Our Therapists
CHOOSING THE RIGHT THERAPIST IS AN IMPORTANT DECISION...
In fact, it may be one of the most important decisions you'll make during this season of life.
You're here because you've been searching for a professional counselor who actually understands what you're dealing with - without you having to wade through pages and pages of therapists who just don't get it.
We hear you. That's why our therapists strive to be transparent about their experience, approach, and personalities - so you can quickly figure out if you think you'll work well together. We want this process to feel comfortable and easy, like how you feel when meeting an old friend for coffee or tea.
ABOUT OUR THERAPISTS
Part of you may be curious about where our therapists went to school or what exactly their training and experience is, and we'll get to that in a minute...but first, we want to share with you the type of client that we find we have the most success in being able to help. That way, we can honor your desire to find the right fit - not just show you we have fancy qualifications and certifications (don't worry, we do - ha!). After all, this is about helping you make the right decision.
Clients who most benefit from therapy with our clinicians are those who feel ready to make changes, are open to talking through their experiences both past and present, and are able be creative and imaginative as we go through the therapy journey.
Our most successful clients appreciate our ability to tune in to the root causes of their anxiety and are willing to try strategies and coping skills that are uniquely catered to their experience.
If you're looking for a therapist to simply smile and nod and say "Go on...", we have to warn you - that's not us! We are invested in helping you activate real change, which means we will always give you honest, valuable feedback about what you bring up in session, and will collaborate with you on customized, actionable goals to help you on your way.
BOOK A CONSULTATIONOUR CLINICIANS
A female owned and operated business, Grace & Gratitude helps women understand themselves better, conquer anxiety, and improve their day to day relationships with self confidence and growth.
SUMIAYA CAUGHEY, MA, LCPC
Clinical Therapist & Supervisor | Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling Psychology
Sumiaya works best with women who are:
- Working through mom-guilt and life balance
- Dealing with the fallout from past relationships or traumatic experiences
- Feeling pressure to "get it right" and be perfect
- Going through grief and loss
- Transitioning from teenage years to adulthood, or from young adulthood to motherhood (change is hard!)
​Sumiaya loves incorporating yoga and other mindfulness-based-practices into her therapy work. In her spare time, Sumiaya enjoys spending time with her family.
With 15+ years experience, Sumiaya is a seasoned, patient, insightful clinician who enjoys helping you find solutions and coping skills. Sumiaya is EMDR trained and works from an eclectic therapeutic lens, incorporating mindfulness, CBT, IFS, and ACT into her work.Â
NORA GUTIERREZ, M.ED, LPC
Clinical Therapist | Master of Education in School Counseling
Nora is a bilingual English/Spanish speaking therapist who works especially well with women and teen girls who:
- Have or are fighting cancer or other major medical concerns
- Are struggling with family or cultural concerns due to being first-generation
- Have or are experiencing relational or family conflict
- Would benefit from anxiety-reducing skills and increased self-awareness
- Are navigating the transition to motherhood
- Experience depressive tendencies or suicidal thoughts
- Need support with parenting school-aged children and/or collaborating with school IEP teams
- Are seeking to process grief and loss
Nora is an EMDR trained clinician with over a decade of experience in school counseling and private practice settings. She utilizes CBT, person-centered therapy, somatic interventions, EMDR, and more. Nora's personal goal is "to make the person in front of me as comfortable as possible" during the process of therapy and healing. Nora is able to provide therapy from a Christian faith-based perspective when requested.
MICHAELA ZOPPA, MA, LPC
Clinical Therapist | Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Michaela works especially well with teen girls and women who are:
- Exceptionally hard on themselves
- Struggling with low self-esteem
- High achievers/gifted individuals
- Experiencing depression
- Healing from past or current traumas
- Wishing they could find their voice
- In need of stronger coping skills for life's daily stressors
Michaela is an insightful, quick-minded clinician who connects easily with clients of all ages and backgrounds. She particularly enjoys helping adolescents and young women as they discover their true selves.
