Meet the ATSA Team

Iris is the caring voice you hear when you call ATSA. Unlike many clinics that have moved to automated answering services, Iris is a real live person. She is available to answer your questions about seeking treatment at ATSA, ranging from whether ATSA is the right place for your needs to what to expect for the first intake session, as well as supporting you with insurance reimbursement questions and in-network exceptions. Iris, who is also fluent in Spanish, conducts phone intakes and manages the flow of new referrals, guiding new patients through the evaluation process. Before joining ATSA, Iris was a Service Coordinator for an affordable housing community, serving as an advocate for the needs of the residents. Iris gained confidence in her coordination skills as she connected residents with resources within the community, such as partnering with a summer community garden that held a weekly farmers market on the property facilitating access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Iris graduated with her Bachelors degree in Psychology with a concentration in Community Psychology and a minor in Spanish from DePaul University in Chicago. During her time there, she was an active participant in a variety of community engagements, including the Cities Project, a mentorship program dedicated to supporting students from Chicago Public Schools. She also spent a summer at the University of Virginia, in Charlottesville, as a research intern working on a project investigating which skills are acquired by children during spatial play, and potential associations with learning in the STEM fields. Iris enjoys applying her coordination skills at ATSA, and particularly serving as a compassionate listener to support those seeking help.

As case manager, Tiondra serves as the liaison between patients and clinicians to monitor patient progress, specifically ensuring treatment plan recommendations are met. At ATSA, we know how overwhelming it can be to manage one’s care or one’s child’s care, especially when juggling other life responsibilities. Tiondra serves as an additional support to you and your family in this regard, monitoring your/your child’s progress on the treatment plan, scheduling the recommended appointments, sending you reminders, and other logistical duties to help make your life easier. Tiondra also ensures that necessary resources, documents, and additional materials are distributed to specified parties, including but not limited to schools, parents, and adjunct practitioners. Tiondra holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and minor emphases in African American Studies, Children’s Studies, and Sociology from Illinois State University. She has experience holding leadership roles in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Black Student Psychology Association, and as a Lead Mentor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Honors Program while at ISU. She plans to begin her Ph.D. in school psychology in the fall of 2023.

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, and community settings, as well as telehealth options. She also continues to serve as a Classroom Group Facilitator for Adventure Camp Intensive Group Treatment for Selective Mutism every summer at ATSA. In addition to her role at ATSA, Cate continues her role as a job coach at a nearby school district for both high school and adult transition students with developmental and emotional disabilities. She provides on-site vocational training and counseling for students who may also have co-existing issues such as obsessive compulsive disorder or anxiety. 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 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.

Meghan Riordan holds a master’s education specialist degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) from Loyola University Chicago. Meghan works with children and adolescents, young adults, and parents coping with anxiety. She provides evidence-based treatments including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), parent-child interaction therapy adapted for selective mutism (PCIT-SM), exposure therapy, parent coaching, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). In 2021, Meghan completed selective mutism intervention training through ATSA’s Adventure Camp Counselor Training program, served as a co-facilitator for our Courage Club group therapies for children with selective mutism and social anxiety in 2022, completed her clinical internship at ATSA providing outpatient and intensive services in both individual and group therapies in 2023, and is currently a CMHC Fellow at ATSA completing her clinical hours requirement towards her LCPC licensure, supervised by Carmen Tumialan Lynas, Ph.D. Meghan’s interest in providing mental health services to children and adolescents stems from a history of working with kids dating back to her college years at Butler University. While there, Meghan volunteered at the Indiana School for the Blind and Vision Impaired, interacting with adolescents through stimulating sensory activities and games to increase their confidence and curiosity. Also, as a long-standing volleyball coach for children and adolescents, and an athlete herself throughout college, Meghan understands the pressures and anxieties that come with sports performance, which also contributed to her interest in mental health. In addition to her role at ATSA, Meghan continues her role as a Girls Volleyball Coach at MOD Volleyball Club where she educates children ages 9-18 on volleyball skills, the importance of teamwork, and ways to set and achieve performance goals. Meghan has participated in previous research covering the effects of a student’s confidence on their performance, based on their perceptions of the task, which also solidified her interest in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). At ATSA, Meghan offers individual therapy and group therapy using acceptance-based and cognitive-behavioral therapies to children, adolescents, and adults coping with anxiety and related conditions.

