Hi there! My name is Erica Leibrandt, founder of Sound Mind Counseling. You’ll often hear me say, and this is true, talk therapy changed my life… and it can dramatically improve yours as well.

I believe the best therapists are those who are not just educated in the finest programs but seasoned by the real hardships of life. Someone who can understand on a deeply personal level things like grief, depression, anxiety, trauma, and complicated relationships. I love my job, both as a clinician and as the very first person every potential client at Sound Mind speaks to, because I get to encourage people to heal, grow, and rediscover what makes them amazing.

I was lucky to attend both Loyola and Northwestern Universities and develop my professional identity as a Psychodynamically informed psychotherapist with expertise in mindfulness and Internal Family Systems (IFS). All that’s really just a fancy way of saying I care about all the parts of my client’s lives; past, present, future, mental, emotional, and relational, and I encourage practices that help bring self-awareness into focus.

If you’re ready to get unstuck and start feeling hopeful, empowered, and alive again, reach out. I, and the other talented Sound Mind Counselors, are ready to help you do your work.

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A born empath, Kelly brings unmatched energy and compassion to every client she sees. Specializing in working with children ages three and up dealing with trauma, behavioral issues, anxiety, and depression, she is able to use her warmth and intelligence to create strong therapeutic bonds. This is not easy work, and few people are as skilled as she is with these age groups.

She is not only great with kids, but with their parents too. She understands that every child is part of a family system, and as such, that the whole system should be engaged in the treatment process.

Kelly believes that trust is the foundation of successful therapy, and that each client has highly individualized needs. As a result, she incorporates many different modalities including play and experiential therapy, CBT, and role playing. I never see Kelly happier than when she has a meaningful break through with a client, and is able to help them find their voice and get their lives pointed in a healthier, more joyful direction.

In my opinion, the ultimate test of a pediatric clinician’s excellence is whether or not I’d send my own kids to them. Though they are older now, my kids would have been lucky to have her, and yours will be too.

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I wish I’d had a therapist like Stephanie when I was younger! Her calm yet charismatic personality instantly puts clients at ease, allowing them to let down their defenses so they can start unraveling the riddle of why they are there in the first place.

It takes a certain kind of person to do this work with teens and even young adults, who are used to keeping their cards close to the vest for fear of being judged, ridiculed, or simply not believed. With extensive experience as a school counselor, she has firsthand knowledge of the spectrum of issues that kids face today. She encourages families to get involved with treatment and hones in on communication, behavioral health, skill building, self-esteem, and social/emotional health.

Uniquely informed by her Assyrian background, she will (rightly) say that her multiculturalism is one of her strongest assets. Rooted in a CBT, Person-Centered/Strengths Based, and Mindfulness approach, she aims to empower clients to make the “unconscious conscious”, build self-awareness, and encourage creative change.

One of the (many!) reasons I am thrilled to have Anum Zafar on the SMC roster is her strong background in working with kids of all ages who face a multitude of challenges. There is an ever-growing number of children who are grappling with Autism, ADHD, emotional regulation issues, anger management, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, fractured or toxic families, and trauma, and the need for mental health professionals who understand and can facilitate healing in all these domains is clear. She is here to answer that need.

Anum is more than someone with clinical expertise, however. She speaks to this when she says that “having had a rocky start in life has taught me to lead with love and compassion, especially when working with kids. It has allowed me to have a deep well of patience and understanding for children who are struggling in their lives.” Indeed, that compassionate attitude is evident from the first moment you meet her and helps her make warm, easy connections with both kids and their parents right out of the gate.

Anum’s experience in school and clinical settings means she has had front-row seats for the day-to-day reality children navigate, and she brings an unusual level of insight to her work as a result. She believes in “the inherent dignity and worth of individuals, the importance of personal relationships, and having personal integrity” and is actively grateful that her values are in alignment with this profession. She skillfully utilizes DBT, mindfulness, somatic and activity-based therapies, as well as art and a strengths-based approach to partner with her clients and help them grow into the best version of themselves.

