About Us

Through the Eyes of a ChildSM

We’ve seen all too often how families who are struggling can feel isolated and overwhelmed. This leads many families to feel that they will never regain control of their lives. This period of crisis can be extremely difficult but it’s also the most critical time for interventions and learning new ways to cope. Our commitment is to assist children and families during these times so that their struggles can become more manageable.

Using a unique approach called Through the Eyes of a Child℠, we strive to view the world from the child’s perspective. We also engage with parents, siblings, and, if necessary, teachers, coaches, or other people of influence in a child’s life to understand what challenges they’re experiencing. Coordinating with these important people in a child’s life gives us a deeper understanding of a child’s struggle and allows us to best help them overcome those challenges.

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Our Mission

It is the mission of Individual and Family Connection to empower families to more deeply connect with one another and to assist them in maintaining that connection through difficult times. We guide caregivers to better respond to their children’s behavioral and emotional needs through providing direct service, education, advocacy, and by building strong alliances in the community. Together with their support systems, we work to promote balance and well-being for children by providing quality pediatric mental health services.
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Our Team

Emily Bragg, MA, LPC
(she/her/hers)
Emily describes herself as a lifelong learner, dedicated to understanding her clients’ lives and perspectives as they navigate change and growth. She incorporates this value into her work,  supporting clients in their journey of self-discovery and family dynamics. The engagement and encouragement shown in every one of her sessions foster a constant sense of support and understanding for the families she works with. Passionate about helping children and teens uncover their inherent resilience, Emily prioritizes open communication, especially when collaborating with clients and their caregivers, as it enhances the progress made in therapy. She recognizes that support extends beyond individual sessions, appreciating the role of communities—including schools and healthcare providers—in a client’s well-being. Her work emphasizes the importance of individuality, ensuring that each person’s unique journey toward healing is honored throughout the therapeutic process.

Colleen Carraher, MSW, LCSW

(she/her/hers)
Colleen finds that her relationship with her clients is the most important part of her practice. She prioritizes developing genuine connections with each one, and her calm and welcoming presence continuously strengthens these relationships. Colleen creates a space for her clients to be open and honest without fear of judgment. Her inviting personality helps her engage with her clients and encourages them to practice the skills they work on together. Meeting her clients where they are at individually is critical for Colleen, as she knows every need is unique. Not only for the children, teens, and young adults she works with, but also for the families who need a little extra support. She values psychoeducation and taking the time to explore and get curious with families to learn and better understand their concerns, worries, their child’s challenges, and plan what interventions might be beneficial in achieving their goals. With every client and family, Colleen strives to help them all feel encouraged, empowered, safe, and understood.
Get To Know Erin

Erin Fisher, MSW, LCSW

(she/her/hers)
Erin’s passion for people is evident in the therapeutic bonds she forms with her clients. She believes that individuals of all ages are ever-changing, and growth is limitless even in the moments when it may not feel like it. It is through her empathetic and fun spirit that she connects with her clients and is able to form a safe and open environment encouraging of exploration and growth. Erin uses a variety of therapeutic approaches to create a treatment plan unique to each client that will harness their individual strengths to work toward positive growth and a positive sense of self. When working with children, Erin understands a child’s social and emotional needs and the impact environmental and relational influences have on their development. As a result, she works to provide a therapeutic process that is inclusive of the child’s family, builds on their strengths, and addresses the child’s needs on a multitude of levels.

Advice from Erin:

Marlem Garcia, MSW, LSW
(she/her/hers)

Marlem is dedicated to creating a warm, supportive environment where children feel seen, heard, and valued. Using a client-centered approach, She works closely with both children and their families to ensure the therapy process aligns with the child’s needs and goals. Marlem is skilled in building relationships with children, allowing them to express themselves freely through conversation, play, and creative outlets. Her goal is to help children develop self-awareness, emotional resilience, and confidence to navigate life’s challenges.

