Ariel is a warm and compassionate therapist who’s here to support individuals of all ages on their journey to healing and self-discovery. Her dedication to her work is driven by her passion for empowering individuals, especially children and teenagers, who have faced systemic harm and societal stigma, including LGBTQ and TGNC individuals, women, and those from other marginalized communities. Through their extensive experience working with young people who have endured complex trauma, Ariel has come to believe in the power of a strengths-based relational therapy model, creating a safe and comfortable space where her clients can freely explore their thoughts and emotions. Additionally, Ariel is an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) trained clinician who utilizes somatic and movement-based healing in her clinical practice. Ariel loves incorporating art, play, music, and other imaginative techniques to engage their clients and make the therapeutic process both enjoyable and effective. Her commitment to celebrating diversity is evident in her affirming stance on all genders, sexualities, careers, reproductive choices, and alternative relationship structures.

Ariel’s educational foundation includes master’s degrees in both Social Work and Gender and Women Studies from Loyola University Chicago. Their professional background includes three meaningful years working in the foster care system, where they provided healing and affirming support to queer and trans youth, as well as to underage victims of human trafficking. Ariel understands the intricate nuances of life’s challenging situations and uses her experience to help her young clients find their unique paths to healing.

In her free time Ariel volunteers with PAWS Chicago. She’s also a proud member of a queer-fem basketball team, an enthusiastic karaoke performer, and a Pisces.

Dr. Michael Feinstein works with adolescents and adults, offering psychological treatment for a wide variety of presenting concerns. His area of specialty is trauma/PTSD and enjoys providing EMDR therapy to individuals in his care. Other areas of specialty for Dr. Feinstein include anxiety, depression, addiction, identity development & exploration, self-esteem & self-worth development, interpersonal & familial conflict, and life transitions. Dr. Feinstein also provides psychological evaluations.

Dr. Feinstein’s approach to therapeutic practice is primarily rooted in humanistic and Person-Centered philosophies, utilizing a modern Rogerian style that emphasizes empathy, empowerment, and personal exploration. He frequently incorporates approaches from modalities such as Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), existentialism, and psychodynamic concepts, as well. Dr. Feinstein’s philosophy for therapeutic practice is that everything brought to therapy is rich in meanings that can be explored and understood, no matter how distressing or puzzling it may appear to others. He aims to create a supportive, safe, and welcoming environment where such an exploration can take place and healing can begin to unfold. Throughout therapy, Dr. Feinstein strives to maintain a deep commitment to accurately understand you and your lived experiences, respect your autonomy, and empower individuals to live a more peaceful and personally meaningful life.

Dr. Feinstein is a graduate of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, where he earned a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. He has experience treating individuals from across the lifespan throughout a wide variety of settings. These include private practice, community mental health centers, nonprofit agencies, college counseling centers, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, and crisis centers.

In his free time, Dr. Feinstein likes to stay active and frequently rides his bike along the lakefront and attends yoga and Pilates classes. He also enjoys playing video games, boardgames, seeing live music, exploring the local restaurant scene, and watching sports.

Brandon Arbuckle is a licensed marriage and family therapist with more than two decades of experience in private practice. His primary focus is working with couples on conflict resolution and emotional dysregulation between partners. With a background in the intersection of neuroscience and change in couples, Brandon understands how the body responds to trauma and emotional distress as well as the effect this can have on the lives of those in intimate relationships. He works to help couples develop greater and more secure emotional connections, as well as identify opportunities for growth in their relationships.

Brandon is a certified facilitator of Prepare/Enrich™, as well as a supervisor approved by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. He regularly supervises and consults with those seeking to become an LMFT in Illinois.

Brandon earned his Ph.D. in Pastoral Theology, Personality and Culture from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, a Methodist Seminary on the campus of Northwestern University. The field of Pastoral Theology is interdisciplinary, with influence from clinical psychology, psychology of religion and anthropology.

In his free time, Brandon enjoys watching movies, art, playing baseball with his two children, and exploring the varied cuisine offered by the world’s most delightful city: Chicago.

Dr. Alyson Byrne works with children, adolescents, families, and adults, offering psychological expertise throughout the lifespan. With extensive experience working with children, Dr. Byrne has helped patients navigate various challenges youths are exposed to at home and at school. Her focus areas consist of emotional and behavioral difficulties, including ASD, ADHD, difficulties with peer relationships, bullying, anxiety, depression, and adjustment issues. Dr. Byrne also works with infants and toddlers, performing developmental evaluations alongside speech and language pathologists.

Dr. Byrne is a graduate of Adler University in Chicago where she earned a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a Child and Adolescent emphasis and before that, a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has extensive clinical experience in public schools, therapeutic day schools, and private schools. Dr. Byrne is also well-versed in conducting psychological, academic, and neuropsychological evaluations for children and adolescents.

In her free time, Dr. Byrne enjoys exploring the city of Chicago with her friends. She loves to try different restaurants, see live shows, travel, and spend time with her family.

Dr. David Rakofsky, President of Wellington Counseling Group and licensed clinical psychologist, has extensive experience working with depression, anxiety, relationship struggles, and communication issues in traditional and non-traditional households. He frequently facilitates a weekly men’s group helping men at a mid-life crossroads work through career development and maintaining healthy relationships. Dr. Rakofsky has been in private practice since 2005 and served in a number of leadership roles for both public and private mental health agencies.

He’s most honored to be involved in the daily training of the next generation of psychologists and Master’s level psychotherapists, and has consulted within many varied segments of the community, including law enforcement, academia, and immigration and civil rights law. Dr. Rakofsky holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Chicago and a Master’s in Adult Clinical Psychology from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. He is also a proud alumnus of Syracuse University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and religion.

When he is not working, he enjoys the arts, films, playing and performing music, cycling, and spending time with his children.

As a member of PSYPACT, Dr. Rakofsky can treat via telehealth, clients who live in the following participating states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, (Illinois), Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.