Trent L. Culver, Psy.D., CADC

Dr. Culver is a licensed Clinical Psychologist. He entered the mental health field after receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Saint Mary’s University in 1999. At this time, he took a position as a youth counselor at the Township of Schaumburg. During employment, he went on to pursue a Master’s degree in Counseling and Organizational Psychology from the Adler School of Professional psychology, which he earned in 2005. While working at the Township of Schaumburg for ten years, he primarily worked with children and adolescents using a variety of treatment modalities, including individual and family counseling, group therapy, mentoring, informal counseling at local teen centers, as well as consultation with local high schools regarding substance abuse issues. In addition, Dr. Culver is a certified alcohol and drug counselor (CADC) and is strongly invested in providing a holistic treatment approach to this population. Most recently, Dr. Culver received his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in 2013.

Dr. Culver completed specialized training in therapy and diagnosis of children and adolescents in addition to his work with adults. His psychological assessment training was completed at the Counseling Diagnostic Center of Woodfield and his doctoral training internship was at New Connections Academy. While working at New Connections Academy, he provided individual and family therapy within a therapeutic day school with students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders, ranging from Asperger’s Disorder to High Functioning Autism, who also exhibited a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues (depression, anxiety, oppositional defiant disorder, bi-polar disorder, sensory, speech and coordination problems).

Dr. Culver’s primary interests encompass working with children, adolescents and their families, and adult individual therapy. Specific areas of interest and training include working with autism spectrum disorders, anxiety related disorders, mood disorders, and substance abuse.

Dr. Culver is the founder and clinical director of New Transitions Counseling Center. He has assembled a dynamic staff that provides successful and meaningful interventions geared toward a spectrum of disorders.

Jim Rentoulis, M.S.W., LCSW

jrentoulis@new-transitions.com

Jim Rentoulis is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience in working within the school systems and private practice. Jim has a Master’s degree in School Social Work from Aurora University and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Roosevelt University. He volunteered and worked for the Township of Schaumburg for several years providing a variety of mental health services. More specifically, he provided informal counseling at local teen centers, conducted youth outreach within local schools in the community, and facilitated a number of groups promoting positive youth development. Jim has extensive experience working Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Anxiety, Depression, Attention Deficit Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and Obsessive Compulsion Disorder.

While at New Transitions Counseling Center, Jim provides individual, family, and group therapy to youth and adults. He currently co-leads the “Friday Night” Social Recreational Therapy Group with Dr. Culver. Jim is committed to building an effective therapeutic relationship with his clients by creating a safe nurturing environment and constructing a positive collaborative process. His specific areas of interest and training include working with autism spectrum disorders, anxiety related disorders, mood disorders, and challenging life transitions. Jim’s goal for his clients is to achieve and realize the power of their ideas, and thoughts for personal growth.

Cecily Kanter, Psy.D.

ckanter@new-transitions.com

Dr. Kanter is Licensed Clinical Psychologist with extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. She earned both a Master’s and Doctoral degree from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in 2007 and holds a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and Sociology from Tulane University. Dr. Kanter has completed years of specialized training in therapy and diagnosis of children and adolescents in addition to her relentless work with adults and families. She completed her psychological assessment training at the Village of Hoffman Estates Department of Health and Human Services, later completed her Doctoral internship at New Connections Academy in 2007. At this time, she took the position of Clinical Director at New Connections Academy and provided individual and family therapy within a therapeutic day school with students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders, ranging from Asperger’s Disorder to High Functioning Autism, who also exhibited a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues. While working a New Connections Academy, she was actively involved in supervision and providing a first-rate training experience for future psychologists.

Dr. Kanter has dedicated her career working with individuals who are diagnosed with the following: autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, learning disabilities, anxiety related disorders, mood disorders, grief/loss, life transitions, and postpartum depression. Due to her extensive work in therapeutic day schools, Dr. Kanter collaboratively works with parents of children with Individual Education Plans (IEP) and other alternative needs in school by empowering them to advocate and obtain the best and most appropriate services afforded to their children.

Dr. Kanter provides a safe, comfortable therapeutic and nurturing environment for treatment, allowing the individual to grow and develop new strengths. She utilizes a number of strategies to engage individuals and families in treatment, including but not limited to client-center/individual centered therapy, cognitive behavioral and family therapies. She believes in and facilitates a strength-based approach to treatment, allowing the individual to develop and recognize their personal strengths. Dr. Kanter values insight from parents when providing therapy for their children and adolescents, which is evident by her successful individualized treatment plans, therapy schedules, and incentive plans.

Rebecca Irmen, M.S., LCPC, ATR-BC

rirmen@new-transitions.com

Rebecca Irmen is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Registered Board Certified Art Therapist. She entered the field of mental health after receiving her Master’s degree from Mount Mary University in 2007. Rebecca believes that the use of art in therapy can be a powerful tool to express thoughts and feelings that sometimes cannot be verbalized and help you make sense of your worries, sadness, and struggles while also exploring your visions, goals, and dreams.

