Ammara Khalid, Psy.D., specializes in individual, couples and family therapy with children, adolescents and adults of diverse backgrounds. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree from New York University, and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, Illinois. She practices cross-cultural psychology from a systemic orientation, and draws heavily from IFS (Internal Family Systems) in case conceptualization. Dr. Khalid has travelled extensively internationally and is well versed in both English and Urdu/Hindi. In addition to her work at CORE, Dr. Khalid is an Adjunct Professor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Adler School of Professional Psychology, and at Argosy University, where she teaches a wide variety of subject matter including adult development and aging, therapy techniques with family systems, and topics related to diversity to both graduate and undergraduate students. She has also served as ECP Secretary and looks forward to continue serving the ECP and IPA as the new Chair.

Amanda M. Rios, Psy.D, LMFT, specializes in individual, couples and family therapy with children, adolescents, and adults of diverse backgrounds. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Maryland, College Park. She received her Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, Illinois where she concentrated her studies on a family systems approach to treatment. In addition to her work at CORE, Dr. Rios is an Adjunct Professor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and at Argosy University, where she teaches a wide variety of subject matter including family therapy and assessment techniques, child and adolescent development, and topics related to diversity to both graduate and undergraduate students.

Tell us something about yourself:
I am completing my post-doctoral fellowship in Academic Leadership at TCSPP with an administrative role at Community Partnerships and a clinical rotation at the Cook County Sheriff’s Women’s Justice Programs (SWJP). At Community Partnerships, I serve as a liaison between students, community partners, and the school. At SWJP, I provide individual and group therapy to female inmates as well as supervision to practicum students and Master’s level clinicians. I received my Psy.D. and M.A. in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, and a B.S. in Psychology from University of Wisconsin.

Where do you work right now?
I am a Post-doctoral fellow at The Chicago School’s Community Partnerships Department and Sheriff’s Women’s Justice Programs at Cook County.

What school did you graduate from?
Illinois School of Professional Psychology (Argosy University – Chicago)

Did you have a specialization?
Clinical Psychology (Diversity concentration)

Where would you like to work in the future?
I would like to have the opportunity to work with children, adults and families either in hospital setting or a community mental health agency. I also enjoy working with the refugee population. Eventually, I would like to work in a group practice.

If you would like to learn more about Katrina, contact her at: katzoltan@gmail.com

Chris Bibby is a licensed clinical psychologist who practices at the Barrington Center for Counseling and Psychotherapy in Barrington, Illinois. He received graduate training at Rosemead School of Psychology in California. He specializes in family/couples therapy as well as work with adolescents. He has written two plays and writes creative non-fiction on spirituality and psychology.

Karla Steingraber, Psy.D., a graduate of the George Washington University Clinical Psychology program, is in private practice with Aprioris Psychological Health Services, P.C. In her offices in Northbrook and Park Ridge she works with people of all ages from a psychodynamic perspective while also using behavioral techniques. She specializes in the treatment LGBTQ children and adults as well as those with a traumatic brain injury. Her current initiatives for the ECP section include the Mentorship Program networking opportunities for ECPs across the entire state of Illinois.

Michelle Krucek, Psy.D., is a partner at Insightful Solutions. P.C. located in Orland Park. She works from a Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) framework that incorporates aspects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Dr. Krucek works primarily with individuals struggling with issues related to finding a balance between their school, professional and personal life as well as clients managing a wide variety of mood disorders. She is also committed to providing LGBTQ affirming therapy for individuals managing sexual orientation and gender identity concerns. Dr. Krucek received her Psy.D. from The Illinois School of Professional Psychology in 2009.

A graduate of the Clinical Psychology and Women’s Studies program at the University of Michigan, Shanta currently works as a Staff Psychologist at the 19th Judicial Circuit Court in the Specialty Court programs. Specifically, Shanta provides individual and group therapy for adults in the Drug Court, Mental Health Court and Veterans Court programs, providing trauma-informed services. Shanta is also an adjunct lecturer at Northwestern University and loves teaching courses related to diversity and multicultural psychology. Shanta’s clinical and research interests include women’s health, trauma, gender violence and the impact of immigration on mental health. She looks forward to meeting more psychologists in the Chicago area.

Dr. Cesaroni is completing her post-doctoral fellowship at New Connections Academy while preparing for the EPPP and servicing individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder using in-home therapeutic interventions based on Social Thinking. Her main areas of interest include working with individuals, families, or groups that are affected by ASD, mood disorders, and/or substance abuse in an outpatient setting. Through her involvement with the ECP Section she hopes to enhance the connectivity among the professionals of our growing field. She aims to utilize the section as a foundation to integrate our diverse backgrounds of knowledge and experience amongst future generations of clinical psychologists.