Rachel O'Connell, Acting Operations Director
Rachel O'Connell is from Indianapolis, IN and currently lives in Evanston, IL. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis and, in 2005, completed training as a victim's advocate. She has spoken on the importance of sexual assault counseling for several volunteer groups and not-for-profit organizations, most recently as the Keynote Speaker for the Circle of Women Luncheon sponsored by the YWCA St. Louis Sexual Assault Crisis Center. Currently, in addition to her new role as acting operations director for Porchlight Counseling Services, Rachel is also an active board member and has represented Porchlight and its mission at a variety of institutions including.
"The trauma caused by one act of sexual violence creates a ripple effect that permeates all aspects of a survivor's life and the lives of their family, friends, and others in their community. That's why we're here. Our mission at Porchlight Counseling Services is to aid survivors in their recovery and to serve as a resource for sexual assault awareness and prevention throughout our community."
-Rachel O'Connell
Megan Chuhran, Outreach Specialist
Megan Chuhran was raised in Highland, Michigan. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing and Psychology from Kalamazoo College in Michigan. She has tutored children and adolescents, worked as a camp counselor, teacher, and residential counselor. She has also been a teaching assistant in college creative writing courses. Using her love of writing, Megan has dedicated much of her life to helping others recognize the strength of their voices and the tools to use them.
As Porchlight's Outreach Specialist, Megan establishes contacts at various colleges in the Chicagoland area. She delivers presentations that educate students about sexual assault and the services offered at Porchlight Counseling Services. Megan also facilitates workshops that use creative writing as a tool to heal the wounds of sexual assault.
"Silence and ignorance are the perfect environment in which sexual assault, and the isolation and shame of the victim, thrive. My work will encourage openness and discussion, so that the community can deepen its understanding of and take responsibility for violence against women."
-Megan Chuhran |
Rachel Honig, Outreach & Resource Coordinator
Rachel Honig is from Worcester, Massachusetts. She received a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland. Rachel focused her psychology studies on gender issues believing that examining how gender shapes our lives, whether consciously or not, is an important part of discovering ourselves in relation to the world. Her interest in psychology and gender studies led Rachel to an internship at a domestic violence shelter where she answered the hotline and helped the women find jobs and receive counseling. Rachel chose to work in a domestic violence shelter because she believes that organizations that work with issues like domestic violence and sexual assault can start changing the roles of gender and the ways women are treated in this society, even if only on a small level.
Continuing her belief in the importance of sexual assault/domestic violence organizations, Rachel has joined the Porchlight team as an Outreach and Resource Coordinator. She is working to raise money in the community and to create a volunteer network. Rachel hopes to get community members excited about volunteering with Porchlight. She believes that “volunteering can be a life changing experience—to not only give to the community, but get back a sense of accomplishment, knowing that you’ve helped change the lives of people in your very own community.”
“Sexual assault is an issue that is not spoken about. It is the job of Porchlight to help break this silence. Join us and take a stand against sexual assault—let’s be part of a movement to end the silence.”
-Rachel Honig
Katelyn Holsclaw, Outreach & Resource Coordinator
Katelyn Holsclaw hails from Chesterton, Indiana. She earned her Bachelors degree in Social Work from Indiana University-Bloomington. While in college, Katelyn spent time as a volunteer coordinator for Fairview Elementary, a social work intern at the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic of Monroe County and an on-scene advocate for Middleway House—a domestic violence and rape crisis center. Katelyn found the advocate work she did at Middleway House to be challenging and rewarding: “Rape is a horrible situation for anyone; it can be very difficult to face the realities of it and having someone fighting on your side can be powerful.”
Joining the staff of Porchlight Counseling Services, Katelyn continues her work in helping survivors of sexual assault. In her position as an Outreach and Resource Coordinator for Porchlight, Katelyn works with local college and university students to create a fundraising network that will raise money to help Porchlight provide valuable counseling services to the victims of sexual assault. Additionally, Katelyn is working to develop a “Client Advisory Council,” which will allow clients to have a voice in the services they receive.
“Through education, Porchlight is working towards making our society one in which sexual assault does not exist, but until that time, Porchlight is crucial in helping survivors regain the chance to live the life they choose.”
-Katelyn Holsclaw |
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Lisa Baron
Lisa Baron earned her Masters degree at the University of Connecticut and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She is enrolled in a Doctoral program at the Institute for Clinical Social Work. She currently teaches graduate courses in social work and counseling at both Loyola University and National Louis University.
Lisa's area of expertise is women's issues. She has 24 years of clinical experience providing treatment to survivors of sexual assault and other violations of the body, mind, and spirit. She has extensive experience treating clinical issues that are the result of sexual assault including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, relationship concerns, panic disorder, and suicidal ideations.
Her approach to therapy is to develop a trusting relationship with clients so that they can achieve the lives they hope for within a safe and ethical environment. She believes that it is absolutely essential to seek counseling in order to recover from rape.
