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Meet Our Team

At Integrated Family Therapy of Illinois, we understand that life’s challenges can be overwhelming, and our compassionate team is here to support you every step of the way. Our therapists, trained in EMDR, provide personalized, short-term counseling to help you find lasting relief and a renewed sense of hope.

  • All
  • Addiction
  • Brainspotting
  • Children & Teens
  • Couples
  • EMDR
  • Individual Therapy
  • Perinatal Therapy

Kris Rinkenberger

MA, LCPC, CCTP, CCATP EMDR Certified Psychotherapist | EMDRIA Approved Consultant | EMDR Training Facilitator EMDR Training Facilitator with The Center for Excellence in EMDR and Deany Laliotis With grace, understanding, and support, I help clients understand how their past has shaped them, recognize how ensnaring patterns and behaviors developed, and restore dignity, emotional well-being, and meaningful relationships. My current clinical focus is short-term, EMDR-based treatment, supporting clients in processing recent and past traumatic experiences in a structured way. Through this approach, clients are able to experience permanent change, reduce distress, gain clarity, and move forward with greater resilience and confidence. My goal is to walk alongside clients as they heal from past wounds, explore thoughts and emotions, address issues of personal faith when relevant, and move toward a hopeful and fulfilling future — with a little humor along the way. Certificates in EMDR, EMDR Consultant and Facilitator, Grief and Loss, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Anxiety, and Trauma Therapy. Process Communication Model educator and trainer. Individual therapy for PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, Sexual Abuse, Recent Traumatic Events, Parenting, Personal Boundaries, Grief and Loss, Family of Origin issues, and Women’s issues. EMDR intensives are available for those interested in short term, focused treatment. If you are interested in EMDR trainings or Consultation in EMDR please reach out to The Center for Excellence in EMDR: https://emdrtherapy.com/

Roberta Pool

MA, LCPC, PMH-C

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with over 10 years of experience supporting individuals through some of life’s most complex and vulnerable moments. I earned my graduate degree from the University of Illinois Springfield and have worked across a wide range of settings, including community mental health, schools, and primary care environments. These experiences have shaped a holistic, compassionate, and collaborative approach to care, and I believe that therapy works best when it feels real and connected to your life.

My work is trauma-informed and grounded in evidence-based practices. I am trained in EMDR, with a particular focus on chronic pain and birth related trauma. I also place a strong emphasis on grief work and supporting clients through major life transitions. I strive to create a space that is affirming, inclusive, and safe for all, and I am proud to offer LGBTQ-affirming care.

I specialize in perinatal mental health, supporting individuals and families through all stages of the reproductive journey, including pregnancy, postpartum, infertility, pregnancy loss, and birth trauma. I have extensive experience treating postpartum anxiety and depression and understand how deeply these experiences can affect identity, relationships, and overall well-being.

Above all, my goal is to meet clients where they are, honor their lived experiences, and help them move toward healing, resilience, and meaningful change. My therapeutic style blends evidence-based practice with humor, creativity, and cultural connection. In sessions, clients can expect thoughtful conversations paired with podcast or book recommendations (both for fun and mental health), song lyrics, pop-culture references, and the occasional “dad joke” or pun. I’m an elder millennial and mom of two young boys, a fan of pop-punk music, fantasy novels, Italian food and milk chocolate, and can name more monster trucks than I ever thought possible.

Kandace Roth

MSW, LCSW

I work with women across the lifespan who are ready to move beyond old narratives about themselves and create lives that feel more honest and intentional. People often seek therapy when self-doubt, past experiences, or long-standing patterns begin to feel limiting rather than helpful. Therapy can be a space to slow down, get curious, and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

My approach is warm, down-to-earth, and very real. I value openness and authenticity in the therapy room—nothing is off limits here. You don’t need to have the “right” words or worry about being too much. Our work may be deep at times, practical at others, and occasionally touched with humor, because healing doesn’t have to be rigid or intimidating to be meaningful.

I earned my Master’s in Social Work from Illinois State University and bring experience from working in a variety of clinical settings with women in different stages of life. My work is grounded in social work values—honoring each person’s lived experience, recognizing strengths, and understanding how relationships, systems, and life transitions shape emotional wellbeing.

I specialize in women’s mental health and have advanced training in perinatal care. I support women navigating anxiety, trauma, self-doubt, identity shifts, and long-standing emotional patterns. I also work with women who identify as neurodivergent, particularly those who have spent years masking, feeling misunderstood, or pushing themselves to fit expectations that don’t truly work for them. Whether you’re moving through pregnancy, postpartum changes, or another major life transition, I meet you where you are. EMDR is a core part of my work, helping clients move beyond experiences and beliefs that no longer serve them—so growth isn’t just something you talk about, but something you truly feel.

Therapy with me is collaborative and client-centered. I won’t tell you who to be; instead, I’ll help you uncover what’s been getting in the way of becoming the version of yourself you’re working toward. Together, we’ll focus on self-understanding, healing, and building a life that feels more aligned, confident, and intentional. Starting therapy can feel vulnerable—you don’t need the right words, just a willingness to begin. I’d be honored to walk alongside you in this process.

Ben Cheney

LCSW-SAS, CCTP, NMAC

Addiction, Couples, Individual Therapy, EMDR

With over 20 years of experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I bring a deep and compassionate understanding to the therapeutic process. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional with specialized training in addiction counseling and extensive experience working with individuals facing anxiety, depression, PTSD, mood disorders, and complex relational challenges.

My clinical background spans diverse and demanding settings—including medical emergency departments, psychiatric facilities, county mental health services, and Suboxone clinics—where I have supported individuals navigating acute and chronic trauma. These environments have sharpened my ability to respond with both clinical precision and human empathy, grounded in the belief that hope is a vital foundation for healing and change.