Michaela uses a blend of therapeutic counseling modalities, including but not limited to ACT, CBT, client-centered, motivational interviewing, and attachment-based therapy. Michaela is EMDR trained, has completed special training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (or TF-CBT), and has completed Internal Family Systems Institute’s six-month Circles training. She values spiritually integrative counseling approaches and is able to provide counseling from a Christian faith-based perspective when requested.
STEFANIE ROZBORSKI
Interning Clinical Therapist | Master of Arts in Counseling expected Dec 2024
Stefanie works especially well with women or teen girls who are:
- Working through seasons of anxiety or depression
- Experiencing relationship distress
- In need of effective coping skills and strategies for handling stress, panic, or big emotions
- Looking for ways to manage major decisions or life changes
- Need help "slowing down" and being present
- Seeking a safe place to talk and receive honest feedback
​A seasoned mom herself, Stefanie is no stranger to the emotional ups and downs of motherhood, parenting, and daily life stressors. Stefanie is an excellent conversationalist - easy to talk to, and a perfect listening ear. She utilizes interventions from ACT, CBT, DBT, and IFS to help clients find healing and growth.
As an interning clinician, she is directly supervised by Sarah Czopek, owner, and thus has the benefit of Sarah's years of trauma-informed, specialized experience in addition to her own ongoing training from Bradley University. Stefanie is able to see clients in need of sliding scale sessions, as well as those with BCBS PPO insurance.
LIZ BOHNSAK, MA, LCPC
Clinical Therapist | Master of Arts in Counseling
Liz works especially well with women or teen girls who are:
- Overwhelmed by the demands of motherhood (she's a mom of multiples - she gets it!)
- Dealing with triggers from their own childhood or past relationships and how it affects their lives now (generational trauma, attachment, parentification, critical parents, complex ptsd etc)
- Are exploring the impact that ADHD symptoms may be having on relationships, school, work, and self-esteem
- Moms or adult siblings of individuals with special needs or neurodiversity (Liz has prior experience in the therapeutic day school setting).
​Liz is warm, open, and quick to put clients of all ages at ease. Liz is EMDR trained and utilizes trauma-informed interventions from ACT, CBT, DBT, and IFS to help clients practice self-awareness, flexibility, and empathy.Â
SARAH BACANI, MSW, LCSW
Clinical Therapist | Masters of Science in Social Work
Sarah works best with women who are:
- Working through mom-guilt and life balance
- Struggling with relationships and communication
- Dealing with past traumas affecting current life circumstances
- Feeling "not enough"
- Overwhelmed with daily life
- In need of help coping with stress and triggers
​Sarah is a homeschooling mom of 5 whose combined life experience and clinical expertise makes her a uniquely qualified therapist with compassion, understanding and helpful feedback for miles.
Sarah is gentle and direct, with the ability to connect with teens and adult women alike. With a background in working with children and families, Sarah incorporates mindfulness, ACT, DBT, CBT, IFS, and more into her work. She has completed IFS's 6 month "Circles" training. Sarah is available to see clients from a Christian faith perspective if desired. *EMDR training pending, Jan 2025
TABITHA JIRSA, LPC
Clinical Therapist | Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, ABD (all but dissertation)
Tabitha works especially well with teen girls and adult women who:​​
- Struggle with low self esteem
- Know or suspect that they may have ADHD/ADD
- Need help finding ways to organize their thoughts and surroundings
- Would like to learn ways to deal with "big feelings" like anger, panic, and sadness
- Often feel emotionally out of control
- Sometimes feel afraid of abandonment or being alone
- Have a difficult time with relationships
- May struggle with body image issues, over/under eating, or chronic dieting
​Tabitha is a compassionate, patient, authentic therapist who enjoys helping individuals learn about, accept, and empower themselves. Tabitha is a trauma informed, EMDR trained clinician who uses IFS routinely with clients, having completed the IFS-Institute’s 6 month Circles program. She creates a safe space where her clients feel heard and validated. Tabitha can also offer Christian faith based counseling when requested.
SARAH CZOPEK, MS, LCPC
Owner, Executive Director | Master of Science in Professional Counseling
Sarah is a deeply intuitive, direct, and humorous therapist who will probably always be sipping loose leaf tea when meeting with clients, supervisees, or fellow clinicians in the field. When not focused on managing GGC, Sarah keeps busy with her family and church.
