Erin M Liebich, Psy.D, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Owner & Clinical Director
Dr. Erin M Liebich is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the owner of Center for Personal Growth. She provides therapeutic and assessment services to individuals of all ages. In 2017, Dr. Liebich was elected to the APA Committee for Disability Issues in Psychology. and 2018, she served as the Chair for the committee. Dr. Liebich specializes in physical and developmental disabilities, humanistic/integrative therapy, and collaborative psychological and neuropsychological assessment. Her treatment approach focuses on mutual respect, cooperation, and empowerment with the belief that each person has an innate growth potential when provided acceptance, understanding, and the
right skills. Dr. Liebich regularly collaborates with schools, residential facilities, attorneys, social workers, individuals, and families to assess for a variety of concerns. Her areas of assessment expertise include intellectual and learning disabilities, developmental delays, dementia and other neurocognitive deficits, mood disorders, ADHD, and trauma-related disorders. Dr. Liebich also enjoys offering a wide range of therapeutic services, including individual, group, family, and couples’ therapy. She has worked in a variety of settings including an inner city school, community health centers, and an organization for refugees. She was an invited continuing education presenter at the last four National Conventions of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Liebich can also personally relate to overcoming challenges in life as she was born with a physical disability, Cerebral Palsy. She considers her disability as a welcomed aspect of diversity as it helps her to understand the difficulties that her clients face.
Dr. Liebich offers the following services: *Neuropsychological Assessment
* Psychological Assessment *Autism Assessment * Individual Therapy
* Family Therapy *Couples Therapy *Group Therapy *Child Centered Play Therapy
*Disability Affirmative Assessment & Therapy *Gender Affirmative Assessment & Therapy
Kelly Santoyo, Psy.D, Postdoctoral Resident
Kelly Santoyo is our 2021-2022 Postdoctoral Resident in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in children and adolescents. She received her Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology in 2016 from Adler University in Chicago, IL and completed the requirements for her Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D) in June 2021. She is awaiting her degree conferment. Dr. Santoyo has worked in various settings, including community mental health, private practices, a psychiatric inpatient facility, a therapeutic day school, and a crisis hotline. Dr. Santoyo has experience working with individuals dealing with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma, ADHD, grief and bereavement, self-harm, behavioral issues as well as other disorders. She is trained in Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) for PTSD and trauma-related disorders. Dr. Santoyo has provided therapy to individuals, couples, groups, and also has experience providing therapy in Spanish. She sees the importance in using the therapeutic relationship and collaborating with her clients in order to facilitate growth through using various modalities, such as cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavioral, and psychodynamic therapies, based on her client’s needs.
During her free time, Dr. Santoyo loves playing soccer, going to the gym, and doing various other physical activities. She is also a huge lover of both animals and nature, and likes to spend some of her time playing video games when she can.
Dr. Santoyo offers the following services: * Individual Therapy *Child-centered Play Therapy *Family & Couples
*Psychological Assessment *Neuropsychological Assessment *Narrative Exposure Therapy
*DBT *CBT *Services in Spanish. *Gender Affirmative Therapy
Dr. Erica Carter, D.Min, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Dr. Erica Carter is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who earned her Doctor of Ministry degree in Advanced Studies in Psychotherapy and Counseling from Chicago Theological Seminary, a collaborative program with the Center for Religion & Psychotherapy of Chicago. Dr. Carter’s research examined an integrative approach to mental health in religious contexts, incorporating psychology and religion/spirituality.
Dr. Carter has worked in community mental health, as well as a psychiatric residential treatment facility, providing therapeutic services to children, teens, adults, and families. She has experience providing individual and group therapy to individuals with severe mental illnesses, behavioral, and emotional challenges. These include neurodevelopmental disorders, schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, bipolar and related disorders, and disruptive, impulse control, and conduct disorders.
