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.
The following counselors are currently accepting new clients.
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.
Using CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), Kim works to connect with individuals, couples, and families, to help them understand and grow through the various challenges life brings.
Lisa Sumrow, MSW, QMHP
(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.
Mayra Isidoro, MSW, QMHP
(Joliet location and virtual) Bilingual English/Spanish
Couples, Families, Individuals, Adults, Children, Adolescents, Parents, Teachers/Students, Depression, Anxiety, Self-Harm, Life Transitions, ADD/ADHD, Grief and Loss, Preventative Care
Mayra is a fluent bilingual (English and Spanish) therapist. She has her Master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in school social work from Aurora University. Mayra has experience working with multiple populations including domestic violence victims, re-entry services, and counseling services. Her latest internship was working with teenagers in a high school setting. Mayra also has experience working with smaller children, as well as adults individually, in group settings, couples, and families. Mayra uses multiple therapeutic approaches, including Client Centered and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approaches.
Rachel received her master’s degree in Social Work from Aurora University. She has experience with foster care clients, and parental education and coaching. Rachel is available to take new adult and child clients for individual, couple or family therapy. Rachel previously worked in Catholic Charities’ Community Services Division in DuPage County connecting families and individuals with needed resources and services to maintain stability and support well-being.
Using Strength-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Rachel works with children, adults and families to help clients reach clinical goals and grow through the obstacle course of life.
Sarah Zych, MSW, QMHP, Therapist I
(Will / Kankakee / Virtual)
Sarah received her MSW with a concentration in healthcare from Aurora University. Sarah has experience with trauma informed care, serious mental illness and substance abuse treatment. Sarah is available to take new adult and child clients for individual, couple or family therapy. Sarah uses client centered and cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients achieve their recovery goals.
