Our Team

  • A woman with glasses and earrings, wearing a gray sweatshirt that says 'Going to therapy is cool,' is smiling while standing next to a black table with a bouquet of red roses and a framed sign that reads 'you're in a safe place to spill the tea.' Behind her is a floral wallpapered wall with a neon sign saying 'let's talk about that' and a gold and black wall sconce. To the left, there is a wall art with text 'Thriving, surviving and occasionally crying.'

    Katie Schwarz MSW, LCSW, CCTP

    Katie is the practice owner and an individual psychotherapist.

    Katie earned her Masters Degree in Social Work from Aurora University and holds an active license in Illinois as a clinical social worker.

    Katie is also a certified clinical trauma professional and has experience in multiple levels of care & therapeutic settings. Katie is trained in leading trauma therapies such as Brainspotting & EMDR.

    Katie’s background also consists of several years of nonprofit case management, managing a shared housing department, hospital case management and crisis response. Katie is also trained to work with victims of DV and SA.

    “I know starting therapy can be really unsettling - especially if it is your first time or if you’ve tried it and had a bad experience. I get it - It’s hard to open up to a stranger during your darkest moment. I’m here to meet you where you are at. We can tackle this thing together. You are in the driver seat - I’m just here to help navigate along the way.” - Katie

    Therapy with Katie is chill and comfortable. Eat a snack. Yell. Swear. Cry. Laugh. Bring whatever you’d like with you. Come as you are.

    Out of the office - Katie loves spending time with her husband, 2 kids (toddler & a teenager… mom life), 2 cats and 1 pup. She relaxes to trashy reality TV (#bravogirly). Born and raised on the southside of Chicago, she loves to enjoy all the fun activities southwest subs can offer.

  • Rachel Mashek MA, LPC

    Rachel is a dedicated therapist with a strong emphasis on empathy and client-centered care. Her practice is rooted in the belief that each individual is unique and deserving of a tailored therapeutic approach that honors their personal experiences and perspectives. Rachel is committed to creating a warm, non-judgmental, and supportive environment where clients feel safe to explore their thoughts, emotions, and challenges openly.

    Rachel works with children, adolescents, couples, and families, supporting individuals and relationships navigating mood disorders, anxiety, depression, self-esteem concerns, codependency, substance use, parenting challenges, and grief. Her approach is deeply empathetic and collaborative, focused on understanding each client’s experience from their point of view. She incorporates an attachment-based lens and emphasize the development of healthy communication skills to strengthen relationships and foster emotional connection. Rachel is also trained in EMDR.

    “By focusing on strengths and fostering self-awareness, I help individuals, couples, and families build insight, improve communication, and develop healthier coping strategies. Whether working individually, as a couple, or within a family system, my goal is to support clients in navigating life transitions, processing loss, strengthening relationships, and cultivating emotional balance and resilience.”

    Rachel accepts private pay as well as BCBS & Aetna insurance plans.

    Outside of her work as a therapist, Rachel values balance and connection. She enjoys spending time with her two Frenchies, connecting with friends and family, seeing new movies, sewing, and practicing yoga. These interests help ground her and reinforce the importance of mindfulness, creativity, and meaningful relationships—values she also brings into her therapeutic work.

    With a strong commitment to empathy and compassion, Rachel strives to create a space where clients can express their authentic selves, explore their inner world, and develop the tools they need to lead fulfilling, balanced lives.

  • Kandice Richards-Lanza MSW, LCSW

    Best-friend energy. Therapist credentials.

    Kandice is the person who will absolutely let you sit cross-legged, ramble a little, and swear if that’s your thing.

    Her approach to therapy is relaxed, real, and lightly sarcastic—think best-friend energy with a clinical degree. Kandice believes healing happens best when you feel safe, understood, and just challenged enough to grow (without feeling judged, talked down to, or like you’re “doing therapy wrong”).

    She works with children, teens, adults, couples, and families navigating anxiety, ADHD, depression, trauma, grief, relationship stress, parenting overload, and major life transitions.

    Kandice has a special place in her heart for caregivers who are exhausted, women navigating pregnancy or postpartum shifts, and folks healing from domestic violence, sexual abuse, PTSD, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts.