Dr. Carter seeks to foster a sense of hope and healing, by providing her clients with a safe space to navigate the therapeutic process and empowering them to discover their inner strengths. She believes that building a strong therapeutic alliance through support, empathy, compassion, and trust is the foundation to assisting individuals with overcoming their challenges.
Dr. Carter offers the following services:
*Individual Therapy *Family Therapy *Child Centered Play Therapy
*CBT *DBT *Christian Counseling
Julia Randall, Licensed Social Worker, Master's of Jurisprudence
Julia Randall is a Licensed Social Worker and a graduate of Loyola University Chicago with a Master of Social Work Degree. Julia also holds a Master of Jurisprudence Degree (a type of law degree) from Loyola University. Julia has practiced in a variety of settings including a children’s hospital, outpatient mental health, case management, and in a Partial Hospitalization setting. She has training and work history in treating individuals with eating disorders (binge eating, bulimia, and anorexia), mood disorders, trauma, and women with high risk pregnancies. Julia’s philosophy is influenced by a variety of therapeutic models (cognitive-behavioral, dialectical behavioral, and solution-focused therapy) and she uses an eclectic blend of therapy to meet her clients where they are in their recovery. Julia currently works in a partial hospitalization program for eating disorders in addition to her time at Center for Personal Growth. Julia is an advocate for eating disorder awareness, postpartum depression/anxiety, and mental health stigma.
“My treatment philosophy is to bring compassion to the therapeutic relationship. My role is to support and empower clients to help them find their voice, build on their strengths and learn tools to cope with the challenges of life.”
Julia offers the following services:
*Individual therapy *Family therapy *Eating Disorder Assessment & Treatment
*DBT *CBT *Services in Polish
Dahlia Alfaro, M.A., License Professional Counselor
Dahlia Alfaro received her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler University Chicago and is a Licensed Professional Counselor as well as a National Certified Counselor. Dahlia has worked in Partial Hospitalization and Intense Outpatient Program settings. In addition to specializing in OCD and Complex Anxiety, Dahlia has experience working with Children on the Autism Spectrum, Adolescents and Adults dealing with Depression, ADHD, PTSD as well as other disorders. She has provided therapy to individuals as well as groups and is bilingual in Spanish.
Dahlia believes a great therapeutic relationship is based on collaboration and clear communication. She uses various modalities including Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to best meet her client’s goals and make long lasting progress. She aims to be an advocate and empower her clients as they navigate the therapeutic process together.
Dahlia offers the following services::
*Individual Therapy *Family Therapy *Couples Therapy
* Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy *Services in Spanish
Gabriel Severino, M.A., Psychology Intern
Gabriel is in his last year of Adler University’s APA accredited Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D) Program; where he earned his Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology in 2020 and is part of the traumatic stress emphasis. Gabriel earned his Bachelor’s of Arts and Science from Rutgers University where he double majored in philosophy and psychology and minored in sociology, criminal justice and anthropology.
Gabriel began his career in psychology leading educational groups at a DUI treatment facility, afterwards he worked in a community mental health setting diagnosing developmental disabilities, he began performing individual therapy in two separate university counseling centers later moving onto private practice. Across these settings, Gabriel has worked with people from all different walks of life; as young as 3 and as old as 82. He believes that people are unique and that treatment should be as distinctive as they are.
Gabriel approaches therapy from a humanistic standpoint rooted in Relational Constructivism and supported by Narrative and Feminist therapy. He believes the therapeutic relationship is a key component in finding individualized sustainable solutions and the creation of meaningful relationships and experiences outside of therapy.
Gabriel is passionate about helping people move through difficult transition points and has experience working with complex trauma, single incident trauma, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, attention deficit, adjustment difficulties, grief, mood swings, anger, developmental disabilities, marital difficulties, and conflicts caused primarily by personality.
Outside of the office Gabriel spends his time exploring the world through experience. He enjoys reading, cooking, grilling, traveling, eating new things (and old favorites), getting lost in national parks, playing video games and board games, and listening to music louder than he should.
