Vice President Clinical Programs

Training Director for Clinical Psychology

Dr. Carla Beatrici received her Psy.D. at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. She is a clinical psychologist with over 20 years clinical experience working with children, adolescents, parents and adults and also has experience directing an outpatient, non-profit counseling agency. Dr. Beatrici is an Assistant Professor at Loyola University Medical Center in the Department of Psychiatry, where she treats patients, supervises interns and teaches child development to psychiatry residents.

Clinic Office Manager & Parent Services and Community Outreach Coordinator

Ms. Nancy Ponton holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Dominican University in River Forest, IL and has twelve years experience with marketing and communications in the insurance industry. A native Oak Parker, Nancy has volunteered in the community for close to two decades. Most recently she has volunteered as a trained domestic violence advocate for Sarah’s Inn in Oak Park.

Psychology Extern

Mr. Alec Bennett is currently a doctoral student at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at National Louis University. He received his B.A in psychology and Master of Public Health at Michigan State University. Mr. Bennett has worked with children, adolescents, and families in a wide range of settings, including overnight residential summer camps, elementary schools, outpatient clinics, and hospitals. He is especially passionate about working with clients to build a meaningful therapeutic relationship and provide the support needed to help clients achieve greater inner well-being and improve their lives.

Clinical Coordinator

Laura Bentley, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who graduated from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a M.A. in Counseling Psychology. She is experienced working with children, adolescents, and families involved with the juvenile justice system and has provided individual therapy, family therapy, parent guidance and group therapy in other outpatient settings. Laura is committed to journey with her clients to achieve happier, healthier lives.

Project Leader, Quality Care and Evaluation

Dr. Stephen Budde received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. He is a psychotherapist who has over 20 years experience in child welfare as a clinical social worker, researcher, teacher, and administrator. He has had extensive experience as a Senior Researcher and Assistant Professor at Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago and a Lecturer at the University’s School of Social Service Administration (SSA). Dr. Budde is Associate Executive Director at the Juvenile Protective Association.

Therapist

Dr. Paula L. Ciccarone earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Delaware with a Child Clinical emphasis. She has worked in diverse community and clinical settings with people of all ages. Her expertise is focused on healthy child development and family relationships. Paula values the unique life experiences each person brings to the therapeutic relationship. She partners with clients to develop personalized treatment plans that allow for children, adults, and families to grow in happiness and self-fulfillment.

Therapist

Ms. Katherine Ford, LCSW, recently graduated from Erikson Institute with a Master’s Degree in Social Work and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She has experience working with children and families doing dyadic parent-child therapy and parental guidance in outpatient settings. Katherine is committed to creating an alliance with her clients to help them achieve their goals.

Masters Fellow

 Mrs. Yesenia Garcia is a Licensed Professional Counselor who earned her M.S. in School Counseling from National Louis University and her B.A. in Psychology from UIC. She is passionate about working in the counseling field in both a clinical and school setting. Her experience has been mostly working with at-risk youth and their families, but she enjoys working with diverse populations of all ages. Yesenia values building strong therapeutic relationships that are culturally respectful and create a safe space for clients to work towards their desired treatment outcomes.

Parent Consultant and Clinical Supervisor

Ms. Carol Johnson received her MSW from Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work. She is a psychotherapist with 25 years of clinical experience with children, teens, families, and adults in diverse settings, and an experienced parent educator. She was a teacher and school social worker in elementary schools, and a consultant for Easter Seals Head Start Program. Ms Johnson was also an adjunct professor at Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work.

Therapist

Sara Johnson received her Master’s and Ph.D. in social work from Loyola University Chicago. She has over 15 years of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families in a variety of settings including
outpatient mental health, foster care, and substance abuse programs. Dr. Johnson is committed to helping clients have happier and healthier experiences in their lives.

Therapist

Dr. Amy Krutky is a clinical psychologist with over 10 years of experience in providing therapeutic services to children, adolescents, parents, and adults in a broad range of settings including community based, inpatient, outpatient settings and therapeutic day schools. She is also experienced in conducting neuropsychological and psychological evaluations for children and adolescents. Dr. Krutky received her Psy.D. from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Counseling Fellow

Sydney Mesker, M.A. earned her Masters in Counseling Psychology from the The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Ms. Mesker completed her full time internship at Smart Love Family Services where she gained valuable experience working with children, teens, parents, and adults. She has worked in case management settings for the past two years with individuals with mental disorders such as bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. Ms. Mesker is passionate about working collaboratively with a wide range of individuals including children, adolescents and their families, and hopes to create a positive, supportive therapeutic relationship where mental health and wellness is a top priority.

Therapist

Dr. Pascale Moise provides psychological evaluation and treatment to children, adolescents and families in a broad range of settings including community based, inpatient, outpatient settings, and therapeutic day schools. Dr. Moise enjoys collaborating with parents in her work by engaging in dyadic parent-child therapy and parental consultation sessions. Dr. Moise values the unique qualities that all clients and families bring to the therapeutic relationship and uses that to empower her clients to navigate their challenges. She received her Psy.D from Adler University.

Therapist

Ms. Ilinka Novakovic received her MSW at Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work. She is a psychotherapist, parent educator and coach who has extensive experience both writing and presenting child development seminars and courses to parents and professionals. She has worked in several outpatient mental health agencies providing psychotherapy to children, adolescents and adults.

