Clinicians and Staff

Mitchell has over 30 years of experience in counseling in both the public and private sectors.  He has successfully worked with all ages on many issues. Mitchell has experience with outpatient, inpatient, and in-home counseling. Mitchell has provided extraordinary services in his career, including traveling to NYC to service 911 survivors. He was asked train at the State Convention for NAMI and for the World Congress of the American Counseling Association.

With four children and eight grandchildren, rest assured, he has some life experience.  Mitchell’s furry-child, named Akia, is a sweet girl who you might get to meet.  Mitchell loves the outdoors, reading, camping, watching movies, stand-up comedy, meditation, and walking with Akia.  Daily, he practices the same skills he teaches clients, which keeps him grounded and sensible. 

Service Areas:

Grief and loss
Couples challenges
Substance issues
Interpersonal and relationship difficulties
Veteran challenges
Self-esteem
Stress
Depression, anxiety, OCD
Frustration, irritability, and anger
Work and school challenges
Personality disorders, such as BPD
Attention, focus, and concentration
Time management
Parenting and family issues
Communication
Separation and divorce
Anger, irritability, frustration
Chronic illness/pain

Approach

He is professionally trained in over 10 counseling approaches and can address most problems brought to counseling.  Some approaches he uses include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused, and more. Most importantly, Mitchell seeks to simply create an easygoing, enjoyable, and even, entertaining, atmosphere.  Mitchel likes to point out that society’s perception of counseling is outdated and often wrong.  In counseling, you receive guidance, insight, and even have fun….  The experience is not about telling you what you are doing wrong, but rather figuring out what you are doing right and using that to recreate parts of life you want to revise. 

I was born and raised in Dalian, a harbor city of a 6-million population in Northern China. I spent most of my childhood with my grandparents, who taught me Chinese traditional virtues and responsibilities. I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature at Northeastern University in China. I came to America at age 23 and obtained a Master’s Degree in Human Services, majoring in Child and Family Studies, in 2006. In 2014, I obtained a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. During the years, I have worked at various mental health places, such as community mental health centers, correctional facilities, Illinois state government, and private practice.  

I believe in diathesis theory—both “nature”, such as biology, genetics, personality, and brain chemicals, and “nurture”, such as life experiences and learning style, have influences on a person. By altering one or both, people can change.  I adopt an integrative approach in treatment. How I approach a client in therapy is according to the client's needs and the effectiveness of a certain treatment for a mental disorder. I believe people change through positive therapeutic relationships with their therapists. I would like to help people achieve their goals in life and find meanings. I am willing to listen, to understand, to explore, and to travel through a life journey together with my clients.  

Outcomes and Goals

The goals of existential therapy can be set as to engage clients in self-exploration, which include being truthful with selves, widening perspectives on selves and the world around them, and clarifying what gives meaning to present and future life (Corey, 2004), to increase of responsibility and self-determination, and to challenge clients to discover alternatives and widen choices. The outcomes are expected to be that clients take control of their lives, grow with awareness of self and surroundings, are able to make free choices wisely, take responsibility for the consequences of actions, and are no more the victims of circumstances. 

Reference
Corey, G. (2004). Theory and practice of group counseling (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thompson Learning. ISBN: 0534596975.
Corsini, R. J., & Wedding, D. (2008). Current psychotherapies (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thompson Learning. ISBN: 9780495097143. 

Publication

“CHILDREN IN THE MIDDLE: EVALUATION OF A DIVORCE EDUCATION PROGRAM” (2014).  

I consider people to be the experts of their own lives. My role is to assist people by creating a safe and relaxed environment where they are able to grow trust and comfortably identify and work toward their goals. I am here to listen non-judgmentally, pose questions and ideas to foster positive changes to thinking and behavioral patterns, support the growth of healthy relationships, and assist in the improvement of daily functioning, emotional regulation, and the use of healthy coping mechanisms. 

Although I do consider myself a Generalist Therapist open to working with a variety of people, my experiences have most heavily involved working with children, teens, and young adults. I utilize a variety of treatment modalities with an emphasis on being Strengths-Based and Person-Centered. 

My educational background is heavy in Empowerment and Strengths-Based Social Work. I attended St. Ambrose University (2010) in Davenport for my Social Work masters and previously attended Loras College (2008) in Dubuque, IA where I obtained bachelor degrees in Social Work and Psychology. I began working as a Social Worker in 2007. My previous work positions have involved experiences with schools, advocating for and representing youth voice within the community mental health system, and partnering with Juvenile Justice, Child Welfare, and Foster Care systems to enhance the lives of youth and their families. I became a Mental Health Therapist in 2012.  

Specialty Areas:

At-Risk Youth
LGBTQ+ 
Stress
Anxiety
Self-Harm
Suicidal Ideation
Depression
Self-Esteem & Self-Image
Foster/Adoptive Youth
Child Welfare
Juvenile Justice
Abuse & Trauma
Life Transitions
School-Related Concerns
Opposition & Behavioral Difficulties
Strained Relationships & Family Conflict
Obsessive-Compulsive Tendencies  

Treatment Approach:

Empowerment
Strengths-Based
Person-Centered
Interpersonal (IPT)
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Trauma-Informed
LGBTQ+ Sensitivity
Cultural Sensitivity
Family Systems
Humanistic
Integrative
Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
Motivational Interviewing
Acceptance & Commitment (ACT)
Narrative
Psychoanalytic
Psychodynamic
Solution Focused Brief (SFBT) 

Antoinette Dillon is the day-time office assistant, a major player on the team. She does most of the office day-in day-out responsibilities, and much more. You name it, she is on top of it. Her professionalism, warmth, and a caring nature have been complimented by our staff, clinicians, and many clients. 

Antoinette received her Bachelor's Degree from Western Illinois University-Quad Cities, majoring in Women's Studies. She plans to obtain her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in the near future. 

In her leisure time, Antoinette enjoys spending time with her 5-year-old son, reading, drinking coffee, and doing outdoor activities .

 Adrianna Rubio is the evening office assistant.  She carries out the duties of filing, checking in and scheduling evening clients, and making sure the office is ready for the next day.  Adrianna graduated from St. Ambrose University with a bachelor's degree in Sociology and double minored in psychology and women and gender studies. In her free time she enjoys watching movies, spending time with her family, and taking her dogs on long walks.  

Jose is in and out of the office, keeping all the facilities and equipment running and functioning.