Meet our TEAM

FOUNDERS

Clinical Social Workers. Yoga Instructors. Sisters. Innovators.

Melissa and Caroline, both Licensed Clinical Social Workers, are passionate about empowering individuals to fulfill their highest potential. They offer traditional individual talk therapy and mind/body therapies. On their own personal and professional journeys, each became drawn to yoga and fitness. Not only did they begin to see the benefits of incorporating yoga/fitness therapy approaches with their clients, but they experienced the power of mind-body wellness themselves! Together, this LCSW sister duo created the practice in 2012 as a place for girls and women to feel strong from the inside-out! in 2016, it became clear to Melissa and Caroline that the Northbrook and surrounding communities needed more.  With this in mind, they expanded to become True Mind + Body in order to serve all family members through a comprehensive approach to mental and physical health! In 2025, Melissa and Caroline launched The Art of Well-Being PLLC, a second, additional business that is dedicated to expressive and movement-based therapies.

Caroline and Melissa continue to co-own and manage True Mind + Body PLLC in addition to The Art of Well-Being.

Benjamin Taour, LCPC

Benjamin graduated from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science with a Master of Science in clinical counseling and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Illinois State University.

Benjamin specializes in working with children and adolescents coping with anxiety, depression, substance use/abuse, trauma and interpersonal/familial relationship issues. He has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in a wide range of settings, including schools, community health centers, and hospital settings. Benjamin’s clinical approach is grounded in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) while also utilizing a family systems lens. He believes in meeting the client “where they are” and working collaboratively to meet their unique goals. Above all else, he believes the relationship between the therapist and client drives the therapeutic process forward.

In addition to traditional talk therapy, Benjamin specializes in Activity-Based Therapy for children and teenagers who would benefit from therapy in a more active, sporty environment rather than a formal office setting. Activity-Based Therapy takes place in a “sport’s court-like” environment and combines movement-based activities such as playing catch, hoops, soccer, and darts with other psychotherapeutic techniques.

Christopher Kelley Daniels, LMSW

Christopher is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) skilled in both expressive therapy and talk therapy for children, adolescents, and adults. He earned a Master of Science in Social Work (Advanced Clinical Practice) from Columbia University's School of Social Work. 

Christopher approaches therapy with the belief that collaboration is key and that there is no singular formula for mental health. He utilizes creative conceptualization, humor, and an integrative approach informed by psycho-dynamic and polyvagal theory to create unique spaces where clients can process their lived experiences, relationships, and identities effectively.

At The Art of Well-Being, Christopher provides inMotion Therapy, specializing in supporting children and adolescents experiencing depression, anxiety, emotional regulation challenges, post-traumatic stress, and ADHD. With advanced training in Somatic Experiencing, he is passionate about providing inMotion therapy to active youth who would benefit from playing sports and/or moving their bodies as an integral part of the therapeutic process. 

At True Mind + Body, Christopher focuses on talk therapy for adolescents and adults seeking support with depression, anxiety, trauma recovery, identity exploration, and substance use. He also has extensive experience providing psychotherapy to LGBTQ+ individuals and their families, offering compassionate and affirming care tailored to their unique needs.

Jackie Bernfeld, LCPC

Art Therapy Director

Jackie is a clinically licensed counselor and art therapist with extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and young adults. She received her Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling Psychology from Adler University and her Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art and Psychology from Middlebury College.

Prior to joining True Mind + Body, Jackie worked as an Art Therapist in school, hospital, and community agency settings, treating a diverse range of clients. She works with those experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, grief and loss, life transitions, family structure, spectrum disorders, and interpersonal relationships.

Jackie is an integrative therapist and draws from traditional verbal therapy and art therapy, when appropriate, to align with individual needs and preferences. She strives to promote self-reflection and an increased awareness of psychological barriers through CBT and art therapy based interventions while helping clients manage and cope with inter- and intra-personal stressors.

Mike Gortowski, LCPC, MA, MS

inMotion Program Director

Mike is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) who earned his Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Master of Science in Sport and Human Performance from Adler University.

Mike specializes in working with children and adolescents experiencing anxiety, depression, emotional regulation issues, trauma, and transitional and relationship issues. Throughout his career, Mike has experience working with a wide demographic of clients and families that come from a vast array of different backgrounds and experiences. Mike’s clinical approach is grounded in an eclectic philosophy, to better serve the uniqueness and individuality of the clients and families that he serves. His clinical experiences include communicating with clients through inMotion Therapy, directive and non-directive play therapy, narrative therapy, art therapy, music therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and reality therapy.

In addition to counseling, Mike is also an experienced Mental Performance Consultant. Through his work, Mike has helped his clients pursue excellence in sport, exercise, and career through mental skills conditioning. Mike has experience working with clients of all ages and sport backgrounds from college tennis to youth soccer and is driven by the goal of helping his clients discover the best version of their performance and themselves.

