 Our Trained Chicago
Therapists
Our licensed Chicago therapists at the Center for Personal Development are here
to assist you. We have created a comfortable and nurturing environment to help you
feel completely at ease.
Our therapists are fully trained in a number of different areas and therapeutic
approaches. We understand that working with a therapist who you feel comfortable
with, is very important to your success.
To learn more about our therapists or our nonaffiliated recommended therapists,
please select a link below to read the bios of these therapists:
Dr. Steven Nakisher
Kalli N. Rimikis-Kerr, MAMFT *
Dr. Susan Schmidt
Joan Liautaud, Psy.D. *
Nancia Shawver, Psy.D. *
Cynthia S. Bunch, LCSW
Branka Kojic, MA, LCPC *
Mia M. Gregor, Psy.D.
Christopher Zurawic, Psy.D.
Dr. Steven Nakisher
Dr. Steven Nakisher is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, founder of the Center for
Personal Development and co-founder of Cornerpiece Consulting. Dr. Nakisher received his undergraduate
degree from the University of Michigan and completed his doctorate degree at the
Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
To read more about Dr. Steven Nakisher click here.
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Kalli N. Rimikis-Kerr *
Kalli N. Rimikis-Kerr is a Marriage and Family Therapist and a Family and Divorce
Mediator. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Clinical Psychology and Sociology from
Moravian College, and a specialized Master's Degree in Family and Marital Counseling
from the Adler School of Professional Psychology. After completing Mediation Certification,
she completed a practicum in Advanced Mediation, interning with two of the top Family
Law Mediators in the city of Chicago.
Ms. Kerr works with a variety of family situations. In her early career, she emphasized
working with women either contemplating or undergoing divorce, leading support groups
for them along the way. This was a natural extension of her work with women during
a two-year internship with Planned Parenthood. She welcomes both individuals and
couples to explore relational patterns in the quest to forge healthier, more stable
relationships. Adults whose childhood development was affected by the fallout from
divorce have always been a prime focus of her work also. With compassion and acceptance,
she works with couples in a therapeutic environment to support each individual's
interests as a means to catalyze better communication and more positive interaction
between the parties. By challenging and empowering clients in a supportive and honest
environment, individuals and couples are assisted in achieving a greater degree
of enjoyment and satisfaction in life.
In her mediation practice, Ms. Kerr works collaboratively with Attorneys and other
Family Law professionals to lessen the emotional impact of divorce for all concerned.
Her focus is the well being of the parents divorcing but more importantly, that
of any children involved. Her use of extensive printed materials and other resources
assist the couple to mediate their divorce in a mutually beneficial manner rather
than the adversarial approach used by many divorce attorneys.
Ms. Kerr utilizes the Family Systems approach to therapy. One of her goals is to
clarify historical family dynamics that have shaped individuals during their developmental
years by defining the parameters that motivate their behavior. If a clearer understanding
of one's motivation is attained, it becomes possible to gain a better understanding
of how we succeed or fail in our relationships. This process can offer some consolation
to all parties experiencing the process of forging, repairing or dissolving a relationship.
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Dr. Susan Schmidt*
Dr. Susan Schmidt earned her degree from DePaul University and has worked extensively
with children, adolescents, and their families. For over 12 years, she has worked
in diverse setting such as hospitals, private practice offices, and nursing homes.
Dr. Schmidt has considerable experience working with child maltreatment. She has
published research, offered workshops and lectures, and testified in difficult court
cases. Having also supervised psychologists in training and conducted therapy for
survivors and their families, she is an expert in the field of child abuse and neglect.
A variety of women's issues, family problems, and forensic cases comprise the bulk
of her clinical practice. As a result, both research and the practice of psychological
testing for children, adolescents, and adults are areas of distinction for her.
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Joan Liautaud, Psy.D. *
Joan Liautaud, Psy.D. attended University of San Diego for her undergraduate degree
and obtained her doctorate in clinical psychology from the Chicago School of Professional
Psychology.
Dr. Liautaud believes that what frequently encourages individuals to seek psychotherapy
is a disruptive or transitional life event that results in individuals questioning
the meaning of their life or with a desire to make a change. Informed by developmental
and interpersonal models, Dr. Liautaud's collaborative approach to psychotherapy
focuses on creating a safe, supportive, environment where individuals can explore
the complexity of their lives and identify what they feel is instrumental in making
informed choices that lead to living a healthy, meaningful life. With a clinical
background in human rights and working within and across cultures, Dr. Liautaud
specializes in treating adolescents and adults who are struggling with life transitions,
personal relationships, grief and loss, depression, anxiety and trauma-related disorders.
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Nancia Shawver, Psy.D. *
Nancia Shawver, Psy.D. has a doctorate in clinical psychology with a specialization
in multicultural counseling. With extensive training in insight-oriented psychology,
her philosophy of therapy is based on her belief that the therapist-client relationship
is a unique one, which provides clients with a supportive context for self-confrontation
and growth. Dr. Shawver utilizes an integrative, holistic approach that is geared
towards the emotional needs and interests of a client. She utilizes an interactive
style that is both empathic and direct.
Dr. Shawver is a compassionate professional with training and experience working
in a number of areas with adults of a wide range of ages, cultural backgrounds and
various lifestyles. Her areas of professional skill include helping clients with
concerns related to identity development, adjustments to loss and life transitions,
as well as painful childhood experiences. She also has experience assisting clients
with relationship skills, parenting concerns, blended family issues, and the inter-generational
challenges of immigration. Dr. Shawver consults on issues related to children with
learning disabilities. She speaks Spanish as a second language. Dr. Shawver maintains
a self-pay practice; her fees are affordable. Dr. Shawver sees clients at the Michigan
Avenue location and at 655 W. Irving Park Road.
