Lisa Szudarski, L.C.S.W.

Lisa has an aggressive, direct, very supportive counseling style. Her no-nonsense and caring approach helps her clients make progress quickly. One of Lisa’s specialties is assisting boys and men with recovery from eating disorders. Lisa also specializes in the treatment of compulsive overeating. And, for people with diabetes, Lisa is well known for her expertise in helping them with their special needs and concerns. As a certified life coach, Lisa helps clients reach both their emotional and physical goals, for any problem in life they may be facing. Lisa is known for her warm, practical, problem-solving advice. When not working, Lisa is busy raising two very active boys who have given her a vast range of experience with various therapeutic issues.

Patrick Trapp, L.C.S.W.

Patrick became interested in psychology after searching for and finding his biological mother and father in 1994. He is a national speaker on adoption issues, especially the identity struggle in adolescence. Patrick is renowned for his work with children with ADHD and has worked in school and hospital settings. Patrick enjoys outpatient therapy best because he can help people of all ages understand and appreciate themselves more and help them accomplish their goals. Patrick loves comedies, rock concerts, independent films and most of all his wife and two beautiful children.

Lisa Hardekoph, L.C.P. and Mira

Lisa Hardekopf is a Certified Eating Disorders Associate and sits on the board of the Illinois Chapter of the Internation Association of Eating Disorder Professionals. Lisa firmly believes in being creative in therapy and uses a variety of expressive forms of therapy to break through verbal defenses. In 2008, with the help of her horse Wings, she created "On Wings" an equine therapy program designed specifically for the needs of eating disorder clients. Lisa has a long history of running intensive group therapies and is renowned for her innovative and effective body image work. She currently offers a variety of groups including body image groups and the ever popular "Lord of the Rings" group. She is often accompanied in the office by her German Shepherd, Mira, who puts clients quickly at ease and always brings a smile. Lisa was a former college runner and coach and has a long history of riding and showing Saddlebred horses.

Dr. Maria Rago is the founder of Rago and Associates. She personally selected each therapist in her group for their clinical excellence and effectiveness, combined with their genuine warm heartedness. All therapists in the group have expertise in working with depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, self-esteem and individual and family counseling. They are well-versed in the treatment of self-injury and well known for our work with adolescents. Each therapist has extensive training and experience with the treatment of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, compulsive overeating and other eating disorders across all ages, for males and females.
The therapists at Rago and Associates provide excellent quality services and wish to make the world a better place by empowering people to reach their fullest potential and overcome obstacles in their way.

Deborah Davero, Psy. D.

Dr. Davero brings 17 years of extensive experience working with teens and children struggling with anxiety and mood disorders, conduct problems, and anger management issues. Her background includes clinical and management work at Maryville Academy, Allendale Association, and CPC Behavioral Health Hospital. Dr. Davero also specializes in working to heal young women of eating disorders, focusing on empowerment through building a strong self-identity and challenging women to discover their hidden passions and creative strengths. She also offers expertise in the areas of parent consultation, family therapy, and psychological testing. Her postdoctoral fellowship was completed at Loyola Medical Center on the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, where she provided counseling to individuals and their families struggling with a diagnosis of cancer. Her time outside the practice is spent taking care of her two young boys, photo journaling, participating in her church.

Jill Jacobe, L.S.W.

Jill is a passionate therapist guiding clients toward goals, setting high expectations and achieving exceptional results. Jill’s degree in Art Therapy adds a rare quality of creativity in client sessions. She is an EAGALA certified equine therapist. Jill is a nationally acclaimed speaker having presented for internationally recognized associations including: The International Eating Disorder Association for Professionals, The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, and The Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association. Drawing on her experience as a Director of a celebrated residential group home facility, she now works as a clinical therapist in unique group home. This group home is a pioneering concept, working with and developing new methods that assist women and girls with eating disorders. Jill and her husband enjoy camping, scuba diving, music, wild birds and their golden retriever.

Josie is a creative, warm and direct therapist. Her expertise in individual and family therapy allows clients to solve any issues holding them back from true happiness. In her work with eating disorders, Josie has been a creator and leader in the " Real Meals" program, where eating disorders clients prepare, serve and share a meal with the homeless. She now coordinates the homeless meals program for her entire church! Thanks to Josie, eating disorder clients are able to participate in this powerful, refreshing part of their recovery and personal growth. Josie loves to travel, especially on trips where adventure can be found. Sky diving, bungee jumping, skiing and hiking are some of her favorites, but nothing beats the adventure of her young son.

Heather Aviles, M.A., A.T.

While she was working on her B.S. degree in psychology, Heather began using Art as a form of healing negative behaviors and emotions. Art is able to transcend unconscious obstacles and barriers in a powerful way. She received her M.A. in Art Therapy from Southwestern College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Heather’s form of Art Therapy allows her clients to develop and change in the ways they wish to, overcoming resistance. Heather has a passion for helping clients struggling to recover from severe depression and anxiety. She is also a counselor on the special intensive unit at Linden Oaks Hospital. Heather firmly believes in family first, as she gets ready to add a new addition to her family of 5. Being a mother allows her to empathize with parents as well as clients when it feels like there is no hope. “I believe with Art Therapy you can creatively push the negative feelings out, which then can transform you into something beautiful and unique.”

Stephanie Cook, LDN, MS, RD

Stephanie is an energetic dietitian who is always looking for innovative ways to help her clients. Stephanie provides guidance in all aspects of nutrition but specializes her services in eating disorders. One of Stephanie's goals as a dietitian is to help her clients understand the role nutrition plays in physical, mental and emotional health. Stephanie loves doing hands-on/application sessions of experiential dining, grocery shopping and at home cooking sessions to help build life skills that are essential for a healthy recovery. In her spare time she loves building her own health buy being physically active, experimenting with new recipes and traveling.

Kendra DeFrank, L.C.P.

Kendra is an energetic and passionate therapist who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders. She believes in full recovery and utilizes a variety of techniques to help her clients heal. She explores the underlying issues that maintain a client's fear of recovery: low self-esteem and body image issues the most prominent of these. Kendra also works on resolution of depression, anxiety disorders, trauma and family therapy needed for those who struggle. Kendra loves to facilitate specialized groups for eating disorders recovery. When Kendra is not doing therapy, she enjoys traveling, spending time at the lake with her family, and interior decorating.

Eve Miceli, Psy.D.

Dr. Miceli is a warm, caring and creative therapist who utilizes an integrative approach while working with her clients. She provides a balance of non-direct and direct therapies, while also utilizing the therapeutic relationship to facilitate change. Her ability to provide empathy and quickly establish rapport with clients allows them to process their thoughts and feelings safely and effectively. Dr. Miceli specializes in working with issues related to adjustment, coping with loss, grief and bereavement, physical and psychological trauma, and interpersonal concerns. She believes strongly that the effects of post-traumatic stress can be significantly reduced if outpatient therapy is sought immediately after any initial trauma. She learned this while working in a Level III trauma hospital with patients and their families as they coped with and adjusted to new head and spinal cord injuries. In her spare time, she enjoys working on creative projects, and spending time with her husband, family and friends.