Patrick Geraghty, LCSW

Pat is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in working with children and adolescents experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, difficulty with emotion regulation, and interpersonal/familial challenges. He has worked with this population in a variety of settings which includes schools, hospitals, and the child welfare system. Pat’s approach to therapy is humanistic in nature. He values the therapeutic relationship and meeting the client where they are. Pat strives to provide the environment to promote empowerment and personal growth.

In addition to traditional talk therapy, Pat specializes in Activity-Based Therapy for children and teenagers who would benefit from therapy in a more active, sporty environment rather than a formal office setting. Activity-Based Therapy takes place in a “sport’s court-like” environment and combines movement-based activities such as playing catch, hoops, soccer, and darts with other psychotherapeutic techniques.

Pat graduated from Aurora University with a Master of Social Work degree, and he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from DePaul University.

Shannon Shahinian LCSW, NMT Level I

Shannon is a licensed social worker (LCSW) specializing in working with children, tweens, and families.  Graduating from Loyola University Chicago with a Masters in Social Work and Bachelor of Arts in Dance, Shannon has considerable knowledge in child development, childhood trauma, arts-based therapy interventions, and play-based therapy techniques.  Catering treatment approaches to individual clients and treating the “whole person” is of great importance to Shannon.

Previously, Shannon worked as a pediatric social worker at an intensive interdisciplinary therapy clinic, providing individual and group therapy for children and caregivers.  She has experience collaborating with family members, other therapy experts, and school systems to ensure quality care for all of her clients.  Shannon is passionate about working with children experiencing the effects of trauma, anxiety, developmental differences, self-regulation challenges, stressful family dynamics, and strained relationships.

Shannon gravitates toward therapy approaches that emphasize the therapeutic relationship and follow the client’s lead.  She incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT), Intentional Relationship Model (IRM), and Developmental Individual-differences and Relationship-based Model (DIR) to best support clients’ needs.  With an open mind and love for creativity, Shannon’s goal is to support the family unit and spark positive changes in children’s lives.  

Sophie Schneider, R-DMT, MA

Sophie, a registered dance/movement therapist (R-DMT) and soon to be licensed professional counselor (LPC), holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in dance/movement therapy from Lesley University. She brings a wealth of experience from diverse settings, including hospitals and elementary schools, as well as a passion for using positivity, creativity, playfulness, and a sense of adventure throughout the therapeutic process. 

In her work with toddlers, children, adolescents, young adults, and families, Sophie navigates issues like emotion regulation, behavioral challenges, social skills development, and academic stress. Sophie skillfully addresses a wide spectrum of mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and adjustment disorders, while also providing support to individuals facing medical challenges. She is deeply passionate about creating supportive environments where young individuals feel empowered to explore their thoughts and feelings, fostering resilience and healthy coping strategies.

Sophie tailors therapy to each client's unique needs and interests, incorporating movement, games, art, music, or storytelling for personalized engagement. Believing deeply in individualized care, she creates a space where clients feel truly seen, heard, and valued through attentive listening and attunement. In addition, Sophie recognizes the power of dance/movement therapy, especially for nonverbal expression. Through movement, clients can communicate emotions, experiences, and needs that may be difficult to articulate verbally. Sophie’s approach empowers clients to explore new possibilities for healing and growth within a safe and creative therapeutic environment.

Stephanie Olafson, LCSW

Clinical Director

Stephanie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She graduated from University of Illinois at Chicago with her Master's degree in Social Work and her Bachelors degree in Psychology.

Stephanie specializes in working with pre-teens, adolescents, and young adults struggling with anxiety, depression, spectrum disorders, ADHD, body image issues and life transitions. Her background includes working in schools, private practice and community agency settings treating a diverse range of clients.

Stephanie utilizes a holistic approach, meeting each client where they are at and developing a plan that works best for them while integrating different modalities of therapy in order to best reach them. She primarily utilizes a strengths based approach with cognitive behavioral therapy in order to help the client build realistic and healthy coping strategies and build and maintain healthy relationships with effective communication. She is excited to begin to integrate active therapies into her practice.

Zach Lebowitz, LCPC

Zach is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). He graduated from DePaul University with a Master’s degree in Counseling. He earned his Bachelor of Arts, also from DePaul, in Sociology with a minor in Psychology. Prior to joining True Mind + Body, Zach worked with traditionally underserved and often high-risk male youth for several years in Chicago Public Schools. He has experience working with clients around concerns of anxiety and depression, trauma, peer and family relationships, life transitions, stress and anger management.

Zach’s clinical approach is grounded in the foundation of the Cognitive Behavioral model but begins with the client-centered approach: providing an unconditional positive regard and working to build rapport and understanding between client and clinician. Zach utilizes a strengths based approach, seeking to identify positive and healthy skills that are already being utilized. He believes that education is an integral part of the therapeutic process, teaching and developing functional and healthy coping skills while working toward agreed upon goals and positive change.

Zach believes in a holistic approach to heath and specializes in “Active Talk Therapy” for children and teenagers who would benefit from therapy in a more active, sporty environment rather than a formal office setting. Active Talk Therapy takes place in a “sport’s court-like” environment and combines movement-based activities such as playing catch, hoops, soccer, and darts with other psychotherapeutic techniques.