"Our work will help clients to get back to who they were originally meant to be. Even though the assault has de-railed them from themselves, I will do my best to help them to get back on track."
-Lisa Baron, LCSW
Becky Carter
Becky Carter holds a Masters degree in Human Services Counseling from National Louis University. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with eight years of clinical experience working with issues such as abuse, domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, grief, sexuality, body image, depression, anxiety and relationship concerns.
Becky provides a safe and empathetic environment for clients to comfortably discuss their experiences at their own pace. Becky uses guided imagery, body work, and mindfulness to help clients process and validate their emotional, physical and spiritual experiences. Becky observes that "counseling helps to decrease the shame and guilt that surrounds sexual assault. It equips the client with the tools needed to heal."
Becky has conducted presentations for the Clothesline Project, a sexual assault awareness program aimed at removing the silence that surrounds sexual assault. She also completed the sexual assault certification program from the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
"Through traumatic experiences, we may lose our ability to be advocates for ourselves. Our work will focus on helping you to reclaim your voice."
-Becky Carter, LCPC
Denise Duval
Denise Duval is a psychotherapist with over thirteen years experience working with young adults and college students concerning issues such as surviving violence and trauma, self-care, relationships, and substance abuse. She received her Ph.D. from the Institute for Clinical Social Work. Her dissertation examined the experiences, relationships, and needs of homeless young adults. She earned her Masters of Social Work degree with a Mental Health Concentration from the Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois.
Denise teaches social work and child development classes at a graduate program that is offered through a partnership of the Erickson Institute and Loyola University. She has written articles on the neurological effects of exposure to violence and has conducted numerous studies and training seminars for therapists such as "Therapist's Lifeline: The importance of Consultation when Treating Trauma" along with Gail DeLyser. She is currently working on several publications including, "Understanding and Treating Young Women Survivors of Sexual Assault: Self Psychology and Relational Perspectives". She also worked as a therapist at the Chicago Women's Health Center providing individual therapy to women addressing mood disorders, interpersonal relationships, career, and other life issues.
"I think it is important for survivors of sexual assault to know that trauma elicits a sometimes overwhelming number of memories, feelings, and beliefs about the self. In order to not only deal with the trauma of sexual assault but experience a sense of wholeness and self understanding, longer-term treatment in a safe, consistent, empathetic environment with someone who can guide them through the self exploration process is highly beneficial."
-Denise Duval, PhD, LCSW
Angela Mitchell
Angela Mitchell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over ten years experience working with young adults with issues such as trauma, sexual assault, depression, anxiety, and stress management. She earned her Masters degree from the University of Chicago and also completed the sexual assault certification program via the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
Angela's experience includes providing counseling to undergraduate and graduate students at the Wellness Center at Loyola University. She has also conducted therapy and crisis intervention with Northwest Action Against Rape for survivors of sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse.
Angela created a training curriculum and facilitated a support group for HIV-positive women for the Chicago Women's AIDS Project and produced a training curriculum for community mental health workers. She is the author of several books, including What the Blues is All About: Black Women Overcoming Stress and Depression. Her clinical specialty is helping individuals manage their lifecycle transitions.
"It is important for survivors to know that help is available. As badly as they feel today, they can feel better tomorrow. However, the way to feel better is not to 'sit on' their pain. They need to reach out and get professional help."
-Angela Mitchell, LCSW
Maria Nanos
Maria Nanos has twenty years experience as a psychotherapist working with children and adults concerning issues such as sexual abuse, sexual assault, intimacy problems, trauma, and substance abuse. She completed her Ph.D. coursework at the Institute for Clinical Social Work. She is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and earned her Masters of Social Work degree from the Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois.
Maria's experience includes clinical supervision of psychologists and social workers at several different programs. She has been a visiting lecturer at the Jane Addams College of Social Work on numerous occasions. She is also an adjunct professort at Loyola University. She has conducted many training seminars on topics such as child sexual abuse and therapeutic approaches to treating children with sexual behavior problems.
Maria's approach to therapy is to provide a safe, trusting, and empathetic environment for non-intrusive therapy.
"Everyone deserves to be happy. Everyone deserves to feel well."
-Maria Nanos, LCSW |
Gail DeLyser
Gail DeLyser has a PhD in clinical social work and psychodynamic psychotherapy from the Institute for Clinical Social Work. Gail is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker having earned her Masters of Social Work degree from Loyola University. Furthermore, Gail holds an MA in Education from the University of Kansas. Along with Denise Duval, Gail conducted a training session for therapists entitled: "Therapist's Lifeline: The importance of Consultation when Treating Trauma".
Gail has been working in social services for ten years and has had a private practice for five years. Gail's expertise includes helping clients cope with depression, grief, transitions, and anxiety. Gail also specializes in helping clients recover from traumatic experiences. In therapy, Gail creates a safe space for clients to share their thoughts and feelings with her. She allows the client to set the pace for the therapy.
