Our Team
Rachel M. Menge, LCSW, PMH-C
Insurances: BCBS PPO and Blue Choice, Aetna, Cigna, Out-of-Network, Private Pay
Hi! I’m Rachel. I am the owner of Mind Made Well Counseling and it is my goal to help you walk successfully along the path to mental wellness.
If you are a woman who is experiencing challenges in your life and in need of support, whether that be to find purpose and clarity in young adulthood, to process importance choices about major life decisions like marriage or having children, to prepare for the incoming birth of a child, or to find balance and joy in your journey through motherhood, I am here to support you.
I welcomed my own daughter in 2019 and was inspired by my own experience to pivot my practice towards working exclusively with women, and especially mothers. I’m well-trained in evidence-based practices for many different areas of concern, and I’ve been through my own journey, as well. I am confident that we can work together to help cultivate your own mental wellness.
Although I work with women of all ages and stages, particular areas of interest to me are: birth-trauma and helping women prepare for a consecutive labor and delivery following a trauma birth experience; intentional postpartum wellness and support planning; anxiety and depressive disorders; and matrescence (the process of becoming a mother and finding your new identity - as a mother, in your career, in your relationships, etc). I find I work especially well with clients who enjoy solution-focused, intentional therapy with a focus on developing skills and tools to use outside the therapy room.
I also love working with young adults who are finding their way!
Education: Master of Social Work (MSW): Loyola University Chicago, School of Social Work (2012)
Credentials and Trainings:
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (State of Illinois)
Perinatal Mental Health Professional - Certified (PMH-C) (Postpartum Support International)
Certified Cognitive Processing Therapist
Beck Institute CBT Certification (In progress)
Comprehensively Trained in Exposure Response Prevention
Comprehensively Trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Areas of Focus:
Women’s Mental Wellness, Maternal Mental Wellness, Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, , Perinatal/Postpartum Depression. Perinatal/Postpartum Anxiety, OCD and PPOCD, Birth Trauma, Postpartum Transition, Fertility Challenges,
Mood Disorders (Depression), Anxiety Disorders, Life Transitions, Parents of Young Children, Medical Residents/Physicians/Health Practitioner Mental. Wellness/Burnout, Young Adults
Treatment Styles: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), DBT-informed, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT, Certified and Rostered), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Exposure Therapy, Written Exposure Therapy (WET), Mindfulness-Based, Support Groups, Group Education/Parent Education
Contact:
Email: Rachel@MindMadeWell.com
Phone: 847-581-6176
Fax: 847-787-1482
JESSICA L. BECKER, LSW, (PMH-C IN PROGRESS)
Insurances: BCBS PPO and Blue Choice, Aetna, Cigna, Out-of-Network, Private Pay
Offers free 15 minute consultations upon request.
Currently accepting new clients.
Hello there! I'm Jessica, a licensed social worker with a deep passion for supporting children, adults, and parents on their journey to feeling seen and heard.
With a strengths-based perspective, I firmly believe that you are the true expert in your life. Together, we'll collaborate to build upon your existing strengths and resilience, fostering an environment that encourages personal growth and self-discovery.
As a firm believer in the power of empathy and compassion, I am here to guide you through your unique challenges, always striving to empower you to find clarity and navigate life's complexities with confidence. Whether you're seeking to overcome obstacles, heal from past traumas, or achieve your most cherished goals, I am dedicated to helping you achieve lasting positive change.
My academic background includes an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where I double majored in Psychology and Spanish. I later pursued a master's degree in social work with a specialization in schools from the University of Illinois Chicago. With eight years of experience as a school social worker, I've also had the privilege of working with community organizations and corporate human resources settings.
My expertise spans a wide range of therapeutic approaches, including self-regulation techniques, enhancing social communication and decision-making skills, and employing brief solution-focused therapy. I am also well-versed in cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and mindfulness practices. Additionally, I integrate trauma-informed practices into my therapy, recognizing the profound impact that past experiences can have on our present well-being.
As a parent myself, I wholeheartedly embrace conscious parenting, nonviolent parenting, attachment parenting, and peaceful/mindful parenting philosophies. This personal experience allows me to connect with you on a deeper level as we explore the joys and challenges of parenthood together.
I am committed to continuous learning and regularly update my knowledge to stay at the forefront of the evolving field of perinatal mental health, and am currently pursuing my certification as a Perinatal Mental Health Clinician. Together, we will navigate this transformative phase of your life with empathy, understanding, and a shared commitment to your well-being and personal growth.
