Meet Our Counseling Staff Kari Wittmann Lata, Clinical Director, earned her MS from Northern Illinois University in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has worked in private practice, inpatient facilities, as well as in the non-profit sector. Kari s experience ranges from counseling adolescents, adults, and couples to teaching families how to connect and communicate better in order minimize stress and encourage support for challenging personal issues. She also supervises the agency s clinical interns helping them develop their own skills based on their strengths and areas of interest. Kari Wittmann Lata MS, LMFT, LCPC Clinical Director Angela Michalak, Clinical Director, has been a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor for over 15 years. She earned her MA degree from Adler School of Professional Psychology and has extensive experience with high risk youth in the foster care system, individuals with severe mental health issues and youth and adults in crisis. Angela specializes in helping others cope with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and low self-esteem. She is also very passionate about increasing parent child positive communication and helping youth and families find their strengths. Angela Michalak MA, LCPC Clinical Director Marty Beirne MSEd, LPC, NCC Marty Beirne is a Licensed Professional Counselor holds an MA in School Counseling from Northern Illinois University. Marty also holds certification from the National Board of Certified Counselors, and is certified as a School Counselor from early childhood to young adult. The majority of Marty s experience and training focuses on teens who struggle with identity, self- esteem, self-confidence and achieving emotional equilibrium. Marty also co-facilitates the social confidence groups offered by 360 Youth Services with Counseling interns, and is a regular volunteer staff member with Operation Snowball, 360 Youth Services three-day teen retreat on prevention, healthy life style, and making positive choices.
Stacy Gronek began her career as a Special Education Teacher and has experience teaching in public and alternative schools. She went on to earn her MS from National Louis University in Community Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Stacy is also a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor and a member of the Illinois Counseling Association. Stacy currently works with high-risk youth and their families providing counseling, crisis and case management, in the office, school and community. Stacy Gronek MS, LPC, NCC Angella MacDonald earned her MS in Family and Child Studies with a Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northern Illinois University. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and provides direct counseling, crisis, and case management services to high-risk youth and their families, often in their own community settings. She is also an active member of the DuPage Juvenile Officers Association and the Community Network Professionals group supporting LGBTQ Youth. Angella's patience, compassion, and genuine belief in the inherent greatness within others allow her to quickly connect with youth and to cultivate growth in families. Angella MacDonald MS, LMFT Specialized Youth Service Coordinator Christina Melville is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor. She earned her MS in Counseling from Northern Illinois University. She specializes in working with youth and their families to navigate issues such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem, family conflict, school issues, and adjustment disorders. Her methods of treatment include Cognitive Behavioral and Stages of Change interventions. Christina is a member of the Illinois Counseling Association and the American Counseling Association. She has spent the entirety of her career in non-profit settings and is passionate about helping others in the community. Christina Melville MSEd, LPC, NCC
Kate Moon earned her MA in Clinical Counseling from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She currently provides counseling, crisis, and case management to high-risk youth and their families. Kate believes that counseling should be a safe space to explore both the challenges and strengths of the youth and their families. She also approaches counseling through a holistic lens, exploring the cultural, social, psychological, and biological factors of each individual. Kate Moon MA, LPC Deb Moszur is both a Registered Nurse and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, having earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Elmhurst College and a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from Illinois Benedictine College. She has over 30 years of experience working with individuals and families in a variety of settings, and has focused her education and training toward all areas of crisis intervention and trauma recovery. Deb Moszur MS, RN, LCPC Stefanie Ward attended Northern Illinois University where she earned her MS in Family and Child Studies with a Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, as well as a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor. Stefanie's experience has ranged from working with individuals with chemical dependency issues to families going through a major crisis. She has worked with individuals and families in different settings including inpatient and outpatient drug treatment, inpatient hospitalization, and in an outpatient setting. Stefanie Ward MS
Christina Margala Brown MSEd Intern Christina Margala Brown currently holds an M. Ed in higher education administration/college student development from Kent State University and previously worked at various colleges and universities doing career services and academic advising. Christina also taught a variety of career development and academic success seminars including English as a Second Language at Waubonsie Community College. She is currently pursing an MS in Counseling from National- Louis University and is scheduled to take the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification in April 2013. Christina is a member of ICA and attends regional conferences and training seminars. Sean Martiny received his BS from the University of Colorado at Boulder in Psychology and Neuroscience. During his senior year, he began working as a research assistant in behavioral activation therapy. He also began working at a local preschool as an assistant teacher. Sean will soon receive his MA in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Counseling and a focus in child and adolescent psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Chicago. Sean Martiny Intern Nagla Mostafa will soon earn her MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northern Illinois University. In addition to being a clinical therapist intern at 360 Youth Services, she is also student therapist at the NIU Family Therapy Clinic. Nagla believes in strength-based approaches when working with families. Nagla Mostafa Intern
Jessie Nowakowski Intern Jessie Nowakowski completed her undergraduate degree in psychology at Oklahoma State University, and is currently pursuing a MS in marriage and family therapy from Northern Illinois University as part of the process to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Jessie has a special interest in working with families and young adults.