Uptown Psych of Illinois

Uptown Psych of Illinois provides compassionate, evidence-based mental health care for children, teens and adults in the Chicago area. Our licensed psychiatrists, psychologists and therapists offer personalized care for a wide range of mental health concerns, including ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma, substance use and more. <br><br>We prioritize prompt access to care, often offering same-week appointments, with in-person and telehealth options. Our team works closely with you to create a safe, supportive space where you feel heard, understood and empowered to manage challenges and improve your well-being.

Therapy and medication management for adults, teens, and children.

Our team of mental health professionals is here to help you and your loved ones manage emotional, mental and behavioral health challenges.<br><br>We tailor care to fit your unique needs – and help make sure you feel safe, accepted and supported along the way.

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Helps individuals explore personal challenges and life transitions, process emotions, set goals, and build coping skills and resilience.

Individual therapy

Uses structured exercises and strategies to help individuals better understand and manage unhelpful thoughts and emotions.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Helps family members improve communication, resolve conflicts and build stronger bonds.

Family therapy

Teaches mindfulness, emotional regulation and stress management techniques to help individuals manage intense emotions.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

Help individuals process painful experiences, reduce the impact of trauma, and feel safer and more in control.

Trauma-focused therapies

Helps partners examine their relationship and work to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen trust and connection.

Couples therapy

Helps individuals achieve personal growth and positive change by exploring how past experiences influence the way they think, feel and relate to others.

Psychodynamic therapy

Helps individuals acknowledge and accept difficult emotions while taking meaningful steps to support well-being and quality of life.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

Helps individuals gradually face and manage anxiety through a step-by-step, confidence-building process.

Exposure therapy

Help individuals explore their self-identity, process emotions and nurture well-being through art, music and movement.

Expressive therapies

Provide diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of mental health conditions that benefit from or require medical intervention and medication management.

Psychiatric care and medication management

Helps individuals identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts to manage emotions and improve well-being.

Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)

Barbara Noonan is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a specialist in working with couples, adults, adolescents, and in conducting art therapy. Barbara specializes in grief/loss, family-of-origin issues, relationship concerns, depression and anxiety. Barbara also enjoys helping individuals with social adaptation difficulties and life transition issues. She earned her Master of Arts in Art Therapy from the School of the Art Institute and completed a Two-Year Post-Graduate Certificate in Marital and Family Therapy from The Family Institute at Northwestern University while working as a student therapist.

Barbara has a direct and honest style – whether working with couples or individuals – and makes use of her sense of humor in relating to clients. One of her primary goals is to help clients grow and to strengthen and develop their sense of self and realize their own potential.

Christina Cerk is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Chris earned her Master’s Degree in Psychology from Trinity University. She has extensive experience in working with adults, including the elderly population, and adolescents in a multitude of settings.

Prior to joining Urban Balance, Chris spent the majority of her career working with clients that have addictions and/or severe and persistent mental illness. Chris describes her approach to therapy as client centered, and utilizes elements of Motivational Enhancement Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to assist clients on their journey towards emotional well-being. Primary areas of interest also include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, relationship issues and life transitions. Chris is also passionate about working with clients that are experiencing cross-cultural issues.

Dr. Jennifer Phan is a graduate of TTUHSC in Lubbock, TX and completed her residency training in Psychiatry at LSU in Baton Rouge, LA. She then went on to complete an Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship at University of Illinois-Chicago. Her primary therapeutic approach combines medication management with elements of psychodynamic psychotherapy, CBT, and motivational interviewing. Areas of interest are addiction, mood, and the LGBTQ+ population. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and riding her bicycle around Chicago.

Julie Walden is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, possessing 20 years of experience and training in a variety of approaches to counseling, which enable her to tailor techniques to clients’ various and specific needs. She specializes in helping clients process and move past traumatic experiences that hold them back from achieving their goals, or simply from being who they want to be. She can help with issues such as anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationships, and grief and loss.

Julie is trained in using creativity to express and process experience (Art Therapy certificate, Northwestern University), in family systems (MA, University of Chicago), in Child & Adolescent Mental Health (certificate, University of Illinois), and has also earned the IATP Clinical Trauma Professional certificate. Additionally, Julie has completed the Gottman Method Level 1 training in couples therapy. Prior to private practice, Julie worked in a variety of settings, including juvenile justice and foster care, medical social work and psychosocial rehabilitation.

Julie is a compassionate, respectful, LGBTQ-friendly, and faith-friendly therapist who considers it a sacred privilege to share her clients’ diverse journeys.

Katie McBroome is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 10 years of clinical experience working with adult individuals and couples. Katie earned her Masters degree in clinical social work from Loyola University in Chicago. Katie utilizes a client-centered and strengths-based approach, drawing on Solution-Focused and Cognitive-Behavioral techniques. In her sessions, Katie provides a safe and collaborative space to explore a variety of clinical issues, including mood disorders, anxiety, anger, addictions, self-esteem and women’s issues. She has extensive experience with bereavement, stress management, crisis counseling, and issues related to work/life balance. By participating in the counseling process, Katie can help you to develop your strengths, change negative patterns, and build new skills to approach life’s challenges with renewed energy and resilience. She works with each individual to develop concrete plans and techniques to meet their unique needs and create meaningful change.