Every therapist has a unique story about how they came to counseling, and Ali Charnov is no exception. After the tragic death of her brother Scott in 2016, she was fortunate enough to receive the kind of care and support that inspired her to evolve from being a non-profit professional to her higher calling; working one-on-one with clients of all ages to help them improve their lives. She understands pain because she’s been there, and she is eager to share all that she has learned about healing.

Of course, it’s not just surviving the challenges of life that forge a great clinician; exceptional training plays a huge role as well. A proud graduate of both The University of Illinois and The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Ali’s credentials are outstanding, not the least of which are her six plus years of service with Experience Camps, an organization that helps kids and families process grief. Her skills include CBT, ACT, Strengths Based, and Mindfulness approaches, all proven modalities which she uses to create treatment plans customized for her clients. When seeing children and adolescents, she welcomes parents as an integral part of the process, and weaves in art and play therapy as well as somatic interventions where appropriate.

With Ali, you will find a level of care and dedication which sets her apart and sets the stage for real growth and transformation.

Maureen Crowe is an upbeat, wise, and creative therapist who brings warmth and insight to her work with clients across the lifespan. Whether supporting children, adolescents, or adults navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, PTSD, or challenging life transitions, Maureen has a remarkable ability to connect with people and offer thoughtful insight into the complexities of the human experience.

Maureen earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) and Professional Educator License (PEL) from Aurora University and has completed specialized training as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). A trusted, longtime member of the Sound Mind Counseling team, she draws from psychodynamic psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and play therapy, thoughtfully tailoring her approach to each client’s unique needs, strengths, and goals. Whether helping a child find the words to express difficult emotions or guiding an adult through a significant life transition, Maureen creates an environment in which clients feel understood, respected, and supported.

With a professional background in special education and school social work, Maureen has a deep appreciation for the ways emotional well-being, family dynamics, and individual differences shape our lives. Her professional experiences, coupled with her personal experience growing up alongside family members navigating mental health challenges, addiction, and neurodivergence, inspired her to extend her work beyond the classroom and into clinical practice.

At the heart of Maureen’s work is the belief that while therapeutic techniques are valuable, it is the relationship between therapist and client that creates the foundation for meaningful healing and change. She strives to offer a space where clients can show up exactly as they are, without pressure to perform, conceal their feelings, or meet anyone else’s expectations. Maureen welcomes the messy, vulnerable, and uncertain parts of being human with empathy, curiosity, and compassion, recognizing that it is often within these shadowed parts of ourselves that our greatest strengths and capacity for growth are waiting to be discovered.

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Trained in Integrative Systemic Therapy (IST) in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at Northwestern University, as well as in EMDR, Rosy believes that “we are all connected and influenced by our interpersonal relationships, family, community, and culture”.

This idea of connectedness extends to the relationship between her and her clients, with whom she establishes a warm and easy rapport right out of the gate. Her strengths-based and solution-focused perspective means that she collaborates with them to build on what’s been working and understand the unconscious patterns and belief systems that have been holding them back. This approach lends itself well to adolescents and adults of all ages dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, and of course, relationships, as well as couples who find themselves stuck in counterproductive cycles and who are trying to find that all-important work-life balance. 

Rosy’s international background, which includes residency in the U.S., Seoul, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Kuala Lumpur, as well as travel to over 40 countries including North Korea, and her multilingual ability (English- Native, Korean, and Mandarin) add to her unique orientation, as does her high-level corporate experience. She is someone who readily sees the complexities of the human condition and has the wisdom to interpret them. She says, “I genuinely appreciate people’s stories, and the level of depth and diversity of experiences we all possess never ceases to amaze me”. 

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Erin Ellis, LSW, brings a unique blend of experience and expertise to her counseling practice. A graduate of both the University of Illinois and York University in Toronto, Canada, she holds two master’s degrees, one in clinical social work and the other in business administration. 

