Taylor Cortez, LPC

Dr. Nicole Martinez received her Master's and Doctorate from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and completed her pre-doctoral and post-doctoral fellowship at Gateway Foundation in Lake Villa, Illinois. She earned a double major in Psychology and Therapeutic Recreation at the University of St. Francis. Dr. Martinez has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in individual, family, and group treatment. Her therapeutic approach is integrative, combining Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy (CBT) with holistic methods, emphasizing Solution Focused Therapy, Reality Therapy, and Positive Psychology. She believes in the mind-body connection and that exploring various areas of an individual's functioning is essential for optimum physical and emotional health. Dr. Martinez emphasizes a collaborative therapist-client relationship, where both act as partners in designing treatment goals. She values identifying ineffective past modalities to avoid frustration and ensure personalized care. Recognizing that each person is unique, she adapts to the patient's evolving needs, ensuring they feel heard and supported for positive outcomes. Her areas of expertise include health psychology, complex trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, social anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, LGBTQIA populations, bereavement, forensics, substance abuse, couples work, MISA, co-occurring disorders, domestic violence, sex offenders, special needs populations, and chronic medical issues and rare diseases. She is skilled in the evaluation and assessment of these populations.

Carly Frix-Rhyne is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), in both Texas and Arkansas, who has extensive experience working in the mental health field. She has worked directly with clients of various demographics, living with a variety of mental health conditions. Carly attended undergraduate and graduate school in her hometown of Texarkana, Texas at Texas A&M University - Texarkana. She completed her practicum and internship working as a therapist in therapeutic foster care, with children, teens, foster parents, and biological families. Carly has been practicing for 7 years as a LPC, focusing on individuals working to cope with trauma, stressful life events, anxiety, depression, and issues coping with and communicating their own needs. Carly has worked for community mental health agencies, non-profit agencies, and private practice organizations. Much of Carly's past work involves providing therapy services to children, teens, and adults who survived abuse/trauma. Carly enjoys working with clients of all ages and with a variety of different presenting mental health needs. She uses different techniques including cognitive behavioral approaches and attachment-based approaches, while maintaining a person-centered theoretical orientation with all clients. Carly utilizes a range of therapeutic tools in hopes of providing clients with practical skills they can begin using immediately. She believes in meeting clients exactly where they are and helping them understand their own needs.

Tamara McKlveen is a licensed mental health counselor and national certified counselor who has worked in the mental health field for the past seven years. Tamara is a compassionate mental health advocate who focuses on client-centered, strength-based techniques to support positive life changes. She has an eclectic style driven by client interest. She received her MA in Mental Health Counseling from South University in West Palm Beach, Florida. She has worked as a counselor, Social Service Coordinator and Social Service Manager for a Florida non-profit agency servicing adolescents and their families, helping to overcome barriers to communication, education and future success. Tamara has focused her work on clients struggling with trauma, depression, anxiety, and mood disorder. She has also worked with teens struggling with eating disorders and issues specific to the LBGTQ population. She has a special interest in families coping with Autism and other special needs. ‍

Barb VanHouten, LCSW, provides a safe, non-judgmental atmosphere where clients feel heard and supported. She brings a wealth of personal and professional experiences that have shaped her insight, knowledge, and empathy, enabling her to walk alongside others during their most difficult times. Barb believes that everyone has a story, and that life’s challenges can sometimes become overwhelming, leading to feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and despair.

Barb specializes in treating a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, anger management, addiction, bipolar disorder, antisocial behaviors, family relationships, grief and bereavement, life transitions, job and employment issues, medical and physical health concerns, PTSD, somatic symptom disorders, learning disorders, stress, and trauma. Her goal is to create a therapeutic space where clients feel empowered to explore challenges and build resilience.

Barb uses a variety of evidence-based approaches tailored to each individual’s needs. Her methods include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, Family Systems, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Trauma-Informed Care, Behavioral Modification, Internal Family Systems, Strength-Based approaches, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). She collaborates with clients to develop practical, effective solutions for growth and healing.

Tammi Schrager, LCSW, CCBT, is a bilingual (Spanish-fluent) therapist licensed in Texas and Illinois with over 20 years of experience. She earned her MSW from Loyola University Chicago and her BA in Human Services from Kendall College, receiving the Distinguished Student Award. She completed intensive Spanish language study in Mexico and Costa Rica. Her career spans Alzheimer’s care (Distinguished Service Award), Director of Social Services in skilled nursing, discharge coordination at Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital, police liaison and crisis responder, and community mental health serving diverse and underserved populations.

Tammi provides a safe, confidential, HIPAA-compliant space grounded in cultural humility and respect. She works with individuals, couples, and families facing trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, ADHD, ASD, mood disorders, and work or collegiate stress. Her style is collaborative, compassionate, and systems-oriented, integrating CBT, EFT, IFS, attachment work, and ABA. She values measurable progress and uses tools such as PHQ-9 and GAD-7 to guide care.

Tammi begins with a comprehensive assessment of personal, cultural, and environmental factors. She develops individualized, evidence-based treatment plans with clear goals and regular progress reviews. Sessions combine cognitive restructuring with skills training and mind-body techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation and paced breathing to reduce anxiety and trauma responses.

Yahmemato Debleye, LPC, has extensive experience in intensive outpatient, residential, and inpatient settings. She has worked with individuals facing diverse therapeutic needs, including anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, and PTSD. Yahmemato earned her master’s degree from Thomas Jefferson University, which provides a strong foundation in trauma-focused counseling.

Yahmemato takes a person-centered approach, prioritizing a safe, welcoming environment where patients feel heard and understood. Through empathy and active listening, she ensures all patients feel respected throughout their therapeutic journey. She emphasizes collaborative goal-setting to identify and achieve tangible, meaningful outcomes that align with each individual’s needs.

In the initial session, Yahmemato focuses on building rapport and establishing open communication. She gains insight into a patient’s background, history, and current concerns, then collaborates with them to set realistic goals. Treatment plans are tailored and flexible, evolving to meet each patient’s unique needs while supporting long-term growth and well-being.