Koren Ayres is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing therapy to adults and adolescents. She provides an atmosphere of understanding and respect, and values a holistic and creative approach to therapy. Koren has worked in a variety of settings including community mental health, inpatient/outpatient hospital settings and residential treatment. She received her Master’s in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago and a secondary Master’s in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy from the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust in London, U.K. Koren’s international exposure has strengthened her cultural awareness and sensitivity.

She enjoys working with diverse clients and has interests in anxiety, depression, trauma, family of origin issues, grief and loss, interpersonal conflict, and career/life transitions.

Koren utilizes an integrative style, applying a variety of approaches including Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral, Strengths based, and Solution Focused Brief Therapy, to best meet the goals and needs of each client. With compassion and empathy, she creates a collaborative, supportive, and safe space.

Dr. Mai Nguyen is a general adult psychiatrist. She was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in biology. She stayed in Houston to attend medical school at Baylor College of Medicine, and subsequently moved to Chicago where she completed her residency training in psychiatry at the University of Illinois at Chicago. While in residency, Dr. Nguyen worked part-time at the Eating Recovery Center, which specializes in the treatment of eating disorders and comorbid mood and anxiety disorders in either a residential or partial hospitalization setting.

Dr. Nguyen is skillfully trained in the psychiatric medication management of a variety of mental illnesses including but not limited to depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, women’s mental health, post traumatic stress disorder, and psychosis. In addition to psychopharmacology, she also emphasizes the importance of environmental factors, lifestyle modifications, and therapeutic approaches. Dr. Nguyen is interested in understanding each patient’s individual story. She believes in the value of a strong collaborative therapeutic alliance, and she is passionate about helping patients improve their quality of life. Please note Dr. Nguyen’s policy for prescribing stimulants: In order to be considered for stimulants, patients must have neuropsychological testing completed with results that support a diagnosis of ADHD.

Margarita Kos is a board-certified Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) and a licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) in Illinois. She graduated from Loyola University with an MSN as a family nurse practitioner (FNP) and received post-Master’s certification from Maryville University with an emphasis in Psychiatric Mental Health. She has over 20 years of nursing experience that includes working as a registered nurse (RN) in the emergency room and working in family practice, pain management, and psychiatric mental health as an APN. Margarita is fluent in English and Polish.

Margarita actively practices in the Chicago area focusing on maintaining mental health wellness, providing psychopharmacologic treatment management, and improving the quality of life of her patients through preventative healthcare. Her areas of special emphasis include mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for a variety of mental illnesses amongst the childhood, adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations. Margarita is dedicated to providing compassionate care and support by facilitating a safe environment that allows for the development of a therapeutic relationship with her patients. By actively adapting to the needs of each patient on a personal level, Margarita is able to assist patients in developing treatment plans to meet their goals and desired outcomes.

Michael Purszke is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with experience working with a variety of adult and young adult populations, specializing in family and relationship issues, marriage and couples counseling, depression, anxiety and life transitions.

He also has a background working with traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors, using a Strength-based perspective promoting independence, integration, and empowerment. Utilizing a Psychodynamic approach, he further joins techniques from Narrative Therapy, Family Systems, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, as well as having a background in art therapy, body movement, and yoga. Creativity, trust, and acceptance that promote collaboration serve to guide his clients to achieve their therapeutic goals in a safe setting emphasizing self-growth and lasting insight. Michael earned his Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Samantha Karrel is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker possessing more than 15 years’ experience providing therapy for children, adolescents and adults. Samantha draws from a breadth of evidence-based practices and trainings to address a patient’s specific concerns and personality.  Samantha’s expectation of the therapeutic experience is that you not only feel safe and supported but that you also experience real change. She specializes in helping people heal and recover from trauma and adverse life experiences. Additionally, Samantha is skilled in helping people who are experiencing anxiety, depression, bipolar, schizoaffective disorder, life transitions and challenges.  She is practiced in working with people who identify as members of the queer community and transgendered persons. She is sensitive and responsive to the historic and institutional traumas impacting queer, BIPOC and other historically marginalized and oppressed peoples.

Samantha is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She completed a year-long training under the National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative and has specific training in addressing sexual and domestic violence.

Prior to joining KP Counseling. Samantha worked as director for a community mental health, and as a therapist in public schools, psychiatric medical facilities and nonprofits supporting children at risk and in foster care.

Vernalynne De La Rosa is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with over 12 years of experience working with adults, adolescents, children, couples and families.

Dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment to help each client increase self-awareness, Vernalynne strives to empower clients to overcome their problems and work toward wholeness and growth. Trilingual in English, Spanish, and Tagalog, Vernalynne provides culturally-sensitive treatment incorporating Client-Centered, Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral, and other therapeutic modalities to best address the clients’ presenting issues.

Vernalynne’s clinical specialties include mood disorders and anxiety disorders, dynamics related to emerging adulthood, families with acculturation issues, family of origin concerns, life transitions, and relational issues. Vernalynne earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College and continues to expand her clinical skills to better serve her clients.

Therapy and medication management for adults, teens, and children.

What we offer

Individual therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Family therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

Trauma-focused therapies

Couples therapy

Meet the team

Barbara Noonan

Christina Cerk

Jennifer Phan

Julie Walden

Katie McBroome

Koren Ayres

Mai Nguyen

Margarita Kos

Michael Purszke

Samantha Karrel

Vernalynne De La Rosa

About us

Contact

Uptown Psych of Illinois