About Our Team
“Soleil” means “sun” in French, and like the sun, we strive to provide rays of hope and light to individuals who might be struggling in dark times.
We are a group of genuine, curious, and passionate trauma and sex therapists and our values are rooted in creating a therapeutic setting that is sex-positive and open to everyone. Above all, we value an authentic environment in which clients can feel comfortable expressing the most vulnerable parts of their lives while being met with support, validation, and empathy.
Values
Authenticity
We show our humanity in our work with you, not just our clinical expertise. We come to sessions with our own vulnerabilities and truly value these genuine exchanges and the healing connections.
Trauma-informed
We recognize that trauma is part of most people’s lives, so we create a normalizing and safe environment to address it. We believe that most of our symptoms are a normal reaction to an abnormal reality, so we help rewrite narratives and challenge cultural and social limiting beliefs to increase fulfilling lives.
Sex positivity
Sexuality is an integral part of who we are as humans, and as experts in this area, we provide sex education and encourage healthy sexual pleasure and exploration. All of our therapists are LGBTQIA+ affirming, kink-positive, and poly-friendly.
Cultural sensitivity
Soleil actively cultivates, supports, and emphasizes a culturally sensitive environment where people of all diverse identities and walks of life are welcome and their unique identities celebrated as strengths. We approach therapy from an anti-racist framework.
Mind-body centered
Somatic approaches are at the center of our work. Traditional therapies only focus on the mind, yet we emphasize the mind-body connection with strategies that will help you release your trauma and stressors and help you have a healthier relationship with yourself and others.
EWELINA BEARDMORE, LCPC, CST
(she/her)
Practice Owner & Psychotherapist
SPECIALTIES
Sex therapy
Trauma
Out of control sexual behaviors
Postpartum, pregnancy, & prenatal concerns
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Ewelina Beardmore is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and Certified Sex Therapist (CST) who uses a relational and strength-based model to help individuals and couples gain awareness of the roles and the dynamics present in their relationships. She has expertise in helping individuals heal from traumas such as sexual assault, childhood abuse as well as physical and emotional abuse, and is passionate about helping individuals overcome the challenges of significant life transitions such as infertility, postpartum struggles and parenthood.
Ewelina values the role and importance of sexuality in clients' overall health, and helps clients overcome challenges such as lack of intimacy, sexual and gender identity, desire discrepancy, postpartum recovery impacting sexual health, difficulties with orgasm, compulsive sexual behaviors, erectile dysfunctions and painful intercourse. She is sex-positive, kink-friendly and affirming of polyamorous relationships. Ewelina is a Certified Sex Therapist through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT).
In addition, Ewelina has completed Level 1 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and is trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which allows her to assist couples improve their communication styles and explore goals throughout each stage of their relationship. She is also trained in a variety of treatment modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Somatic Experiencing (SE), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients manage anxiety and depression.
Ewelina's international background allows her to connect with individuals struggling with cross-cultural issues and assist in developing coping skills to manage life's obstacles. Additionally, she has offered guidance to clients on issues involving work-life balance and behavioral and emotional health in an employee assistance setting. Ewelina earned a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, graduating with honors. She is fluent in French and offers services in this language.
RACHEL BERG, MA, CADC, LCPC
(she/her)
Clinical Director & Psychotherapist
SPECIALTIES
Sex therapy
Trauma & attachment
Performance anxiety
Out of control sexual behavior
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Rachel Berg has always felt inspired and intrigued by individuals’ stories and the infinite ways that people move through the world. She believes that change and healing are possible and that we always have the opportunity for transformation and healing. She honors the unique backgrounds that influence who we are as individuals and strives to foster authentic non-judgmental therapeutic relationships that are rooted in hope, warmth, and support. Her approach to therapy is strength-based and she aims to guide clients in recognizing how their patterns, reactions, and emotions impact their relationships with themselves and others.
Rachel has training in various evidence-based treatment modalities. She has experience working with individuals, couples, and groups. She has assisted clients in recovering from and navigating challenges such as trauma, substance use, compulsive sexual behaviors, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, relationship struggles, desire discrepancy, lack of intimacy, difficulties with orgasm, erectile dysfunction, and navigating life transitions. Rachel is sex-positive, kink-friendly and affirming of polyamorous relationships.