My therapeutic approach integrates evidence-based modalities such as Trauma-Informed Care, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Strengths-Based Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. I believe in a collaborative, client-centered model where we work as a team to uncover strengths, build resilience, and move toward lasting change.

Committed to ongoing professional development, I consistently pursue advanced training to expand and deepen my practice. Most recently, I have completed training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a powerful method for addressing trauma, and the Gottman Method for couples therapy, which offers research-based strategies for improving communication and strengthening relationships.

I am passionate about helping individuals not only recover from adversity but thrive—creating a meaningful life for themselves and those around them.

Katy Watson

MS, LCSW

Whether you have experience with therapy, or this is your first time, I strive to provide a safe and comfortable space for everyone. My multidisciplinary approach will look at all areas of your life, using your strengths and values to meet your needs. As a therapist, I have worked in community mental health with serious mental illness, hospitals, and primary care settings with a diverse population. I use cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, motivational interviewing, strength based, solution focused, mindfulness and DBT techniques. I am trained in EMDR and am trauma informed. I work with teens (age 15 +)  and adults on a wide variety of issues such as: grief and loss of all kinds, anxiety disorders, panic disorders, depression, difficulty with life adjustments and changes, trauma, motivation to make necessary changes in life and I am an LGBTQ ally.

Emma Seynemeier

MA, LCPC, CCATP

Therapy is a collaborative process where clients can feel safe to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a supportive, non-judgmental space. I use a strengths-based, client-centered approach, meeting clients where they are and tailoring support to their unique needs, helping them feel understood, empowered, and equipped to make meaningful changes in their lives.

I work with children, teens, and adults navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges, or times when life just doesn’t feel quite right. I have specialized training in helping children and teens navigate anxiety and work closely with families to build understanding, confidence, and practical coping strategies. EMDR and Brainspotting are among the tools I use, alongside CBT and DBT strategies, to provide flexible, evidence-based support. My trauma-informed approach also incorporates play-based, experiential, and structured interventions to foster emotional regulation, coping skills, and personal growth across all developmental stages.

Sessions are grounded in real-life connection and designed to be collaborative and practical. I aim to provide strategies for managing emotions, navigating challenges, and improving relationships—along with moments of warmth, humor, and relatability. I often weave in examples from movies, books, basketball, and other everyday experiences to make therapy engaging and approachable. I am committed to walking alongside clients with empathy and encouragement as they build resilience, confidence, and a more balanced, fulfilling life.

Lizzie Shearer

LPC

No matter what stage of your life you find yourself in, I firmly believe that it is never too early—or too late—to begin the journey toward healing. I approach therapy from a person-centered, strengths-based perspective, with an emphasis on creating a supportive and collaborative environment where clients can explore, grow, and heal. You can expect sessions with me to be playful, warm, and grounding, with plenty of fidgets and cozy lighting.

I primarily work with children, adolescents, and adults up to age thirty, although I have experience with individuals across the lifespan. I have a particular passion for working with people who are neurodivergent, have experienced trauma, or struggle with anxiety, and I’ve received supplemental training in treating children and adolescents with anxiety disorders. My clinical experience also includes work with both victims and perpetrators of domestic violence, with over 80 hours of specialized training related to DV. I strive to provide developmentally informed, trauma-sensitive care tailored to each individual’s unique needs.

Outside of the therapy room, I enjoy reading (I’m attached at the hip to my kindle), hiking, and spending time with my sassy cat and energetic dog (who is working through anxiety issues of her own).

Phoebe Olden

MSW

I believe that every client is a unique puzzle—and my role is to help you find the pieces needed to feel whole again. Whether you’re aiming to reach a specific goal, seeking to manage life’s challenges more effectively, or pursuing deeper self-understanding, I strive to support you in discovering a path that’s authentically yours. Healing and mental well-being look different for everyone, and I am committed to meeting each individual where they are.

I have a strong interest in mental performance within collegiate athletics, with the past two years spent working in athletic programs at Dordt University and Union University. During this time, I focused on performance anxiety, depression, and career counseling as part of my graduate assistantships. I have also worked with both individuals and teams to enhance mental toughness and elevate performance in sports and professional environments. Beyond athletics, I also have experience supporting individuals navigating educational concerns, life transitions, and neurodiverse populations. My approach is rooted in empathy and patience, recognizing that healing is not linear—and that your timeline is your own.

With over three years of experience assisting students through critical transitional periods, I am passionate about helping people explore who they are and who they want to become. My approach is deeply rooted in empathy—I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where individuals feel seen, heard, and supported throughout their journey. Guided by my training in social work, I take a holistic view of each client’s life, believing that we are the sum of many interconnected parts—each of which deserves thoughtful attention, care, and understanding.

Reka Brooks, MA, LPC

MA, LCP

I believe that every client deserves intentional, non-judgmental, and well-rounded care to help them on their journey to healing. I am committed to working with clients to develop their strengths and resilience, as well as provide them with appropriate interventions targeted to meet their needs and help them achieve long lasting change. I want to help each and every person that walks through my door to find growth and meaning on their walk through life.

I am passionate about serving children and adults dealing with shame, depression, and trauma. I have experience utilizing a wide variety of trauma-informed interventions including EMDR, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy,  Internal Family Systems, and more. I enjoy working with a wide variety of issues including trauma & PTSD, grief, depression, anxiety disorders, and more. I also have a background in working with survivors of sexual abuse and assault, survivors of child abuse and domestic violence, neurodivergent children, and foster/adopted children and their families.