Therapy is important

Find the right therapist to be your guide

Our professionals are highly accomplished psychologists and counselors who recognize that each person is a valuable, unique individual in need of support. An array of clinical services is offered to adults, adolescents and children.

Maria E. J. Kuhn

CREDENTIALS: MA, MS, NCC, FAPA, LCPC
CORE SKILLS: Working with children, adolescents and adults; individual and family therapy
PHONE: 630 879 1091
EMAIL: mkuhn@kuhncounselingcenter.com
LOCATIONS: Batavia and Naperville

EXPERIENCE

I have established two multi-faceted counseling centers in Naperville and Batavia and bring over 35 years of clinical experience working with individuals, families, couples and children. I am a Nationally Certified Counselor, a Fellow in the American Psychotherapy Association, as well as an Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. I also act as a consultant to numerous schools and courts in Illinois.

I serve as a health and psychosocial counselor and as an educational advisor. I’m very passionate about training and educating multi-disciplinary professionals to work together using an integrated health-care team model, combining care for physical and psychological conditions to treat the whole person. I believe the counseling process should incorporate all areas of a person’s life and work together to overcome life’s obstacles.

AREAS OF FOCUS

  • Depression & Anxiety
  • Family Conflict
  • Problematic Behaviors
  • Couples and Marriage Counseling
  • ADHD
  • Chronic Illness or Medical Concerns
  • Learning Difficulties
  • Parenting Strategies
  • Adoption & Family of Origin

Jenni Watgen

CREDENTIALS: MA, NCC, LCPC
CORE SKILLS: Working with children, adolescents and adults; individual and family therapy
PHONE: 630 879 1091
EMAIL: jwatgen@kuhncounselingcenter.com
LOCATIONS: Batavia and Naperville

EXPERIENCE

Growing up, I usually was the one out of my group of friends who tried to listen and help others with their problems.  As I got older, I was a part of the conflict resolution team and helped classmates work out their problems at school.  Being a helper brought me happiness and joy, although it was not always easy and not everyone always agreed or made up.  Those experiences as well as my own personal ups and downs molded me into wanting to be a helper for others throughout life.

I’ve happily been working within the field for over 10 years. I received a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice at Aurora University and went on to obtain my Masters Degree in Forensic Psychology at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.  Though I originally wanted to work within a criminal justice field, after a counseling internship working with child and adolescent survivors of sexual assault and abuse, I realized counseling in a clinical setting was the way to go.  Since graduating, I became a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois and also am a National Certified Counselor.  When working with clients, I use a variety of expressive therapies such as art, play, music and sandtray therapy techniques which can be useful when other talk therapies may not be ideal.  Collaboration with families, schools, psychiatrists, hospital staff and others remain a priority in cases where an integrated approach and support system is needed.

CONSULTATION

I also work as a Mental Health Consultant for the Two Rivers Head Start program in their 3 centers where I provide behavioral assessments for children ages 3-5, consult with teachers and staff and assist them with developing behavior plans and intervention strategies. Additionally, I provide training to staff on behavioral health issues impacting children and families.

AREAS OF FOCUS

  • Depression & Anxiety
  • Managing Stress
  • Sexual Violence/abuse
  • Anger Management
  • Self-Harming Behaviors
  • Obsessive Thoughts
  • High Functioning Autism
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Behavioral Concerns

Aubrey Benton

CREDENTIALS: MSW, LCSW
CORE SKILLS: Working with children, adolescents, and adults. Primarily working with individuals, some family work
PHONE: 630 879 1091
EMAIL: abenton@kuhncounselingcenter.com
LOCATIONS: Batavia and Telehealth

EXPERIENCE

My social work education and experiences in the field have taught me the importance of meeting a client’s varying and individual needs. It is extremely helpful to use a client’s personal interests to support them on their therapeutic journey. I encourage my clients to be candid so that I can tailor the therapy to better serve them. I love working with clients and helping them achieve their goals and get the most out of therapy.

I received my Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) from Aurora University with a specialization in Clinical Social Work. I completed my clinical internship at Kuhn Counseling Center, P.C. I have since become a Licensed Social Worker in the state of Illinois, happily working at Kuhn Counseling Center, P.C. as a therapist for individuals and families with a wide variety of needs outlined below. I have previous experience within the child welfare field providing supervised visitation for families. I currently provide Supervised Visitation as well as Therapeutic Supervised Visitation at Kuhn Counseling Center, P.C. Additionally, I have experience working with individuals with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

AREAS OF FOCUS

  • Depression & Anxiety
  • Social Skills
  • Autism
  • Anger Management
  • Behavioral Concerns
  • Supervised/Therapeutic Visitation
  • Organization & Time Management
  • Familial/Parental Skills & Education
  • Disabilities – Developmental, Physical, Mental, Learning, etc.

Jessica Livingston

CREDENTIALS: LSW
CORE SKILLS: Working with children and adults
PHONE: 630 879 1091
EMAIL: jlivingston@kuhncounselingcenter.com
LOCATIONS: Batavia and Naperville

EXPERIENCE

I graduated in May 2020 with a Bachelors in Social Work from the University of Missouri. During my time in Missouri, I volunteered at the United Cerebral Palsy Development Center where I worked with children with developmental delays and at City of Refuge as an assistant to the program coordinator creating new programs for refugees in our community. As a student, I facilitated a 6-week program for parents called the Nurturing Program with the goal of helping parents understand their own emotions and create coping mechanisms to help them understand their children’s emotions and behaviors. I interned at Common Ground, a homelessness prevention agency, located in Jefferson City, Missouri. At Common Ground, I met with clients to assess and prioritize their needs and connect them with agencies to meet the needs Common Ground could not address. Once my internship ended, I stayed on staff as the Benevolence Coordinator until the start of my graduate program. Today, I am attending Aurora University to pursue a Masters in Social Work.

