Counselor Bios
For more information about our services or to schedule an appointment, please call 815-723-0331.
Questions? Email info@cc-doj.org (emails will receive a response within 48 hours). If this is an emergency, please dial 911.
Please contact us to find out who is accepting new clients.
Lisa Sumrow, MSW, QMHP, Counseling Supervisor
(Joliet location and virtual)
Couples, Families, Individuals, Adults, Teens, Adolescents, Parents, Teachers/Students, Depression, Anxiety, Self-Harm, Life Transitions, ADD/ADHD, Grief and Loss, Preventative Care
Lisa received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of St. Francis. During her graduate program, Lisa interned with Catholic Charities in the counseling department where she gained experience working with adults, groups, and students of all ages. Her skills are centered towards assisting clients/students to overcome obstacles which interfere with achieving their goals by utilizing techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Social learning/Skills, Anger Management, Positive Self-talk/Image, and Crisis Interventions.
As a mother of four and previously licensed foster parent, Lisa understands the various stressors experienced by adults and the many difficulties children can face while navigating through life’s course.
Mary Novak, MA, LCPC
(Downers Grove location and virtual)
Children, Adolescents and Families, Child and Trauma Treatment, Grief and Loss, Depression, Anxiety, Relationship Problems
Mary is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over 20 years of experience working with abused and neglected children, foster parents/caregivers and biological parents. Mary is also a teacher and is able to work well with children who are struggling academically. Mary is an expert advocate with the school systems. She provides a safe and nurturing counseling setting which allows children to open up and process grief. She works to help them cope and adjust to the chaos and disruptions that occur in life. Mary specializes in helping families work through transitions and prioritize the needs of children when decision making.
Emily Zajda, MA, QMHP
(Downers Grove, Joliet, Daybreak locations and virtual)
Couples, families, adults, children, adolescents, parenting, anger management, individuals, groups, pre-marital counseling.
Emily obtained her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the Adler School of Professional Psychology. Emily has eight years of clinical experience serving mental health clients. Emily provides therapy to individuals, couples, families and groups. Emily uses a variety of techniques and theories with clients and believes in providing a supportive and trusting environment for clients. This safe environment allows for clients to become more self-aware in order to make adjustments to manage their life stressors and symptoms.
Sherry Anicich, LSW
(Downers Grove Location, schools and Virtual)
Couples, Families, Individuals, Adults, Teens, Adolescents, Parents\Teachers, Depression, Anxiety, Self-Harm, ADD\ADHD, Grief and Loss, Preventative care, Trauma, Anger Management, Groups, Substance Abuse
Sherry received her Master’s degree in Social Work from Governors State University. Sherry has 20 years’ experience working with couples, children, adults, and families dealing with grief and trauma. She has also worked with single unwed mother’s empowering them to become self-sufficient. Sherry started a non for profit called the Purple Project that services single mothers and their baby’s and supports parents who lost children.
Sherry uses a holistic approach to counseling, working to find therapeutic modalities and interventions that best honor and support each individual, given their unique values and goals.
Erica Lopez, LSW, QMHP
(Joliet, Virtual, Schools)
Erica obtained her Master’s Degree in Social work from Aurora University. Erica has three years of clinical experience serving mental health clients. Erica provides therapy to individuals, families, and groups. Erica’s primary clinical focus is working with children, adolescents, and young adults. She has experience working with clients who struggle with anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, mood disorders and other life stressors.
Erica uses a combination of client centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Erica believes in the importance of a healthy family dynamic and providing children and adolescents with a safe space to process their concerns.
Erica loves to watch her clients meet their goals and grow into a more confident, healthier version of themselves.
