Meet the ATSA Team

Dr. Lynas is a clinical psychologist and anxiety specialist who values and implements evidence-based treatments in her practice, and enjoys spreading awareness and education about anxiety. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology from Palo Alto University in CA, completed her clinical internship at Northwestern University Medical School’s Stone Institute of Psychiatry, and her post-doctoral fellowship at Shared Vision Psychological Services, treating both children and adults. Motivated by her passion to help children and families coping with selective mutism, Dr. Lynas founded Advanced Therapeutic Solutions, which houses the Selective Mutism Program and aims to provide appropriate and effective selective mutism treatment. With the launch of Adventure Camp in 2011, Dr. Lynas became the first in the nation to replicate Dr. Steven Kurtz’s Brave Buddies Selective Mutism intensive program, making this innovative treatment available in the Chicago area for the first time. Later renamed Advanced Therapeutic Solutions for Anxiety (ATSA), Dr. Lynas has broadened her clinic to serve those coping with anxieties and phobias as well as behavioral issues. Modalities used in treatment include exposure and response prevention (ERP), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), and parent-child interaction therapy for selective mutism (PCIT-SM). Populations treated include children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Lynas has met the requirements for the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) and can practice telepsychology in the following states as of Aug 2022: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, D.C., Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin. More states are added over time. For an updated list, visit https://psypact.site-ym.com/page/psypactmap. Dr. Lynas provides parent training, teacher training, doctoral-level practicum clinician training, and specialist consultation/supervision to therapists who seek to learn how to treat selective mutism, as well as running Adventure Camp yearly. She also provides school in-service trainings, specialist school consultations, school interventions, and school district-approved assessments of students with selective mutism and related anxiety issues.

Cathleen (Cate) O'Leary is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor licensed in both Illinois and Iowa. She treats anxiety disorders using exposure therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and parent-child interaction therapy for selective mutism (PCIT-SM). Cate provides services in the clinic, home, school, and community settings, as well as telehealth options to children, adolescents, and adults. Cate also offers individual intensive sessions for those traveling from long distances or for those needing a more significant dose of exposure therapy to treat anxiety. She continues to serve as a Classroom Group Facilitator for Adventure Camp Intensive Group Treatment for Selective Mutism every summer at ATSA. Cate also provides district-approved consultative services to train and work with school teams on how to apply child-directed interaction (CDI) and verbal-directed interaction (VDI) skills in the school setting for students with selective mutism. Cate values the importance of the parent-child relationship as well as the teacher-student relationship and feels rewarded when these adults in the child/adolescent’s life recognize and learn how they can be agents of change for their children and students. Likewise, working with adults, Cate enjoys teaching adults how to become unstuck from the anxious-avoidance cycle and living an approach-coping lifestyle to help individuals live a life consistent with their values. Cate earned her Master’s degree in counseling from Saint Xavier University in Chicago, Illinois. She completed her practicum and internship at Richards High School in Oak Lawn, Illinois where she served as a school counselor working with students who struggled academically due to social and emotional issues. Cate also has a 13-year history working within a multidisciplinary team at a local school district as a job coach for both high school and adult transition students with developmental and emotional disabilities. Cate feels passionate about providing a safe and nurturing environment for children, adolescents, and transitioning adults, and is committed to see them develop to their full potential.

Theresa Baker Gabby, LCSW has spent her career helping children and families. During years as a social worker in Chicago Public Schools and at a therapeutic school, Theresa has helped many children facing a wide array of challenges. Having used various research-based interventions to service students with anxiety in schools, Theresa looked to further her learning and expertise by participating in Adventure Camp from 2013 through 2015. Currently, Theresa is a school social worker in Skokie, IL. During her summers off, Theresa provides group therapy treatment at ATS. Theresa has a master’s degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, with emphasis in school social work and children/families. In addition to holding LCSW credentials, Theresa is certified as an alcohol and drug counselor by the State of Illinois and as trauma specialist by the National Institute of Trauma and Loss in Children.

Dana is the caring voice you hear when you call ATSA! As the Intake Coordinator at Advanced Therapeutic Solutions for Anxiety, Dana supports families navigating the first steps of treatment for anxiety and selective mutism. She conducts phone intakes, manages new referrals, coordinates care between the clinic and schools, and helps guide families toward services that fit their needs. Dana brings more than 25 years of experience in early childhood education and family support. For much of her career, she served as Director of birth-to-five childcare and preschool programs, leading teams of educators, partnering with families, and ensuring that young children had the safe, nurturing environments they need to grow and thrive. Her extensive leadership experience has given her a deep understanding of child development and the complex needs families face—especially in times of stress and transition. Dana earned her Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Family Relations with a minor in Psychology from Eastern Illinois University. She also completed ATSA’s Adventure Camp Counselor Training, a hands-on, exposure-based program for treating selective mutism, which further deepened her knowledge of how anxiety presents in young children and how to support brave, verbal responding in real-world settings. As both a seasoned educator and a parent of children with anxiety, Dana brings empathy, insight, and practical wisdom to her role. She looks forward to taking your call and helping your family take the first brave step toward healing.

Dr. Butterfield is a licensed clinical psychologist and specializes in treating anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, and other co-occurring mental health concerns with evidence-based treatments. She obtained her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology in 2017. Dr. Butterfield has experience working in private practice and hospital settings with children, adolescent, and adult patients. She completed her clinical internship at Carle Foundation Hospital and her post-doctoral fellowship at The OCD & Anxiety Center. Dr. Butterfield joined the ATSA team in the summer of 2024 and is located at the ATSA satellite clinic in Aurora. Dr. Butterfield primarily employs Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). She also utilizes methods of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Additionally, Dr. Butterfield incorporates parent training, stress management techniques, assertiveness training, problem solving skills, and relaxation training into her treatment provision, as needed. Her approach to treatment is compassion-focused, integrative, and skills-based. She designs individualized treatments to assist patients in quickly transferring skills into the important environments of their lives. Dr. Butterfield provides therapeutic services in the clinic, at patients’ homes, over telehealth, and in community settings to facilitate the generalization of progress across settings. Dr. Butterfield believes that treatment should be a vehicle to healthier and happier living. She works collaboratively with patients and their families to educate, empower, and equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to overcome anxiety and maintain treatment gains. Dr. Butterfield finds great meaning and purpose in supporting others through difficult times and helping them to achieve their goals. For her, helping people learn more about themselves, challenge themselves and grow, and create the lives they want to live is immensely rewarding. She considers herself to be very fortunate to be a part of these incredible therapeutic journeys!