About Us

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Marine Corp Veteran.  After completing active-duty military service, I went on to obtain a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Concordia University, and a Doctorate in Counseling Education and Supervision from Governors State Unversity. Serving in the military enabled me to travel to various places around the world. During my travels, I learned from, interacted, and worked with people of various cultures and ethnicities. I continue to be open and interested in learning about what is unique to you.

​I have experience working in mental health, as well as substance abuse. I’m passionate about working with Veterans, adolescents (10 and up), and adults, as well as individuals, families, and couples. Life gets tough sometimes and as much as some people would like to handle it themselves know that its ok to ask for help. I work with individuals to assist in getting through those tough times and develop or enhance skills that will assist them throughout a lifetime. I work with every individual to help them build on their strengths and work towards achieving their goals.

I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorders.

For more information, here’s a link to my Psychology Today Profile.

My name is Kathy O’Connor, I have my M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Concordia University Chicago. I realize it can be intimidating coming for counseling but I believe that I exude a calm and inviting aura. I strive to create an open and safe environment where empathy, honesty and collaboration are of importance. You’ll learn to manage anxiety/depression by developing and utilizing coping strategies and improve your interpersonal relationships through positive and effective communication.

Experienced In:
Grief, anger management, self-esteem, coping with life changes, attachment issues, codependency, impulsivity, isolation/loneliness, social anxiety

Clinical Approaches:
Client – Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution – Focused Brief Therapy

We each have our own unique journey in this world, but we do not have to travel it alone. Life can sometimes throw us off course and challenge our ability to maintain happiness and fulfillment. My goal is to be a supportive aid to individuals during these difficult times by use of professional therapeutic knowledge and most importantly, through partnership, shared compassion, hope and belief in the person’s ability to remember how incredibly capable they are. I help children, adults, and families to find self-awareness, emotional intelligence, health in relationships, and to through empower them as they take back control of their lives.

My professional qualifications were awarded as a Master degree of Clinical Social Work from Chicago State University in Chicago, IL. Skills acquired include trauma-informed and culturally sensitive counseling, case management, and advocacy services for survivors of trauma, intimate partner violence survivors, and at-risk youth. I use my experience, an open mind, and creative holistic approaches to provide person-centered, strength-based, and trauma-focused care with the use of different evidence-based therapeutic techniques. I also specialize in treating several mental health issues including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and as an advocate and member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I provide therapeutic support to meet their unique needs.

For more information, here’s a link to my Psychology Today Profile.

Clinical Approaches:
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Psychotherapy and CBT, Bowen family systems therapy

I am a passionate student counselor intern who is dedicated to empowering people in facilitating their healing. I am devoted to helping people find their voice, pull from their strengths, explore tools, build up their support system, and find a better work-school-life balance. My goal is to understand client concerns from their worldview to build a strong alliance. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach; what helps one person meet their goals might not work for another. I also welcome client feedback. It helps support my clients’ values and pushes me to grow as a counselor.

I am a firm believer in the mind-body connection which is based on the theory that a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors have an impact on their physical health. There are so many pieces that contribute to a person’s wellness, which is why I believe it’s so important to treat a person from a holistic perspective that explores psychological, sociocultural, and biological factors. I look forward to incorporating what I’m learning into practice in order to help people feel safe, supported, and understood.

Clinical Approaches:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (incl. Strengths-based and Mindfulness)

Interested working with:

• Grief and loss
• Self-esteem and body image issues
• Emotional regulation
• Stress management
• Anxiety/panic and phobias
• Depression
• Interpersonal relationships
• Trauma and abuse
• Attachment issues
• Individual counseling
• Geriatrics

I have always been passionate about finding ways to support others in this ever-changing journey we call life. As a counselor in training my goal is to cultivate a collaborative environment that honors your experiences and supports your journey to discovering and developing resources that can assist in dealing with the adversities of life. My approach is inspired by strength-based cognitive behavior therapy. I believe that by channeling our strengths we can empower ourselves to create a life that we envision living. Although I believe in an action oriented approach I also value individual differences which is why I want to meet you where you are and collaboratively set the pace for where you want to go.

My cultural background allows me to understand the role culture plays in our beliefs and everyday experiences. I will intentionally work to incorporate your culture and past experiences to understand your present and its implications for the future. My aim is to create a safe and genuine environment where you feel heard and cared for.

Clinical Approaches:
Culturally Responsive Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Strength-based
approach, Mindfulness Therapy

Tondalaya is a dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) with over 12 years of experience in the mental health and addiction recovery fields. She earned her master’s degree in social work from Capella University and has since devoted her career to helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of mental health and substance use disorders.

Therapeutic Approach:
Tondalaya employs a holistic and client-centered approach in her practice, focusing on building a strong therapeutic alliance with her clients. She utilizes evidence-based methods, including Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), to empower clients in their recovery journey. Tondalaya believes in the importance of addressing both mental health and substance use issues concurrently to promote lasting change.

Interested working with:

• Substance use disorder treatment and recovery
• Dual diagnosis (co-occurring mental health and substance use issues)
• Individual and group therapy
• Family therapy and support
• Relapse prevention and coping strategies
• Individual therapy
• PTSD and trauma recovery
• Stress management and coping skills
• Anxiety

Professional Experience:
Tondalaya has worked in a variety of settings, including inpatient rehabilitation centers, outpatient programs, Cook County jail, Cook County Criminal Court and community mental health organizations. Her diverse experiences have equipped her with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals struggling with addiction and mental health issues, allowing her to provide tailored support and resources.

Personal Philosophy:
Tondalaya is passionate about fostering resilience and hope in her clients. She believes that recovery is a journey that requires compassion, understanding, and empowerment. Outside of her clinical work, Tondalaya enjoys traveling, outside festivals and spending time making memories with her family.

I play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation of our mental health practice. With a focus on creating a supportive and organized environment, I oversee administrative functions, manage scheduling and billing, as well as coordinating communication between our dedicated staff and clients. My passion for mental health drives me to provide a welcoming atmosphere where individuals feel valued and understood. I’m committed to ensuring that both clients and therapists have the resources they need to thrive. Through collaboration and attention to detail, I strive to contribute to the overall mission of promoting mental wellness in our community.