    “In our work together, we’ll focus on coping skills that actually work in real life—managing stress, improving sleep, setting boundaries, regulating emotions, strengthening relationships, and quieting that brain that won’t shut up at night. I’ll support you, validate you, and yes—gently call you out when it helps you move forward. Growth doesn’t have to be miserable, but it does require honesty. I’m also proudly sex-positive and kink-allied, offering a judgment-free space to talk about relationships, identity, intimacy, and whatever else you’ve been told you “shouldn’t” talk about.

    Whether you’re coming in for yourself, your child, or your relationship, my goal is simple: help you feel more confident, capable, and grounded—so you can live your best life, not just survive it.

    Come as you are. We’ll figure it out together.” - KRL

    Kandice accepts private pay as well as BCBS, Aetna & UHC. insurance.

  • Samantha Jankosky, LCSW, MSW, PEL

    Samantha Jankosky is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois who is passionate about helping children, adolescents, and their families feel understood, supported, and empowered. She earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of St. Francis and has an additional background in psychology and special education.

    Samantha currently works as an elementary school social worker and has extensive experience supporting neurodivergent children and adolescents. She enjoys partnering with families to help children build confidence, strengthen social-emotional skills, and navigate challenges both at home and at school.

    Samantha has worked with children who have experienced trauma, as well as those who may need additional support with anxiety, depression, executive functioning, social skills, or anger management.

    Samantha takes a person-centered, strengths-based approach to therapy. She believes every child and family has unique strengths and perspectives, and she works to create a safe, supportive space where clients feel comfortable expressing themselves.

    Samantha understands that growth looks different for everyone and strives to meet each client exactly where they are in their journey. When working with children, Samantha often incorporates play-based strategies to encourage connection, creativity, and open conversation. As she often says, “Some of the best and most eye-opening conversations happen over a game of UNO.”

    Outside of her work as a therapist, Samantha enjoys reading mystery novels, watching romantic comedies, attending concerts, listening to music, and cheering on the Chicago Blackhawks. A fun fact: Samantha attended college on a theater scholarship for her behind-the-scenes work as a production manager, stage crew member, props assistant, and set build designer.

    Sam accepts BCBS, Aetna & UHC as well as self pay.

  • Lea Powers, MA, LPC

    Lea works with individuals ages 15–40 (and welcomes clients of all ages) who are navigating anxiety, stress, life transitions, emotional overwhelm, depression, trauma, and career-related concerns. Many of Lea’s clients come to therapy feeling stuck or uncertain, seeking support that is both compassionate and practical while exploring coping skills that can be used in everyday life.

    Lea brings experience integrating CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Person-Centered Therapy, EFT (Emotion Focused Therapy), and DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), as well as mindfulness, grounding exercises, therapeutic art tools, and reflective practices. Her approach emphasizes that healing isn’t linear — some sessions may be deeply reflective or challenging, while others may bring laughter, insight, or relief. She aims to meet clients where they are, honoring what they need in the moment, and supporting them in reconnecting with their inner clarity, resilience, and balance.

    In her work, Lea supports clients in building self-awareness, navigating major life transitions, processing trauma, exploring career and life purpose, and developing stronger coping skills. She creates a space where clients feel understood, supported, and empowered to move forward with confidence and self-compassion.

    Lea is also certified in Reikie Therapy Levels 1-3 which adds to her hollistic approach to treating humans.

    Outside of work, Lea enjoys time with her tuxedo cat, being in nature — whether it’s relaxing in a hammock, fishing, camping, hiking, or simply soaking in her surroundings — enjoying coffee shops, experiencing live music events, and getting lost in a good book or movie.

    Lea accepts private pay and BCBS and Aetna insurance.

  • Erin Ryan MSW, LSW

    Erin believes that one of the most important parts of therapy is feeling comfortable and safe with the person sitting across from you. Her goal is to create a space where clients feel accepted, respected, and able to show up exactly as they are. She works with both children and adults navigating a wide range of challenges, including life stress, transitions, anxiety, grief, identity exploration, relationship concerns, and the everyday tasks that can begin to feel overwhelming.

    As a queer woman, Erin is especially passionate about working with LGBTQIA+ clients who are exploring identity, relationships, self-acceptance, or the experience of moving through the world as their full selves. She also supports clients through grief and loss, approaching this work in a way that feels collaborative, grounded, and paced to meet each person where they are.