"I want my clients to always feel they are coming to a safe place, a place where they can be themselves, without all the layers of roles that they usually have to show to the world. Once they feel that sense of safety, we work together to help them heal from whatever trauma has occurred."
-Gail DeLyser, PhD, LCSW
Jennifer Topliff
Jennifer Topliff earned her Masters degree in Social Work at Loyola University Chicago. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with ten years of clinical experience working with individuals and couples with issues such as trauma, PTSD, gay and lesbian issues, anxiety disorders and depressive disorders. When she is not working in her private practice, Jennifer provides trainings on a wide-range of subjects, including trauma informed care, boundaries, substance abuse, ethics, and GLBT-specific treatment.
In her rich history, Jennifer has spent time working as a rape crisis counselor and medical advocate, a crisis counselor for at-risk youth and their families, on an inpatient psychiatric unit, an intensive outpatient day program, a major medical institution, and two community agencies. She uses an eclectic and strengths-based approach to therapy focusing on Feminist Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Jennifer believes therapy is about taking it one day at a time and dealing with the initial issue that brings the client into therapy as well as everything that surrounds it. Jennifer sees therapy as a process that requires a lot of hard work. She finds that through setting small goals, the larger goals are easier to reach.
“Survivors have such resiliency. They have incredible strengths. Together we work to remind them of how resilient and strong they are.”
–Jennifer Topliff, LCSW
Bernadette Hayes
Bernadette Hayes is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who provides therapy to individuals, couples, and families. In her practice, Bernadette focuses on early trauma, sexual assault/abuse, incest, grief/loss and relationship issues. She received her Masters degree in Counseling and Human Services from DePaul University and also completed the 40-hour Illinois domestic violence certification program.
Bernadette believes strongly that the therapeutic space is an environment that offers clients a safe place to explore how they make meaning from their personal experiences and how each experience, whether negative or positive contributes to a client’s self view. She understands that “it can be difficult to seek support when the familiar feels better than the unknown, even when what is familiar isn’t fulfilling and stopping us from moving forward.” Bernadette trusts her clients’ pace in the healing process, respecting their choices in the therapeutic setting while bringing her experience to guide each session.
Bernadette believes that the therapeutic relationship provides clients with a unique opportunity for healing through empowerment, acceptance, and validation. Bernadette believes that therapy allows clients to give voice to their thoughts, feel heard, gain perspective, and recognize their strengths.
“I see the therapeutic process as an opportunity for clients to feel validated, respected, and supported while making discoveries, finding hope, gaining clarity, and healing. I believe each individual has the resources and ability to live a fulfilling and authentic life.”
–Bernadette Hayes, LCPC
James Lampe
James Lampe is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who earned his Masters of Social Work at the University of Iowa. He is currently working on his Ph.D. at the Institute for Clinical Social Work. James is trained in Family Systems Theory and Psychoanalytic Theory and has over twenty years of experience working as a psychotherapist. James has a strong history of serving clients with symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and grief. James has also provided therapy to a number of men who are sexual assault survivors.
James uses both Psychoanalytic Theory and Cognitive Behavioral Theory in his practice, finding that they are helpful in alleviating the symptoms that come with sexual assault. He tries to help sexual assault survivors heal from the assault and integrate that experience into their new sense of self. James focuses on helping the client to understand his own emotional experience of the trauma. He strongly believes in the benefits of psychotherapy for survivors of sexual assault.
"With every client, a unique relationship is developed. Within the context of this therapeutic relationship evolves an understanding of what is meaningful for personalized growth. My practice emphasizes working with you the individual wherever you are in life's journey."
-James Lampe, LCSW
Gretchen King
Gretchen King holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northwestern University. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who utilizes an integrative approach drawing from humanistic, collaborative, and relational models. In her private practice, Gretchen specializes in trauma, women’s issues, relationships and transitions. In addition to working with clients, Gretchen has presented workshops on topics such as “Relationship with Food and Body” and “Introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS).”
Gretchen’s vast experience ranges from time spent as a direct care worker in an adolescent residential treatment center to time as a therapist at Heartwood Center for Body Mind Spirit, where she used a holistic approach to therapy. Additionally, Gretchen worked as a therapist at Womencare Counseling Center where she dealt specifically with issues women face including trauma, abuse history, grief and loss, eating disorders, body image, life transitions, differentiation, sexuality, anxiety and depression.
Gretchen believes that while not everyone 'needs' therapy, everyone can benefit from it. Gretchen believes that we all have internal wisdom that guides us through life, and that sometimes we may simply need some help in developing the skills needed to listen to our own wisdom.
“An important philosophy of mine is that we are all given life to become ourselves fully. Somehow we learn to hide ourselves and fear our power through messages from our family, our culture, ourselves. I believe it’s important to look at what keeps us from being most fully and honestly who we are and to begin the process of stepping more fully into ourselves.”
–Gretchen King, LMFT |