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Cynthia S. Bunch, LCSW
Cynthia Bunch is a psychotherapist who works with children, adults and families who are in crisis as well as those who are seeking personal growth and increased conscious awareness. Her expertise is in working with patients who are coping with anxiety and depression as well as those focused on life transitions such as infertility, postpartum depression, child-rearing challenges, work place problems, couples issues, divorce recovery and bereavement including suicide survivors. Her work centers around helping patients to find meaning in their struggles. To strike a balance between accepting their life circumstances and making changes for the better.
Ms. Bunch is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and received her Master's Degree in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago. She also participated in a two-year clinical training program in Analytical Psychology at the C. G. Jung Institute of Chicago and is a Certified Jungian Therapist. Her previous professional experience includes working at the Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center and at Uhlich Children's Advantage Network (UCAN), a leading child-welfare organization. Ms. Bunch provides pro-bono services through the C. G. Jung Center of Evanston, Illinois and also to returned soldiers and their families through The Give an Hour Program.
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Branka Kojic, MA, LCPC *
Branka Kojic is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She received her undergraduate
degree from the Sarajevo University ( former Yugoslavia), and earned her master's
degree at the Valparaiso University in Indiana. She received the Valparaiso University
Distinguished Graduate Student Award 2001, the highest recognition awarded every
year to a single graduate student for outstanding scholarship, leadership, service
and character.
Specialty:
Her areas of specialty include helping clients with concerns related to mood disorders,
with emphasis on anxiety and panic disorders, adjustment to life transitions, multicultural
issues and challenges imposed by recent immigration, identity differentiation and
healthy relationships. Branka has been practicing a macrobiotic lifestyle for ten
years, so she tends to e holistic in her approach to treatment and likes to explore
possible nutrition and lifestyle changes that might contribute to her client's overall
well being. Branka is planning to offer wellness retreats for her clients, which
will incorporate healthy diet based upon macrobiotic principles, meditation and
yoga in a serene getaway. Branka Kojic works with individuals, couples and groups.
Therapeutic approach:
Branka applies a non-directive approach during therapy with her clients. She values
the special relationship between the client and the therapist, and believes that
the role of the therapist is to help the client explore and define the problem,
while searching for possible solutions. In some instances, it is only helping the
client acquire more effective coping skills, but in others this journey might become
a life changing experience, facilitated in a safe, trusting, nurturing environment.
She utilizes an eclectic approach to therapy that draws upon psychodynamic, client
centered, cognitive, and family systems theories.
Branka Kojic sees her clients at 405 North Wabash Street, Suite 1114.
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Mia M. Gregor, Psy.D.
Mia M. Gregor, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist who received her doctorate
in clinical psychology with a concentration in health psychology from the Chicago
School of Professional Psychology.
She completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in neuropsychology and behavioral
medicine at Neurobehavioral Medicine Consultants, Ltd. She has extensive experience
working with chronic pain syndromes, multiple sclerosis, cancer, headaches, and
a variety of other health related issues. Furthermore, Dr. Gregor has also worked
with acute psychiatric illness in emergency department, inpatient, and outpatient
settings. Dr. Gregor’s treatment focus includes health psychology and neuropsychology.
She has conducted research with women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, fetal alcohol
syndrome, and Relapsing Polychondritis. Her work on a case study of Herpes Encephalitis
was presented at Grand Rounds at the National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN) conference
in October, 2006. She has spoken to various groups on the psychological implications
of eating disorders, stress management in children and adults, and other health
psychology, neuropsychology, and other psychological issues.
Dr. Gregor is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), Illinois
Psychological Association (IPA), Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
(ABCT), and the National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN). She is a member of the
Professional Affairs and Information Committee (PAIC) of the National Academy of
Neuropsychology.
Additionally, she is on the board of directors of FASTeam, a not-for-profit focusing
on fetal alcohol syndrome. She also spends her time volunteering at an assisted
living facility for the memory impaired.
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Christopher Zurawic, Psy.D. – Clinical Psychology Post-Doctoral Fellow
With several years experience in both therapy services as well as psychological testing, Christopher specializes in working with people who feel stuck – or confused about what direction to take - those periods of life that we call transitions. He believes that when you are dissatisfied with your day-to-day life, the opportunity to make healthy changes is ripe.
Christopher helps people work through transitions. In life, change is the one thing we can count on, yet it's one of the most difficult things to deal with. Change comes in many forms, whether we're dealing with a confusing relationship, grieving for a loss, adjusting to a career transition, or finding contentment in a new phase of life. Christopher helps clients find the things they can control, make satisfying decisions, and become equipped with the tools to successfully navigate changes - both big and small.
Christopher completed his doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Additionally, he holds a Master's degree in clinical/counseling psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and completed a degree in leadership/life coaching through the UiC Graduate School of Business.
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*This is a recommended therapist from the Center for Personal
Development. This therapist is not directly affiliated with CPD.
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Center For Personal Development
444 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1820 | Chicago, IL 60611
Tel: 312.755.7000 | Fax: 312.755.7001
Web: www.chicagotherapist.com | E-mail:
info@chicagotherapist.com
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Dr. Steven Nakisher
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