Our community
Our mission is to bring together a community of person-centered psychotherapists interested in rigorous clinical thinking, dedicated to self awareness and examination, and meticulous in their appreciation of difference and privilege in the lives of our clients and ourselves. Within the collaborative strength of this community, we are better prepared to support our clients’ work as humans in the world, navigating family, community, work, school, and social and political impact and change. We appreciate that psychological difficulties live within the web of our bodies, families, communities and society.
Our deep roots in the client-centered tradition guide us as we provide effective, thoughtful, life enhancing services to our clients. Our experiences in our own therapy and ongoing education reinforce our beliefs in rigorous and supportive training and supervision to developing therapists.
Feel free to reach out to any of us to talk about counseling services, our intern- and fellowships, and person-centered community events.
Senior Staff
Carolyn Schneider, A.M., LCPC, Founder (she/her)
Contact: cschneider@cca-cct.com 773-281-7200
Carolyn has provided client-centered counseling, supervision and training since 1989. She received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Chicago and completed internship training, began her career as a therapist, and later served as director at the Chicago Counseling and Psychotherapy Center (CCPC), the outgrowth of Carl Rogers’ University of Chicago Counseling Center. She has also served as Mental Health Director at the Center on Halsted, and as Director of Professional Development at Live Oak. In founding Chicago Counseling Associates, Carolyn is pleased to bring together a community of clinicians, trainers and students dedicated to rigorous practice and person-centered values. She aspires to provide a level of service that honors the exceptional education and support she received from her mentors, particularly Barbara Brodley, Nat Raskin, Garry Prouty, Marge Witty, Susan Pildes, and Barbara Roy. She is gratified to work with such dedicated and purposeful learners at CCA.
Carolyn’s clinical practice covers a wide range of issues, populations, and modalities. She has particular expertise in intimate partners therapy, trauma work, gender identity and sexual orientation, depression, career and family transitions, body image, disordered eating, and self-esteem. She works closely with her clients to create strong, trustworthy and freeing relationships that foster growth and change. Carolyn is a WPATH GEI certified therapist and maintains ongoing consultation with Dr. Randi Ettner regarding gender and sexuality. She has also trained with Dr. Garry Prouty in the pre-therapy method for working with schizophrenia and developmental disabilities, and has completed and provided training at the Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network Centralized Training Institute.
Erin Ekeberg, A.M., LCSW, Supervisor (she/her)
Contact: ekeberg@cca-cct.com
Erin received an A.M. in clinical social work from the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration, a B.A. in Environmental Science from Northwestern University and her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. Prior to graduate school, Erin directed the behavioral health coaching component of a clinical trial investigating innovative approaches to post-operative care for kidney transplant recipients. A lifelong soccer enthusiast, Erin has played and coached at all levels from youth through adult, including assistant coaching the University of Chicago women’s soccer team. Erin’s clinical interests include life and career transitions, anxiety, depression, management of chronic illness, queer and trans identity, and relationship issues. She brings a deep commitment to collaborative practice and belief in self-determination and self-actualization to her work.
Jane Flotte, A.M., LCSW, Consulting Supervisor (she/her)
Contact: jane@janeflottelcsw.com
Jane earned a master’s degree in clinical social work at the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration and completed an internship and postgraduate training at Chicago Women’s Health Center. Jane grounds her practice in values of intersectionality, justice, and creativity. Her experience includes work with trauma, shame, big life decisions, identity development, relationship concerns, and chronic pain and health conditions. She collaborates with clients to build a warm and affirming space where they can feel heard and understood.
Todd Odell, LCPC, LMFT, Senior Supervisor and Therapist (he/him)
Contact: todell@cca-cct.com
Todd has provided client-centered counseling to individuals, couples and families since 1998. He received his M.A. in clinical psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Chicago, and then completed his internship and joined the staff of the Chicago Counseling and Psychotherapy Center. Todd has worked in several private practice and social service agencies in Illinois and California, serving as the Associate Director of Mental Health at the Center on Halsted, Program Supervisor of SPA 2 Wraparound at Olive Crest and most recently providing therapy to families involved with the California Department of Child and Family Services and the juvenile probation system. He has trained in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), as well as a number of trauma informed modalities including EMDR, and TF-CBT. Todd's clinical interests include life and family transitions, trauma work, management of depression, anxiety, grief and loss, relationship issues, gender identity, and LGBTQ issues. His work is guided by his commitment to the client's self-determination and his belief that each individual has the ability to thrive and grow in a collaborative relationship.