Rebecca volunteered as an art therapist at the Depke Juvenile Complex Center and since, worked extensively within the therapeutic school setting. She worked as an Art Therapist at New Connections Academy, a therapeutic day school for children and adolescents on the Autism Spectrum, as well as at South Campus, a therapeutic school supporting children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders. During her many years working in special education, Rebecca has provided counseling and art therapy services to individuals, facilitated many art therapy groups with children and adolescents, created public murals with the students to gain a feeling of connectedness within the community, and lead parent support groups to help introduce and incorporate expressive therapy into the home.

Rebecca has experience working with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Mood Disorders, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Depression and those enduring grief and loss. Rebecca has co-lead a Saturday morning play therapy group and a girl’s group at New Transitions, promoting social skills and the development of positive peer relationships.

Rebecca’s approach emphasizes the use of art-making, along with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help change the thought patterns, emotions and behaviors. She helps her clients gain a better understanding of their behavior and motivations and develops problem-solving skills to cope with difficult situations; therefore, cultivate a greater sense of confidence in one's own abilities. She firmly believes in providing a safe, non-judgmental environment while allowing her clients to identify and develop their own strengths through art-based techniques. She works from a client centered approach, which allows for the freedom to grow and expand upon the positive areas in life.

Todd L. Schneider, M.S.S.A., LCSW

tschneider@new-transitions.com

Todd Schneider is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Substance Abuse, Experiential Treatment, and Wilderness Therapy. He has an extensive background working with adolescents, adults, couples and families in a variety of settings including hospitals, outpatient programs, wilderness settings, residential facilities, court systems, and private practice. Todd’s therapeutic approach emphasizes tailoring evidence-based practices to fit clients’ unique individual needs to maximize the effectiveness of psychotherapy.

Todd is originally from the state of Ohio and has been living in the Chicago area for the last 18 years. He graduated from Bowling Green State University with an undergraduate degree in Psychology and completed his Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University in 1997. Todd functioned as the Clinical Director for a private therapeutic school, and as a Program Consultant for several area high schools where he developed, planed and implemented strategies to manage program growth, reviewed and recommended changes in program services to meet client needs and monitored treatment plans for clients.

Todd views therapy as a collaboration. He brings a very engaging and humanistic approach to counseling and believes his clients bring their own unique set of strengths to the table and together will explore modalities which best suit them and their current concerns and achieve their personal goals.

Mae A. Ypil, M.A., LCSW

mypil@new-transitions.com

Introducing Mae A. Ypil, 1^st generation Filipina born in Chicago. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents and adults. Her work primarily focuses on ways to help individuals connect in meaningful and healing ways to spirit, themselves and others. She emphasizes that the therapist’s role is to walk alongside clients on their personal journey and strongly adheres to the healing power of the therapeutic relationship. Mae is a Certified EMDR therapist, Early Intervention specialist, certified yoga instructor and practices Focusing. She views therapy as a creative process and integrates a collaborative approach that nurtures each client’s needs.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, evidenced-based psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences including: PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorders. EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue. EMDR therapy is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain. For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.

Early Intervention is a federal mandated program that focuses on building the capacity of a caregiver, by supporting their ability to foster their child’s optimal development. The goal from a social work perspective is to build parental self-efficacy and facilitate their child’s participation in family and community activities, by primarily supporting a secure attachment.

Yoga is a way of life that centers on continuous self-study and disciplined practices incorporating breathwork and asanas. One definition of yoga conveys “arriving at a place we have not been before.” The fundamental aim of yoga is to recognize and alleviate causes of misconception to achieve harmony with oneself and the universe.

Focusing is a body-oriented and mindfulness-based practice. This process enables clients to have a more accepting relationship with their own emotional states, resulting in a greater ability to self-regulate in stressful situations, creating compassion for oneself and cultivating a sense of wholeness.

Outside of work, Mae co-facilitates spiritual retreats through Sibyls Retreats. She has a passion for connecting with loved ones, hiking with her dog Mango, roller skating, dancing and nature. Mae’s Dharma is to be of service to others in intentional ways.

Adam Share, Psy.D., LPC

ashare@new-transitions.com

Dr. Share is a Licensed Professional Counselor, who has a diverse scope of specialized training in settings such as private practices, behavioral health hospital, community mental health center, and multiple therapeutic day schools. He has extensive experience performing diagnostic evaluations on children, adolescents, and adults and in providing individual, family, group, and couples psychotherapy. Dr. Share entered the mental health field after receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Indiana University in 2009 in which he also studied and minored in music theory. He then pursued and earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University Chicago.He completed his psychological assessment training at the Family Stress Clinic in Libertyville, Illinois where he performed diagnostic evaluations. Subsequently, Dr. Share completed his therapy practicum at the Austin Family Counseling Center and Hartgrove Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, where he provided psychotherapy sessions; followed by an advanced therapy practicum at MacNeal Therapeutic Day School in Westchesterville, Illinois.

