Samantha Zurek is a licensed clinical professional counselor with her Master’s of Arts degree in clinical psychology counseling practice from Roosevelt University in Chicago. She completed her therapy practicum at Kenneth Young Center, a community mental health center in Elk Grove Village, IL where she worked with adults as an outpatient and psychosocial rehabilitation therapist. She completed her qualifications for licensure at Bridgeway, Inc, a community mental health center in Kewanee, IL where she was an outpatient therapist treating children, adolescents and adults.
Samantha has experience working with diagnoses ranging from anxiety and mood disorders to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Samantha enjoys working with patients of all
ages who struggle with anxiety, depression and OCD. She utilizes an integrative approach to build a personalized treatment plan. Samantha recognizes the importance of tailoring her treatment to what works best for each unique individual. She prefers using helpful strategies
from cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, and person-centered therapy. Samantha also enjoys utilizing mindfulness, anger management, and psych-education techniques. Additionally, she also has experience with exposure and response prevention to effectively treat OCD.
Samantha recognizes that it takes a great amount of strength and courage to reach out and ask for help, or even explore that option. She believes that everyone can use extra support at times throughout their life, whether they are experiencing high levels of stress, symptoms, or has been going through major adjustments in their life. Samantha believes therapy is a collaborative relationship that assists individuals in building their tool box, instills hope, and helps each person
overcome obstacles that create difficulty in his/her life. She provides a non-judgmental space to help individuals grow, develop and build on strengths, explore emotions, and improve his/her life.
To make an appointment, please call... 847-903-7916
Samantha McGann-Taylor is a clinically licensed social worker with 9 years of experience working with children, adolescents and adults. She also holds a professional educator’s license to practice social work in the schools. She completed her Bachelors of Science in Human Services from Millikin University in Decatur, IL in 2009, and her Master’s in Social Work with a concentration in School Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2012. Since 2012, she has also obtained her License in Clinical Social Work as well as post masters education in the areas of Adolescent Brain Development, Restorative Practices, and Special Education Law.
Samantha enjoys working with teens and adults to overcome anxiety, depression and trauma, navigate complex emotional disabilities, suicidal ideation and self-injurious behaviors, anger management, sexual/gender identity, survive sexual assault, and tackle school avoidance concerns, to name a few. Samantha also has experience with families, conflict resolution and specializes in the reintegration process from a mental health hospitalization back into the school setting.
Samantha believes in person-centered therapy, family systems theory, restorative practices, and trauma sensitive care for all. She has done extensive training in cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, trauma sensitive practices, and solution focused therapy. She also works with clients through play therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, group therapy, exposure therapy and psychodynamic therapy.
Personally, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. She grew up in a south suburb called Evergreen Park, IL, and loves to play sports. She loves making music, crocheting, and all things fitness. She also has a passion for helping people and learning new therapeutic methods to help her clients.
Susan is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), an EMDR Trained Clinician, an Early Childhood Special Educator (PEL), and a Learning Behavioral Specialist (LBS1). She holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Governors State University, and a Bachelor’s Degree from De Paul University in Chicago proper.
She has worked in a residential hospital helping adolescents with various mental health struggles, including eating disorders. She has worked in partial hospitalization in Chicago, helping patients with Binge Eating disorder, and food addiction. She spent many years in school settings helping children with special needs. In addition, she has had experience in the Emergency Room, assessing patients for the correct level of care and risk. Also, Susan has spent years treating patients in private practice treating individuals and couples of all ages with a plethora of symptoms, and providing EMDR (in person and remotely), ERP, CBT and more for PTSD, Binge eating, food addiction, pain and life changing events. Lastly, she has experience in a clinical setting helping patients with injuries, accidents and food distortions.
Susan has been practicing since 2008, has supervised other clinicians, and absolutely loves the path she has chosen for herself. Susan wants to help her patients even when she hits 90. Susan recently got a certificate in Anger Management and loves helping others improve their emotional intelligence. Lastly, Susan is trained in ABA natural pairing.
Specialties- EMDR, Eating disorders, food addiction, binge eating, trauma, injuries, accidents, pain disorders, low self-esteem, body-dysmorphic, life transitions.
Susan has a passion for helping others through their traumas, pain, coping, and new or old life events. Susan believes in helping others achieve a better quality of life no matter what life has brought them.
In addition, she has a belief that with the right knowledge, tools, and support, patients can work through their struggles, achieve their goals, and heal.
Susan uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, DBT, ACT, EMDR, ERP, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy, and Family Systems to improve client’s skills and help them battle their issues.
Susan is the type of therapist who has such a passion for counseling that she will be wholly supportive in your goals and struggles. She believes life can be beautiful and hard. No matter what , she is there. She will show up for her patients and encourage them to show up for themselves. She strives to help clients achieve their very best lives, whether battling very heavy struggles , processing troubles they have had for years, or achieving goals that they never thought they could achieve.
Susan grew up on the South Side of Chicago. In high school her family moved up north to Lincoln Park. She is very closely tied to Lurie Children’s Hospital. Susan enjoys making murals and doing art. She enjoys spending time with her daughter, husband, family and friends ( her Pug dog too!). She enjoys learning more and more about psychology and helping people grow. Susan loves improving her self-care with journaling, watching sitcoms, and reading.
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