Counselor Biographies
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.
Karen Hedrick, MA, MSW, LCSW, ICDVP
Director of Counseling
(Joliet location)
We can all benefit in difficult times from professional support in processing and resolving distressing symptoms and stressors. Utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy and a relational approach, I would like to assist you in building skills to help you more fully participate in life, and reduce and manage symptoms. Together we can identify your strengths and responsibilities as they relate to mind, body, spirit and community. We can plan how to better employ your strengths in restoring hope and bolstering self-efficiency.
I have experience working with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, domestic abuse and ADHD. I also have expertise helping parents increase the resources in their toolboxes, including learning effective parenting skills, improving family function, restoring family harmony, and helping parents to cope with the challenges of parenting children with mental illness. I understand the importance of partnerships to effect change and would be happy to consult with teachers, pediatricians and other key individuals.
I am a licensed clinical social worker and a certified domestic violence professional with more than 20 years of social services and community mental health counseling experience. I am committed to serving adolescents, families and adults and would like to partner with you to achieve your mental health recovery goals.
Mary Novak, MA, LCPC
(Downers Grove location)
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, AMFT, CAMS-I
(Downers Grove, Joliet and Daybreak locations)
Couples, families, adults, children, adolescents, parenting, anger management, individuals, groups, pre-marital counseling.
Emily has her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She obtained her Master’s Degree from The Adler School of Professional Psychology. Emily is currently working towards her Marriage and Family Therapy License. She worked with Hands of Hope for her clinical internship and is now working at the Joliet and Daybreak locations. Emily provides therapy to individuals, couples, families and groups. While Emily uses a variety of techniques and theories with clients she believes in providing a supportive and trusting environment for her clients. This safe environment allows for clients to become more self-aware in order to make adjustments to manage their life stressors and symptoms.
Clairmarie Szopa, MS, LCPC, NCC
(Location: Downers Grove)
Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Life Transitions, Chronic Illness
Clairmarie is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with more than 20 years of experience helping people in crisis situations. She has a Master’s Degree in Human Services from National-Louis University and is a National Certified Counselor. Clairmarie’s style of counseling is supportive and collaborative, with an emphasis on respect, encouragement, and hope. She is trained in a variety of counseling approaches, allowing her to tailor the experience to meet each client’s unique needs. Clairmarie works with adolescents/young adults, adults, couples, and families.
Isis Mendoza-Garnica, MA
Bilingual (English/Spanish)
(Joliet and Daybreak locations)
Couples, families, adults, children, adolescents, parenting, anger management, individuals, groups, pre-marital counseling, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, self-injury behaviors, life transitions, chronic illnesses
Isis Mendoza-Garnica has had the privilege of working with highly diverse clients from a variety of backgrounds, including the LGBTQI community. She provides sensitivity and comfort as her clients do the brave work of therapy. Isis uses clinically tested and evidence-based interventions to meet her clients’ specific needs. Her ecological approach is both supportive and holistic. During sessions, Isis promotes equality in the counselor-client relationship.
Isis has a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Trinity Christian College. She facilitated the LGBTQ Mental Health Groups and the Psychosocial Groups for her counseling internship. During her internship, Isis also gained experience as she worked with individuals who have an HIV diagnosis.
Individuals, couples, families
Before becoming a therapist, Kimberly was a high school teacher in Cabrini Green, as well as an art appraiser for a Chicago based auction house. These experiences provided her with a unique insight and ability to approach people where they are and to better understand their needs, especially regarding mental health.
Kim is a self-described champion of equal rights and opportunities for everyone. She approaches each client with genuine interest. Kim provides a safe, respectful environment where a client can feel comfortable disclosing their feelings and concerns. She assists in creating a healthy balance between work life and personal life. Kim also provides teaching tools and strategies to help manage distressing 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
(School Counseling Services)
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
(School Counseling Services)
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.