Sarah is a specialist who is EMDR and IFS Certified. Â
Sarah is not currently accepting new clients, and is thrilled to be engaging in speaking events, program development, and clinical training.
JACLYN MOY
Interning Clinical Therapist | Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling expected May 2025
Jaclyn works especially well with women or teen girls who are:
- Struggling with anxiety and depression
- Experiencing concerns in relationships / friendships
- Seeking to learn coping skills for sadness, stress, anger, and more
- Navigating transitions such as phase of life changes or emerging adulthood
- Need help regulating emotions
- Looking for ways to understand themselves more deeply
An experienced traveler, Jaclyn is a multiculturally informed clinician with the ability to effectively incorporate diverse beliefs and cultures into counseling work. A client centered therapist, Jaclyn utilizes interventions from ACT, CBT, DBT, and IFS to assist her clients in their personal growth journey.
As an interning clinician, she is directly supervised by Sarah Czopek, owner, and thus has the benefit of Sarah's years of trauma-informed, specialized experience in addition to her own ongoing training from Wheaton University. Jaclyn is able to see clients in need of sliding scale sessions, as well as those with BCBS PPO insurance. In addition to English, Jaclyn speaks conversational Mandarin.
SCHEDULE A FREE 20-MINUTE CONSULTATION
Let's chat! You've been looking for a counselor who specializes in exactly the stuff you're going through, and we want to make sure you get what you need. So, we offer a free consultation in which you can ask questions and feel 100% comfortable before moving forward with a therapist that matches your needs.
BOOK A CONSULTATIONMarcy Gainer
Client Care Coordinator
Marcy is our rockstar Client Care Coordinator, who you'll meet when you schedule your free consultation. She matches clients with their best fit therapist, helps clients schedule appointments, addresses billing concerns, and checks in to make sure you're feeling great about the direction of your therapy. She'll be your go-to for questions about anything administrative during your counseling journey here at GGC.
Marcy greets all clients with kindness and compassion. Whatever your question, Marcy will help you find the answer!
Marcy can be reached at [email protected].Â
Hannah Cohen
Office Manager
Hannah is our delightful Office Manager, responsible for helping GGC run smoothly. Hannah manages aspects of our intake process, practice metrics, marketing, executive assistant tasks, and more. She is just one of the many friendly faces you will encounter as a client of GGC!
WHAT TO EXPECT BEFORE YOUR FIRST SESSION
So, you're ready to take the next step and start making changes in your life. Let's talk about what to expect in the process.
After you schedule your consultation, we'll send you a brief starter questionnaire to cover some of the basics that we'll need to know. That way, we will be able to spend our time a little more intentionally once we hop on the phone. We are big fans of honoring our clients' time!
During your consultation, you'll talk with our Client Care Coordinator about why you are seeking therapy services and we can answer any questions that come up for you. This will give us the opportunity to match you to a therapist that is a good fit for you (or refer you to another practice if we truly are not the best fit for your needs), set an intake appointment, and discuss next steps.
What exactly is a good fit, you might ask?
Well, "good fit" basically just means that we will match you to a therapist within our practice whose areas of expertise are in line with the concerns you are wanting to work through in therapy. Plus, we want to make sure you find someone you "click" with, personality wise! We will also need to match you to a clinician who has openings within your schedule, ensure that their fee is within your budget, and (last but not least), talk about what you hope to get out of your therapy journey.
Once we have set our intake appointment time, we'll email you some easy-peasy forms to fill out to secure your spot and help your therapist get to know you better.
DURING YOUR FIRST SESSION
During your first 1-2 sessions, you and your therapist will have a lot of ground to cover. We'll want to make sure we've learned all about the concerns you have that brought you to our door, and get to know what's beyond that - your support systems, your family, your history, your dreams for the future, etc. Your therapist will also dedicate time outside of our session to review session notes and select customized treatment methods to match your goals and help you get what you want out of life.
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Grace & Gratitude Counseling, PLLC
Counseling. Speaking. Training & Workshops.
1401 Branding Avenue
Suite 345
Downer's Grove, IL 60515
(331) 254-4464
Teletherapy available throughout Illinois
BOOK A CONSULTATION