Therapist

Dr. Bill Pasola received his Psy.D. from Roosevelt University, where he specialized in child, adolescent and family therapy. He has experience serving a diverse array of clients and his clinical work has spanned short term crisis intervention to long term individual and family therapy. His previous settings of practice include: outpatient clinics, parochial schools, a therapeutic day school, a psychiatric hospital, and residential treatment.

Psychotherapist

Ms. Blaire Paulsen is a staff therapist who graduated from Adler University with an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is experienced working with children and families of all ages in multiple settings and has provided services within Riley’s Children Hospital, preschools, and ABA therapy centers. In the past year, Blaire has completed her counseling internship at Smart Love Family Services, enhancing her counseling skills with individual therapy and parent support. Blaire is committed to the therapeutic alliance with her clients and the cohesive process of working towards healthier and happier lives.

Therapist

Ms. Janine Phan received her M.A. in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with experience focused on grief and loss; identity concerns; couples therapy; parent guidance and anxiety and depression symptoms. She has extensive experience in working with people of all ages and multicultural backgrounds in various clinical settings. She appreciates the opportunity to work with families to help strengthen relationships and better understand one another's experience of themselves and each other.

Counseling Fellow

Kaelyn Pineo, M.A. graduated from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with her M.A. degree in Counseling Psychology with a focus on children and adolescents. Ms. Pineo completed her full time internship at Smart Love Family Services where she gained valuable experience working with children, teens and their parents. She has experience working with children and adolescents in transitional living facilities and working with adults in inpatient settings. Ms. Pineo is passionate about creating a safe therapeutic relationship for individuals of all ages and backgrounds so they have the opportunity to get support for themselves, allowing them to thrive.

Counseling Intern

Maureen Powell is a current graduate student at Adler University, pursuing an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She received her B.B.A. from Loyola University of Chicago. With a prior twenty-year career in media, Maureen honed her strong communication skills and natural ability to connect with others. As a counselor in training, she is inspired to serve children, adolescents, and their families, championing mental health and believing in the potential for change and lasting happiness.

Counseling Intern

Ms. Hope Robinson graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Currently, she is in her second year of pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Loyola University Chicago. Throughout her academic journey, Ms. Robinson has gained practical experience working in early childhood development, where she has honed her skills in play based interactions and supporting children’s emotional well being and self-regulation.

Therapist

Ms. Haley Rosenthal is a Licensed Professional Counselor who graduated from Roosevelt University with an M.A. in Clinical Psychology (Counseling Practice). She has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in a broad range of settings, including elementary schools, high schools, and long-term care facilities. Haley is passionate about collaborating with clients to help them reach their treatment goals and utilizes a positive, strengths-based humanistic approach. She focuses on creating meaningful therapeutic relationships in order to promote her clients’ overall well-being. 

Social Work Fellow

Ms. Shani Samuel, MSW recently graduated from the University of Michigan School of Social Work with a Master's Degree in Social Work, and has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. Ms. Samuel has experience working with children, teens, and their families in outpatient medical settings, and as a youth educator with young people of all ages. Ms. Samuel is passionate about the collaborative exploration of goals and challenges. She is committed to growing trusting, respectful, and open relationships with her clients, through which they can navigate these challenges and work toward therapeutic goals together.

Director of Training

Dr. Marian Sharkey received her Ph.D. from Loyola University Chicago.  She is a psychotherapist with over twenty five years of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families in a variety of inpatient and
outpatient community mental health, hospital and private practice settings. Dr. Sharkey is on the adjunct faculty in the School of Social Work at Loyola University Chicago and has taught at the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago. Dr. Sharkey directs the training program at Smart Love and provides clinical supervision.

Therapist

Dr. Sara Stone received her Psy.D. at The Wright Institute in Berkeley, California. She is a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of clinical experience working with adults, couples and families in outpatient hospital and community clinic settings, as well as children and adolescents in school settings.

Assistant Director of Training

Dr. Kari Terrill is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 10 years of experience providing therapeutic services to children, adolescents, parents, and adults in a variety of settings including community mental health agencies, schools, and outpatient clinics.  She has specific training in conducting psychological and psychoeducational evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults, and she is especially passionate about helping children and young adults receive the necessary support to achieve success in academic settings.  Dr. Terrill received her Psy.D. from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology.

Therapist

Ms. Olivia Tinati is a licensed clinical professional counselor.  She received her Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Northwestern University in 2018. Olivia has had experience working in non-profits providing community support, group therapy, and individual and family counseling to children, teenagers, and adults. Olivia currently provides individual and couple’s counseling services to children, adolescents, and adults from diverse backgrounds. Olivia is passionate about understanding her clients’ unique experiences and individual needs in order to help them live their happiest and most fulfilled lives.

Clinical Supervisor

Ms. Julia Wright is a licensed clinical social worker. She received her MSW from the Jane Addams College of Social Work and the University of Illinois at Chicago. Ms. Wright’s 15 years of experience include working with children and families of diverse backgrounds in residential and school settings. Ms. Wright joined Smart Love Family Services in 2015 helping children, adolescents and adults pursue their innate desires for well-being.  She also enjoys providing parent guidance counseling, helping parents to better understand their children’s behavior and enjoy their relationships with their children.

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Michael Zakalik received his Psy.D. at The Illinois School of Professional Psychology. He has over 17 years of experience working with diverse populations of children, adolescents, couples, parents, and adults. He has worked within residential facilities, public and therapeutic day schools, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, and outpatient services. Dr. Zakalik has experience in all these settings with helping children and families effectively cope with trauma and loss. He has also provided parent education seminars on important mental health topics to parents in the community.