Gabriel offers the following services:
* Individual Therapy *Family Therapy *Couples Therapy *Group Therapy
*Psychological Assessment *Neuropsychological Assessment
*Humanistic Therapy
(including Existential, Narrative, Feminist and Relational approaches)
Theresa Randich, MS., Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Theresa received her Masters of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University and is a licensed clinical professional counselor. Currently, she is in the Practicum stage of completing her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Her research is focused on females diagnosed in late adolescence and adulthood with Autism Spectrum Condition.
Theresa has worked in the community as a crisis counselor, screening children and adolescents that are in severe mental health crisis. She holds a national certification in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and was part of the research that added additional data to support the modality. She has experience with family and individual therapy, specialized experience with depression, anxiety, trauma recovery, and self-injury. She has worked with adoptive families and attachment. Theresa is a qualified therapist that offers a warm, holistic, goal-directed approach, that have helped families live their best lives.
Theresa has experience with Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance Commitment Therapy.
Theresa offers the following services:
* Individual Therapy *Family Therapy
*DBT *CBT *Trauma
*Holistic Goal-Directed Therapy
Sandy Nano, Doctoral Extern
Sandy Nano is one of our 2022-2023 Diagnostic Externs. Sandy was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, and is fluent in Assyrian and English. She is currently a second-year student at Adler University in Chicago, working on her Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology. In 2021, she graduated from Northeastern Illinois University, where she studied psychology and a minor in biology. While attending Northeastern Illinois University, she was a psychotherapist assistant working alongside licensed clinical psychologists in administering group therapy for individuals experiencing severe mental illnesses.
Her clinical interests include mood and anxiety disorders, spreading mental health awareness in underserved communities, and working with adults suffering from mental health problems.
At the Center for Personal Growth, Sandy will be offering a Therapeutic Assessment of cognitive and personality functioning using a variety of psychological and neuropsychological measures and providing meaningful recommendations to help clients improve their quality of living.
Sandy offers the following services:
*Psychological Assessment *Neuropsychological Assessment
Zarina Khan, Doctoral Extern
Zarina Khan is one of our 2022-2023 Diagnostic Externs. She is currently a second-year student at Adler University in Chicago working on her Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology. In 2021, she graduated from Kent State University where she majored in psychology with a minor in nonprofit studies. While attending Kent State University, she was a part of a research team that explored ideas related to depression, with two foci: (1) the combined influence of rumination and maladaptive beliefs, and (2) models of life stress, including the stress sensitization, generation, and autonomy models.
Her clinical interests include depression and anxiety disorders, working with couples suffering from interpersonal problems, and spreading awareness about the importance of mental health.
At the Center for Personal Growth, Zarina will be offering a Therapeutic Assessment of cognitive and personality functioning using a variety of psychological and neuropsychological measures and providing meaningful recommendations to help clients improve their quality of living.
Zarina offers the following services:
*Psychological Assessment *Neuropsychological Assessment
Support Staff:
Kiera Liebich, Office Manager
Kiera has an Associates degree in Culinary Hospitality. Although working in the culinary field may not be for her, she loves cooking and entertaining for friends and family, with whom she spends most of her time. Kiera is a constant student who loves learning new things and likes to stay open minded. Kiera is responsible for scheduling, billing, and general office management at Center for Personal Growth. If you have a question about billing issues, please contact Kiera at [email protected] (Available Tuesday and Friday and some Saturdays only)
"Be the change you wish to see in the world" (Mahatma Gandhi).
"Love me when I least deserve it because that's when I need it the most" -unknown
"You are Loveable, Valuable, and Capable" -unknown
Receptionists:
*Eileen Ganley
Primary Receptionist for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and select Saturdays
*Marie Ganley
Receptionist for select Saturdays and as needed
Reception is typically available Monday-Thursday 1pm-8pm; Fridays & Saturdays 10am-2pm
If you would like to schedule/change an appointment, have any questions regarding services or our facility, please email [email protected]. or call (630) 791-0118 during Reception Desk Hours. Thank You