Rachel earned a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a concentration in addictions. She was the recipient of a Distinguished Graduate Award that served to acknowledge her excellence in leadership; commitment to diversity, multicultural competence, social advocacy; and service and community engagement.
Rita S.
(she/her)
Client Care Director
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Rita understands that initiating the first step in your therapy journey can be difficult, and the inevitable next step of understanding your insurance benefits can be equally difficult. She places great importance on getting to know clients on an individual level so she can better support each person's unique needs. From pre-appointment consultations to benefits verifications, Rita is here to assist with all of your intake and billing questions.
Karina Melendez
(she/her)
Client Care Coordinator
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Karina is an aspiring LPC with an interest in working with queer BIPOC folk. She looks forward to providing compassionate client care & administrative support during her studies. At Soleil, she strives to strengthen client relationships & enhance the overall experience for clients.
Stephen Heintz, MA, LPC
Director of Employee Enrichment & Psychotherapist
(He/Him)
SPECIALTIES
LGBTQ-affirming
Attachment
Relationship issues
Family of origin issues
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Stephen believes strongly that, while life can present difficulties and challenges, people have fundamental inner-strengths that can help them cope. As a therapist, Stephen warmly accepts his clients as they are, and works alongside them to explore who they would like to become. He believes in the power of human connection, and strives to use that connection to help clients access their strengths--to ultimately bring about meaningful change, healing, growth, and understanding.
Stephen’s clinical emphasis is in working with relationships and couples, as well as individuals. He has worked with clients experiencing challenges related to depression, anxiety, anger, trauma, self-esteem, grief and loss, life transitions, communication, and much more. Having graduated from the training program at Center on Halsted, Stephen has experience and specialized training in working with the LGBTQIA+ community. He is also sex-positive, kink-friendly, and affirming of polyamorous relationships. He has training in multiple therapeutic modalities, including client-centered therapy, Gottman, EFT and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Stephen Heintz earned a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a concentration in marriage and family therapy. He was the recipient of a Distinguished Graduate Award that served to acknowledge his excellence in leadership; commitment to diversity, multicultural competence, social advocacy; and service and community engagement.
Stephen is a Licensed Professional Counselor and supervised by Ewelina Beardmore.
Sam Ege, MS, LPC
(She/Her)
Operations Director & Psychotherapist
SPECIALTIES
Anxiety
ADHD/Neurodivergence
Relationship issues
Emotional identification & communication
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Sam is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who specializes in anxiety, ADHD, and relationship issues. She believes in a holistic approach to therapy by using an eclectic array of therapeutic approaches, emphasizing how culture and current events affect our daily life and overall wellbeing. She values authenticity, honesty, and communication in and outside of the office. Sam strives to provide a safe, warm, and personal therapeutic experience and works to help her clients accept themselves while encouraging them to continue in their growth.
Earning her Master’s degree in Clinical-Counseling Psychology from Illinois State University, Sam is trained in a variety of evidenced-based therapeutic modalities, including but not limited to, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Feminist Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment therapy.
She is trained in various Family therapy modalities and uses Gottman Method when working with couples. Sam believes in the power of knowledge and explains the techniques she uses in session and the psychological information behind them, all to increase her clients’ knowledge of themselves.
Sam emphasizes multicultural competency, social justice, and working to end mental health stigma at a public and individual level; she specializes in working with neurodivergence, anxiety, communication difficulties, and existential concerns (i.e. identity, spirituality, purpose, etc.). She is LGBTQIA+ affirming, sex-positive, kink and poly-affirming, and is an advocate for survivors of sexual violence. Sam provides sex therapy to address issues of desire discrepancy, lack of emotional and physical intimacy, difficulties with orgasm, erectile dysfunction, and other sexual functioning concerns. She views sex like music, something found in all cultures throughout history with various rhythms and styles. She meets her clients where they’re at and works to help them navigate the journey of life with support.
