Our Patient Promise

Dr. Kristen Taylor is the owner of Taylor Psychological Services, PC and is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Illinois.  She earned both her Masters of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Psychology Degrees (Psy.D.) from the APA-Accredited Clinical Psychology program at Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, Illinois.  She earned her Bachelors of Arts Degree (B.A.) from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Dr. Taylor completed her Post Doctoral Residency at Advanced Behavioral Solutions (ABS), a group private practice, in Schaumburg, Illinois.  During her residency, Dr. Taylor worked with a wide range of clients and created and facilitated psychotherapy groups on a variety of topics such as:  ADHD, divorce, depression, and social skills groups.

Dr. Taylor also designed several community based seminars that focused mainly on internet based issues.  Dr. Taylor has served as a topic expert on local radio talk shows and mental health programs at local colleges. Prior to her Post-Doctoral Residency, Dr. Taylor completed her internship at Grand Prairie Services in Flossmoor, Illinois.  Dr. Taylor received her additional clinical training at the Weiss Memorial Hospital, Associates in Behavioral Sciences, and Illinois Community Mental Health Council in Chicago, Illinois.  She has worked within outpatient settings, intensive inpatient settings, and emergency/critical care settings.

Dr. Taylor works extensively with children, adolescents, adults, and families, and specializes in treating individuals with anxiety disorders, mood disorders (e.g., depression), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders, Oppositional Defiant Disorders, learning disabilities, sexual abuse and sexual assault issues, and personality disorders. She also administers psychological testing/assessments and ADHD evaluations. Dr. Taylor currently works as both an outpatient and inpatient Psychologist for her psychological practice Taylor Psychological Services, PC.  As an inpatient provider, Dr. Taylor works as a lead psychologist in the treatment of chronic mental illness and the rehabilitation of these individuals.  Dr. Taylor is friendly, compassionate, and inspired by her clients. Dr. Taylor is currently an active member with the Illinois Psychological Association (IPA) and of the American Psychological Association (APA).

Her volunteer work includes providing free psychological services to underprivileged individuals with chronic mental illness and actively participating in fundraising for charitable organizations throughout the city. Dr. Taylor grew up in Michigan and currently resides in Chicago, Illinois.  On her free time, Dr. Taylor enjoys spending time with friends and family, biking along Lake Michigan, supporting the Lincoln Park Zoo, playing flag football, and cheering for the University of Michigan football team.

Dr. Jessica Towsky is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Illinois.  She earned both her Masters of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Psychology Degrees (Psy.D.) from the APA-Accredited Clinical Psychology program at Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, Illinois.  She earned her Bachelors of Arts Degree (B.A.) from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Dr. Towsky completed a clinical internship at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts and a postdoctoral fellowship at Kaiser Permanente in San Rafael, California. Dr. Towsky has experience working in a variety of settings including university counseling centers and integrated medical centers.  Dr. Towsky is committed to providing individualized support and encouragement as well as instilling hope and confidence throughout the therapeutic process.

Dr. Towsky utilizes a collaborative treatment approach to facilitate positive change. Her specialties include: improving self-esteem, managing depression and anxiety, eating disorders and body image issues, and relationship concerns.

Caryn Musiala, MS, LCPC is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor practicing in Chicago, Illinois. She first studied at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois earning her Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) in psychology. Caryn then attained her Master of Science degree (M.S.) in Clinical Psychology at Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida. Her clinical internship was completed at the Neurobehavioral Health Institute in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with a focus on health psychology.

 Caryn has experience working with diverse populations of all ages in hospital, private practice and university settings. She specializes in treating bereavement/loss, major depression, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychosomatic disorders (e.g., chronic health problems affecting mental health), obsessive compulsive disorder, trauma, life transitions, relationship problems and LGBTQ issues. Caryn strongly believes in the mind-body connection as physical and mental wellness go hand-in-hand; we often do not realize how much our internal monologue effects and is affected by our everyday habits. She provides an unconditionally supportive environment where clients can challenge their current thought processes and change behaviors through action-oriented exercises.

 Caryn is committed to helping clients overcome their issues and lead a better quality of life. Her therapeutic approach is eclectic, each client’s unique life story drives the types of theories and techniques she uses during therapy sessions and in the development of treatment plans. She also utilizes Cognitive-Behavioral (CBT), solution-focused, narrative and existential approaches. Caryn has led mindfulness meditation and stress-reduction groups and often incorporates these techniques when appropriate. She realizes that deciding to seek out therapy and address your issues can be overwhelming and will do everything she can to support you on your journey to mental wellness.

Claudine Clarke, MS, LCPC is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois. She earned her Master’s degree at a CACREP accredited clinical mental health counseling program from National Louis University. She also earned a Master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational (IO) Psychology from Roosevelt University and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Northern Illinois University. She completed her clinical internship with the P.A.C.E. program at NLU, a three-year post-secondary program for adults with intellectual, learning, and developmental disabilities.

Additionally, Ms. Clarke has experience working with children and adolescents with behavioral disorders in a variety of settings. In her practice, she integrates different psychotherapy approaches to best fit the individual needs of clients. She incorporates elements from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). She believes that thoughts can influence behaviors and subsequently affect the mind-body connection.