Get To Know Andrea
Andrea Good, MSW, LCSW, Registered Play Therapist, Clinical Supervisor
(she/her/hers)
Andrea’s calm and compassionate presence makes her approachable to children of all ages. She connects with children and families by providing a warm and nonjudgmental environment in which she validates individual experiences and instills hope that change is possible. Andrea recognizes how difficulties in behavioral and emotional health can impact all areas of life and limit one’s ability to grow. She works in collaboration with parents and teachers to meet the unique needs of each child and family system. Her therapeutic approach centers around the identified individual needs of each child and family, as well as the strengths they possess.
Kathleen Kaufmann, MSW, LCSW
(she/her/hers)
Kathleen, a compassionate and insightful therapist, specializes in working with children, adolescents, parents, and families. Her expertise lies in cultivating and strengthening relationships, aiding individuals in rebuilding trust and reconnecting. As such, Kathleen is dedicated to nurturing familial bonds, making sure to focus on ways to repair fractured connections. Passionate about teaching mindfulness practices, Kathleen champions mental wellness for both children and families. Her exceptional listening skills and unwavering support enable her to swiftly identify strengths, instilling hope for growth, and encouraging clients to take advantage of tools that will enrich their self-discovery. Her approach combines warmth, optimism, and a goal to foster healing and progress.
Kurtis Klein, MEd

(he/him/his)

Kurtis’s approach to therapy centers around spotlighting the stories in which all his clients have lived and developed. He has found that it is through play that a child’s most visceral expression of emotions comes to life. With this, he emphasizes constructing narratives and cultivating genuine connections for every family, teen, young adult, and caregiver he works with. It is vital for Kurtis to transform what he witnesses from clients into therapy sessions that are meaningful to them on a personalized level. Such values make it evident that in Kurtis’s work, he chooses to prioritize creating a space for clients that supports their vulnerability, challenges their negative thoughts and behaviors, and allows them to pursue mindfulness in a safe way.

Get To Know Rita
Ritamaria Laird, MA, LCPC, NCC, Registered Play Therapist, Certified Theraplay Therapist and Trainer
(she/her/hers)

We love having Rita’s warm, supportive presence around IFC. Even our most shy and anxious clients feel immediately at ease when they meet Rita for the first time. Rita is able to connect with some of the most ‘hard to reach’ clients by validating their struggles and taking the time to understand the unique way they view the world. She is often quick to identify her client’s strengths (even when they can’t find them for themselves) and is able to help them utilize these strengths to reach their fullest potential. Rita views therapy as a collaborative effort to create positive change and strengthen family systems and relationships.

Ritamaria also offers workshops and seminars on a variety of topics. To have Ritamaria speak with your group or school, please contact us at 773-270-0469 or [email protected].

Advice from Rita:

Morgan Marchant, MSW, LCSW

(she/her/hers)

During your sessions with Morgan, you will feel supported no matter what challenges you or your child bring to the table, whether that be difficulty with understanding your neurodiversity, regulating, anxiety, depression, and more. She is deeply passionate about fostering a child’s innate ability to play freely. In her practice, Morgan creates a safe space for her clients to shed inhibitions, make mistakes, and develop crucial life skills, ultimately nurturing their resilience. Morgan’s sessions are infused with creativity and engagement, which she finds enhances the therapeutic experience. With a playful spirit and boundless curiosity, she guides each child, adolescent, and family towards growth and empowerment.

Monique Meerbrey, MSW, LSW

(she/her/hers)

Monique is a compassionate therapist dedicated to supporting individuals and families through life’s challenges. With a strong commitment to advocacy and client-centered care, she brings a personal understanding of the complexities people face. Monique creates a safe, supportive space where clients can explore their emotions, build resilience, and navigate their unique experiences with confidence. She specializes in working with children, using play, building strong relationships, and implementing targeted interventions to help them express themselves, process emotions, and develop coping skills. Her approach emphasizes collaboration with caregivers and families, empowering clients to achieve growth and well-being through a supportive, unified effort.

Maxine Melnick, MSW

(she/they)

In Maxine’s sessions with clients, she knows the value of storytelling. Maxine learns their clients’ stories, perspectives, and truths, and uses them to create connection and understanding in their work. Furthermore, she is also passionate about hearing about the experiences of the caregivers they work with, building bridges between clients and their families through attunement, curiosity, empathy, and shared moments of joy. They encourage their clients to embrace their creativity and expressiveness regarding feelings, understanding just how uniquely this can be displayed in the therapy room. However, Maxine believes that treatment transcends the work that she does in the office, and she takes advantage of this fact by ensuring that clients and families know that they are vital parts of the team that is always working on developing stronger relationships and moving towards growth.