Sam is a Licensed Professional Counselor and supervised by Ewelina Beardmore.
Ashley Homa, MA, CYT, LPC
(She/Her)
Psychotherapist
SPECIALTIES
Mind-body connection
Transition to parenting
Postpartum, pregnancy, & prenatal concerns
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Ashley believes in the power of human connection and the part it plays in healing. She brings genuineness to sessions and meets clients where they are at. In addition to her psychotherapy experience, Ashley is a certified yoga instructor who strongly believes in the mind-body connection and approaching healing in a holistic manner. Her approach to therapy emphasizes the power of being in-tuned with the body to help understand the mind. This orientation helps her in her sex therapy work, where she can effectively address issues such as desire discrepancy, lack of intimacy, difficulties with orgasm, painful intercourse, erectile dysfunction etc.
Ashley has experience working with individuals, couples, and groups. She has assisted clients in recovering from and navigating challenges such as trauma, substance use, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, relationship struggles, and navigating life transitions. She is LGBTQIA+-affirming and sex-positive.
Ashley has training in various evidence-based treatment modalities. She uses a holistic, bio-socio-cultural, and strengths-based approach to counseling utilizing techniques such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). She creates treatment and lifestyle plans based on an individual’s needs, with their input and participation.
Ashley is also passionate about helping individuals overcome the challenges of significant life transitions such as infertility, postpartum struggles, and parenthood.
Ashley Homa earned a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is committed to diversity, multicultural competence, social advocacy, service, and community engagement.
Ashley is a Licensed Professional Counselor and supervised by Ewelina Beardmore.
Francessa Sanchez, MA, LPC
(She/They)
Psychotherapist
SPECIALTIES
Gender & sexual exploration
Family of origin trauma
Relationship issues
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Francessa is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Marriage and Family Therapist who believes that therapy should be a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space for clients to process their emotions and experiences. She utilizes a holistic, Person-Centered, strengths-based, and intersectional therapeutic model to help individuals move towards a deeper sense of self understanding. Francessa’s approach to therapy includes understanding and validating clients’ experiences, as well as finding holistic ways to help them overcome and manage life’s challenges.
Francessa believes in the importance of recognizing how one’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual experiences can influence one’s worldview and relationships. She has experience working with individuals, couples, and families from diverse backgrounds and communities. She also has experience in helping people manage their stress, depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, and trauma. Francessa is passionate about helping individuals and couples who struggle with emotional and physical intimacy. She is sex-positive, kink-friendly, and affirming of gender, polyamorous relationships, and the LGBTQI+ community.
Francessa earned her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is dedicated to helping individuals identify how certain thoughts, feelings, and behaviors contribute to distress, as well as creating a collaborative path to change. Francessa values the importance and impact of identity and sexuality in one’s overall health and meets clients where they are to support them in their healing and growth.
Francessa is a Licensed Professional Counselor and supervised by Ewelina Beardmore.
Bella Kimrey, MA, LPC
(She/Her)
Psychotherapist
SPECIALTIES
Gender & sexual exploration
Transition into adulthood
Anxiety and body image
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Bella believes in creating a balanced relationship with her clients to recognize the client’s role as the expert of their own experience. In her clinical work, she emphasizes the impact of early childhood development on adult relationships and the role of the unconscious in guiding behavior. Bella also integrates concepts from feminist theory to acknowledge the role of systemic factors in shaping our reality. Bella’s clinical emphasis is in working with individuals, relationships, and groups. Bella has training in various evidence-based modalities such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), but she uses a holistic approach to view clients through a bio-psycho-socio-cultural lens. She is passionate about helping people overcome body image issues, and working with young adults to build confidence, manage anxieties and transition into life’s experiences.
Bella gained significant experience at the Center on Halsted supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. She worked primarily with the Anti-Violence Project, providing trauma-informed care to survivors of violence in the LGBTQIA+ community. Bella embraces all expressions of gender, and is a sex-positive, kink-friendly, and poly-affirming counselor. She has worked with individuals navigating gender transition, the coming out process, trauma, anxiety, depression, disordered eating, HIV+ status, domestic violence, ADHD, mood disorders, suicidality, life transitions, and relationship problems. Bella earned her Master’s in Clinical Psychology (Counseling Practice) from Roosevelt University, graduating with honors and she is committed to diversity, multicultural competence, social advocacy, service and community engagement.
