Therapists

Claudia Pitts, PhD
Executive Director
Known for her intuitive and wise approach to empowerment, Dr. Pitts is an experienced, eclectic cognitive-behavioral therapist who treats individuals and couples focusing on the treatment of anxiety and depression. Professional, kind, and knowledgeable, Dr. Pitts works with families and individuals dealing with transitions, chronic illness, divorce and grief, and loss. In professional practice since she received her degree in 1992, she currently serves as an associate professor at National Louis University, where she directs the Master’s in Psychology program.

Melanie Terbovic, PhD
Clinical Director
Dr. Terbovic is a seasoned clinician who works with adults, children, and families with special expertise in the challenges of both older adults—including grief and adjustment to physical changes—and those of children (age 4 and up). Skilled in ADHD evaluation and treatment and the cognitive behavioral treatment of anxiety and mood disorders, she is also experienced in using tools such as meditation and mindfulness. Dr. Terbovic has practiced mindfulness and meditation for 35 years, and has studied with renowned teachers including Thich Nhat Hanh.

James David, PhD
Dr. David is a clinical psychologist with a background in psychotherapy and stress and coping research. Known for his empathetic, patient and forward-focused approach to helping adults cope with past trauma, stressful life events, medical conditions, anxiety and depression, and recovery from problematic substance use, he is respected for his research on relationships and personality. Dr. David earned a doctorate from the University of Iowa in 1997 and held fellowship and research scientist positions at the University of California - Irvine, Department of Psychology and Social Behavior. He also spent several years in the San Francisco Bay Area where he completed specialized post-doctoral clinical training.

Elizabeth “Liz” Haeffele, LCSW
Liz graduated from George Williams College with her Master’s degree in Social Work. Now a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she has worked with children and adults of all ages and from various cultures and lifestyles. Liz has extensive experience helping clients to resolve crises and to cope with traumatic events. Liz primarily uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, with an emphasis on mindfulness, to help those struggling with anxiety, depression and other disorders.

Marybeth Urbin, LCSW
Marybeth graduated in 1996 from the University of Illinois in Chicago (UIC), Jane Adams School of Social Work with a Master's degree in Social Work. Her work has encompassed adults and children who have witnessed and/or experienced the trauma of domestic violence, sexual assault and homelessness. Following retirement from full-time work in 2017, Marybeth has returned to working with children and families who are challenged by past trauma, stress, anxiety and depression. Marybeth provides play therapy for children believing that play is the best method for children to work through these issues. In addition she partners with parents providing support necessary for children to live full and rewarding lives. 

John Parquette, LCSW
John, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, approaches each client individually while embracing the power of his or her family and other systems that influence well-being and functioning. John’s work is collaborative, strengths-based and resilience-oriented. He engages, connects, and provides support and empathic understanding of each client’s struggles and stressors while providing a safe space to create, practice, and embrace healthy, new strategies. John enjoys working with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults who may be experiencing difficulties with life’s adjustments, disruptive transitions, anxiety, depression, trauma, loss, illness, and other complications that all families experience. He works collaboratively with clients to address their individual needs as well as improving their relationships, communication skills, and helping them to lower stress levels to improve healing and positive change.

Carrie Estrada, LCSW
With over 20 years of clinical experience, Carrie specializes in the treatment of trauma, CPTSD, sexual assault, and domestic violence, working with adolescents and adults. A graduate of Loyola University Chicago's School of Social Work, she is trained in EMDR, Brainspotting, TF-CBT, and Child-Parent Psychotherapy, and integrates somatic and polyvagal-informed approaches to help clients build safety, regulation, and resilience. Carrie is also passionate about supporting the next generation of clinicians, providing LCSW supervision to provisionally licensed social workers throughout her career.