    Erin earned both her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work from Loyola University Chicago. Her clinical training includes working with LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults at Center on Halsted, as well as supporting individuals and families at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab as they adjusted to major life changes related to health, recovery, and independence. These experiences continue to shape her interest in identity, grief, resilience, and helping clients feel supported through moments of transition.

    Her approach to therapy is interactive, warm, and rooted in cultural humility. Erin’s style is conversational and collaborative, helping clients reflect while also identifying tools they can use outside of session. She brings curiosity and respect to the ways identity, family, community, and lived experience shape each person’s story. In her work, Erin hopes clients feel supported, less alone, and more connected to themselves

    Erin accepts private pay and BCBS and Aetna insurance.

  • Marly Serrano MSW, LSW

    Marly is a Licensed Social Worker with a Master’s degree in Social Work. She works with children, adolescents, and young adults. While earning her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Marly provided case management at an emergency family shelter, led a social skills group for teens, and mentored middle school students.

    Marly works with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem and identity concerns, school-related challenges, and adjustment or life transitions. She recognizes that life can sometimes feel turbulent, and her goal is to help clients find their footing, recognize the resilience and strengths already within them, and feel more confident navigating whatever comes next.

    She has a special interest in working with first-generation individuals, multicultural communities, and immigrant populations. As a first-generation college graduate and someone who grew up deeply immersed in two cultures, Marly understands that navigating unfamiliar spaces and building one’s own path can present unique challenges. However, it does not have to feel isolating, and no one should have to navigate it alone.

    Marly also works in community mental health in Will County. As a school-based mental health counselor, she has the opportunity to support children and adolescents in the environments where they spend much of their time, helping them work through academic, social, emotional, and personal challenges.

    Marly describes herself as incredibly empathetic, creative, artistic, and tenacious. Her approach to therapy is person-centered and collaborative. She incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), while adapting her approach to meet the needs of each individual. When working with children, she incorporates play and creative strategies when appropriate. Whoever the client may be, Marly strives to find the approach that works best for them.

    Marly does not believe therapy should feel overly clinical or intimidating. She believes the therapeutic relationship matters most and wants her clients to feel comfortable being themselves, however that may look. In sessions with Marly, clients will always have a space where they can feel heard without judgment.

    Marly speaks Spanish and welcomes the opportunity to support Spanish-speaking individuals and those from Spanish-speaking households.

    Si están pasando por un momento difícil, está bien buscar apoyo. Marly está aquí para ayudarles de cualquier manera que pueda.

    “Outside of therapy, you can usually find me doing something creative or pursuing one of my favorite passions: aviation. I’m a private pilot and fly single-engine airplanes. Every flight can come with a little turbulence, unexpected changes, and moments that require you to trust yourself, so one of the things I love most about flying is that you learn to stay present, make adjustments, and keep moving forward. I try to bring that same mindset into my work with clients: life may not always go according to plan, but you don’t have to give up on where you’re going or where you want to be.”

    Marly accepts private pay, BCBS & Aetna insurance.

  • Rachel Meister MA, LPC, CADC

    Rachel is a therapist who works primarily with adolescents, teens, and young adults, with a specialty in substance use and addictions. She currently works as a Mental Health Counselor II, Substance-Focused, in a community mental health setting, where she provides school-based substance use counseling to teens and young adults throughout the Will County area.

    She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Illinois State University, then went on to complete her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lewis University, with a concentration in children & adolescents and advanced training in addictions.

    Rachel's approach is eclectic by design — she draws from person-centered therapy, CBT, REBT, and DBT, and brings in narrative therapy, expressive art therapy, and solution-focused work whenever it fits the person in front of her better than a textbook framework would. She doesn't believe in a one-size-fits-all session; she believes in meeting each client exactly where they are, matching their energy, and staying flexible enough to show up differently for different people.

    "Trust is everything to me. If it's not in the room, nothing else works — so before we talk about coping skills or goals, I want you to know: I'm not here to fix you or nod along while quietly judging your choices. I'm here to actually know you.

    I want you to stop rehearsing what you're going to say before you say it. To say the thing you've never said out loud, even to yourself, and know I won't flinch. Picture meeting a friend at an empty coffee shop — no eyes on you, no clock running, nothing off the table. That's what I want session to feel like. I show up fully present, matching wherever you're at that day, because some days call for real talk and some days call for silence and some days call for both.