Bella is a Licensed Professional Counselor and supervised by Ewelina Beardmore.
Adrianna Neri, MA, LPC
(She/Her)
Psychotherapist
SPECIALTIES
Marital/premarital & relationship concerns
Postpartum, pregnancy, & prenatal concerns
Transition to parenting
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Adrianna is a compassionate and affirming therapist with a passion for helping individuals and couples navigate through sexual trauma, build skills for sexual pleasure, learn ways to manage anxiety related to sex, improve communication on sexual difficulties, and understand the body-mind connection, while appreciating the importance of intimacy and desire. Taking a warm, non-judgmental, and supportive approach in supporting individuals and couples, she assists clients with shifting thoughts and beliefs that contribute to emotional disturbances, for which are impactful to themselves as well as their relationships.
Adrianna’s therapeutic approach consists of an integration of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), rational-emotive behavioral therapy (REBT), motivational interviewing, the Gottman method, and emotion-focused therapy (EFT).
Adrianna has clinical experience in working with adults and adolescents from diverse backgrounds and populations in individual and group settings with presenting concerns in the areas of anxiety, depression, trauma, post-traumatic stress, acute stress, major life transitions, relationship concerns, and sexual dysfunction. With a passion for providing unconditional validation and support for individuals and couples experiencing concerns related to sexual health, Adrianna has become a member of The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). She provides the most effective knowledge and training necessary to support this population, while being LGBTQIA+ affirming, kink-positive, and poly-friendly.
Adrianna earned her Master’s in counseling psychology with a concentration in marriage and family therapy at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is committed to diversity, multicultural competence, social advocacy, service, and community engagement.
Adrianna is a Licensed Professional Counselor and supervised by Rachel Berg.
Becca Symmes, MA, LPC
(She/Her)
Psychotherapist
SPECIALTIES
Transition to adulthood
Career development
Family of origin trauma
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Becca Symmes is a warm, authentic, and affirming counselor who believes strongly in the power of self-compassion, vulnerability, and the mind-body connection in the healing process. She works to create a safe, nonjudgemental environment for clients’ self exploration and growth and has worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds and communities. Her approach to therapy is holistic and strengths-based, aiming to walk alongside clients as they learn to recognize how their patterns, reactions, and emotions impact their relationships with themselves and others.
Becca has training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT); she is constantly striving to learn more as a clinician and has a particular interest in how mindfulness, nature, and art can benefit mental health. She is adept at supporting individuals through life transitions such as changing careers and managing stress related to work or school. Becca has experience working with individuals, couples, and groups as well as clients experiencing anxiety, grief, depression, relationship struggles, post traumatic stress, substance use disorders, and sexual dysfunctions. She is passionate about helping those who struggle with emotional and physical intimacy and is LGBTQIA+-affirming, sex-positive, kink and poly-friendly.
Becca earned a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with honors and prioritizes multicultural competence, social justice, continuing education, advocacy, and community engagement in her practice.
Becca is a Licensed Professional Counselor and supervised by Rachel Berg.
Ana Hedenstrom, MA, LPC-C, NCC
(They/Them)
Psychotherapist
SPECIALTIES
Creative arts therapies & somatic practices
Gender & sexual identity
Early adulthood
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Ana believes that all healing happens within connection and all personal healing, in turn heals the collective. You are the creator of your own life. Whether individually or with a loved one, we will move down a path of self-actualization and change, utilizing the clients’ personal strengths to guide us. Ana is passionate about facilitating creative, client-centered and culturally-centered therapy. You are the expert on your life, and Ana will support in transformative self-reflection and embodiment.
Ana’s clinical orientation focuses on somatic practices, art therapy, attachment theory, mindfulness, body-based energy work and exploring intergenerational patterns.
