Trauma Informed Specialists
Finding a therapist who meets your needs can be challenging. We want to help make that transition as easy as possible.
OUR TEAM
Dr. Nancy Kunkel, Psy. D
Dr. Kunkel was educated at Mundelein College of Loyola University and the Chicago School of Professional Psychology where she received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She is an experienced Licensed Clinical Psychologist with 29 years of working in the mental health field. Her non-judgemental, patient, and empathetic style allows her to connect with clients of all ages. Her goal is to create a curious and compassionate space in which the client feels heard and is inspired to make healthier choices for themselves and form more stable connections in their life.
Dr. Kunkel has a holistic approach in helping clients become more attuned to their mind and body connections. In teaching clients how to slow down and listen with self-compassion to their thoughts, feelings, and body, Dr. Kunkel assists in helping clients become unstuck from old trauma or beliefs. This then allows clients to find relief from symptoms, develop more effective coping skills and gain inner peace. She collaborates with the client in setting goals and keeps the focus of the sessions on ways the client is working towards their goals each week.
Dr. Kunkel’s areas of clinical interest are adolescent and adult women’s issues, depression, anxiety/OCD, ADHD, trauma and abuse, including chronic PTSD and dissociation, and relationship issues.
Dr. Kunkel incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Based Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Trauma Informed Therapy in her sessions to enable clients to gain life skills that lead to a long term path of emotional health. Dr. Kunkel is a Certified Mindfulness Teacher and is a Fully Trained therapist in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). All of these approaches lead to increased clarity and centeredness and the freedom to move towards a more thriving lifestyle.
Dr. LaCivita, Psy.D, LCPC, ATR-BC
Dr. LaCivita has a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Registered Art Therapist - Board Certified (ATR-BC), Chairperson of the Master of Arts in Counseling: Art Therapy and the PhD in Art Therapy Department and an Associate Professor at Adler University, Chicago. She is well known as a national and international advocate of the arts in the community and urban revitalization through the arts. She has presented all over the United States as well as in Italy, has been published in several publications. She believes in creating a safe place for self-expression using a gentle, compassionate approach, fostering healthy living through Positive and Adlerian Psychology.
Dr. LaCivita's clinical practice focuses on complementary and alternative modes of holistic healing, with a specialization in art therapy, bibliotherapy, journaling, play, mindfulness, meditation, music, yoga, and guided visualization. Her areas of specialization include children, adults and their families, trauma, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social, emotional, and behavioral learning issues, Adlerian theory and the philosophy of Individual Psychology, art therapy, the use of play, and the expressive arts as healing modalities.
Lexi Schmidt, LPC
Lexi has a passion for helping others find freedom, healing, and transformation through therapy and healthy relationships. She believes in creating safe, compassionate spaces to help people gather and understand the pieces of their stories so that they can live the full lives they desire. Lexi has a broad range of experiences as a student services director with individuals, families, and groups, crisis work, and pregnancy counseling. In addition to having a passion for therapeutic work, Lexi has a passion for education and was in the classroom setting for 15 years as a teacher. She is a certified social-emotional learning professional and yoga instructor and loves to help clients ground, breathe, and connect to God, self, and others.
Lexi offers trauma-informed care, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Christian counseling, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Strengths based therapy, culture-focused therapy, play therapy, and family systems therapy. Her clinical interests include Stress and post-traumatic stress, Emotion regulation, grief, coping skills + Transitional Care, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, emotional, psychological, physical, and spiritual abuse, life coaching, bullying, child and adolescent issues, and leadership development.