Our Therapists
At Parkside Therapy, we are dedicated to providing a safe space for healing and growth. Whether you are an adult navigating life's challenges, a child facing unique struggles, or a couple seeking to strengthen your bond, we are here to support you on your journey towards greater life satisfaction.
Our team is committed to helping you access the relief and joy you deserve. Please reach out to schedule a consultation.
Darby Chamness
As a therapist, I strive to create a warm, compassionate, and collaborative space where you can explore how you move through the world—especially the parts of yourself that may have gone unheard or unseen. I believe in meeting you exactly where you are, and in building a therapeutic relationship that affirms your needs while gently encouraging growth, curiosity, and change.
My approach is both supportive and active. I draw from evidence-based practices including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and skills-based work. I'm also continuing to deepen my training in parts work, which I’ve found to be a meaningful way to help clients connect with and understand different aspects of their inner experience.
I am LGBTQ+ affirming and deeply value working with neurodiverse individuals. It’s important to me that therapy feels like a space where your identity, experiences, and voice are respected and validated.
Some of the areas I specialize in include anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, and relational concerns. Whether you're navigating internal struggles or seeking to improve your relationships, I’m here to support you with compassion, insight, and the tools to move forward.
Lindsey Bach
As a licensed therapist, I am dedicated to supporting individuals through their unique personal journeys. I am passionate about meeting clients where they are, and try to infuse each session with positive energy and compassion. Having been committed to cultivating an environment where everyone feels safe and understood, I have been told I engage in an especially warm and non-judgmental way.
I work with clients of all ages and backgrounds, from children to adolescents to adults. Specializing in a strength-based perspective, I focus on empowering clients, helping them to build resilience and overcome challenges. Through collaboration, I look to explore clients' goals, values, and interests, fostering self-confidence and providing the support necessary to uplift each individual.
I have training and experience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, all from a strengths based and person-centered perspective. I am invested in understanding you, with all your nuances, and look forward to providing custom treatment.
Whether you're a parent seeking guidance for your child or an adult looking for personal growth, I would be honored to walk alongside you on your journey toward life satisfaction.
Amainavt Vixama
(pronounced AHM-UH-NAV)
As a licensed professional counselor, I believe we possess a level of resilience that allows us to navigate even the most challenging obstacles. While life often brings hardships, it is through these difficulties that we find the opportunity for growth, transformation, and deeper self-awareness. By embracing our challenges and seeking inner balance, we can emerge from tough times not only with a greater understanding of ourselves but also with a renewed sense of purpose and strength.
I work with individuals, couples, and children to identify their strengths to overcome challenges. I utilize my significant experience as a school counselor in working closely with kids and teens. My role is to support and empower you in navigating life's obstacles, fostering self-awareness, emotional growth, and lasting change. Prioritizing your healing in a safe, supportive environment leads to meaningful progress.
I tailor my approach to meet each client's unique needs. I work with people struggling with ADHD, depression, anxiety, relational issues, and identity discernment. Understanding that therapy may feel intimidating for some, especially in certain cultural contexts, I work to create a welcoming and affirming experience. As an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist, I value culture, race, gender, and other identities as essential to growth and self-acceptance.
Caitlin Gay
In my experience as a therapist, I have found great meaning in witnessing people share their story. I work with adults struggling with life's adjustments, including receiving a medical diagnosis, experiencing chronic pain, a change such as a death of a loved one or separation in a relationship, adjustment to parenting, and professional changes. I work with people that are experiencing depression, anxiety, and other mood issues.
I will assist you in development of coping strategies, recognition of what behaviors or relationship patterns might be exacerbating or inadvertently affecting symptoms, and assist you in finding the motivation the make changes that will lead to a most satisfying and meaningful life.
Clients have told me that I am especially warm, and I think there is a great place for some humor as we navigate this life!
Mary Paterkiewicz
More than anything, I am excited to be your collaborator on how I can most help. I look forward to being a supportive and compassionate therapist as you resiliently and thoughtfully examine your self, relationships, behaviors, and emotions.
I have a strong passion for working with children, teens, and adults to address barriers to success in various areas of life in order to enhance their overall wellness. I am committed to working with those who are struggling with self image, emotion regulation, frustration tolerance, ADHD, anxiety or feelings of depression, and self esteem. We can collaborate to address both emotions and related behaviors like procrastination, avoidance, and those that might in inadvertently reinforcing your distress.
I am very comfortable working with people across the life span. With children, I use solution focused and strength based interventions all while creating a safe space and positive rapport. With adults, I have a significant focus on understanding what brings you to therapy, formative experiences in your past, assist you in discernment of what is working for you now, and how to cope in real time. I come to each session with a non judgmental, collaborative and warm approach.
Betsy Hercher
I have been so lucky to serve others in a variety of settings, including hospitals, the child welfare system, and schools. While my background in pediatric hospitals offers a compassionate view of the challenges medically complex families face, my involvement in the court system taught the value of family relationships and understanding mental health's systemic factors. Working with adult women facing anxiety and depression, particularly after trauma, has taught me so much about resilience and our great ability to foster healing. This blend of skills illustrates my understanding of the link between mental health and social circumstances.
Whether working with children, teens, or adults, I am dedicated to fostering personal growth and emotional well-being. I understand that barriers to success can manifest in various forms, impacting self-image, emotion regulation, and connections with others. I enjoy helping those with ADHD, anxiety, depression, low self esteem, social anxiety, and other issues address the barriers they’re facing. Through a collaborative and tailored therapeutic approach, we can explore the emotions associated with these challenges and the behaviors that may inadvertently reinforce distress, such as procrastination and avoidance.
Together, our goal is to create a safe space where you can express your concerns and work through them effectively. We will develop strategies to enhance your resilience and improve your quality of life. You, your family, and your relationships deserve the opportunity to overcome these obstacles and achieve lasting relief and satisfaction.
Areas I focus on with adults and children are ADHD, anxiety, depression, substance misuse, panic, grief and loss, and relationship challenges.
Vince Rock
Use therapy to work through challenges and grow into greater insight, contentment, and wisdom. Allow me to help. I am a licensed clinical social worker with over 10 years of experience helping people like you. In our work together, you will find me to be present, warm, trustworthy, and respectful.
I will offer new perspectives and help you achieve your goals by uncovering what’s getting in the way of moving forward. I borrow from a variety of tools, including modern therapeutic techniques and spiritual practices, and tailor them to meet your concerns.
Some areas that I specialize in include adults struggling with mood disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety), substance misuse, panic attacks, addiction, grief and loss, caregiving, resentment, guilt and shame, relationship challenges, men’s issues, and finding meaning in our lives. I'd be honored to be your fellow traveler.
Regina King
As the founder of Parkside Therapy, I am so proud to welcome you. You have taken a very meaningful step in moving forward with your healing. We are here to support you, your family, and your relationships throughout life. I have a significant focus on working with adults coping with anxiety, adjustment, depression, substance misuse, and trauma, utilizing strategies of psychodynamic theory and self compassion. I also work with couples to enhance communication, healthily resolve conflict, and create ongoing intimacy and connection.
If you are having any thoughts of if Parkside Therapy is the right place for you, please reach out! We are excited to be located in Portage Park, and I am invested in helping you find the right therapist, even if it’s not Parkside!