Ana has experience working with adults, emerging adults and adolescents from diverse backgrounds experiencing difficulties relating to relationship dynamics, communication, gender and sexual identity, boundaries, life transitions, PTSD, trauma, chronic pain, physical injuries, substance use, grief, anxiety, depression and transitioning out of incarceration. They are also sex-positive, sex worker-positive, kink-friendly, and affirming of polyamorous relationships. Ana is passionate about earth-based spirituality, metaphysics and astrology, which can be used in therapy, at client’s request, to further access personal perspectives and self-understanding.
Ana earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy from Antioch University Seattle with a concentration in attachment theory. They have also earned a certificate in Somatic Psychotherapy from Antioch University Santa Barbara. Ana has a background as an arts educator, within Chicago Public Schools, early childhood settings and beyond. Ana is committed to social justice, anti-racism, abolition and intersectionality.
Ana is provisionally licensed and supervised by Rachel Berg.
(She/Her)
Psychotherapist
Renata Zielinska, MA, LPC-C
SPECIALTIES
Anxiety & related disorders
OCD
Trauma & emotional distress
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As a psychotherapist, Renata believes the therapeutic relationship is crucial for growth and healing, so it is significant that she builds trust and connection with each unique person. Renata invites clients to bring their whole, authentic selves into counseling and takes a non-judgmental, integrated practice to help clients foster self-awareness, deeper understanding and gain insight into their thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and interpersonal difficulties. She recognizes that we are all unique; therefore, she tailors treatment based on the individual and their current needs. Additionally, Renata believes that past experiences play a substantial role in our worldview and how we approach relationships, responsibilities, and the relationship with ourselves, so she collaboratively guides clients in making connections from the past to their present circumstances.
Renata’s international background allows her to connect with individuals with cross-cultural issues and assist in developing coping skills to manage life obstacles. Renata recognizes that it is an honor to engage in such interesting, fulfilling work with clients trying to make life better for themselves and their loved ones. Renata is sex-positive, kink-friendly, and affirming of polyamorous relationships.
Renata is trained in various empirically supported and holistic treatment modalities including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance, Commitment Therapy (ACT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF- CBT), Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness and Psychodynamic. She is certified in CBT for Anxiety & OCD and completed an extensive clinical training program through the Center for Anxiety Training. Additionally, Renata is trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy and has applied this technique to treat a range of anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders. She has experience providing high-quality, outpatient behavioral health therapy and psychotherapy to adolescents and adults in empirically supported treatment for anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, stress, grief, trauma-related disorders, depression, personality disorders, and dual diagnosis.
Renata earned a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The Family Institute at Northwestern University. Renata offers support and guidance for healing and growth in any domains of your life that you would like to examine. She is committed to diversity, multicultural competence, social advocacy, service, and community engagement.
Renata is provisionally licensed and supervised by Ewelina Beardmore.
Sonya Avendano Dove, M.Ed., LPC
(She/Her)
Psychotherapist
SPECIALTIES
Trauma
Attachment
Relationships, emotional identification, & communication
Mind-body connection
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Sonya wants all of her clients to feel empowered to live the life that they desire, to live fully. Oftentimes that work begins with us, to allow ourselves to tune in, to listen and to process our own likings, needs and feelings. As a psychotherapist and an E-RYT 200-hour Yoga Instructor, Sonya provides a safe and empathetic space to explore together and to build skills to live authentically.
Sonya applies a holistic approach to therapy because she understands the powerful connection between our mind and our body. Together, individuals and couples will create a treatment plan with her that addresses their personal needs for healing and growth. She uses a variety of modalities including person-centered therapy and a strength-based approach.
Sonya has clinical experience working with individuals with depression, anxiety, ADHD, suicidality, childhood trauma, domestic abuse, emotional abuse, sexual assault, relationship difficulties, and hardships with life transitions.
She is sex positive, kink friendly and affirming of polyamorous relationships and has worked with clients of diverse backgrounds and communities. Sonya earned a Master’s in Community Counseling from Loyola University Chicago.
Sonya is a Licensed Professional Counselor and supervised by Rachel Berg.
