About Our Team
Allison Massey
Licensed Social Worker
Do you feel stuck, stagnant, or like you are repeating a cycle from which you can’t seem to break free? You might wonder if you should stay in your romantic relationship or you may be struggling with other important relationships, including the one you have with yourself. When you lack connection with yourself, it can result in feeling confined and detached from others and from the life you imagined.
Understanding early influences and how they are impacting you today, while getting in touch with your present needs and feelings, can lead you to a more fulfilling and authentic life. I will work alongside you, at your pace, to discover and explore what may be blocking you from the life you want.
I am passionate about working with adults and couples in the LGBTQIA+ community and beyond. I recently received my Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from Loyola University, after transitioning from an 18-year corporate career.
Hannah Paschke, LSW
Licensed Social Worker
I work with adolescents, teens, and young adults who may be managing anxiety, depression, grief/loss, trauma, self-image, relationships, dysfunctional family dynamics, neurodiverse experiences, queer experiences, and/or life transitions. Together, we can identify your personal goals and work toward them in a safe, nonjudgmental space. I believe that it takes courage and vulnerability to engage in the therapy process, and I view it as my responsibility to make sure that you feel supported and empowered along the way.
I earned my Master’s degree in social work from Loyola University Chicago and completed my training working in a high school as a school social worker. Previously, I also worked at a legal clinic providing social and emotional support to veterans and their families. Using a mixed approach, I incorporate principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and psychodynamic therapy. My therapeutic style is warm, empathetic, and creative.
Karina Viktora
Masters in Counseling, Pre-Licensed LPC
You might be navigating depression, anxiety, a tough relationship, or a massive life transition right now. If things feel heavy or overwhelming, you don't have to figure it out alone. In our work together, we will explore the “why” behind your feelings and patterns while simultaneously developing concrete, skills-based strategies. This dual approach ensures you build deeper self-awareness while taking practical, meaningful action in your daily life.
Because therapy should never be a one-size-fits-all process, I invite you to bring your unique interests, whether that is music, art, or other creative outlets, directly into our sessions to make the healing process truly your own. It’s completely normal to feel unsure or hesitant about starting therapy which is why our space is entirely collaborative and grounded in your personal goals. Together, we will untangle what is getting in your way so you can move forward with genuine clarity and confidence.
I earned my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lewis University and have experience in inpatient and community mental health settings. No matter which evidence-based approaches we use, I work from a client-centered foundation that emphasizes authenticity and genuine respect for your lived experience.
A Note for Parents: If you are looking for support for your adolescent or teenager, please know that your child will be met with deep empathy and collaboration. I specialize in helping younger clients build emotional resilience and practical coping tools, often weaving in creative mediums like art and music to keep therapy engaging, accessible, and grounded in their world.
Meghan Hintz, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Therapy can be helpful for anyone who wants a little extra support, whether you’re navigating a difficult season, a major life transition, or simply trying to better understand yourself. My goal is to create a warm, comfortable space where clients feel truly seen, heard, and understood.
I take time to get to know each client and believe building a genuine therapeutic relationship is an important part of the process. My approach is empathetic, conversational, and collaborative, drawing from psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, and strengths-based approaches based on each client’s needs. I also work from a trauma-informed lens, recognizing how our past experiences shape the way we understand ourselves, our relationships, and the world around us.
I especially enjoy working with children, teens, and young adults, seeing clients beginning around age five through adulthood. With children and adolescents, I incorporate play-based approaches to help them express emotions, build coping skills, and work through challenges, including anxiety and stress, anger, depression, and navigating family conflict and difficult experiences. With teens, young adults, and adults, I work with anxiety, mild depression, stress, life transitions, building self-esteem, LGBTQIA+ experiences, and the impact of childhood trauma.
