Our
Staff
Ruth Minnick
I am a mental health professional with a strong focus on wellness. I seek to highlight and build upon individuals' strengths and what makes them unique. I believe that healing is a holistic process and that we all have within us the tools to reach our highest potential. Together we partner to understand what might be getting in the way of you being your most authentic, talented self. As a body-based therapist, I specialize in helping others gently access and heal their pain. We work with an integrative approach with the nervous system to unlock trauma and stuck emotions so that they may be released. Body integration supports us to feel more alive, present and grounded in who we are and what truly matters to us. I work with all populations including men, women, couples and groups. I integrate evidenced based practices such as breath-work, mindfulness, EMDR, CBT, and emotionally focused therapy, all under a psychodynamic lens of therapy.
As a Master’s graduate of Northwestern University’s Family Institute of Counseling, combined with a Master’s In Transformational Leadership & Coaching, the study of group dynamics, psychology, Social-Emotional Intelligence, along with many years of supporting visions for my clients, I understand how to bring out the best in others.
I have a long history of working in the corporate environment with high-level executives and a strong background in the creative industries. I understand what it takes to transform people & environments to realize their potential. As an artist, I see the beauty and potential of everyone I work with. I utilize creative approaches to co-create a unique healing path for each client. Design thinking applied in all areas of life can provide the blueprint of how-to re-wire our potential. I believe that healing is an embodied process of feeling, experiencing, engaging our yearnings and emotions for greater transformation and a more profound sense of self.
I am passionate about personal growth, human potential, and sustainability, which is expressed in my lifestyle, fitness, studies, leadership, and practice as a professional. I continually seek new learning opportunities, ways to expand my practice, what I have to offer to my clientele, myself, and how to give back to my community.
Kaitlin Skog, LPC
In my therapy practice I specializes in creating an empathic and supportive environment. I will work to empower and guide you to develop healthy coping strategies, deeper more satisfying relationships, and the skills and space to process your emotions and move forward.
I approach therapy through a humanistic, strength-based, trauma-sensitive lens. With compassion and patience, I have counseled individuals through a variety of life’s challenges, including but not limited to; grief, interpersonal relationship struggles, domestic violence/abuse, family trauma, sexual abuse, depression, anxiety, anger management, substance abuse and severe mental illness. I have a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology and as licensed professional counselor I will successfully support you in learning how to better support yourself.
Bradi Gordon, LPC
A common misconception about therapy is that people only need it if they are dealing with some significant personal crisis. On the contrary, everyone can benefit from therapy. No matter the issue you are struggling with, I offer a safe and comfortable space to help you process and work toward wellness.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Masters’ degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. I specialize in working with children, adolescents, and young adults, but I have experience working with people of all ages. I am not your traditional therapist–I like to make therapy a fun and creative place to explore life’s challenges! Because everyone is unique, I utilize an eclectic approach to therapy. I will work with you to tailor treatment that meets your individual needs. I often incorporate things that you’re most interested in, such as games, music, art, etc. I integrate evidence based practices including, EMDR, Mindfulness, Breathwork, Attachment Theory, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Play Therapy, and Early Intervention strategies.
I have worked with people experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, mood management concerns, infertility, self esteem and self-worth, familial issues, family transitions, parenting, grief/loss, and behavioral issues. No matter the issue you are struggling with, I offer a safe and comfortable space to help you process and work toward wellness.
I want to congratulate you for taking the first, brave step toward wellness! I look forward to hearing from you and learning about how I can best assist you as you start this journey!
Khristian Cosey, LPC
With my love for connection, paired with compassion for the human experience, it doesn’t cease to amaze me what the power of empathy and hope can do for healing and transformation. Prior to my career as a counselor, I worked in the field of early childhood throughout the Chicagoland area; working with youth on the south and east sides of Chicago. I was also part of the Child Life Specialist team located at Comer Children’s Hospital where constant and genuine support for both patients and their families were essential.
While working with younger children is my first love, I also enjoy working with pre-teens, teens, young adults, and older adults. I find that working through a person-centered and strength-based lens supports the client in their understanding of being the sole expert and creator of their life, thereby providing the client this freedom to be themselves unapologetically.
I believe in traditional talk therapy and an authentic relationship with my clients, but I also integrate breathwork, EMDR, DBT, and other mindfulness practices that lift up the idea that we are connected in both mind and body. Through support, insight, and understanding, we can enhance the strengths that you’ve ’always possessed within you.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a graduate of the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Steve Thorpe, LCPC
My name is Steve Thorpe, I am a licensed Professional Counselor, EMDR, LCPC, IFS and a therapist specializing in individual, couples and family therapy. My Practice is in Evanston and Chicago IL
My approach to therapy is to create a safe space where you can explore and heal the difficult and painful issues that are showing up in your life. Together we will move beyond problem-solving into releasing the deeply held mistaken beliefs and core unresolved issues behind your symptoms. My body-centered and somatic approach allows me to work directly with your nervous system to address symptoms like anxiety, racing thoughts, and irrational fears as well as feeling stuck. depressed and unavailable or unresponsive to life and relationships.
I integrate traditional psychotherapy with coaching. mindfulness, EMDR, Hypnotherapy, Breathwork. Somatic work, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems. Integrative Nutritional Counseling, and other evidence-based approaches. We work together to clear that path so that your most authentic, creative. and passionate self can emerge and shine through. I find that getting to the core mistaken beliefs and unexpressed emotions hiding behind our issues and symptoms allows us to go beyond problem-solving into a transformational space where anything is possible.
