About Our Team
Dana Barakat, LPC (she/her)
Licensed Professional Counselor, Doctoral Art Therapy Intern
Dana graduated from Roosevelt University with a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and is currently pursuing a PhD in Art Therapy at Adler University in Chicago. As a Syrian-American therapist, Dana is passionate about promoting self-discovery and healing through creative expression. She believes that art therapy serves as a powerful tool for gaining insight into personal challenges, deepening self-understanding, and identifying individual needs.
Dana’s goal is to create a safe, inclusive, and welcoming therapeutic environment where clients feel empowered to explore and grow. Guided by a person-centered approach, Dana views therapy as a collaborative journey. Together, she and her clients work to alleviate challenges, reduce symptoms, and build a strong therapeutic relationship. Through this partnership, Dana aims to support and guide clients toward living more fulfilling and balanced lives.
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.
Raegan Campbell, LCPC, ATR
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Registered Art Therapist
I’m passionate about creating a safe, supportive space where people feel seen, heard, and understood. I believe everyone’s story is unique, and I take time to understand the experiences that shape each person. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed or struggling to express your emotions, I’m here to help you explore those feelings at your own pace. With graduate degrees in Counseling and Art Therapy from Adler University, I integrate traditional talk therapy with creative, expressive techniques. Art therapy can be a powerful tool for expressing what’s hard to put into words.
My trauma-informed, psychodynamic approach considers how past experiences and relationships impact the present. I’ve worked with individuals and families of all ages, supporting those dealing with anxiety, trauma, PTSD and life transitions. I'm also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for trauma processing. My goal is to help you build on your strengths, develop resilience, and move toward a more empowered, fulfilling life. Therapy is a collaborative journey, and I’m honored to be part of yours.
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.
Petra Harris, MS
Therapist, Pre-licensed Professional
Petra is a compassionate counselor with experience working with clients from diverse backgrounds, including different abilities, cultures, religions, sexual orientations, and gender identities. Petra holds a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. She has prior experience working at the Northwestern Medicine Behavioral Health and Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center. Petra has assisted adults in addressing a wide range of mental health concerns, such as ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, identity issues, personality disorders, life transitions, chronic stress, and challenges related to maintaining sobriety.
Petra utilizes various therapeutic approaches, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and psychodynamic theory. She believes that every client is unique and deserves access to an integrated approach to treatment. In her practice, Petra fosters a non-judgmental and supportive environment, allowing clients to feel safe and empowered. She would be honored to support you on your personal healing journey.
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.
Meghan Hintz, MA
Therapist, Pre-licensed Professional
Meghan holds a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School and completed her clinical training at a behavioral hospital specializing in children and adolescents. She has expertise in treating severe trauma, anxiety, depression, and LGBTQIA+ concerns.
Passionate about supporting individuals across the lifespan, Meghan focuses on depression, anxiety, trauma, burnout, stress, anger, identity development, and LGBTQIA+ issues. She creates a safe and collaborative environment, utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy and alternative communication methods like movement, writing, and play. Meghan’s goal is to facilitate growth and self-exploration, helping clients navigate their mental health journey.
Regan Kasprak (she/her)
Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified 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.
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.
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!
•
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