I am Dr. Maria Escobar; a bilingual/bicultural (Spanish/English) clinical licensed social worker in the state of Illinois. I have over 10-years of experience working in the clinical field supporting and guiding children, adolescent, adult and senior clients. In my clinical work, I gain perspective and understanding of real-life challenges of clients that have experienced personal struggles such as: emotional difficulties, self-esteem, trauma, grief/loss, relationship difficulties, family and parenting conflict, school/work-related struggles, and financial hardships among many others.

In my practice, I coordinate with individuals to develop treatment plans that are sensitive to their specific needs and realistic in nature so that progress can be easily measured and achieved. My treatment approach is always tailored to clients and I offer comfort, understanding, support, guidance, sincerity, honesty and direction. Professionally, I am a life-long learner and even though I have studied and applied different treatment approaches, I continued to be inspired by the abundance of opportunities to broaden my clinical work, as well as to enrich the lives of the people I work with.

I am Kathy O’Grady, an experienced medical social worker with a specialized focus on supporting seniors, particularly those experiencing memory loss. I completed my Master’s program at Loyola University, and throughout my career, I have dedicated myself to providing compassionate, innovative care for older adults.

As a professional in this sector, I deliver services that prevent social isolation, promote mental, physical, and emotional well-being, ensure food security, and support older adults in aging in place while remaining active and engaged in their communities.

Marcos Perez-Bonfil is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with specialized certifications including Certified Specialist in Anger Management (CSAM), Certified Grief informed profesional (CGP), and International Certified Gambling Counselor (ICGC-I). With over 40 hours of specialized training in domestic violence, Marcos brings a trauma-informed and compassionate approach to his work with individuals, couples, children, and families.

Marcos provides evidence-based psychotherapy, drawing from a range of modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing. He is deeply committed to creating safe, supportive, and empowering therapeutic environments, whether in individual sessions, family work, or group settings.
His practice focuses on emotional regulation, relationship challenges, trauma recovery, and behavioral change, always with an emphasis on cultural sensitivity and client-centered care.

I am Karim A. Escobar-Franklin, a dedicated bilingual Licensed Social Worker with over 25 years of experience supporting vulnerable communities through trauma-informed care, advocacy, and education. My career has been guided by a deep commitment to equity, compassion, and empowering individuals and families to thrive.

I’ve had the privilege of serving in diverse roles across Chicago. My expertise lies in mental health support, crisis intervention, program development, and leadership within community-focused organizations.

At my core, I believe in meeting people where they are with empathy, cultural humility, and an unwavering belief in their potential.

Laura Ritchason is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy (PCT), and crisis intervention. She specializes in trauma-informed care and has extensive experience working with individuals navigating complex psychological challenges.

Laura holds a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and has additional academic training in Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis. Her therapeutic approach blends evidence-based practices with a client-centered philosophy, creating a safe and collaborative space for healing and growth.

In addition to her core credentials, Laura is certified in Neurofeedback and holds specialized certifications including NCC, ADVAC, SACC, and PAIP, equipping her with a broad range of tools to address emotional regulation, behavioral patterns, and trauma recovery. Whether working with individuals, families, or groups, she is committed to empowering clients toward lasting change and emotional resilience.