Note to parents: I know it can be hard to watch your child struggle, and reaching out for support is a big step. I want therapy to feel like a safe, welcoming space where your child can be themselves, feel understood, and know that someone is truly in their corner. At the same time, I value working alongside parents and believe you know your child best. I approach our work with empathy, openness, and collaboration so that we can support your child together and help them feel more confident, connected, and understood.
Petra Harris, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Petra helps clients overcome obstacles that prevent them from living their lives more authentically. She compassionately assists individuals and couples who are experiencing chronic stress, anxiety, a history of family dysfunction, codependency, addictive behaviors, workplace distress, ADHD, depression, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), people-pleasing tendencies, loss of self, bipolar disorder (BP), borderline personality disorder (BPD), negative self-talk, disconnection in couples, and parenting challenges.
Petra has prior experience working at Northwestern Medicine Behavioral Health and Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center. She employs various therapeutic approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), experiential therapy, narrative therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and solution-focused techniques. Petra believes that every client is unique and deserves access to an integrated treatment approach. In her practice, she fosters a non-judgmental and supportive environment, allowing clients to feel safe and empowered. She would be honored to support you on your personal growth journey.
Margaret Engel, LPC, ATR-P (she/her)
Licensed Professional Counselor, Art Therapist
I create an affirming, safe space for growth and exploration. I am passionate about working with teens and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and identity development. I utilize cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to help clients identify and challenge negative thoughts and beliefs. I also integrate a person-centered approach with an emphasis on cultural humility and LGBTQ+ affirming care. As an art therapist, I provide a variety of creative opportunities to cultivate insight, self-expression, and non-verbal emotional processing when it aligns with the needs of the therapeutic process. My goal as a therapist is to provide a comfortable, collaborative space that will meet you wherever you are in your journey.
Anna Curran, LCSW (she/her)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Anna Curran is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years of experience in providing mental health services in a variety of community settings. She earned her Master's in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago.
Anna works with adult individuals and couples presenting with a wide range of mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, trauma, interpersonal struggles, identity work, perinatal mental health, parenting, aging, coping with various medical diagnoses, and life transitions. She believes in whole person health, mindfulness and balance; striving to aid clients in living an overall healthy lifestyle.
Anna uses a biopsychosocial approach and works collaboratively with her clients to meet their own unique needs and goals. She maintains foundation in a strengths based approach and focuses on being a client-centered clinician. Anna believes in the importance of meeting clients where they are at and has found this to be beneficial and productive in her clinical work.
Lindsay Hathaway, LCPC, ATR (she/her)
Clinical Counselor, Art Therapist
Lindsay works with adolescents and adults to manage anxiety, life transitions, ADHD, and OCD. In addition to providing talk therapy, Lindsay is also an art therapist. She often incorporates art interventions to help clients explore and process their emotions in ways that words cannot always convey. Lindsay tailors each session to the individual client, creating a unique therapeutic experience that aligns with their personal goals. Using an integrative approach to treatment, she employs techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy.
Lindsay views therapy as a collaborative relationship, where she accompanies clients on their journey, helping them discover and explore the different elements of their life roadmap. While therapy can sometimes be challenging, it offers invaluable opportunities for growth and insight.
Linda Sassone, LCSW (she/her)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Linda is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her clinical training at Barry University, in Miami Florida. She has extensive experience working with adults in various stages across the lifespan. She spent many years working with diverse client populations from all over the world, to improve their quality of life while managing grief and loss, and other life transitions. Linda views the therapeutic relationship as a collaborative space and a vehicle for change. Linda aims to help clients develop a more integrated and grounded sense of self which cultivates awareness, self-compassion, and personal growth.
Linda believes that the relationship between the client and the therapist is a vital part of the healing process and deeply respects the vulnerability and risk it takes to engage in therapy. Her therapeutic style is warm, compassionate, and flexible as therapy is unique to each person. Linda’s clinical work focuses on the treatment of anxiety, depression, self-esteem, Grief and loss, End-of-life care, and other life transitions. She utilizes an eclectic approach with a focus on mind-body wellness, psychodynamic therapy, CBT, mindfulness, yoga, and strengths-based perspectives.