Ms. Clarke has worked with clients struggling from depression, anxiety, mood disorders, identity disorders, grief and loss, trauma, relationships, work issues, and life transitions. Clients can expect a warm, supportive, and non-judgmental introduction to the therapy process. Ms. Clarke will see clients during the work week, late evenings, and on weekends. Her office is accessible on foot, by train, and is near public parking.  The office is also accessible to those with physical disabilities and has a private, secure entrance. 

Mara Silvestri, LCPC is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois.  She graduated from The Pennsylvania State University in Pennsylvania with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.  She received her Master’s degree from a CACREP accredited mental health counseling program at Marywood University in Pennsylvania.  Mara completed her clinical internship at The Friendship House Outpatient Program in Scranton, Pennsylvania working with children, adolescents, and their families.

Mara has experience working with diverse populations of all ages in hospitals, private practice, and community mental health settings.  She specializes in treating individuals with relationship concerns, life transitions, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, mood disorders, grief and loss, behavior disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, trauma and LGBTQ issues.

Mara provides individual and family therapy and works collaboratively with her clients.  Mara utilizes an eclectic and collaborative treatment approach to create a safe space to process challenging thoughts and unhelpful behaviors.  Her therapeutic modalities include CognitiveBehavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution Focused Therapy and Mindfulness.  Mara is very committed to providing a supportive, open, and empowering environment throughout the therapeutic process.  Her goal is to make you feel comfortable, meet your needs, and reach your maximum potential.

Sarah Talgo MSW, LMSW, LCSW is a clinical social worker licensed in Illinois and Michigan. She earned a Bachelor’s of Art (B.A.) in psychology and philosophy, as well as a Master’s of Social Work (MSW), specializing in mental health and interpersonal practice, from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She completed her clinical internship at the Development Centers Inc. in Detroit, Michigan working with children, adolescents, and families in the outpatient mental health program.

Sarah has experience working with diverse populations across the life span. She specializes in treating anxiety disorders, codependency, depression, grief and loss, life transitions, mood disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, PTSD, relationship difficulties, school and work problems, self-esteem/self-worth issues, self-harming behaviors, stress, trauma, and women’s issues. She’s worked therapeutically with clients in private practice, community mental health, and the non-profit sector. She also worked as a research assistant at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research on projects studying the impact of culture on cognition comparing Eastern and Western cultures.

Sarah imbues the attributes of authenticity, compassion, and heart-centeredness in her

practice. She takes a collaborative and interactive approach with clients, while providing a safe and non-judgmental space to focus on healing. She draws from a variety of techniques and theories to find what best suits clients in reaching their individual goals. This includes, but is not limited to: attachment theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), interpersonal therapy, mindfulness, psychodynamic theory, and Solution Focused Therapy. She ascribes to the maxim, “Ask not what disease the person has, but rather what person the disease has,” which speaks to her philosophy of treating the individual holistically. She believes strong therapeutic relationships are crucial to healing and empowerment.

Elaine Wright, MSW, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Illinois. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, IL where she earned her Masters of Social Work (MSW) with a concentration in mental health. She was a member of the honors fraternity, Alpha Delta Mu. She earned her Bachelors of Arts Degree (B.A.) from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri.

Elaine is interested in helping individuals identify root causes of anxiety and depression and attain mastery over them. Elaine uses a client-centered approach to therapy and views the therapeutic process as a collaborative effort in which she shares the client’s journey with them. She believes that one of the most critical factors for client success is the strength of the client-therapist relationship and spends time developing rapport with her clients toward that end.

Elaine has experience working with diverse populations of children, adolescents, adults and families. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Family Systems Therapy. She is currently working toward her certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). Elaine uses a holistic, strengths-based approach and help individuals draw upon their natural resiliencies in overcoming life’s challenges.

Elaine is from Springfield, Illinois and has participated in many projects for local and international charities such as building houses in Mexico, developing after-school programs for at-risk youth both locally and in Southeast Asia, and feeding the homeless in her community. She enjoys a variety of outdoor recreational activities such as hiking and playing tennis, as well as traveling, reading, playing the piano and spending time with her pet bunny, Penny. 

Angelica Guillen, MSW, LCSW, is a bi-lingual (Spanish) Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Illinois. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Northeastern Illinois University in Justice Studies. She received her Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Washington- Seattle with a concentration in Gerontology. Angelica completed her clinical internship at Evergreen Health Medical Center as an inpatient medical social worker where she gained experience in working with families and patients during difficult and often stressful medical experiences.

Angelica has over 10 years of experience in working with families, youth, children, and individuals as an agent of support and guidance. She specializes in domestic violence, bereavement/loss, grief, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, trauma, relationship issues, stress management, work/career issues, and life transitions. Her therapeutic approach is warm, understanding, and supportive. Angelica specializes in Strength-Based approach, Solution Focused Therapy, Mindfulness therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Problem Solving Model, Crisis Intervention Model, Family Systems Theory, Conflict Theory, and Ecological Systems Theory.

Angelica believes in supporting individuals through their journey and goals by encouraging them to draw on their strengths and recognize their potential. She believes that no single approach is correct for every individual and therefore works collaboratively with clients to come up with plans that are both healing and concrete. In providing a safe space, Angelica supports individuals in session being their own unique self.