Safe Environment, Knowledgable Staff
Treating the trauma first
Our approach is trauma-informed and focuses on the whole health of a person in the change process. A trauma-informed therapist approaches each client with the assumption that they have experienced some type of trauma and maintains a safe environment to empower the client to heal.
Learn more about Trauma-Informed Therapy
What does it mean to be EMDR Certified?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an integrative therapy approach that helps people heal from trauma and other types of psychological distress like anxiety, phobias, addiction and much more. EMDR has been extensively researched and proven to be a highly effective therapy tool in helping clients completely process through distressing experiences.
Learn more about EMDR
OUR TEAM
The Calm Mind team supports our clients through a wide range of theraputic techniques, and has been able to help our clients achieve a calm mind. We provide a safe and comforting space, and the ability choose a therapist that meets your needs.
SUZANNE MUIRHEID
Founder
Licensed Clinical Professional Counsellor (LCPC)
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level II (CCTP-II)
Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CADC)
EMDR Certified, Level II
EMDR Consultant
Suzanne Muirheid founded Calm Mind Counseling Center with the goal of providing innovative and effective care to individuals struggling with trauma and other mental health issues. In her more than 10 years of experience, Suzanne found that most of her clients had experienced some type of trauma throughout their lives going untreated and manifested into something else like anxiety or depression.
In her efforts to provide her clients with the best treatment possible, Suzanne trained extensively in trauma-informed care and other effective therapeutic techniques. As a Certified Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) clinician, Suzanne regularly integrates this technique into her work as she has seen it prove effective for many of her clients in a significant way.
Suzanne’s style is holistic and strength-based. There is nothing more powerful than helping someone realize that their pain and past trauma doesn't define them. Helping people rediscover hope and empowerment creates a sense of purpose in her own life. She spends her free time with her children, playing sports, trying new restaurants, and baking treats for her neighbors
Pronouns: She/Her
ERIN HOFFMAN
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level II (CCTP-II)
EMDR Trained, Level I
I am passionate about a collaborative relationship between the helper and the person reaching out. I believe that the relationship between one’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors is strong and seeing a new perspective can be powerful.
I received a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in counseling from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2012. I've worked with adolescents in a residential treatment facility, with adults struggling with severe and chronic mental illness, and in psychiatric hospitals providing inpatient treatment to patients.
I specialize in working with clients who have experienced trauma, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse disorders. I also work with people who are dealing with major life changes/transitions. I am a Level I clinician in EMDR, and leverage a variety of therapeutic techniques including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, gestalt, and narrative therapy.
My favorite things are spending time with my 2 dogs-Rudy and Sadie, making my family and friends laugh, a challenging workout, and a crackling fire in the fire pit in my backyard.
Pronouns: She/Her
SUSAN GABEL
Licensed Clinical Professional Counsellor (LCPC)
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level II (CCTP-II)
Certified Child and Adolescent Trauma Professional (CATP)
EMDR Trained, Level I
My goal is to help everyone feel empowered to create positive, meaningful change for themselves and their family. My clients motivate me to be a better clinician, because I see the work they put in and strive to gain more knowledge to better support them. I utilize an empathic and collaborative approach in therapy, and believe in providing a safe environment to promote client growth and exploration.
I have over 6 years of experience providing therapy to children, adolescents, adults, and families. Areas I specialize in are attachment issues, anxiety, depression, Dissociative Disorders, CPTSD and trauma, and selective mutism. I have experience working in a PHP program, a domestic violence shelter, a group home, in the Mental Health Court, at a Juvenile Detention Center, and then private practice. I've obtained training in evidence-based treatment modalities and trauma-informed care such as EMDR, Theraplay, and DDP to more effectively target and reduce distressing symptoms and increase resiliency.
When not at work, I can be found spending time with family and friends, doing small projects at home, enjoying nice weather when Chicago permits, and watching too much Netflix (let's be honest).
Pronouns: She/Her
Jeana Frazier
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
I strive to provide therapy that is tailored to each individual's unique experience. I became a therapist because I wanted to help and support others in the way that my own personal therapy helped me in the past. I was inspired to be that safe space for others. My work is rooted in a person-centered approach, and I often use CBT, mindfulness, and solution-focused techniques during sessions.