Anna Nokes, MSW, LCSW
(She/They)
Psychotherapist
SPECIALTIES
Religious trauma & spiritual abuse
Health at every size & fat liberation
Gender & sexuality
Neurodivergence-affirming care
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As someone who has sat on the other side of the therapy room, Anna knows firsthand that healing is possible. She understands lived experience, and believes that people are the experts on their own lives.
Anna uses a somatic approach to help her clients create mind-body connections. She is passionate about helping clients develop kinder, gentler relationships with their bodies. As someone in a larger body, Anna knows what it’s like to live in a world that constantly pressures people to shrink. She believes that our bodies deserve to take up space, and helps clients find ways to feel more at home in their bodies.
Anna specializes in religious trauma and spiritual abuse, gender and sexuality, reclaiming physical pleasure and intimacy, neurodivergent affirming care, eating disorders and disordered eating, fat liberation, chronic illness and pain, and ditching diet culture.
Anna works with people with complex trauma to help them heal and build a values-driven life. She is passionate about working with other therapists, especially those recovering from eating disorders and disordered eating. They believe that every therapist needs a safe space to do their own healing work.
As a queer therapist, Anna is equipped to work with clients exploring their gender identity or sexual orientation. They especially enjoy working with teenagers, college students, and young adults. She helps her clients explore their identity and begin to live a life that they are proud of.
In therapy, Anna utilizes attachment theory, the Trauma Resiliency Model (somatic therapy), parts work, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
Anna earned her Master's of Social Work at Aurora University. She is committed to lifelong learning, diversity, disability justice, fat liberation, activism, social advocacy, and community engagement.
Christina Carbone, MA, ALMFT
(She/Her)
Psychotherapist
SPECIALTIES
Emotional identification and communication
Relationship issues
Mind-body connection
Attachment
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Christina is fascinated by relationships and believes they are fundamental building blocks of life. She believes our most intimate relationships reflect the overall quality of our lives, and understands human connection is incredibly powerful in healing.
Christina fosters a non-judgmental, authentic, environment that honors the connection each individual has to themselves, and the world in which they exist. She utilizes curiosity, humor, and compassion to promote guidance and support in calling attention to areas of growth to create the life you want to live.
Christina’s clinical orientation is holistic, strength-based, and integrative. She recognizes unique lived experiences and encompasses client’s fundamental inner strengths to promote growth and cultivate change. Her techniques are rooted in exploring mind-body connection and emphasize the power of healing through an interconnected lens.
Christina has clinical experience working with individuals, couples, and families. She has assisted clients navigating concerns related to communication, trauma, substance use, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, suicidality, domestic abuse, relationship difficulties, desire discrepancy, lack of intimacy, and difficulties with life transitions. Christina is sex-positive, kink-friendly, and affirming of polyamorous relationships and LGBTQIA+.
Christina has training in various evidence-based treatment modalities including Gottman Method, Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). She warmly accepts clients where they are at and creates effective treatment and lifestyle plans based on individual needs and goals.
Christina earned her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Wayne State University specializing in Marriage and Family therapy, graduating with honors. She is committed to continuing education, diversity, multicultural competence, social advocacy, and community service and engagement.
Christina is provisionally licensed and supervised by Rachel Berg.
Pedro Segura-Moore, MA, AMFT
(He/They)
Psychotherapist
SPECIALTIES
Social-cultural stress & systemic oppression
Trauma
Relationships
Gender & sexuality
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Pedro is a Marriage and Family Therapist who is passionate about how sexuality, gender, culture, relationships, and systems influence one another. Pedro pays special attention to how systemic trauma and traumatic experiences impact how we show ourselves to the world. He recognizes that individuals with marginalized social identities experience unique health disparities and strives to recognize and respect everyone’s needs as they seek care. Pedro balances his clinical approach with empathy and humor to make you feel comfortable as you explore new perspectives in your life.
Pedro is particularly passionate about working with the Black Indigenous People of Color in the LGBTQIA+ community dealing with gender and identity issues. He is kink, BDSM, and consensual non-monogamy friendly. Pedro provides a safe environment to help clients learn and grow while promoting empowerment. He helps his clients explore the inner self to spot recurring patterns of behavior, process old traumas, pay attention to the body’s signals of people’s needs for healing, and develop fresh approaches to change.
