She has experience working with people across the lifespan including children, teenagers, adults, older adults, couples, and families. Paulette has experience working with a wide range of concerns and diagnoses including trauma, bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, life transitions, and relational problems. Paulette also speaks fluent Spanish and offers therapy in both English and Spanish. 

Paulette has completed training with Postpartum Support International and is in the process of becoming certified in perinatal mental health. In addition, she completed an OB rotation where she trained and received supervision on perinatal cases. 

Paulette often uses interpersonal psychotherapy, CBT, and CPT. She believes in validating people’s diverse backgrounds and the ways in which this informs their worldview. Together we will work to find our way to your most authentic self.  

Andrea Fullerton is a licensed clinical social worker based in Chicago, IL, with over a decade of post-graduate experience. She has worked in a variety of settings, including primary health care clinics, hospitals, and schools, where she supported individuals at all stages of the life cycle, from children to adults. Andrea has extensive experience in addressing a wide range of behavioral and emotional concerns, particularly anxiety, acute and complex trauma, depression, behavioral problems, relational issues, transition to parenthood, and parenting.

Andrea is certified in perinatal mental health by Postpartum Support International and has completed training in both directive and non-directive play therapy, as well as various parenting programs. Her diverse background and specialized training enable her to provide comprehensive support to her clients, especially those navigating the challenges of parenthood and mental health issues.

As a therapist, Andrea believes that the therapeutic relationship is foremost a collaborative one. She combines cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) strategies with a strengths-based and solution-focused approach to help her clients achieve their goals. Andrea values interpersonal relationships and guides her clients to improve their personal connections through productive communication and setting healthy boundaries.

Andrea is dedicated to working with her clients to create personalized plans that promote flourishing both as individuals and as parents. She strives to provide a supportive and empowering environment where clients can address their challenges and develop the skills needed for personal and relational growth. Through her compassionate and effective approach, Andrea helps her clients navigate life's complexities with confidence and resilience.

Dr. Camille Humes is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the state of Illinois, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Michigan, and a credentialed Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist (I/ECMH-C). She also holds an endorsement from the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health (MIAIMH), where she currently serves on the Board of Directors. Dr. Humes has dedicated over twenty years to working as a leader in the mental health profession, advocating both nationally and internationally to inform policies that support young children and their families.

Throughout her career, Dr. Humes has been a writer, professor, and regular grant reviewer for the United States Department of Education. Her extensive experience in the field has made her a respected voice in mental health, particularly in the areas of infant and early childhood mental health. She is committed to promoting the well-being of young children and their families through her work and advocacy.

Dr. Humes enjoys speaking to diverse audiences about various topics, including the social and emotional health of mothers, fathers, and children. Her presentations are known for their depth of knowledge and practical insights, making her a sought-after speaker at conferences and events. She believes in the power of education and advocacy to create positive change in the lives of families.

With her extensive background and dedication to mental health, Dr. Humes continues to make significant contributions to the field. She is passionate about supporting the social and emotional development of young children and their families, ensuring they receive the care and attention they need. Dr. Humes looks forward to continuing her work and expanding her impact through teaching, writing, and advocacy.

Dr. Brenda Papierniak is a Licensed Clinical Health Psychologist and is certified in Perinatal Mental Health. She is based in the Chicago area, specializing in the understanding of the mind/body connection and perinatal mental health. She is dedicated to collaborating with professionals and families to ensure comprehensive care that addresses both psychological and physiological needs. Dr. Papierniak advocates for equitable perinatal mental health care, enhancing hospital-based programs, and educating medical providers on improving patient care and outcomes.

Dr. Papierniak has extensive experience in providing specialized individual and family consultations, assessments, and therapy. She focuses on perinatal and postpartum mood disorders, trauma related to pregnancy complications, NICU stays, infertility, pregnancy loss, chronic illness, pain management, multicultural issues, and life transitions. Dr. Papierniak has worked for several different hospital systems, most recently working for Ascension Saint Alexius Women & Children’s Hospital in Hoffman Estates, IL. as part of the Pregnancy and Postpartum Mood & Anxiety Disorder Program. With Ascension, she created the Perinatal Health Psychology program where she led program development and management, supervised doctoral and masters level students, provided consultation services to hospitalized patients, and supported families with a variety of medical and mental health needs as they navigated complicated pregnancies and NICU stays. 

Dr. Papierniak has contributed to the field of perinatal mental health through speaking at conferences, co-authoring book chapters and serving on a variety of advisory committees and boards including the National Network of NICU Psychologists and Postpartum Support International. Her contributions to hospital committees display her commitment to bridging the gap between medical and behavioral health teams.

Dr. Papierniak provides a person-centered, holistic approach to therapy that ensures that both the physical and emotional needs of her patients are met.  With young families she combines their medical and mental health needs, and assists with understanding bonding, attachment, and the developmental needs of infants and children. Dr. Brenda Papierniak is passionate about empowering families and ensuring they receive the highest standard of care. Her dedication to continuous learning and improving patient outcomes inspires hope and confidence in the families she serves.