Regan Kasprak (she/her)
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Regan specializes in supporting individuals processing family & childhood trauma, navigating challenging interpersonal relationships, anxiety, OCD, and depression. She has expertise in addressing issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community and their loved ones. Regan incorporates mindfulness as a coping skill to manage a variety of symptoms and present-day challenges while supporting clients in gaining a deeper understanding of their origins.
Regan’s tailored approach integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Psychodynamic Therapy in order to meet each person’s unique needs and goals for treatment. This includes identifying your values, practicing acceptance and self-compassion, and finding ways to prioritize what matters most to you. As part of her training, Regan completed the Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1 Course and PSI Maternal Mental Health Certificate Course.
Regan earned her Master of the Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University.
Erin Mooney Simkus LCPC, ATR-BC (she/her)
Founder, Clinical Counselor, Art Therapist
I work with young adults, & adults dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, loss & interpersonal conflicts. If you want to feel content, improve relationships, manage life transitions, or need grief or ambiguous loss support, together, we can develop balance, awareness, & problem solve to meet your goals. I also provide a safe space for LGBTQ care, whether you or someone close to you identifies.
No matter what you are facing, I provide a place of reflection to connect, heal, and create lasting change. I see each client as an individual, tailoring my clinical approach based on their needs using evidence-based treatment. I have specialized training in Adlerian theory, cognitive-behavior therapy, and trauma-informed practice. I am also a board-certified art therapist and integrate the creative process when it makes sense for the client.
We Are Hiring!
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We Are Hiring! •
Join The Team
Create Balance Counseling, PLLC is a boutique art therapy and counseling practice located just blocks from downtown Hinsdale. Create Balance Counseling is dedicated to utilizing the creative process and counseling interventions to create hope, balance, and well-being in the lives of our clients and the communities we serve. Create Balance is hiring a part-time and/or full-time clinician that describes themselves as creative, collaborative, clinically ethical, and responsible and who demonstrates initiative and motivation to provide excellent clinical care. Email resumes to erin@createbalancecounseling.com
Position Summary: The Creative Arts Therapist (Art Therapist, Dance Therapist, Drama Therapist) and/or Counselor (LPC or LCPC) will provide outpatient therapy services. Applicant must demonstrate commitment to a client and family-focused model of care. Provides individual and/or group counseling and/or creative arts therapy via in-person and telehealth services. Adapts creative arts therapy and counseling interventions to suit the client's needs and abilities based on the treatment plan. Provides developmentally appropriate and culturally-sensitive therapeutic services. Participates in clinical supervision and/or peer consultation.
Minimum Qualifications: 1+ years of art therapy and counseling experience in inpatient or outpatient settings working with children, adolescents, adults and/or families.
Education/Licensure/Certification: Master’s degree in Art Therapy, Dance Therapy, or Drama Therapy; Certifications: ATR-P, ATR, or ATR-BC; or DMT, DMT-BC; or RDT; LPC or LCPC required
Workplace Culture: Create Balance encourages engagement in the creative process, peer consultation, and a core value of maintaining work-life balance. Your creativity, race and ethnicity, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, and ability make you uniquely you – and that is just whom we are looking for! So, bring the best of yourself and contribute to our mission in your own unique way.
Benefits for Clinicians: W2 employee status, BCBS Health Insurance Package, Employer-sponsored Marketing, Insurance Credentialing, Competitive Compensation, Comprehensive Insurance & Billing Support, Make your own work schedule, Clinical Consultation and/or Supervision, ATR Supervision, HIPAA-compliant EHR, Email & G-Suite Account, & Work Phone Number, Paid Time Off, Annual CEU stipend, Access to Creative Arts Therapy Supplies and Opportunities for Clinical & Professional Growth
To Apply: Email your resume to erin@createbalancecounseling.com