Pedro’s therapeutic approach is a blend of narrative and collaborative approaches — checking in, being with, talking with, acting with personal stories, and working with you to help you develop the skills to challenge problems.
Pedro earned a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northcentral University in California. He is currently working towards his certificate in Sex Therapy at Adler University. He is committed to diversity, multicultural competence, social advocacy; and service and community engagement.
Pedro is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and supervised by Ewelina Beardmore.
Shakyra WInston, MSW, LCSW
(She/Her)
Psychotherapist
SPECIALTIES
Ethical non-monogomy
Sexual trauma & attachment
Postpartum, pregnancy, & transition to parenting
LGBTQIA-affirming
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Shakyra Winston is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who uses a strength-based, trauma-focused, and humanistic approach to assist clients in exploring the way their identities, past experiences, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors present in their internal and external relationship(s).
Shakyra has several years of experience providing therapy and advocacy services to sexual assault survivors. Shakyra also has experience working with women, men, couples, LGBTQIA+ populations, teens, children, and families. She has experience working with Post-Partum Depression, anxiety, other mental illness, trauma, interpersonal/relational issues, and day to day stressors. Shakyra has training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Sex Therapy, and Solution-focused Therapy. Outside of therapy, Shakyra passionately provides intimacy coaching to traditional and non-traditional couples and doula services to pregnant or parenting individuals.
Shakyra is particularly passionate about working with Black and Brown people, LGBTQIA+ identities, and non-monogamous/polyamorous communities. She is kink, BDSM, ENM, and sex work friendly and affirming. Shakyra provides a safe, non-judgmental, and appropriately humorous environment to empower and promote healing for all clients.
Shakyra earned her Master’s in Social Work from Aurora University. She is currently working towards her certificate in Sex Therapy at Adler University. She is committed to continuing education, diversity, social justice, advocacy, and sexual liberation for all people.
Sofia Lynn Vila, MA, LPC, CADC
(She/Her)
Psychotherapist
SPECIALTIES
Trauma
Gender & sexuality
Mind-body connection
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Sofia is a compassionate, authentic and non-judgmental therapist who is passionate about helping her clients deepen their insight, build self-compassion, and heal from trauma and hardships. She walks alongside her clients in their journeys of healing and growth, to find their best selves, within themselves, and feel empowered to live authentically. Sofia believes in the power of connection, and works with her clients to strengthen mind-body connection, as well as connection with others, and the world. She sees her clients as the whole humans they are, through a holistic, sex-positive, person-centered, and strengths-based lens with unconditional empathy.
Sofia has clinical experience working with adults experiencing anxiety and mood disorders, grief, substance use and co-occurring disorders, and various types of trauma, including sexual, family and childhood trauma, in individual and group settings. She is a member of The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (ASSECT). As a Spanish native, she is passionate about working with clients of diverse backgrounds and cultural identities, and has experience working with LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and Spanish-speaking communities. She has training in various evidence-based treatment modalities, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and rational-emotive behavioral therapy (REBT) and tailors her eclectic therapeutic approach to each client’s individual experience and goals.
Sofia earned a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a concentration in addictions. She was the recipient of a Distinguished Graduate Award that served to acknowledge her excellence in leadership; commitment to diversity, multicultural competence, social advocacy; and service and community engagement.
Sofia is a Licensed Professional Counselor and supervised by Ewelina Beardmore.
Gabriella Bonucci, MA, LPC-C
(Any Pronouns)
Psychotherapist
SPECIALTIES
Trauma
Gender & sexual identity
ADHD
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The stories of our lives are made up of connections and strengths as well as challenges. Gabriella believes in walking alongside you in your journey through healing by emphasizing the strengths you have while collaborating to create goals that address the challenges that you are facing. Gabriella understands her responsibility for creating a safe and empathic space to create room for the growth her clients are searching for.