If you're ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and empowerment, I warmly invite you to take the first step by scheduling a session with me. Let's work together to create a brighter, more fulfilling future for you and your growing family. I look forward to meeting you!
Education: Master of Social Work (MSW): University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), (2016)
Credentials and Trainings:
Licensed Social Worker (State of Illinois); Actively Pursuing Perinatal Mental Health Professional - Certified (PMH-C) (Postpartum Support International)
Areas of Focus: Women’s Mental Wellness, Maternal Mental Wellness, Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Perinatal/Postpartum Depression, Perinatal/Postpartum Anxiety, OCD, Birth Trauma, Postpartum Transition, Fertility Challenges, Mood Disorders (Depression), Anxiety Disorders, Life Transitions, Parents of Young Children, Special Needs Parenting
Treatment Styles: CBT, DBT-informed, Strengths-Based, Mindfulness-Based, CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy), Exposure Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Contact:
Email: Jessica@MindMadeWell.com
Phone: 847-474-9827
Fax: 847-787-1482
Sarah E. Kull, LCSW
Insurances: BCBS PPO and Blue Choice, Aetna, Cigna, Out-of-Network, Private Pay
Offers free 15 minute consultations upon request.
Currently accepting new clients.
Hello! I’m Sarah. Many of us enter our parenthood journey with preconceived notions about how we will become pregnant, how we will thrive during pregnancy, and how we will enjoy every minute of our new life as a mother. Many of us are also distressed and dismayed to experience trouble conceiving, unbearable pregnancies, unexpected losses, and unanticipated burdens and changes in our relationships associated with raising small humans. While motherhood is a privilege and full of wonder, let’s acknowledge together that it can be hard and isolating, because in this truth, we can work toward acceptance and change!
I’ve played various roles in the social work profession for the last 13 years and have worked with diverse populations, including high school students, immigrant children seeking asylum, foster parents and children, and men anticipating release from incarceration. For the last 4 years, I have concentrated my intentions and clinical training in the perinatal space, and now choose to work with primarily women experiencing stress and mood changes around pregnancy, loss, infertility, adjustment to parenting, and shifting familial relationships. I feel confident holding space and providing support for those who are trying to conceive, have complicated feelings around conception or loss, experience a traumatic birth, struggle with symptoms of anxiety, depression, or OCD during the perinatal period, or are struggling to communicate with their partner and children. I have particular interest in attachment trauma, and the ways generational wounds can impact the way we experience motherhood. I also have a background in eating disorder treatment and am happy to discuss the ways pregnancy, birth, and motherhood have impacted your body image and habits.
I am extensively trained in perinatal mood disorders through Postpartum International. I have additional training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and prefer to partner with my clients to help them parent in a way that aligns with their desires and values as a way to minimize distress and anxiety. I use CBT, DBT, mindfulness, narrative techniques, and some somatic processing in sessions to help my clients identify their needs and find new ways of coping.
Motherhood can be lonely, but you’ve taken a huge step forward by searching for a provider who might be a good fit. I look forward to talking and growing together.
Education: Master of Social Work (MSW): Loyola University Chicago (LUC), (2012)
Credentials and Trainings:
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (State of Illinois); Actively Pursuing Perinatal Mental Health Professional - Certified (PMH-C) (Postpartum Support International)
Areas of Focus: Women’s Mental Wellness, Maternal Mental Wellness, Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Perinatal/Postpartum Depression, Perinatal/Postpartum Anxiety, OCD, Birth Trauma, Postpartum Transition, Fertility Challenges, Mood Disorders (Depression), Anxiety Disorders, Life Transitions, Parents of Young Children, Special Needs Parenting, Postpartum Psychosis and Crisis Support, Eating Disorders/Body Image in Pregnancy and Postpartum, Attachment and Generational Trauma
Treatment Styles: ACT, CBT, Mindfulness-Based, Somatic-Processing, Narrative
Contact:
Email: Sarah@mindmadewell.com
Phone: 847-581-6176
Fax: 847-787-1482
Shannon Duarte, MSW
Insurances: BCBS PPO and Blue Choice, Cigna, Out-of-Network, Private Pay
Offers free 15 minute consultations upon request.
Currently accepting new clients.
Hey there, I'm Shannon!
I earned my master's degree from the University of Central Florida and have experience working with families, parents, and children as they navigate mental health concerns and the effects of trauma. My passion is creating a supportive, compassionate space where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered to make meaningful changes in their lives.
