Getting Connected
Expertise and Caring
Our Team
All of our team is dedicated to providing excellent care, in the context of a caring therapeutic relationship. To learn more about each therapist, please view their bio to understand their background, expertise, passion, and approach. Our intake team will help to determine who will be a good fit for you and your family.
Once you have contacted us, an intake therapist will follow up with you to schedule a time for a screening call. This process allows us to find the best therapist match for your needs!
Once you have contacted us, an intake therapist will follow up with you to schedule a time for a screening call. This process allows us to find the best therapist match for your needs!
AC Mateen, LCPC, LMHC, MHP, MA (she/they)
Clinical Therapist
My therapeutic approach is relational, compassionate, direct, deep, and transformative. I believe in the strengths of all the people I see, and I work to build a therapeutic relationship that examines all aspects of their humanness. I believe in building connections and fostering trust in a safe and meaningful environment can bring about healing. It...
Ajla Hodzic, M.A. (she/her/hers)
Psychology Extern
I earned my Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and I am currently pursuing a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the same institution. I am in my fourth year of training. Thus far, I have worked with clients in an inpatient setting specifically for young children and adolescents...
Dr. Andreya DeLarco (she/her/hers)
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Testing Services Coordinator
Dr. DeLarco earned her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2022. She completed her doctoral training in various settings, including psychiatric hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient, group practice, and community mental health. She has significant experience working with children, adolescents, and young adults who have experienced trauma, including complex trauma....
Angie Rush, LCSW (she/her/hers)
Clinical Therapist & Clinical Supervisor
Angie Rush, LCSW, provides therapy for children, adolescents and their parents. She has a warm, inviting and casual style of interacting with families. Her approach is to treat the child within the context of the family. She believes that parents are an integral part of the treatment and encourages active participation in the therapy. She...
Anne Bardo, LCSW (she/her/hers)
Clinical Therapist
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker passionate about providing a supportive, empathetic space for those I work with. I have five years of experience working in community mental health, including residential treatment, where I became passionate about serving those associated with the child welfare system, those formerly incarcerated and individuals across socio-economic statuses. Through...
Dr. Brandy Pugh (she/her/hers)
Psychology Post-Doctoral Fellow
Brandy is passionate about creating a therapeutic experience and environment that allows clients to show up as their authentic self. Brandy seeks to dismantle barriers and misconceptions related to therapy in hopes of establishing a trusting therapeutic relationship that empowers her clients. Brandy earned her Ph.D. in School Psychology from Ball State University and completed...
Emma Wondra (she/her/hers)
Psychology Extern
As a Doctoral student at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, I am deeply passionate about understanding the human mind and helping others navigate the ups and downs of life. My journey in psychology began with my love for theatre. Delving into the inner worlds of individuals has always been a source of joy and...
Dr. Erin Hagerty (she/her/hers)
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Director
Dr. Erin Hagerty believes that every person has the capacity for change, wellness, and healing and that human connection is central to this process. She utilizes a strength based relational therapeutic approach to treatment and works with children, adolescents, adults, and couples. Erin began her career working with families, children, and adolescents in a variety...
Dr. Katie McGowan (she/her/hers)
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, School Psychologist
Katie places great importance on creating a safe, warm, and collaborative therapeutic environment for the individuals that she serves. She strives to build a supportive and honest relationship with clients while maintaining patience, compassion, and humor. Katie understands that therapeutic change comes from focusing on an individuals’ needs while processing the impact of various ecological...
Dr. Leah Marks (she/her/hers)
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, School Psychologist
As a therapist and evaluator Leah takes an ecological approach, that means she considers all the systems at play in a child or adolescent’s life and tries to understand how they are functioning across these settings. She takes a warm, friendly and developmentally appropriate approach to assessment. When you are completing an evaluation with Leah,...