Erin anchors her clinical perspective in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and says she has found “its acceptance-based strategies such as Mindfulness and Coping Ahead particularly helpful during times of acute distress.” Research consistently underlines the efficacy of DBT for both adolescents and adults. 

Prior to private practice, Erin specialized in corporate communications and public relations. She believes that this background, “while seemingly antithetical to the world of therapy, gives her a first-hand understanding of the day-to-day demands and stressors that the corporate world can impose.” 

Additionally, Erin worked for Districts 39 and 64 as a school social worker, where she helped support kids grappling with concerns ranging from socialization, mood disorders, LGBTQIA+ issues, the impact of divorce and family restructuring, and more. As a mom of three herself, she was able to easily put herself in these students’ shoes and help move them to a healthier place.
Erin is as warm as she is bright and welcomes clients in with enthusiasm and intelligence. Whether you are navigating teen angst or the complex problems of parenthood, relationships, and work stress, she offers a steady hand to guide you to where you long to be.

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Warm, candid, and collaborative, Abbie Papanicholas brings over two decades of experience in school, family, and community settings to her work as a therapist. She holds a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University, graduating with academic distinction, and completed an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Fellowship at the University of Chicago.

Abbie works with individuals and couples across the lifespan, integrating psychodynamic insight with behavioral, humanistic, and solution-focused approaches, and is particularly drawn to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for its ability to deepen self-awareness and reduce internal struggle. She also believes in empowering clients with psychoeducation, which provides them with skills and insight upon which to ground their growing self-awareness.

As a mom of four—including a son with a rare genetic disorder and a daughter who qualified for the Olympic Trials—Abbie brings personal insight into the challenges of parenting and high-achieving environments. She is passionate about working with people of all ages, including children, adolescents, adults, and seniors, and is grounded in her knowledge of each life stage. Her combination of clinical expertise, lived experience, and genuine warmth allows her to meet clients exactly where they are, helping them move toward greater clarity, balance, and well-being.

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Rennie Pasquinelli is a warm and astute clinician who helps clients deepen their understanding of themselves and their relationships. Her therapeutic approach is grounded in contemporary Psychodynamic thought—including modern Freudian and Jungian influences—a lens she uses to help clients explore their internal worlds, relational patterns, and the unconscious processes that shape their lived experience. Collaboratively, with curiosity and respect, she supports clients in making meaning of their emotions, histories, and desires so they can become the most powerful versions of themselves.

Rennie holds a PhD in Cognitive Science, which provides the groundwork for her extensive expertise in how humans learn, grow, and change. This background allows her to integrate scientific insight with a deeply humanistic appreciation for each person’s complexity. Her systemic perspective helps her understand individuals not only as isolated selves, but as members of families, partnerships, cultures, and communities—each with its own dynamics and influence. Rennie is also trained in ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) to help address OCD presentations.

Rennie loves to work with teens, young adults, and adults, and is also drawn to supporting families and partners who want to improve communication, heal longstanding problematic patterns, and understand one another more fully. No matter the constellation, Rennie meets clients with steadiness, attunement, and a deep belief in their capacity for meaningful change.

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Christine is the sort of upbeat and authentic person you feel like you’ve known for years even when you’ve just met. Clients can immediately sense her warmth and openness— qualities that lend themselves to building strong therapeutic relationships with a broad range of people regardless of their age or presenting issue.

Clinically, Christine takes an integrative approach to her work, drawing from, among other modalities, Person-Centered Therapy for its emphasis on empathy and connection, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for its practical tools to address anxiety and depression.
Christine’s personal experiences also shape her counseling approach. As a working mother of three, she understands the balancing act that wearing so many hats requires. Additionally, a battle with a serious health issue has deepened her appreciation for resilience and self-compassion, while caregiving for her husband during his struggle with stage 4 cancer gave her insight into the emotional and practical challenges of supporting a loved one through illness.

