Erika, a proud Latina immigrant born and raised in Mexico City, embodies a life dedicated to understanding and navigating multiple cultures. Fluent in both English and Spanish, her bicultural background enriches her approach, making her a relatable and empathetic ally in the therapeutic process. After moving to the USA to attend St. Mary’s University in Minnesota, she embraced her new identity, combining her passion for social justice with her commitment to mental health advocacy.
Therapeutic Approach:
Her therapeutic toolbox is extensive, featuring modalities like EMDR, trauma-informed practices, Internal Family Systems (IFS), psychodynamic and relational therapies, experiential techniques, and mindfulness, among others. Erika’s approach is holistic and tailored, emphasizing ego state therapy and parts work to foster deep, transformative healing.
Specialization:
Erika’s clinical expertise spans a wide range of areas, including complex trauma and dissociation, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, intergenerational trauma, family of origin issues, and more. She is interested in working with individuals who struggle with being overachievers and battling perfectionism and imposter syndrome. She is dedicated to helping these individuals boost their confidence, recover from shame, and find a healthier balance in their pursuit of excellence.
Education:
Erika is currently a doctoral candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Adler University, projected to complete her degree in 2025. She holds a degree in Counseling Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Counseling Education from Winona State University. Erika is also trained in Internal Family Systems Level 1 from the IFS Institute, and is progressing toward her EMDR certification with EMDRIA, along with training in understanding ketamine assisted therapy from Fluence.
Hobbies:
As an endurance athlete, Erika enjoys pushing her physical limits and connecting with nature. She regularly engages in running, biking, and rock climbing, finding these activities vital for maintaining her physical health and mental clarity. Occasionally, she also enjoys swimming, which adds a refreshing variety to her fitness regimen. These hobbies not only provide her with personal fulfillment but also enhance her therapeutic presence through increased empathy, resilience, and a balanced lifestyle.
Join Erika at our center, where her expertise and compassionate approach help clients navigate their paths to healing, grounded in an understanding of cultural, personal, and systemic contexts.
Elizejoy “Joy” Guzzarde is a compassionate and dedicated licensed clinical professional counselor committed to breaking down the mental health stigma and normalizing therapy for everyone. As a second-generation Filipina American, Joy brings a rich cultural perspective to her practice, helping clients from diverse backgrounds achieve mental well-being.
Therapeutic Approach:
Joy is well-versed and passionate in evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She regularly incorporates these approaches into her work to help clients build their life maps by establishing core values and goals.
Specialization:
Joy specializes in working with anxiety and OCD. She is an avid exerciser and a proponent of physical well-being, believing it is crucial to one’s mental well-being. With her expertise in Sport and Health Psychology, Joy works with clients to create routines that include regular physical activity and balanced nutrition. As a new mom, Joy continues to learn more each day as a parent and aims to provide resources and guidance to those navigating parenthood for the first time.
Education:
Joy holds a Master’s degree in Counseling with a Specialization in Sport and Health Psychology. This advanced training allows her to integrate physical well-being into her therapeutic practice effectively.
Hobbies:
Outside of her therapist role, Joy enjoys CrossFit, hanging out with her dog, trying new foods, traveling, and listening to movie scores.
Madeline is a Licensed Professional Counselor focusing on the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, ADHD, chronic pain and illness, life transitions, and interpersonal difficulties. She uses an integrative, biopsychosocial approach to help clients improve their physical and emotional well-being and to strengthen their interpersonal relationships.
Therapeutic approach:
Madeline’s goal is to help clients foster deep personal understanding and growth to create long-lasting change. She has a specific interest in supporting clients from a variety of cultural backgrounds in exploring gender, sexuality, and identity development. My understanding of diverse identities and backgrounds is informed by my experience as an LGBTQIA+ individual.
Specialization:
Madeline strives to bring compassion, empathy, humor, and strength-based approaches to the therapeutic change process. Drawing from my clinical, research, and teaching experience, I integrate ideas and approaches from relational and trauma-informed therapy, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). I also utilize mindfulness, relaxation, and stress management tools to develop active coping and self-care strategies. Through these techniques and the therapeutic relationship, I am committed to helping clients achieve their goals and create a meaningful life.
Education:
Madeline holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology from Knox College and a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Her comprehensive educational background has equipped her with a strong foundation in psychological principles and clinical practices, enabling her to provide high-quality, evidence-based care to her clients.
Hobbies:
In her personal time, Madeline enjoys long-distance running, playing piano and crosswords, going to the theater, reading, and gardening.
Meredith is a passionate collaborator, creator, mover, and student of life who was born and raised in Chicago. Growing up as a dancer with a deep fascination and curiosity about the human experience, she combined her interests in psychology and movement and now practices as both a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Dance/Movement Therapist in the Chicagoland area.
Therapeutic Approach:
Meredith views therapy as a transformative process that integrates mental, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions. Her goal is to help clients achieve health, safety, and stability in their lives. Utilizing a strengths-based and person-centered approach, she tailors her methods to each client’s unique needs, goals, and preferences.
Understanding the profound impact of trauma, Meredith incorporates trauma-informed practices to address and respond to the specific needs of those affected. She empowers clients to lead their therapeutic journey while providing gentle guidance and compassionate challenges to their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Meredith employs various therapeutic modalities, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and somatic approaches like Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT). This eclectic approach allows her to customize therapy to best meet the needs of each client.
Specialization:
She specializes in working with adults experiencing anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and trauma and stressor-related disorders. Additionally, Meredith has expertise in addressing life transitions, identity exploration, LGBTQIA+ issues, women’s issues, relational concerns, and interpersonal dynamics. Meredith also offers Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, demonstrating her openness to innovative and potentially transformative treatment approaches for clients seeking alternative therapeutic methods.
Education:
Meredith received her BA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and went on to pursue her MA from Columbia College Chicago in Clinical Counseling and Dance/Movement Therapy. She is also committed to ongoing professional development, currently pursuing additional training in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy through Fluence.
Hobbies/Interests:
While she’s not practicing as a therapist, Meredith enjoys a fulfilling life exploring all that Chicago has to offer from music to food to art. She loves dancing, cooking, baking, creating, and spending time with her family and friends.
Meet Kylo Chavez: Our Therapy Dog in Training!
Hello and welcome to Urban Summit Psychotherapy!
We are thrilled to introduce you to our newest team member, Kylo, a 16-week-old European Boxer with a heart full of love and a passion for helping others.
Kylo may be young, but he already understands the importance of healing and companionship. His gentle spirit and playful nature create a comforting atmosphere for everyone who walks through our doors. As he begins his journey as a therapy dog, Kylo is dedicated to supporting you in your healing process and helping you achieve your personal goals.
Whether it’s a wag of his tail or a nuzzle of affection, Kylo is here to remind you that you are never alone. Together, we can navigate the ups and downs of therapy, fostering a space where growth and connection flourish.
Join us in welcoming Kylo to the Urban Summit family! We can’t wait for you to meet him and experience the joy he brings to our community.
With love,
The Urban Summit Team