Lena Storino, LSW (she/her/hers)
Clinical Therapist
Lena earned her Masters Degree in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago. She completed her undergraduate studies (Bachelor of Arts) in both Psychology and Anthropology at Indiana University-Northwest and is currently working towards a graduate certificate in Applied Behavioral Analysis through Ball State University. Lena works predominantly with children and adolescents and has...
Martina Jackson, LCPC, CADC (she/her/hers)
Clinical Therapist & Community Partnerships Coordinator
Martina is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor who enjoys helping individuals overcome barriers that get in the way of living their most meaningful lives. When working with clients, she utilizes a variety of techniques and theories to create a unique, personal, and productive therapeutic relationship. Martina received her Bachelors...
Meagan Sodaro (she/her/hers)
Psychology Extern
Meagan is a graduate student pursuing her PsyD in Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Meagan values authenticity and creativity, and strives to provide clients with a safe, warm, and supportive environment. Meagan has worked with children and adolescents for the past 6 years in various settings including psychiatric hospitals, in home...
Dr. Michelle Cutler (she/her/hers)
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Practice Founder and Owner
Dr. Cutler has a nurturing, yet directive style that helps children and families to feel at ease. Her passion lies in helping children emotionally heal, and helping parents to play an integral role in this process. Dr. Cutler typically uses Cognitive Behavioral and Play Therapy techniques, but her treatment approach will be tailored to what...
Dr. Schaelyn McFadden (she/her/hers)
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. McFadden strives to provide clients a collaborative, authentic, and supportive space to address their concerns, foster their strengths, and enhance their overall well-being. She takes an active approach and utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to best meet the client’s unique needs to promote lasting change. Through increasing self-awareness, strengthening skills, exploring alternative ways of...
Stephanie Liebl, LCPC, ATR (she/her/hers)
Clinical Therapist, Registered Art Therapist
Stephanie Liebl is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Registered Art Therapist. As an art therapist, Stephanie values being able to use creativity in her approach to working with clients. This can be literally using art supplies, but also helping clients look at their issues through different perspectives or experimenting with a variety of coping...
Dr. Tamara Rostein (she/her/ella)
Psychology Post-Doctoral Fellow
Dr. Rostein earned her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2023. She completed her B.A. in Child Psychology at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. She completed her doctoral training in various settings including medical centers, hospital outpatient settings, and community mental health. Dr. Rostein has significant experience...
Urbi Nag, LCPC (she/her/hers)
Clinical Therapist
Urbi believes that therapy is a journey, and the therapist is a guide and source of support for the client all through that journey. She believes every client is unique and uses Person-centered therapy approaches. She employs different combinations of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques, play therapy, trauma-based interventions and behavior management strategies. Urbi uses relational...
Dr. Yael Zahtz (she/her/hers)
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Supervisor
Dr. Zahtz believes that therapy is a fluid process, there is no “one size fits all”. In her work with children, adolescents, and families she very much views each individual and/or family as their own entity with their own experiences, thoughts, feelings, ways of interacting, and values. No one entity is exactly like another, even...
Morgan Clausen, M.Ed. (she/her/hers)
Intake Coordinator
Morgan Clausen is an Intake Coordinator & Clinical Intake Therapist at Rooted Connections Counseling. She is passionate about supporting clients as they navigate the process of finding a therapist who is the perfect fit for them. Morgan is the first point of contact for new clients seeking therapy services. She has a warm, nonjudgmental, and...
Emma Howard (she/her/hers)
Billing Specialist
Emma Howard, is an experienced billing specialist supporting private practices. She has over 15 years of healthcare experience in clinical and administrative roles, but has spent the last several years finding a passion for mental health billing. She loves working with claims and seeing them through until they are paid! She truly enjoys helping the...
Marlene Trinidad (she/her/hers)
Practice Manager
Marlene Trinidad, is an experienced and well-versed administrative assistant and office manager with years of experience providing tailored support. She is enjoying her most recent found passion in mental health administration and loves helping the clinicians and clients of Rooted Connections with all of their administrative-related questions and needs. In her free time, Marlene enjoys drawing...
