Michelle is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in children, adolescents and families. Her work has mainly been in community mental health settings where working with children and adults on mood, anxiety, ADHD and behavioral disorders was most prevalent. With a certification in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Michelle enjoys incorporating play, arts and crafts, and other creative outlets to provide children, adolescents and teens with a safe space to process and express themselves and where they can develop healthy skills towards bettering their well-being and carry those skills into later life stages. Even when working with adults and families, she believes in a systemic approach to examining all facets of a client’s life. Michelle is a proud Vietnamese-American and is knowledgeable in immigrant and first generational issues. 

Michelle’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in psychology with a minor in sociology from the University of Central Arkansas and a Master of Social Work from the University of Arkansas in Little Rock. She has experience in working with teenage youth in the foster care system, adult inpatient therapy and care management, and in mental health care in school systems grades preK-12th. 

Michelle is originally from the South and enjoys most outdoor activities (think hiking, kayaking, biking), especially with her dog Ripley. She loves fashion, film, photography and exploring new food and activities in the city with friends. Big Leo energy.

Josh Zoldan works with adolescents and young adults and comes with prior experience working with these populations in settings as varied as community mental health centers and undergraduate universities, continuing to build expertise at WCG while pursuing his doctorate in clinical psychology at Roosevelt University.

Josh’s approach to his therapeutic work primarily derives from humanistic and person-centered theories, emphasizing the therapeutic bond as the key factor in fostering meaningful change. He seeks to promote curiosity and self-exploration while providing a warm and welcoming environment where clients can feel safe to be their authentic selves. In addition to Josh’s passion for treating mental health, he is a mental performance coach, utilizing his master’s degree in sport and performance psychology. Josh works with athletes and performers to help each individual build the confidence, resilience, and mental wellness needed to perform at their very best, while continuing to prioritize the pure joy one seeks while performing.

In his spare time, Josh likes to stay active, specifically outside, when possible. He enjoys walks, exploring local parks, and running along the lakefront. Josh also likes to watch sports, spend quality time with friends, and listen to entertainment podcasts.

Taylor Rike is a graduate level therapist who works with clients across the lifespan, with a specialized focus on children, adolescents, and teens. Taylor is dedicated to creating a warm, supportive, and welcoming therapeutic environment where her clients can explore, grow, and thrive. Taylor is currently pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Northwestern University.

Drawing from a variety of modalities, she tailors her work to the unique needs of each client. Taylor is passionate about helping children and adolescents build resilience, develop healthy emotional expression, and strengthen their growing sense of self. In addition, she collaborates closely with the families of her clients to support their needs and work towards positive change.

Outside of her clinical work, Taylor enjoys spending time outdoors, cooking, reading, exercising, and traveling. 

Catherine Baker is a graduate level therapist who enjoys working with clients of all ages and has a particular passion for supporting children and adolescents. Before beginning her counseling training, Catherine was a teacher working with children and their families, which is an experience that continues to shape her approach to therapy. She is committed to creating a client-centered, nonjudgmental space grounded in warmth, patience, and care. Catherine is currently pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Northwestern University

Catherine practices through a psychodynamic approach to treatment that integrates other modalities to best meet each client’s unique needs. She believes that therapy is most effective when it is a collaborative process and therefore prioritizes building a strong therapeutic relationship where clients feel valued, heard, and understood. Catherine is particularly interested in helping clients build confidence, strengthen their sense of identity, and navigate life’s challenges with resilience.

Outside of her clinical work, Catherine enjoys spending time with her friends and family, reading, cooking, and running along Lake Michigan.

Alexa is a bilingual Licensed Professional Counselor with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. As a Latina woman, she brings a deep understanding of cultural identity and is dedicated to providing client-centered, culturally sensitive care to her clients.

She specializes in working with children and adolescents, using trauma-informed, evidence-based approaches that emphasize safety, collaboration, and that incorporate the child’s emerging authentic voice. Alexa is known to integrate play and storytelling through video games in therapy, helping teens express themselves, build emotional regulation skills, and develop tools for real-world change. She integrates psychoeducation for both clients and caregivers, helping them understand the impact of trauma and guiding interventions at a pace that supports healing and readiness.

Alexa’s therapeutic approach is integrative and flexible, grounded in creating a safe, affirming space for growth and healing. She views therapy as a collaborative process, honoring each client as the expert of their own life. She is especially passionate about neurodiverse-affirming care and is committed to supporting individuals with complex needs and histories of harm.

Alexa has worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those navigating housing insecurity, reentry from incarceration, and a history of complex trauma—experiences that have shaped her deep respect for the ways people adapt to survive challenging environments and thrive as the work of healing takes root.

In her free time, Alexa enjoys spending time with loved ones, reading nonfiction, and long walks on the beach with her dog.

Cheryl Grens supports adolescents and adults as a learning specialist and executive functioning coach. Working within a one-on-one coaching format, Cheryl helps her clients “crack the code” on things like time management, planning, organization, task initiation and completion, and analysis of work habits. Cheryl provides each of her clients with the tools to improve their grades and performance, develop confidence to complete tasks on time and meet expectations. Her approach involves fostering the increased self-awareness needed to recognize how they work best, while bringing creativity toward discovering new ways to approach a problem. Through individualized strategies and practice, Cheryl believes that all of her clients have the ability to develop new habits and improve their performance.

Cheryl holds an Illinois Professional Educator’s License and has over twenty years of experience in the classroom. In addition to teaching high school Spanish classes and serving as department chair, Cheryl has also led popular study skills workshops for incoming high school freshmen. She recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Organizational Behavior at Harvard University’s Extension School, and holds a Masters of Spanish Language and Literature from Roosevelt University. She majored in Spanish and secondary education in her undergraduate studies.

In her free time, Cheryl enjoys spending time with her two rescue dogs, gardening, and painting.