Susan Pildes, LPC, Senior Trainer and Consultant (she/her)
Contact: info@cca-cct.com
Susan has over 40 years of experience counseling individuals, couples, and families in agency and private practice settings. She has taught in Chicago graduate programs for over thirty years, and is a much prized consultant to various community organizations. Susan is particularly skilled in collaborating with other medical and psychological professionals in client care, offering a holistic approach to her work with clients and their chosen or birth family. Her areas of expertise include work with couples and families, visual artists, disorders of attention, substance and process addictions, sexual orientation and gender identity, domestic violence, and survival of traumatic experiences. Susan studied intensively with Dr. Barbara Brodley for over 35 years, and also counts Jerold Bozarth Ph.D., Marge Witty, Ph.D., and Randi Ettner Ph.D. amongst her teachers and colleagues.
Blue Roth, A.M., LCSW, Supervisor (he/him)
Contact: blue@cca-cct.com
Blue received his A.M. in clinical social work from the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration, and his B.A. from Middlebury College in Vermont. Prior to graduate school, Blue worked at the Howard Brown Health Center and the Broadway Youth Center serving transgender and gender expansive people in various capacities (program manager, patient navigator, research assistant). Blue completed both the internship and fellowship programs at CCA, and also interned at PEER Services during graduate school, where he provided therapy and support services to adolescents coping with substance abuse. As grounding values, Blue believes strongly in a client’s right to self-determination, and he draws on his background with music to understand the many paths to healing. Blue aims to provide a supportive space for individuals and couples to explore growth and change. He is sex-positive in his approach and has experience working with both monogamous and open relationships.
Marge Witty, Ph.D., Senior Trainer and Consultant (she/her)
Contact: info@cca-cct.com
Marge is an experienced client-centered therapist, licensed clinical psychologist, author, and educator who was first introduced to the client centered approach in 1972 when she took the community practicum at the Chicago Counseling and Psychotherapy Research Center. She has recently retired from the position of Professor and University Fellow at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Chicago, and is engaged in full time clinical work and supervision of graduate interns. Marge completed her M.S. in Counseling Psychology at the Illinois Institute of Technology and her Ph.D., also in Counseling Psychology, at Northwestern University. Marge is interested in critical psychology and the social and economic roots of psychological distress. Areas of expertise include psychological studies in the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and intersex persons, qualitative research in psychotherapy process and outcome, and life span development.
Clinicians
Ashley Allcorn A.M. LCSW, Administrative Director and Psychotherapist (she/her)
Contact: allcorn@cca-cct.com
Ashley received an A.M. in clinical social work from the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration, and her B.A. in social work and M.A. in Philosophy and Applied Ethics from Texas State University. Prior to becoming a therapist, Ashley taught philosophy and ethics at Texas State University with a focus on feminist theory, sexual ethics, animal ethics, moral psychology, and food ethics. Ashley volunteered for many years with the Boys and Girls Club and Communities in schools programs, where she mentored youth and facilitated female empowerment and life skills groups. Ashley has offered groups centering on consent, sexuality, and relationships in local high schools and has facilitated workshops on music therapy and media literacy. Ashley is also a researcher and mental health consultant. She has worked with UChicago Urban Labs, University of Chicago Humanities Department, and is currently working with Texas Tech University Health Science Center. Her research centers on creating mental health interventions for postpartum mothers, finding solutions to community violence and poverty, and making college more accessible for first generation college students.
Ashley works from a client-centered theoretical approach and practices from a post-modern and philosophically informed lens. Ashley’s clinical interests include: artistic expression, mindfulness, sexual and gender identity exploration, sex positive approaches, existential questioning, religious trauma, and body image. Ashley believes in creating a trauma-informed and empathetic space that allows the therapeutic relationship to flourish. Ashley offers in-person sessions in Amarillo, TX and virtual sessions to Texas and Illinois residents.
Alaina Bercilla, M.A., LPC, supervisory fellow (she/her)
Contact: abercilla@cca-cct.com
Alaina earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Eastern Michigan University and is licensed in both Illinois and Michigan. She has also received degrees in Music Performance from University of California, Los Angeles (B.A.) and University of Michigan (M.M.), and has worked as an orchestral musician and teacher for many years. Alaina’s clinical interests include life and career transitions, explorations of meaning and purpose, anxiety, depression, decision-making, concerns surrounding chronic illness and/or disability, and issues related to creative work and identity. She believes strongly in each individual’s right and ability to determine the best choices for themselves and offers a safe and supportive environment for self-examination. Alaina draws upon mindfulness and acceptance practices, body-awareness and existential approaches, and is queer-informed and sex-positive in her approach. She works with individuals and couples.
Angela Campion, LPC, fellow (they/them, she/her)
Contact: acampion@cca-cct.com
Angela completed her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Adler University and her B.A. in gender studies at DePaul. Prior to and while completing graduate work, Angela has also served as a senior manager for the social justice organization Palestine Legal. Angela is a queer bi-racial practitioner interested in helping clients with intersecting identities build awareness, acceptance, and self-compassion. Angela is motivated to support queer and non-queer individuals and partners in traditional and consensual non-monogamous relationships. Angela’s clinical interests include identity development, mindfulness, alternative relationship structures, pleasure, and trauma-informed and somatic approaches.