AREAS OF FOCUS

  • Depression & Anxiety
  • Trauma
  • Neurodiversity
  • Behavioral Concerns
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

James Sanders

CREDENTIALS: MSW, LSW
CORE SKILLS: Working with children, adolescents, adults, individual and family therapy
PHONE: 630 879 1091
EMAIL: jsanders@kuhncounselingcenter.com
LOCATIONS: Batavia and Telehealth

EXPERIENCE

“Helping others has always been very rewarding and offered much knowledge and reflection.”  These experiences led James Sanders to pursue a master’s degree in Social Work which he received in 2022.  James had a focus on gerontology and healthcare but his experiences in the field have afforded him many interactions with people of various ages.  He has experience with bereavement and with people suffering various types of loss.  James works currently in hospital case management in which he deals with various different members of families and actual patients that are experiencing varying different degrees of hardship.  James has experience in telehealth but prefers to meet in person when able.

JOHN G. DEWINSKI

CREDENTIALS: LPC
CORE SKILLS: Working with adolescents, adults, or elders. Primarily working with individuals, open to couples and family work.
PHONE: 630 879 1091
EMAIL: jdewinski@kuhncounselingcenter.com
LOCATIONS: Batavia, Naperville and Telehealth

EXPERIENCE

In my life, I have always been a person among my peers that people could go to if they wanted to be heard, or wanted insight into the problems they faced.  At the same time, I have also been someone who has needed help, and one who took a long time to focus on my own needs to change.  Having seen both sides of this dynamic, I have found that nothing makes me happier than forming connections with people who are in need of help, and who are seeking to make changes to themselves.  I want to help others the way that I have been helped, and I want to do so while attending to the specific needs of each client.

I received my Bachelor of Science in psychology at Northern Illinois University, and my Master of Science in Clinical Psychology at Benedictine University.  During my time at Benedictine, I interned at Central DuPage Hospital’s intensive outpatient program for adolescents.  After graduation, I began work in the supportive living department of the Association for Individual Development (AID), before becoming a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Illinois.  I then spent two more years at AID in the behavioral health outpatient department, giving individual therapy and facilitating therapy groups in mindfulness and meditation.  I now work with Kuhn Counseling Center as a therapist for individuals, couples, and families, providing support for a wide range of needs partially outlined below.  I currently provide Supervised Visitation as well as Therapeutic Supervised Visitation at Kuhn Counseling Center.  My specialization is in philosophical and existential therapies, seeking to assist clients with treatment-resistant depression centered around existential dread and difficulty finding meaning in day-to-day life.

AREAS OF FOCUS

  • Depression & Anxiety

  • ADHD

  • Bipolar Disorder

  • Social Skills

  • Stress Management

  • Anger Management

  • Behavioral Concerns

  • Existential Concerns
  • Self-Harming Behaviors
  • Supervised/Therapeutic Visitation

  • Familial/Parental Skills & Education

  • Disabilities – Developmental, Physical, Mental, Learning, etc.

OLABISI IRANLOYE

CREDENTIALS: DCC, MA, MHS, LPC
CORE SKILLS:Active listening, empathy, working with emotions, and working with with diverse populations
PHONE: 630 879 1091
EMAIL: oiranloye@kuhncounselingcenter.com
LOCATIONS: Batavia and Telehealth

EXPERIENCE

My clinical areas include but are not limited to anxiety, depression, relationship conflicts, and self-esteem issues. I am non-judgmental and empathetic, sensitive to my clients’ feelings, thoughts, and experiences. I encourage my clients to accept their past experiences and inspire hope about their future chances for improvements or changes. Having spent most of my young and teenage years outside the United States and completed many trainings, I am culturally competent and value diversity, and appreciates, understands, and values people of different cultures, religions, genders, and socioeconomic status,

I received my Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Psychology from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, IL; Master of Health Science (MHS) in Addictions Studies from Governors State University, University Park, IL; a Doctorate of Christian Counseling (DCC) from Colorado Theological Seminary, Florida; and a Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois and have worked in social services in different capacities for twenty-seven years. I have just completed a practicum and two internship terms and currently work part-time at Kuhn Counseling Center in Batavia, IL, and have gained many invaluable experiences. My experiences have prepared me to work with broader client populations.

AREAS OF FOCUS

  • Depression & Anxiety

  • Social Skills

  • Stress Management

  • Anger Management

  • Behavioral Concerns

  • Supervised/Therapeutic Visitation

  • Self-Esteem

  • Coping Skills

  • Disabilities – Developmental, Physical, Mental, Learning, etc.

Dr. Patrice Paul

PhD, CMIP

As a consultant to Kuhn Counseling Center, I assist the counseling team with the psychological, psychoeducational, and neuropsychological assessment needs of their clients. I also have extensive experience assisting with the educational planning process for students throughout all grade levels, including the transition to the many types of available post-secondary settings. It is also my privilege to assist with the education and training of future therapists in my role as adjunct faculty in the university setting.

Dr. Michael Downs

PhD, Clinical Supervisor

I have been providing clinical supervision services for the therapists of Kuhn Counseling Center for over 30 years. I have extensive experience in psychological testing and assessment, as well as working with adolescents and adults.