I have Masters Degrees in Montessori Education, Clinical and School Counseling, and Transformational Leadership and Coaching. I created Family Engagement programs in over sixty schools that have brought at risk families together while teaching them literacy and relationship skills. I continue to develop emotional intelligence. resiliency, and relationship building programs for school, non-profits. and corporations.
Stefani Azores-Gococo, Intern
As a counselor, I strive to provide a brave, compassionate, and welcoming space for us to work through your issues or provide you with extra support.
I have always been drawn to understanding the innerworkings of the human mind. I graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a BA in Theatrical Costume Design and a BS in Psychology. In my work as a theatre artist, I thrived in telling realistic and pertinent stories through clothing and style. I also have extensive experience supporting actors in the intimate space of backstage.
I am drawn to psychodynamic theory and uncovering unconscious themes as well as Adlerian theory and seeing individuals in their social context. I am interested in exploring creative coping, the experience of Asians in America, and somatic manifestations of internal conflict. I look forward to hearing your unique story.
Brianna Robles, LPC
Often our experiences, upbringings, and circumstances detach us from who we truly believe ourselves to be. We find that the way we’re doing things is no longer working and we seek to find the answers we have been searching for. It is my honor to accompany you on that journey of reconnecting you to your true, higher Self. I do this by combining multiple, evidence-based modalities of therapy including internal family systems, somatic embodiment, mindfulness, spirituality and using a person- centered approach, always meeting you where you are at and offering you new ways to understand and explore yourself.
I work with clients through a trauma-informed lens, combining somatic tools that help process and physically release stuck pain and trauma out of the body. Research has shown that stress and trauma impact our nervous system and manifest physically through the many health issues and diagnoses our society is strewed with today. Part of our work together will be identifying those sensations and giving them space to express themselves through a variety of methods including breathwork, EFT (tapping), yoga, dance, and other bilateral stimulation techniques. I also incorporate energy healing (reiki), guided meditations, and visualizations into my work with clients.
My background in community health has given me the opportunity to work in an array of settings as well as a diverse demographic of clients and issues. I am skilled and particularly connected to working with folx of color, as well as issues around body image & disordered eating from a HAES perspective, domestic abuse, relationship & attachment issues, PTSD, as well as, intergenerational trauma, first-generation assimilation/acculturation, addiction, grief, depression, anxiety, career development, and spirituality exploration. I identify as Latina and a BIPOC. As a first-generation college graduate from a Mexican-American family, social justice issues such as racism, education, and healthcare have always been something I am extremely passionate about.
Merrisa Dawn-Santos, LPC
Merrisa is a Board Certified and Licensed Professional Counselor who has been working in the field for over several years. With a passion for helping others, her patient-first approach to healing centers on simple, effective therapies. Merrisa is an empathetic, flexible, authentic, and reflective practitioner committed to providing counseling services to individuals throughout all walks of life.
Adept at working with patients from various cultural backgrounds and sexual orientations. Merrisa uses a holistic approach that focuses on the mind, body, and spirit to promote mental health and well-being. As a bi-lingual practitioner, Merrisa believes in working within a multicultural lens and is committed to providing compassionate, collaborative counseling services and therapeutic approaches across the entire human landscape. A critical thinker and experienced mental health professional, Merrisa utilizes mind-mapping techniques to help her patients achieve a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.
Specializing in solution-based, strength-based, person-centered, and narrative methodologies derived through a neurocounseling and trauma-sensitive multiculturally competent viewpoint. Merrisa is a conscientious and dedicated practitioner in the field of behavioral/mental healthcare and the study of neuroscience. Throughout her career, she has helped numerous individuals, couples, and families treat various forms of ADHD, anxiety, depression, bereavement, family conflict, self-regulation, trauma, PTSD, and more. Both highly empathetic and flexible, she strives to provide a supportive and non-judgmental environment for her patients and enjoys exploring new approaches to counseling that can better meet their needs.
Among her qualifications, Merrisa is an expert in Psychoanalytic Techniques, MBCT (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy), REBT (Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), incorporating various Art Therapy techniques as well as crisis and trauma intervention services
Sangeeta Sharma, Intern
"I found myself drawn to this field based on my own personal experiences. I want to help destigmatize seeking out mental health support for all communities, especially within the Asian American community. I am someone who strives to make my counseling space to be one of support and empathy.
I am interested in working with clients of all ages and backgrounds. Within sessions, I will uphold a safe and compassionate environment, full of benevolent curiosity. I will offer clients a judgment free space, as we create goals and work towards them. I believe everyone is unique, so I work to tailor my approach to each client. I will also integrate Mindfulness and Breathwork into my work.
It is important to note how brave you are as an individual seeking out
therapy. Coming to therapy takes a great deal of courage. I will strive to be someone who supports that courage in any way. Together, in counseling, we will foster a therapeutic relationship, one of trust and transparency. Therapy
takes work and time, and for that reason, I hope to have the privilege of assisting you through your healing journey!”
Living Well Psychotherapy is fully committed to providing services that affirm the dignity, worth, and value of every individual. We work to create an atmosphere of openness, trust, respect, and safety where diverse attitudes, beliefs, values, and behaviors can be explored and discussed. We seek to understand and honor individual differences, including but not limited to experiences related to: race, ethnicity, national origin, religious and spiritual beliefs, gender, sexuality, physical and mental abilities, size and appearance, and socio-economic status. We strive to provide a welcoming and enriching environment that is conducive to the intellectual, emotional, and social development of our diverse community.