Peggy Cook, fellow (she/her)
Contact: pcook@cca-cct.com
Peggy completed her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. She also works as a memoir workshop coordinator and is clinically interested in the power of therapeutic writing and how it can serve as a safe access route to trauma. Prior to graduate school, Peggy was an early childhood teacher and holds a master’s degree in Elementary Education. Her clinical interests include working with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, issues related to life transitions, relationships, boundaries, pregnancy and childbirth, and mindfulness. She enjoys her family, writing, and traveling
Dragon Ding, fellow (he/him)
Contact: ding@cca-cct.com
Dragon earned his Ed.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Loyola University Chicago and his B.A. in psychology from Boston University. He has particular interest in working with folks exploring cultural identity, the experience of being a digital native, and with young adults. Dragon focuses on helping his clients navigate their “in-between” feelings that can show up as internal conflict, loneliness, and challenges with life transitions and relationships. He aims to collaborate with you to create a safe space that allows you to access your inner voice and bring your true self into being. Dragon is experienced in working with young adults, the AAPI community, and individuals in the gaming/esports space.
In addition to his work as a psychotherapist, Dragon works with Healthy Gamer in program development and coordination and provides consultation to peer support coaches. In his free time, Dragon enjoys spending time with his two cats, Bilbao and Córdoba, playing volleyball, and gaming with friends.
Marty Kezon, A.M., LSW, fellow (he/him, they/them)
Contact: mkezon@cca-cct.com
Marty holds an A.M. in clinical social work from the University of Chicago and a B.A. in English from Kenyon College. His work is guided by respect, care, and authenticity, and he is invested in providing a supportive space where you can speak openly and explore what is important to you. Prior to graduate school, he worked as a teaching artist and led trauma-informed reading and writing groups in community settings and alternative high schools across Chicago. As a graduate student, he trained as a therapist at Howard Brown Health and interned as an outreach worker with Thresholds. He has experience working with adults of all ages, especially queer and trans clients, and takes a sex-positive approach that is inclusive of those who are monogamous and non-monogamous.
Carrie Lydon, LSW, fellow (she/her)
Contact: clydon@cca-cct.com
Carrie completed her master’s degree at the University of Chicago’s Crown School of Social Work, Policy and Practice. She also holds a master’s in learning and organizational change from Northwestern University. Carrie has worked in the non-profit and higher education sectors, most recently directing wellness initiatives for graduate students. Carrie is a passionate advocate and member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and in her free time enjoys spending time in nature, engaging in social justice work, traveling, and spending time with her partner and senior dog, Franklin. Her clinical interests include depression, anxiety, mindfulness, trauma-informed practices, career and life transitions, and LGBTQIA+ issues and identity development. She brings a collaborative, culturally responsive, and person-centered approach to working with clients to create a space for healing and personal growth.
Matthew Parsons, A.M., LCSW, fellow (he/him)
Contact: mparsons@cca-cct.com
Matthew received his master’s in clinical social work with a focus on trauma from the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration, and his bachelor’s in Arabic and International Relations from Tufts University. His clinical interests include complex and acute trauma, queer and trans identity exploration, neurodivergence, the felt impacts of systemic oppression, and relationship challenges. Matthew’s years of working in human rights advocacy, his experience working with survivors of community violence in Chicago, as well as his lived experience as a queer person have left him with a deep commitment to and belief in self determination. To this end, Matthew strives to cultivate a warm, collaborative, and authentic relationship with his clients where they are free to explore themselves and move toward ways of being that feel better. In his free time, he is often making a hearty meal, trying to be near water, or tending to his plants.
Mei Liou Zarnitsyna, M.A., Ed.S., LPC, fellow (they/them, she/her)
Contact: mzarnitsyna@cca-cct.com
Mei earned her M.A. and ABD status in the Ph.D. program in Philosophy at the University of Illinois-Chicago and enjoyed working abroad in Germany and Russia before retraining as a therapist at Loyola University Chicago. Her clinical interests include depression and anxiety, trauma recovery, grief and loss, neurodivergence, and issues related to life transitions, relationships, and parenting. A former teacher at the Davidson Academy of Nevada, which serves profoundly gifted students, Mei has a special passion for working with gifted/2E individuals and their families, and she is a graduate of PDA North America's certification program in the PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) profile of autism. Mei's approach is queer-positive, trans-affirming, and trauma-sensitive. In her free time, she enjoys biking, learning languages, aesthetic experiences, and info-dumping about a variety of topics. She loves collaborating with clients to create a safe, empathetic space for personal growth.