Lenel Reuther, PsyD
Lenel graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. In June 2015, she completed her Master of Science degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. She has completed her doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Midwestern University. Lenel uses a cognitive behavioral treatment approach and also incorporates physical activity. She believes that physical health plays a significant role in mental health as well as overall quality of life. In addition, she hosts running clubs for teen girls and moms.
Lenel enjoys running, spending time with friends and family, as well as playing with her rescued greyhound, Izzy.
Oana Varga, PsyD
Oana received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Adler University, Chicago. She has worked in school settings and private practice providing psychotherapy services to children, adolescents, and adults. Additionally, she has experience conducting psychological and neuropsychological evaluations assessing attention, learning disorders, mood, and emotional difficulties. Her clinical treatment approach is integrative, incorporating interventions from play-therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, relational, and biopsychosocial perspectives. Oana is passionate about making genuine connections and approaching each individual with a humble mind and openness. She aspires to provide a comfortable and collaborative space for people to freely express themselves and connect with their emotional and rational selves.
Oana enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her puppy, as well as being outdoors and connecting with nature.
Elizabeth Knesley, OTC
Elizabeth graduated from North Central University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in studio art. In August of 2017 she completed her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Concordia University Wisconsin. Elizabeth is an occupational therapist at Ellis Therapy and Fitness. She used a combination of approaches to focus on function and holistic treatment options. Elizabeth believes that physical, mental, and emotional health can have a direct connection with function and wellbeing.
Elizabeth enjoys spending time with family and friends, baking, cooking, and singing in her church choir in her free time.
David Schaefer, LCPC
David graduated from University of IL – Champaign/Urbana in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, and earned his secondary degree, Masters of Science in Clinical Psychology at Argosy University. With over 20 years of healthcare experience, in both corporate and private settings, David has been in clinical practice for 10+ years. He has worked with adolescents and adults in an individual capacity, as well as family and marital therapy, and specializes in treating anxiety and depression.
David enjoys spending time with his family, listening to music, fishing, and is an avid Chicago sports fan, no matter how painful that may be at times.
JESSE BAHRKE, M.S., LPC
Jesse is a third-year student in the Clinical Psychology doctoral program at Rosalind Franklin University. He graduated from University of Illinois with a bachelors in Philosophy, work including sensation as the foundation of conscious experience. Jesse has 10+ years of experience in the field of health and fitness, specializing in performance, injury rehab and prevention, and breath.
His interests include behavior change and implementation in weight loss and general health, the intersection of language and perception, as well as the role of technology in implementing therapeutic interventions in the realm of human emotion for those with autism spectrum disorder.
In his free time, Jesse enjoys working out, reading, yoga, and mountain biking.
Debbie Ellis, LCSW
Debbie has been working with children and adolescents with low self-esteem, ADHD, anxiety, depression and autism spectrum disorder for the past 20+ years. Her style is dynamic, energetic, and creative which is attractive to children and parents alike. Debbie utilizes a cognitive-behavioral approach while incorporating movement/kinesthetic activities to keep a child interested and engaged.
Debbie acquired her personal training certification by the National Association of Sports Medicine (NASM) and focuses on bridging the gap between physical exercise and emotional wellness. Additionally, Debbie is a certified pilates instructor through the Pilates Method Alliance. She also received her Certification in Applied Functional Science through the Gray Institute. Debbie has been a volunteer coach in her community for the non profit internationally recognized Girls on the Run program for the past several years. She is also a volunteer for Special Olympics.
When Debbie is not working, volunteering, taking care of her 3 children and 2 golden retrievers, She can be found rollerblading, biking, boxing, and enjoying the outdoors.
Frannie Goldwin, LCSW
Frannie received a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from the University of Illinois in 1997. After working in the business world for 4 years, she pursued a different career path and earned a Master of Arts in Social Work from The University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration. She has been working as a school social worker, with children ranging in ages from 3-13, for the past 15 years. Frannie supports students struggling in the school setting due to various challenges ranging from poor emotional regulation and impulse control to impaired social pragmatic language and interpersonal skills. Frannie has experience working with children with autism as well as those experiencing anxiety, diminished self-esteem, and other mood disorders. Frannie’s primary theoretical orientation is cognitive-behavior theory (CBT). She actively incorporates Michelle Garcia Winner’s “Social Thinking” methodology into her work to teach children how to think about the social world in order to communicate more effectively. Frannie has been a volunteer coach for the past 12 years for Girls on the Run, a non-profit organization that uses running as a way to inspire and motivate girls while also building confidence and encouraging lifelong health and fitness.
Outside of work, Frannie keeps herself busy as a mom of 2 fabulous daughters and wife of an avid Ohio State fan. She loves watching America’s Got Talent with her family and enjoys running and taking fitness classes with friends.