Lea Rose is a licensed speech-language pathologist serving children and adults with communication, cognitive, and/or swallowing disorders. In her work at ATSA, she specializes in treating children with selective mutism who present with primary pragmatic language difficulties, in the setting of their selective mutism, as well as concomitant communication disorders. Services are offered in the clinic and via telehealth. Lea has a master's degree in speech-language pathology from Saint Xavier University. While pursuing her degree, Lea also completed selective mutism training through the Adventure Camp counselor program and served as an Adventure Camp counselor for multiple rotations. She currently works as a staff speech-language pathologist at the University of Chicago Medicine, serving both adult and pediatric populations. Lea’s clinical paradigm relies heavily on evidence based practice as well as a holistic approach to foster success in social and academic settings.

Ashley Ehrhardt, Ed.D. focuses on the psychodiagnostic assessments of students from early childhood through college. She is a board certified School Psychologist & American Board School Neuropsychologist Diplomate. She earned her master's degree in Social Science Research from the University of Chicago, her doctorate in Educational Psychology from National-Louis University, and a specialty in School Neuropsychology from Texas Woman's University. She has specialized training in trans-disciplinary play based assessments as well as the assessment and diagnosis of early childhood disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Selective Mutism. Dr. Ehrhardt was one of the original counselors trained for Adventure Camp 2011, and continued working with ATSA as a supervisor and co-facilitator of Adventure Camp in 2012 and 2013. Currently, she offers psychoeducational assessment services for ATSA patients.

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.

Haley Betron is a rising senior at the University of Southern California where she is studying psychology and occupational science, and where she is also the Vice President of the Psychology Honors Society, Psi Chi. At USC, she not only serves as a clinical assistant in their Psychology Services Center, but she also volunteers as a research assistant in the NeuroEndocrinology of Social Ties (NEST) lab, which focuses on the neurobiological and psychological underpinnings of family relationships, such as transition and adjustment to parenthood. Haley’s role in the lab includes behavioral coding of couples’ discussions about their division of household labor as new parents and leading in-lab family visits. The data is being used to gain a better understanding of mothers’ and fathers’ dynamics as they transition to parenthood. Haley’s experience in the lab fosters her growing interest in family dynamics. She thoroughly enjoys working with kids and families and is excited to continue pursuing her passion at ATSA, where she is gaining hands-on experience ranging from interfacing with patients’ parents to serving as a confederate in exposure therapy sessions for children and adolescents coping with selective mutism or social anxiety. Her research experience at USC, coupled with the hands-on clinic experience at ATSA, gives Haley a strong foundation to pursue her career goals. After graduation, Haley intends to become a mental health counselor working with children and adolescents. For now, she is looking forward to learning more about therapeutic techniques to help children and their families cope with anxiety, and she is excited to work with the campers at Adventure Camp!

Claire Dellorto is a rising Junior at the University of Michigan and is majoring in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience. At the University of Michigan, Claire is a volunteer mentor for FATE mentorship program where she works with underserved Detroit youth, an Editorial Writer for MASH Magazine, and a member of several other organizations including the Undergraduate Psychology Society and the Iota Chapter of Delta Delta Delta. Claire is especially interested in a specialization in diagnosing and treating serious mental illness. Additionally, she is very excited to get this opportunity to work with ATSA children and families. After gaining this experience, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical or school psychology, so that she can continue helping others! Claire was drawn to this internship at ATSA because of the rare opportunity for hands-on clinical work as an undergraduate, many professional development seminars, and the valuable experience of seeing the progress that the children make firsthand. Claire can’t wait for Adventure Camp this summer to meet all of the wonderful kids and help them to use their brave!

Eliza Joy is a rising senior at Arizona State University and is double-majoring in psychology and neuroscience. At ASU, Eliza works as a student success coach and is a member of the Medallion Scholarship Program, which emphasizes leadership, scholarship, and community service on campus. She is passionate about working with children and adolescents. This passion began when she worked at a Native American youth rehabilitation center and special education classroom. Eliza also taught swim and dive lessons and volunteered at Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels. After graduating from ASU, Eliza plans to pursue a doctorate in school psychology and further specialize in neuropsychology with a focus on children and adolescents. Eliza is excited to be a part of the ATSA team as she continues to explore her interests in the assessment and treatment of childhood anxiety disorders, phobias, and OCD. She is very grateful to be a part of this opportunity, to support the children and their families, as well as to help the children find their BRAVE at Adventure Camp.