Gabriella works from a holistic and integrative approach because they believe that therapy is a vulnerable and personal journey that should be tailored to those she is working with. Gabriella’s primary modalities include Narrative Therapy, Feminist Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), Adlerian Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Gabriella has clinical experience working with adults and adolescents of diverse backgrounds and communities who are experiencing difficulties relating to ADHD, childhood trauma, adult trauma, family trauma, religious trauma, (C)PTSD, depression, anxiety, attachment concerns, LGBTQ and gender exploration, family of origin, maintaining recovery, as well as insomnia.
She is sex positive, kink friendly, LGBTQ+ and polyamorous affirming; Gabriella’s approach is based in cultural competence and humility. Gabriella is currently earning their Master’s in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, as well as earning her CADC.
Gabriella is provisionally licensed and supervised by Rachel Berg.
Colie Smigliani, MA, LPC-C
(She/They)
Psychotherapist
SPECIALTIES
Trauma
Attachment & interpersonal skills
Gender & sexuality exploration
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Colie practices both in her clinical work and in her personal life the belief that individuals are whole beings rather than fragmented pieces. Because of this, Colie aims to understand and treat the whole individual, incorporating one’s mental health, physical health/somatic practices, sexuality, sleep habits, spirituality and more into her time with clients. She believes that you are the expert of what it is like to be YOU, and asks clients to dive in with her in discovering their whole selves.
Colie works from a holistic and existential approach that allows her clients to be in the drivers seat of their own lives as she sits in the passenger seat, along for the journey, aiding clients through the many detours life often takes us on. Her primary modalities include Narrative Therapy, Feminist Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Colie comes to Soleil with a background in working with children, teenagers, young adults, and families, along with members of the LGBTQIA+ community. She has worked with individuals of diverse backgrounds and communities who are experiencing difficulties relating to ADHD, childhood trauma, adult trauma, family trauma, religious trauma, (C)PTSD, depression, anxiety, attachment concerns, LGBTQ and gender exploration, Autism, family of origin, and anger management. She is LGBTQIA+-affirming, sex-positive, and kink and poly-friendly.
Colie recently earned her Masters in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Her favorite quote reads:
For a star to be born there is one thing that must happen: a gaseous nebula must collapse.
So collapse. Crumble.
This is not your destruction,
This is your birth.Colie is provisionally licensed and supervised by Shakyra Winston.
Jake Colling, MSW, LSW
(He/Him)
Psychotherapist
SPECIALTIES
Trauma
Sexuality & exploration
Sexual abuse & domestic violence
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Life is not a linear process. It is something that evolves and can change as our capacities, needs, and wants evolve throughout our lifetime. That is to say that relationships and connections can be as uplifting and liberating as much as they can be minimizing and painful. This includes the relationship with ourselves. Humans have a beautiful tendency to feel a lot of things which can lead to issues in communication, understanding, anxiety, and depression but it is our capacity to develop relationships with these different parts of ourselves through curiosity, compassion, and empathy that help us heal. Therapy is not easy, and can be very intimidating especially when we carry shame or skepticism around trusting others and opening ourselves up to feeling things we might not want to feel. Within those feelings there is growth and opportunity to find ourselves and our needs. Jake’s approach to therapy is to walk alongside you on your journey, to encourage and grow awareness and to create understanding. Jake places an emphasis on connection, constructive discomfort, clarity, and courage. Jake will ask of you only what is safe to explore. When seeing couples, Jake is neutral and will not take sides. When seeing individuals, he adapts to the needs of the client and works to create a safe place to explore the hard stuff.
Jakes approach to therapy is compassionate, circular, and direct. He pulls from many evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS), but he does not prescribe to one specific modality. Jake works with each client to find a way of practice that is designed for them.
Jake comes to Soleil with a background in working with families, children, teenagers, and adults with traumatic brain injuries, problematic sexual behaviors, child sexual abuse, and domestic partner violence.
Jake earned a Masters degree in Social Work from Portland State University. He identifies as Queer and is of Polish-American and Bashalde Romani culture. He is sex positive, kink friendly, and affirming of all relationship types. In his spare time Jake is a ceramicist and musician.
Jake is provisionally licensed and supervised by Shakyra Winston.