    And here's the thing about a real relationship — it doesn't disappear when life gets loud. You can go weeks without therapy feeling like a priority, and when you come back, we pick up right where we left off. No guilt, no catching up required. I'm not going anywhere." - Rachel

    Outside of work, Rachel enjoys reading, going on walks, catching a good movie, and trying new restaurants. Most of her free time, though, belongs to her furbaby — a rescued Cattle Dog/Jack Russell mix, who keeps her on her toes.

    Rachel accepts private pay, BCBS and Aetna insurance.

  • Abby Miller MA, LCPC

    Abby believes therapy is a collaborative space where clients can feel understood while also developing a deeper understanding of themselves. Her goal is to create a comfortable environment where clients can be unapologetically themselves and speak openly about what they are experiencing.

    Abby has experience working with individuals and couples across a diverse range of ages, cultures, backgrounds, and identities. She has supported people through challenging experiences, including anxiety, OCD, depression, low self-esteem, life transitions, relationship difficulties, grief, and trauma.

    She especially enjoys helping people make sense of what they are experiencing and explore how their past may be connected to what they are going through today. Abby believes that developing a deeper understanding of oneself can create space for meaningful change and help clients feel more confident as they navigate life’s challenges.

    “I often think of therapy like a flower. You are the seed, and you already carry the potential to grow into something beautiful. But even the healthiest of seeds need the right environment, along with consistent care and support, to grow. My hope is that therapy can provide that environment and support, creating a space where you feel comfortable showing up as you are while also feeling supported as you grow. You don't have to navigate that process alone.”

    Outside of therapy, Abby enjoys spending time with my pets, traveling, listening to Taylor Swift, and nurturing a wide variety of plants, flowers, and vegetables. Abby values the parallels between personal growth and nature - both requiring patience, care, and the right environment to flourish.

    Abby accepts private pay, BCBS, Aetna & UHC Insurance.

  • Jenna Anderson MA, LPC

    Jenna is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois who works with adolescents and adults navigating anxiety, depression, grief, identity, trauma, life transitions, relationships, ADHD and other challenges that can make life feel overwhelming or uncertain. She has experience working with clients across outpatient, residential and educational settings.

    Jenna’s approach to therapy is rooted in authenticity and connection. She believes that therapy should be a space where clients can show up as they are, without judgment or pressure to have everything figured out. Her work is person-centered and trauma-informed, with an emphasis on understanding each client’s unique experiences, needs and goals. Jenna believes that healing is not linear and she allows clients to set the pace of therapy while offering support, encouragement and gentle challenges along the way.

    After spending several years living in Colorado, Jenna developed a deep appreciation for slowing down, spending time outdoors and creating space to be present. She carries those values into her work with clients, encouraging them to make room for rest, connection and the things that bring meaning to their lives.


    “Come as you are - overwhelmed, hopeful, unsure or somewhere in between. There’s room for all of it here. My goal is to create a space where you can take off the mask, let your guard down and simply be you.” -Jenna

    Outside of therapy, Jenna enjoys spending time with her dog, crocheting, relaxing in a hammock, exploring the outdoors and finding a good coffee shop. She believes that the small moments of joy in everyday life can be an important part of creating a life that feels meaningful and fulfilling.

    Jenna accepts private pay, BCBS & Aetna insurance.

  • Nancy Johnston MA, LPC, CDVP

    Nancy has a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lewis University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Domestic Violence Professional.  Nancy works with teens and adults. Her areas of focus include domestic violence and abuse, anxiety, depression, trauma/PTSD, childhood trauma, grief, life transitions, and relationship difficulties.

    In therapy with Nancy, you'll find a safe, down-to-earth space where you can explore what’s been getting in your way...and why. At the heart of her work is a deep interest in how past experiences have shaped the way you feel and function in the present. You and Nancy will look at patterns, beliefs, and behaviors that may have been helpful at one point in your life but are now limiting or painful…and work to shift them.

     Nancy specializes in working with domestic violence and abuse. She understands how complex and isolating these dynamics can be and works at your unique pace while making safety and autonomy priorities, too. Whether you’re healing from past abuse, or need support in your current situation, Nancy will be a strong and steady presence.

    “My goal isn’t just to help you “cope” but to help you understand yourself more fully, shift long-standing patterns, and feel more grounded in who you are”.

