Catherine Derys, LMHC

Anita Green is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has worked directly with clients of various demographics and has a variety of mental health challenges. Anita graduated from Texas Wesleyan University in 2014 with a 3.8 GPA in Counseling. She also had the pleasure of studying abroad in Australia and China. Anita has been practicing as a LPC since 2023, focusing on substance abuse disorders and mood disorders that have a direct impact on everyday life. When working with Anita, her treatment will be tailored to the needs of the individual and their struggles. She uses foundational Interventions, including Addiction Counseling, CBT, DBT, ACT, EMDR, Empathy Active Listening, Crisis Intervention, Client Assessment, Therapeutic Boundaries, Self-Care Practices, and Multicultural Competence. Let's take this journey together.

Rutanya Simon, LCSW, earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Oklahoma and has over eleven years of experience supporting children, families, and couples. She has worked with the courts, including mental health and substance abuse programs, and with families involved in child protective and adoption services. Rutanya integrates Gottman techniques to strengthen communication between couples and applies family systems theory to help families identify and improve maladaptive patterns and behaviors.

Rutanya is a solution-focused therapist who has worked with diverse populations throughout her career. She provides insight from a non-biased and compassionate perspective, helping clients create practical solutions for life transitions and personal healing. Her approach encourages introspection and self-compassion, empowering clients to focus on what is within their control while fostering growth and resilience.

In the initial session, Rutanya works to build rapport and trust while gaining a clear understanding of each client’s needs. She collaborates with clients to identify small, achievable steps toward their goals and uses these to guide the development of individualized treatment plans that promote meaningful progress and lasting change.

Tara Merchant is a person-centered, nonjudgmental, relationship-based LMHC (licensed mental health counselor) who recognizes the intrinsic value of all people and holds positive regard for all her clients. Tara views counseling as a collaborative effort that provides psychoeducation and coping skills for the obstacles with which clients may be struggling, and clients provide insights as experts on themselves. She believes that all thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected and have valid underlying factors. Tara seeks to help clients connect the dots, from both past and present, to have a greater understanding of themselves and their environments. She also fosters a safe space for clients to identify and embrace their feelings toward emotional catharsis. Tara received her Bachelor's Degree from Purchase College, State University of NY, and her Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Long Island University. She has an eclectic style that utilizes Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and psychodynamic modality. Tara aims to uphold cultural humility for ongoing learning and awareness that supports racial and social equity. She is experienced in working with relationship issues, anxiety, depression, and child development. Tara is a big proponent of self-care and encourages you to find whatever it is that fills your cup. She, for example, loves to watch TV and sing in her spare time.

Therapist Kim Heath has decades of experience collaborating with patients providing mental health care and interventions to facilitate health and wellness. Kim has worked in all aspects of mental health ranging from crisis care to rehabilitation. Kim has a great depth of community service connections and resources to link individuals in the community and an opportunity to extend support networks for greater health. Kim received her bachelor’s from the University of Kansas and master’s from the University of Missouri and continues educational opportunities in counseling/therapy and theology. Kim is a Christian counselor and believes people have need of mind/body/spirit balance to address the emotional pain, psychological turmoil, and physical challenges in life. Kim meets individuals where they are and with the focus of accomplishing the wellness goals of the individual answers the need for therapeutic interventions. Kim Heath uses a variety of modalities dependent on the needs of the patient to include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person Centered Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy and Christ Centered Christian Counseling Intervention.

Patients should be aware that Kim specializes in straight forwardness and application of the structure of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in sessions. Patients are of the utmost importance when receiving therapy with Kim Heath and are the key to mental health intervention and thereby change. Kim Health respects the wishes of patients with target goals, behaviors as well as providing support, care, and help. Kim acknowledges and is knowledgeable about getting to the heart of problems, issues, and concerns and identifying what is best in the patient’s opinion to address, then addressing them.

Kim Health typically will address the dynamics of a therapeutic relationship with patients   along with asking and assessing what patients hope to obtain or accomplish in therapy. Kim will discuss each clinical step taken to get to the accomplishments of the patient. Kim has worked with a wide range of diagnoses including Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar, Schizophrenia, Marital, Grief, Alcohol and Substance Use, Addictions, Workplace Issues, Relationship and Social Issues, Multicultural Issues, Faith Crisis, and Adjustment Issues.

Ms. Ellen Ortiz is fully licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in multiple states. She has decades of life experience to support her 3 years of full licensure. Ms. Ortiz sees individuals from the perspective of the various environments they interact in and how it impacts them. Ms. Ortiz is enthusiastic about collaborating with clients under the care of one of our psychiatric experts in order to allow for a more complete and personalized approach for each individual's needs.
Ms. Ortiz began her education later in life at Elgin Community College then continued to acquire her bachelor’s degree from Argosy University with honors. Ms. Ortiz forged ahead and completed her Master’s in Family Counseling at the CACREP accredited graduate school, Northeastern Illinois University. Her training included the externship for Emotion Focused Therapy with Dr. Sue Johnson.

Ms. Ortiz incorporates therapy from a Solution Focused perspective including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness and Attachment theory.  Ms.Ortiz has been trained in Crisis Intervention and Trauma Informed therapy. Her life experience and clientele have spanned all life cycles, races, and medical needs as well as honoring all varieties of human beings. She has also supported clients through medical diagnosis and end of life as well as grief.

Ms. Ortiz brings enthusiasm for each client based on the belief that each person has unique purpose, strengths and abilities on which to draw on. The client's abilities paired with tools and support acquired in therapy will lead each of her clients to a life they choose to enhance.

Laura Cunningham, LCSW, has over four years of experience treating eating disorders in a hospital setting. She earned her Master of Social Work degree from Fordham University and is certified in Level 1 Gottman Method. Laura integrates evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), into her clinical work.

Laura’s therapeutic style is warm, personable, and conversational—like talking to a trusted friend. She creates a safe, supportive environment where patients feel heard and understood. Laura validates emotions while encouraging meaningful growth and self-discovery.

Laura begins by thoroughly exploring each client’s background and therapy goals. From there, she collaborates with the individual to develop a personalized, comprehensive treatment plan tailored to their needs, supporting long-term change and emotional well-being.