Trauma Informed Specialists
Finding a therapist who meets your needs can be challenging. We want to help make that transition as easy as possible.
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-judgmental, 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.
Ambria Olson, M.A.
Ambria received her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Northwestern University. Prior to this, she received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with an emphasis in at-risk youth care at the University of Wisconsin LaCrosse. Ambria has worked with survivors of abuse, neglect, and human trafficking since 2017 across residential and outpatient settings. Her goal is to walk with her clients as they explore the important work of knowing themselves, processing past hurts, and reclaiming their present.
Ambria’s approach is rooted in a psychodynamic framework, exploring clients’ current experiences and their connections to the past. Building safety and trust is the cornerstone of her therapeutic work, which supports clients to explore their past and present, while building hope for the future. Skill development is woven into sessions to support clients in learning and strengthening emotional identification and emotional regulation skills.
Ambria’s areas of clinical interests include anxiety, attachment, OCD, PTSD, and complex trauma. Ambria incorporates Psychodynamic Therapy, Trauma Informed Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness Based Therapy in her work with clients. Through these approaches, clients have the opportunity to learn about themselves in new ways and explore their experiences through a lens of self-compassion.