Before counseling, Christine worked in media sales with major brands like Bon Appétit and Warner Brothers. Her volunteer work at her children’s school, where she created an after-school program benefiting students, teachers, and the PTO, reinforced her passion for service and community building.

Christine has always been drawn to helping others navigate challenges. Her background in media sales honed her ability to listen deeply and understand unspoken needs—skills she now applies in therapy. She is committed to helping clients gain clarity, build resilience, and move toward healing and growth.

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Sarah earned her Master of Social Work from Erikson Institute, where her training focused on child development and working with children and families. Before becoming a therapist, she spent several years working in early childhood education as both a preschool teacher and educational leader. This experience gives her a valuable understanding of how children develop, communicate, learn, and navigate their emotional worlds.

Sarah works with children and adolescents experiencing anxiety, ADHD, emotional and behavioral challenges, self-esteem concerns, and difficulties at home, at school, or in relationships. She believes that behavior is communication and approaches children with curiosity, looking beyond what is happening on the surface to better understand what a child may be feeling, experiencing, or needing.

Her therapeutic approach is relational, developmental, and child-centered. Sarah uses play to help children communicate, process experiences, and explore emotions that may be difficult to put into words. She also draws from attachment-based and family systems perspectives and incorporates social-emotional learning, mindfulness, movement, art, and other creative activities based on each child’s individual needs and interests.
Central to Sarah’s work is creating a strong therapeutic relationship in which children feel safe, accepted, and understood. She recognizes that every child is different and believes therapy should reflect each child’s unique personality, developmental needs, strengths, and way of seeing the world. Her natural ease in the therapy room, along with her high level of social and emotional intelligence, supports this process.

Sarah also values working collaboratively with parents and caregivers, recognizing the important role that family, school, relationships, and environment play in a child’s emotional well-being. Her goal is to help families better understand what is happening beneath challenging behaviors while giving children the support and tools they need to develop greater emotional awareness, confidence, and resilience.

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A people person to her core—Catherine Aranas is easy to talk to, warm, and authentic. As a clinical intern at Sound Mind Counseling and a graduate student at Northwestern University’s Family Institute, Catherine brings a dynamic blend of professional insight, personal experience, and an insatiable curiosity about what makes us who we are.

Catherine is particularly drawn to Internal Family Systems (IFS), a model that helps clients connect with different parts of themselves in order to better understand their behaviors, emotions, and patterns. She skillfully weaves this approach into her Psychodynamic training, helping clients explore their internal world. Her integrative style invites clarity, self-acceptance, and healing.

Catherine completed her undergraduate studies in Public Health at the University of Illinois Chicago, where she developed a deep interest in the social determinants of mental health and the systemic barriers people face when seeking care. Before beginning her graduate studies, she spent many years connecting individuals with high-quality mental health care services—an experience that inspired her to continue her education so she could take an even more proactive role in providing meaningful care for people grappling with anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and relational issues.

Raised as the youngest of six in a single-parent household—first in the Philippines and later in the U.S.—Catherine brings a true appreciation for resilience, identity, and the complexities of family. Her lived experience navigating generational trauma and emotional development gives her a nuanced lens through which she supports others on their own journeys.

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Like lots of people, I credit animals for helping me stay mentally healthy, and there is nothing quite like pure dog love to alleviate depression and anxiety!

After losing my beloved therapy dog Bruno, a big German Shepherd with an old soul with whom I practiced until his passing in 2019, I rescued Bhodi and Enzo, two White Swiss Shepherd puppies, to help take his place. As energetic as they are, it’s taken a bit longer than I anticipated to bring them into the office! Nevertheless, I know that with hard work and patience, they will soon be ready to join me as I work with clients and bring them that spontaneous sense of joy that they bring to me.

Meanwhile, Sound Mind Counseling is a dog-friendly space, and any client who wishes to visit us with their pet (assuming they are friendly) is always welcome!