During his doctoral internship training at New Connections Academy, Dr. Share provided therapy to students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders who exhibited a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues. Consequently, he was able to complete his post-doctoral training at Connections Academy East, a therapeutic day school, in Lake Forest, Illinois; where he provided therapy for individuals aged 6-18 years who presented emotional and behavioral disturbances, Autism Spectrum Disorder, cognitive deficits, self-harm behaviors, aggression, and trauma. Furthermore, Dr. Share helped, participated and assisted in program development for the growth and improvement of a new therapeutic day school.

After his post-doctoral training, Dr. Share worked for three years at Athans and Associates in Park Ridge, Illinois, where he reinforced and expanded his experience administering and conducting diagnostic psychological evaluations and in providing individual, couples, and family therapy for children, adolescents, and adults.Dr. Share specializes in working with clients with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Anxiety, Depression, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, as well as difficulties with social skills, anger management, identity development, and interpersonal issues. Likewise, he focuses on individual and family therapy as well as in treatment planning, case management, Individualized Educational Plans (IEP), and crisis management.

In his therapeutic approach, Dr. Share provides a nurturing and supportive environment in order to develop a positive working relationship with each individual. He supports his clients through discovering personal strengths to build confidence, and engages clients in the therapeutic process through play, humor, and various therapies. His interventions include cognitive-behavioral therapies, non-directive play therapy, music, art, and mindfulness-based therapy approaches. Dr. Share utilizes a system approach incorporating all aspects of the individual’s environment into the therapeutic process. Dr. Share highly values the expertise of parents regarding their children and works collaboratively with them to design individual treatment plans.

On a more personal note, Dr. Share has a strong passion for Chicago sports, all types of music, video games, movies, and television. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time relaxing at home with his family or being adventurous and exploring new restaurants.

Bernadette Santiago, Psy.D., LPC

bsantiago@new-transitions.com

Dr. Santiago is a Licensed Professional Counselor with extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. She earned both a Master’s and Doctoral degree from the Adler University in 2015 and holds a Bachelors of Arts In Psychology from DePaul University. During her training for her Master’s, Dr. Santiago completed her training at the YWCA Shelter for battered women and their children. During this time she worked closely with the women in the program for both individual therapy and family sessions. She also assisted with treatment planning for their children. She completed her psychological assessment training with an adult population at Psychological Consultations in the Chicagoland area, therapy training at Alexian Brothers Behavioral Hospital in Hoffman Estates, and later completed her Doctoral internship at New Connections Academy in 2013. During her Post-Doctoral residency, she assisted with the opening and training at Connections Academy East, in 2015, for children, adolescents and young adults in conjunction with their families. She was later hired as a senior clinician for New Connections Academy to work with students with an Autism Spectrum Diagnosis and family therapy. The school also hired her on as a clinician at Counseling Connections where she worked with children, adolescents, adults, and family work. At this time, she then took the position of Clinical Director at Virtual Connections Academy and provided individual and family therapy within a therapeutic day school with students diagnosed with School Anxiety and School Refusal Issues, who also exhibited a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues, as well as, medically fragile. While working at Virtual Connections Academy, she was actively involved in supervision and providing a first-rate training experience for future psychologists.

Dr. Santiago has dedicated her career working with individuals who are diagnosed with the following: anxiety related disorders, mood disorders, learning disabilities, life transitions, autism spectrum disorders, and developmental delays. Due to her extensive work in therapeutic day schools, Dr. Santiago collaboratively works with parents of children with Individual Education Plans (IEP) and other alternative needs in school by empowering them to advocate and obtain the best and most appropriate services afforded to their children.

With her work at New Transitions, Dr. Santiago’s goals is to build an effective therapeutic relationship with her clients. Her role is to create a safe, nurturing environment and construct a positive, non-judgmental collaborative process. She uses Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Adlerian Therapy during her treatment process. The focus of Alderian therapy addresses social justice issues, values, and lifestyle of the client.

Theresa Ro, M.A., LPC

tro@new-transitions.com

Theresa Ro is a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in treating anxiety, OCD, depression, and autism with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Theresa earned her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Northwestern University and is fluent in the English and Korean languages.

Theresa comes into the field of counseling with years of experience in working with children, adolescents and adults with emotional, behavioral, and autism spectrum disorders. Formerly, Theresa worked as a special education teacher in a therapeutic day school in the northwest suburbs and, in the Chicago Public School system. She’s proficient in navigating through the special education system and will help guide parents through 504 plans and IEPs.

Theresa delivers cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based treatments to Adult Clients with a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and adjustment problems, such as anxiety, stress, depression, and relationship challenges. She works to provide a safe, non-judgmental environment, allowing her clients to feel comfortable to share their personal stories, as well as to develop a positive therapeutic relationship with her. Theresa’s objectives as a therapist are to provide support to the client during their personal journey of growth, self-awareness, self- confidence, and self-discovery.

Theresa does not believe in the “one size fits all”, but instead, to find a treatment plan that works for each individual client’s needs with diverse cultural backgrounds. Her approach aims to bring interest, flexibility, and openness, and to help clients better understand and respond to their emotions. When working with children and adolescents, Theresa has used various methods including Play Therapy and Drama Therapy, to help them connect with their sense of empathy and compassion towards themselves and others.

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Bernadette Santiago, Psy.D., LPC

Theresa Ro, M.A., LPC