    Beyond her clinical work, Nancy enjoys a quiet life with her partner, who farms, and their two cats. Both come from farming families, so frequent topics of conversation at night are the weather, what the neighbor’s been up to, and how the latest farm projects are coming along. It’s a steady rhythm that keeps her connected to the kind of everyday life she values.

    Nancy accepts private pay, BCBS & Aetna insurance.

  • Faith Jones MSW, LSW

    Faith is a young therapist with an old soul, a love for all things vintage, and a firm belief that therapy doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all approach.

    She’s laid-back, easygoing, and genuinely invested in the people she works with. Faith is the therapist who will be your biggest hype girl when you need someone in your corner, but she’ll also lovingly clock you when you need to hear the truth. She cares deeply and believes that being real and authentic with her clients is one of the most important parts of building a meaningful therapeutic relationship.

    Her approach is warm, collaborative, and sometimes a little unconventional. You might sit criss-cross applesauce, go for a walk while you talk, find an analogy for absolutely everything, or get creative with an activity that helps you express something words can’t. And if you need a music recommendation along the way, she probably has one for you. Faith believes therapy should feel like a space where you can exhale, be yourself, and not worry about performing or having the “right” answer.

    As a Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Faith has experience providing both individual and group therapy, along with a background in research. She is trained in trauma-informed care and substance use, and she particularly enjoys working with young adults, relationships, and people navigating the transitions that come with growing, changing, and figuring out what comes next. She has a special interest in helping people understand themselves, strengthen their relationships, work through difficult experiences, and build a life that actually feels like their own.

    Faith brings a fresh perspective to the therapy room, but she also has a little bit of that old-soul wisdom. As the youngest of three sisters, she’s always had a natural big-sister energy—equal parts supportive, honest, protective, and occasionally willing to tell you when you’re being ridiculous. Her goal is never to judge you or tell you who you should be. Instead, she wants to help you better understand yourself and feel more confident moving through the world as you are.

    “You don’t need to have everything figured out before you walk through the door. You don’t even have to know exactly what you need from therapy yet. Just show up as yourself. That’s where I’ll meet you.”

    Outside of the therapy room, Faith is usually hunting for something good at a thrift store, adding to her vinyl collection, planning her next adventure, getting excited about Halloween, appreciating art and tattoos, or hanging out with her dog, Jelly Bean, who is very much her little bestie. She loves traveling, trying new things, and saying yes to experiences that push her outside of her comfort zone.

    Faith accepts private pay, BCBS & Aetna insurance.

  • Geena DiBenedetto, MSW Student Intern

    Geena is a Master of Social Work intern currently attending Aurora University, where she is pursuing her degree with a focus on trauma-informed care. She is passionate about supporting individuals as they navigate life’s challenges and work toward healing and personal growth.

    Geena has experience working with individuals facing mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, and disordered eating. She works with teens and adults who may be experiencing stress, life transitions, trauma, or everyday challenges, and who are seeking a supportive space to better understand themselves and their experiences.

    Geena incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) into her work, helping clients identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns while developing practical coping skills for everyday life. Her approach is compassionate, collaborative, and client-centered.

    She strives to create a safe and comfortable environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to share openly. Geena is dedicated to helping clients build self-awareness, strengthen coping strategies, and move toward their personal goals at their own pace.

    As an intern, Geena is committed to ongoing learning and growth, and she values meeting clients where they are while providing thoughtful, evidence-informed support.

    Outside of her work, Geena enjoys spending time outdoors, training for runs, and unwinding with a good fantasy book. She finds joy in creative expression through art and drawing, loves cooking, and values quality time with her family.

    Geena accepts BCBS PPO & Aetna PPO. Geena also offers affordable self pay options.

  • A woman with long, wavy, light brown hair, wearing a beige sweater, gold leaf earrings, and a gold necklace, smiling at the camera against a dark background.

    Brittany

    Brittany is our office manager & head biller - any billing needs, questions, concerns, denials etc. will all be managed by Brittany.

    Brittany checks insurance benefits for all clients and submits all claims so you don’t have to worry about a thing! Even if your insurance tries to give you a hard time, Brittany will advocate for you!

    You can reach her by email at info@thrivingdaisiestherapy.com

  • Close-up of a yellow Labrador Retriever puppy with dark eyes and a black nose, looking directly at the camera.

    Walter

    Office Therapy Dog

    In training :)