Dr. Nicole Tefera is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in Chicago, Illinois. Her specialized work includes infant mental health, maternal mental health, working with children, adolescents and families, emerging adults, developmental trauma, complex trauma, anxiety disorders, depression, adjustment to chronic illnesses, medical traumatic stress, stress induced illness, grief and loss, and relationship concerns. Dr. Tefera's approach is centered on providing compassionate, individualized care, drawing on her extensive experience to support clients through various life stages and challenges.

Dr. Tefera earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2004. She works part-time as a Pediatric Psychologist at Advocate Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health Services and as a Supervising Pediatric Psychologist at La Rabida Children’s Hospital. Additionally, she is a national Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) trainer, an evidence-based treatment for young children (birth-5)and their caregivers who have experienced trauma. Dr. Tefera is also an Affiliate Member of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), frequently providing mental health training, consultation, and reflective supervision.

Dr. Tefera utilizes a tailored treatment approach for each individual, incorporating a variety of therapeutic methods such as Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Solution-focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and psychodynamic and relational therapies. Her diverse training allows her to adapt to the unique needs of her clients, ensuring they receive the most effective and supportive care. Dr. Tefera's dedication to her field and her compassionate approach inspire hope and resilience in her clients, guiding them toward healing and growth.

Lita Simanis is a Perinatal Mental Health Certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Chicago, Illinois. An expert in maternal mental health, she is dedicated to pioneering comprehensive care solutions for perinatal mood disorders.

Lita has been the Coordinator of the Pregnancy and Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorder Program since 2014. Based in Illinois, she collaborated with Ascension Illinois/Alexian Brothers staff and other stakeholders to develop the state's first perinatal intensive outpatient program, which opened in August 2015. 

Lita's extensive professional experience includes her role as a Perinatal Crisis Counselor for the Illinois Mom’s Line and serving on the Board of Directors for Postpartum Support International. As the co-coordinator of the Postpartum Depression Illinois Alliance, she has lectured on perinatal mood disorders at local, state, national, and international levels. She collaborated with stakeholders to develop the state's first perinatal intensive outpatient program, which opened in August 2015. This extensive background translates into a rich, evidence-based foundation for the care she provides, allowing her to offer well-rounded, effective support to her clients.

Lita's approach to care is rooted in a strengths-based and trauma-informed perspective. She believes in transforming distress into positive growth. Her sessions incorporate mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and the philosophy of stoicism, offering a supportive and respectful environment for clients. While Lita specializes in working with parents and parents-to-be, she welcomes all adults and couples, collaborating on treatment plans that facilitate the lives they seek for themselves and their loved ones.

Her advocacy work includes providing expert testimony for Illinois House Bill 1764, which considers perinatal mood disorders as factors in sentencing. Lita also contributes to the Illinois Department of Public Health Maternal Mortality Review Committee on Violent Deaths and helped develop the Perinatal Mental Health Certification exam. 

Joyce Hopkins, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist based in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Hopkins specializes in women's mental health during pregnancy and the postpartum period, as well as infant and early childhood development. She combines her extensive clinical experience with a deep commitment to supporting parents and young children. 

Dr. Hopkins holds esteemed academic positions, serving as Co-Director of the Parent-Infant Development Service at the University of Chicago Medical Center and as a Professor of Clinical Psychology in the doctoral program at Illinois Institute of Technology. Her research on women's mental health during pregnancy, the postpartum period, and the first year of an infant's life has led to over 30 publications in scientific journals. This wealth of knowledge and experience enhances the care she provides, making her a trusted expert in her field.

In her practice, Dr. Hopkins takes a personalized approach, first gaining an in-depth understanding of their expectations and individual needs to provide support that is individually tailored. She consults with parents on common developmental issues, such as establishing positive sleep routines and managing eating and separation concerns. Her dedication to early childhood mental health is further displayed by her current project, co-authoring a book on the topic. Dr. Hopkins is passionate about fostering mental and emotional health in families, and her work continues to inspire and support parents and their children on their journeys to brighter and healthier futures.

Nadia DeLeon is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with specialized certification in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C). With a compassionate, trauma-informed approach, Nadia is dedicated to supporting individuals facing the emotional challenges of fertility, the transition to parenthood, and the anxiety or mood changes that can arise during this transformative time. She provides a safe, empathetic space where clients can begin their journey toward healing.

Drawing from a client-centered philosophy, Nadia blends evidence-based techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with strengths-based and solution-focused strategies. This integrative approach helps clients navigate emotional struggles, build resilience, and foster personal growth. Whether clients are coping with the stress of infertility, the overwhelm of early parenthood, relational discord, or the emotional toll of perinatal mood changes, Nadia’s goal is to empower them to reclaim their strength and find a path forward.

In addition to her work with perinatal clients, Nadia has extensive experience supporting survivors of trauma, including those affected by pregnancy and childbirth-related trauma. She offers personalized strategies to help clients rebuild their sense of self, well-being, and confidence. Nadia also holds extensive training and experience with survivors of domestic violence, providing them with the tools to regain control, rebuild their lives, and cultivate lasting empowerment.

With a deep commitment to each client’s unique journey, Nadia ensures a supportive and nonjudgmental space for healing. Her work combines the latest research and therapeutic practices with a genuine dedication to understanding and respecting each individual’s needs.