I have a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler University. I have a background in social justice and with prior experience working in a college counseling setting, as well as a women's treatment facility. I specialize in treating stress and anxiety management, anxiety, depression, and grief and loss.
I am a dog lover, a coffee lover, and a music lover. Outside of work you can find me jamming out to music in my car, spending time with friends and family, or going on bike rides when the weather is nice! Fun fact, I am an experienced barista!
Pronouns: She/Her
DAWN LEATHERMAN-KULIs
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Certified Family Trauma Professional (CFTP)
EMDR Trained, Level I
I lead naturally and want to help others be the best they can be by helping others make breakthroughs and realizations about strengths they already possess. I work with families, couples and individuals struggling with a variety of issues including life transitions, grief, anxiety, depression and trauma.
I have a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. I have over10 years of experience working with families and seniors in Long Term Care environments, with advanced training in treating trauma in families and couples. I leverage a systemic approach using person centered therapy, mindfulness, and trauma focused CBT techniques.
When not at work, I am often riding my bike along the lakeshore, enjoying good food and spending time with friends and family. My happy place is in the sun!
Pronouns: She/Her
Abigail Slager
Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
EMDR Trained, Level I
I am passionate about helping people lean into their journey of self-discovery and grow into personal healing and fulfillment. I look to build a partnership with you by creating a safe and nonjudgmental space for you to come as you are. I adhere to a person-centered approach to therapy where I will always choose words that recognize you as a person first with unique gifts and innate value.
I have a Social Work degree from Aurora University. I have experience working in various health care settings including hospitals, community mental health, and kidney dialysis care. I specialize in helping a broad spectrum of people including teens, adults and families managing chronic illness, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, life transitions, body image/eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
I am passionate about utilizing acceptance and commitment therapies, mindfulness techniques, and various cognitive behavioral therapies to help you sort through your emotions and evaluate your experiences.
Pronouns: She/Her
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
I believe that raising awareness about mental health is important because overall wellness depends on good mental and physical health. I have experience working with adults, children, teens and adolescents from many different cultural backgrounds. I specialize in anxiety, depression, family conflicts, substance abuse, attachment disorders, and OCD. I help find resolution through individual, family, and group therapy.
I have a master’s in Social Work degree from the University of Illinois Chicago and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Loyola University. I have had the opportunity to work with many different types of clients and clinical presentations during my experience in a medical inpatient setting, university hospital, and a mental health facility.
When not at work I love to read for fun, binge shows on Netflix, and spend time with my family and friends.
Pronouns: She/Her
Jackie Harvel
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
I believe that most human behaviors and patterns of thinking are affected by some trauma in our past, and if we can identify how we were impacted by those traumas, we can make positive changes for our future. I focus on adults needing assistance with processing traumas, reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms, problem-solving, relationship building/couples counseling.
I have a Master’s degree in Psychology and Master’s in Clinical Mental health and 3 years of experience as a mental health professional treating Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, personality disorders, anxiety, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. I have knowledge and experience in different modalities including CBT, DBT, EFT, SFT, marriage and family, and Reality therapy.
My goal is to build a trusting relationship in order for clients to open up about their traumas and develop ways to reduce triggers and unwanted behaviors. I aim to empower people to take control of the things they can and make peace with the things they can't.
Pronouns: She/Her
Suzy Puican
Behavioral health therapist, LCPC
I believe that often we try to distract ourselves from difficult, painful or ‘ugly’ emotions. When we numb our painful emotions we also limit our ability to experience positive emotions. Processing emotion is a lifelong work for everyone, and I believe in supporting the process at every age.
I am a licensed clinical professional counselor with a master’s degree from DePaul University. My primary focus has been working with individuals who have experienced trauma, and has experience helping individuals with anger management, anxiety, depression and stress management.
I currently offer individual and family counseling, and especially enjoy working with children, teens and young adults. I love to see their growth as they are better able to speak their emotional truth, and support them as their emotions deepen and expand. I enjoy helping people reach a point where they are no longer numbing their emotions, and instead can sit comfortably with joy, sorrow, anger and everything in between.
Pronouns: She/Her
Calm Mind Counseling Center is always looking for talented therapists to join our growing practice.