My approach to therapy is collaborative, client-centered, and grounded in the belief that every person already possesses strengths that can be built upon. I integrate Solution-Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and strengths-based approaches to help clients develop practical tools for navigating life's challenges. As a certified yoga and meditation instructor, I also incorporate mindfulness-based practices into my work, recognizing the powerful connection between the mind and body in the healing process.
My path to becoming a therapist has been shaped not only by my professional training but also by my personal experiences. Becoming a mother—especially through a challenging first pregnancy—transformed the way I understand resilience, vulnerability, and the importance of compassionate support. As I navigated life's unexpected challenges, I learned how to cultivate peace, trust my own inner wisdom, and find steadiness through both joyful and difficult seasons. Those experiences deepened my belief that healing doesn't mean avoiding hardship; it means developing the tools and confidence to move through it with greater self-compassion and strength.
I am especially passionate about supporting women through the unique experiences and transitions they encounter throughout life. Whether you're navigating motherhood, working toward healthier relationships, managing anxiety, reconnecting with yourself, or searching for a renewed sense of purpose, my goal is to provide a space where you feel supported without judgment. Together, we'll explore practical strategies to help you find relief from life's challenges while cultivating balance, resilience, and inner peace.
I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, life transitions, and eating disorder recovery. I believe healing isn't about perfection; it's about creating space for growth, self-discovery, and lasting change. My hope is that our work together leaves you feeling more connected to yourself, more confident in your ability to navigate life's challenges, and empowered to create the life you want to live.
It is truly an honor to walk alongside my clients on their healing journey, and I look forward to supporting you as you take your next step.
Education: University of Central Florida (MSW)
Credentials and Trainings:
Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT)
Areas of Focus: Life transitions, women’s mental health, eating disorder recovery, anxiety disorders, mood disorders (depression), parents of young children, special needs parenting, perinatal/postpartum mental health, generational trauma.Treatment Styles: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy, mindfulness based therapy, parent education, movement based therapy.
Contact:
Email: Shannon@mindmadewell.com
Phone: 847-581-6176
Fax: 847-787-1482
Cheryl Barcal, LSW
Insurances: BCBS PPO and Blue Choice, Cigna, Out-of-Network, Private Pay
Offers free 15 minute consultations upon request.
Currently accepting new clients.
Hi! I’m Cheryl. I’m a licensed social worker guided in my personal and professional life by the belief that our greatest challenges often become the most powerful opportunities for growth and self-discovery.
Women are tasked with balancing ever-shifting roles we take on as partners, mothers, care-givers, and professionals. Navigating and re-evaluating these roles over a lifetime can bring overwhelm, anxiety, depression, and coping patterns that no longer serve us or provide relief.
My goal is to partner with you during difficult times, helping you build on your strengths to adapt, cope, and identify where change is possible. I'll guide and support you as you move from self-criticism and shame toward self-compassion and growth, working toward greater insight and the goals that matter to you.
I hold core values of curiosity, support, and community. I have worked with diverse populations and am trained and experienced in a trauma-informed approach to treating complex co-occurring disorders including anxiety, depression, substance use, eating disorders, and process addictions. My therapeutic style blends exploring the origins of current behavior patterns while incorporating a strengths-based, skills-building approach, delivered with compassion and a bit of humor. I've also worked extensively in group settings, helping people build connection and support beyond our one-on-one work. I'm a firm believer in the power of community.
Particular areas of interest for me include the challenges of relationships, parenting, motherhood, supporting a family member with mental illness, blended families, perimenopause and menopause, and self-individuating in later years. I have lived experience in all of these areas.
I look forward to connecting with you!
Education: Master of Social Work (MSW): University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), School of Social Work
Credentials and Trainings:
Licensed Social Worker, Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT)
Areas of Focus: Relationships, Parenting, Motherhood, Supporting a Family Member with Mental Illness, Blended families, Perimenopause and Menopause, and Self-Individuating in Later Years
Treatment Styles: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Mindfulness, Group Education, Support Groups
Contact:
Email: Cheryl@mindmadewell.com
Phone: 847-581-6176
Fax: 847-787-1482
THERAPY ASSISTANCE ANIMAL
Winston L. Poodle
Currently semi-retired, Winston makes occasional appearances during telehealth sessions. Winston’s prior experiences include helping his person (Rachel) facilitate school-based groups and individual treatment. His credentials include being a Canine Good Citizen, and being ridiculously photogenic.