Ruth Mills, LCSW, Clinical Supervisor

(she/her/hers)

Ruth approaches each relationship in a collaborative, positive, and brain based way and uses an expressive, artistic, and playful approach in her work with children and families. Her creative and welcoming manner allows her to quickly connect with her clients and help them feel safe.
Get To Know Julianne

Julianne Neely, MSW, LCSW

(she/her/hers)

As the Founder and Executive Director of IFC, Julianne is passionate about providing families in Chicago with a quality pediatric therapist who understands their child’s unique needs. She believes that each family goes through seasons of life where extra support is needed. She considers it a privilege to step into others’ struggles and challenges in order to offer a listening ear and a helping hand. She is approachable and easily establishes rapport with children and their families.

Julianne also offers workshops and seminars on parenting and pediatric mental health. To have Julianne speak with your group or school, please contact us at 773-270-0469 or [email protected].

Advice from Julianne:

Savannah Raines, MSW

(she/her/hers)

Savannah is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment where connection and collaboration are at the forefront. With a knack for making therapy fun and validating, she believes in the power of laughter and play in the healing process. Savannah’s passion lies in working closely with parents and caregivers, understanding that a strong partnership is essential for a child’s growth. She uses her client’s worldview and environments to inform her work with them, understanding how influential and regulating it can be for clients to make sense of their everyday experiences. Additionally, she uses this information to assist children, teens, young adults, and parents in identifying and overcoming distressing emotions and challenges they may encounter. Savannah has a genuine love of helping her clients flourish, and she will ensure that they are given a space to thrive and authentically discover their unique potential.

Brandon Scott, MSW, LSW

(he/him/his)

Brandon Scott brings energy, creativity, and a lot of play to his work as a child and adolescent therapist. With a relational approach, he knows that healing happens best when kids feel safe, seen, and—most importantly—have room for joy. Whether through storytelling, games, or imaginative play, Brandon creates spaces where young people can express themselves, build resilience, and strengthen connections with the important people in their lives.  Drawing from both his professional training and lived experiences, Brandon understands the power of strong support systems—caregivers, educators, and mentors—who help kids thrive.   At IFC Counseling, Brandon is all about helping kids and families navigate life’s ups and downs with confidence, connection, and includes play along the way.

Kelsey Suglich, MA, LCPC, NCC (National Certified Counselor)

(she/her/hers)
When connecting with clients, Kelsey cultivates a warm and calm environment that encourages honesty and vulnerability. She has a presence that leads others to her when they need support – whether this be for clients experiencing stress in school, athletes with high anxiety, those making important decisions about college, or clients going through the process of exploring their identity. Kelsey has a natural ability to connect with  and hold a space for her clients no matter the challenges they may be facing. She works restoratively with her clients to manage big emotions and improve executive functioning skills. Kelsey empowers clients to discover their own resiliency, gain insights into themselves, their relationships, and feel comfortable enough to explore their needs, worries, and strengths. She has this special way of asking just the right questions to get any child, teenager, emerging adult, or parent to experience their lightbulb moment.

Lauren Widaman, MSW, LSW

(she/her/hers)

Clients who work with Lauren will undoubtedly feel the positive effects of her devotion to and advocacy for them. One of her most impactful qualities as a therapist is her dedication to learning. Lauren knows that there is always something new to learn about every client, and she aims to discover new research and methodologies uniquely suited for each child, teen, parent, and family. She is eager to embark on this process with caregivers, supporting them as they learn even more ways to make strong connections with their children. Families find that working with Lauren transcends traditional approaches – her inquisitive and creative personality allows her to build thoughtful, playful, and genuine relationships. Lauren also dedicates herself to strengthening community relationships. Because even though she is ready to work with clients who arrive at sessions carrying trauma, anxiety, depression, behavior challenges, and more, she also understands that her role as a therapist does not stop in her office.

Our Locations

Oak Park / River Forest

7357 W North Avenue
River Forest, IL 60305

Free parking lot

Bucktown

1806 N Damen Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

Hours

Monday 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday 1:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Wednesday 1:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Thursday 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Friday 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

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