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.

Dan Brandys is currently a second-year graduate student at Northwestern University’s (NU) Master of Arts in Counseling program. Dan earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), where he majored in Clinical/Community Psychology and minored in Criminology, Law, & Society.

Dan has served as a practicum graduate student therapist at the Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic at NU’s Family Institute and as a volunteer virtual crisis counselor for the Crisis Text Line. Further, Dan worked as a cross-categorical teacher aide at Champaign Central High School and as an undergraduate summer intern at the Pediatric Developmental Center at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago, collaborating with adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

He served as a lead research assistant in UIUC’s Project on Life Experiences (PLE) Research Lab under the direction of Dr. Thomas Kwapil, conducting a year-long project that explored multidimensionality within the bipolar spectrum. Dan also served as Vice President of UIUC’s Ukrainian Student Association—where he engaged in volunteer, fundraising, and advocacy work to support humanitarian efforts for those impacted by the war in Ukraine in 2022.

Dan believes that each individual possesses an array of intersectional identities, defining qualities, and lived experiences: all of which inform one’s presentation of self and presenting mental health concerns. Therefore, his humanistic and relational approach to therapy—bolstered by psychodynamic modalities and evidence-based practices (e.g., Acceptance and Commitment Therapy [ACT])—is tailored to meet each individual’s unique needs. He strives to establish a collaborative, comfortable, and judgment-free environment with clients on their personalized therapeutic journey of holistic and empathic self-exploration.

Dan values the power of self-care. When he is not at school or at work, he watches movies; exercises; creates graphic designs; practices violin; spends time with family and friends; and is always on the lookout for the next new spot to get a coffee.

Lowell Bisio is fourth-year clinical psychology doctoral student at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. He has previous clinical experience providing psychotherapy and psychological assessment in both inpatient and college counseling settings, where he has worked with children, adolescents, and adults.

Lowell approaches treatment from an integrative perspective that emphasizes humanistic and psychodynamic methods. He believes in the holistic individuality of every person and sees the empathic therapeutic relationship as fundamental to insight and change. Lowell is interested in sitting with, learning from, and helping individuals in despair. His other clinical interests include working with individuals experiencing issues relating to life transitions, mood, personality, identity, or spirituality.

Prior to beginning his graduate studies, Lowell earned his B.A. from Colorado College, majoring in philosophy and with minors in English, music, and psychoanalysis. He has also previously volunteered in a hospice setting providing support for patients and their families.

When he is not working or studying, Lowell enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, learning about history, watching films, playing music, and petting his cats.

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.