Yaerin Wallenberger is a rising junior at Bowdoin College and is double-majoring in Psychology and Education, with a minor in Chinese language. At Bowdoin, Yaerin has sung in the Chorus and the Chamber Choir, led an Alternative Spring Break trip to New York City focusing on educational equity, and conducted a Chinese language-based independent study on attitudes toward mental health in China. Yaerin’s long-standing passion for the field of clinical psychology, as well as a specific interest in learning more about selective mutism and co-occurring anxiety conditions, led her to enthusiastically pursue the opportunities that ATSA provides through its undergraduate summer internship. As someone who grew up immersed in a multicultural environment, Yaerin is interested in engaging with research in cross-cultural psychology. Next semester, she will begin a research project on neurodivergent traits and mental health outcomes, which she hopes to extend into her semester abroad in Denmark in spring of 2024. Upon completing her undergraduate degree, Yaerin plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, and engage in a combination of culturally-aware research, clinical, and advocacy work. She is excited to learn about the day-to-day experience of working at a clinical practice, serve as a confederate in therapy sessions, and to get to know the diverse group of AC campers (many of whom come from multicultural and multilingual backgrounds like hers)!

Charis Chen is a Malaysian international student and rising senior at Cedarville University, where she is pursuing a major in psychology with concentrations in comprehensive counseling and child & family studies, as well as minors in honors interdisciplinary studies, biblical studies, and international business. Her research interests include grief, trauma, neuroscience, communication, expressive/generative writing interventions, and cross-cultural psychology. Last year, she worked as a Teaching Assistant in a social psychology class and led an independent study research project on bereavement grief in college students. This project was presented at two conferences and an undergraduate research symposium. She hopes to provide accessible, affordable, and culturally sensitive care to underserved populations, and is eager to gain clinical experience at ATSA this summer. Charis’ passion for stories, culture, and human connection shines through her campus involvement as executive secretary of the Multicultural International Student Organization and member of the Student Diversity Council, MuKappa (organization for individuals who have lived outside their home country/culture), Chinese Club, University Orchestra, Psi Kappa Theta psychology org, and various mentoring programs. She also works at Cedarville’s Career Services office, Campus Store, Academic Enrichment Center, and International Student Services office to connect with students and equip them with resources to succeed. Charis has worked with children and teens in various countries for over 7 years in classrooms, camps, and communications coaching, and loves helping people grow in different ways. She can’t wait to learn more from the clinicians at ATSA and have fun with the children at Adventure Camp!

Julia DeLuca is a rising junior at Bowdoin College and is majoring in psychology and education. Julia’s passion for psychology and helping others has been ever present. In high school, she volunteered at Norwalk Grassroots Tennis where she helped to teach youth the game of tennis as well as teaching them invaluable life skills. At Bowdoin College, Julia is on the Varsity Women's Tennis Team. On Fridays, her team visits a local middle school where they teach English Learning Students how to play tennis and help them with their academics. During her sophomore year of college, Julia volunteered at Strong Girls United where she was a mentor to a fifth grade girl. As a mentor, she imparted both the physical fitness and mental skills necessary to thrive as both a student and an athlete. Currently, Julia volunteers as a Crisis Counselor and assists people in crisis move from a hot moment to a cool, calm state. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school and pursue a degree in either clinical or developmental psychology. Her long term goals include doing developmental research on Theory of Mind and becoming a clinical therapist. She hopes to open her own practice one day! Julia is thrilled to have the opportunity to intern at ATSA this summer and learn from Dr. Lynas and the ATSA staff. She is excited to learn more about Selective Mutism and how to best support the children and families at Adventure Camp.

Artemiy Leonov is a rising senior at Clark University in Massachusetts and is majoring in psychology. Artemiy is actively involved in academic research and has demonstrated a strong sense of agency and determination, not only developing two independent research projects as an undergrad, but also receiving grant and fellowship funding through Clark University to support his research. It is no surprise that Artemiy’s research interests fall in the broad domain of self determination and anxiety. His inquisitive mind is constantly formulating potential research questions, and he is determined to answer them. Currently, his interests focus on motivation, self-regulation, and mechanisms of therapeutic change. He has completed two self-directed mixed-method studies: one of self-regulation strategies that video-gamers rely on to avoid procrastination, and another one of habit development in people that wish to regularly complete meditative practices. In addition, Artemiy lives the “Use Your Brave” motto by reaching out to other researchers, for example making connections with researchers in Germany and China. His strong determination to collaborate with others led to a recent neuroscience publication. Currently, Artemiy is preparing for completing his honors thesis, in which he will explore emotions from the standpoint of narrative discourse, attempting to explain the paradoxical malleability of the affect . After graduation, Artemiy plans to pursue a Ph.D in either clinical or personality psychology in order to continue his research of emotion regulation and change. One of the reasons Artemiy is excited to serve as an intern at ATSA is due to his interest in each child’s story of resilience. He is eager to assist them in developing the belief in their agency to control and reshape anxiety, and looks forward to seeing their narratives transform during Adventure Camp!