Family Service Center 2007/2008 Professional Staff

The clinical staff at the Family Service Center is licensed, highly experienced and well-trained. In addition to their professional degrees, most staff have completed postgraduate training programs and participate in ongoing professional educational programs each year. 

Robert J. Noone, Ph.D Executive Director of The Family Service Center since 1984, Dr. Noone has been a practicing family therapist for over 30 years. He received postgraduate training in family therapy at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington D.C. He is the author of many articles on family therapy, and teaches this subject at the postgraduate and graduate school levels. Dr. Noone has been a presenter at numerous national seminars on issues pertaining to natural science and mental health issues. He is currently involved in a research project on families with stress.

Sally Barbour Branch, LCSW is a bi-lingual, bi-cultural psychotherapist who has been practicing since 1990, and has been with Family Service Center since 1993. Ms. Branch received her MSW from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York. Ms. Branch works extensively with Spanish-speaking families in the community with an emphasis in domestic violence, marital issues and individual counseling.

Maren Deaver, MSW joined our staff in 2005. Mrs. Deaver received her BS at Miami University, MSW at Loyola University Chicago, and MBA at Kellogg, Northwestern University. Mrs. Deaver specializes in family therapy working with individuals, and couples.

Wendy Dolin, LCSW received her BS at University of Illinois-Champaign, and her MSW at Loyola University-Chicago. Wendy as well works with families and couples with a special interest in eating disorders.

Adrienne Felder, MA, LCPC has been a psychotherapist since 1998 and with Family Service Center since 2003. Ms. Felder sees individuals and families, with an emphasis on adolescents and young adults. Ms. Felder received her BA at Washington University in St. Louis, and MA at Northwestern University.

Anita Gerber, LCSW, a psychotherapist since 1975, Ms. Gerber has been on the Family Service Center staff since 1986. Ms. Gerber has been a family therapist working with individuals, couples and families for more than 30 years. She received her M.S.S.W. from Univeristy of Wisconsin Madison and received her postgraduate training at Chicago Center for Family Health, an affiliate of University of Chicago. Ms. Gerber has worked extensively on family issues, recently focusing on domestic violence.

Jill Isselhard, ACSW has been a psychotherapist since 1969 and on the Family Service Center staff since 1987. Ms. Isselhard received her MSW University of Illinois-Chicago, and did her postgraduate work at the Chicago Institute. Ms. Isselhard specialize in adolescent issues.

Jay Karant, LCSW has worked as a psychotherapist since 1970 and with Family Service Center since 1985. Mr. Karant received his B.A. at Roosevelt University and M.S.S.A. at Case Western Reserve University School of Applied Social Sciences. Postgraduate training was at the Gestalt Institute & Family Institute. Having worked with adolescents in surburban high schools for 30 years, Mr. Karant is a certified school social work specialist and works extensively with adolescent adjustment problems.

Kathryn Lamermayer, LCSW has worked as a psychotherapist in the schools for seven years, and has been working as a therapist for 13 years. Ms. Lamermayer joined the Family Service Center staff in 2000 and works primarily with children and adolescent issues. Mrs. Lamermayer received her B.S. at Northern Illinois University and MSW at University of Illinois-Chicago. Mrs. Lamermayer did her postgraduate training at the institute of Juvenile Research.

Bev Shurman Lavitt, LCSW has been on the professional staff at Family Service Center since 1985. She has been a practicing family therapist, working with individuals, couples and families since 1976 when she received her MSW from Loyola Univeristy of Chicago. Bev received post-graduate training in the field of mediation in 1988 and works with families on conflict and divorce related issues. She also has extensive training in crisis response and concerns to domestic violence.

Beth Levine, JD, LCSW is an attorney and social worker and has been with Family Service Center since 2001. Ms. Levine works with couples and families specializing in family, marital, teens, and pre & post divorce. Ms. Levine is a graduate of the postgraduate program at the Chicago Center for Family Health at the University of Chicago, & Loyola University Sexual Dysfunction Clinic. Ms. Levine received her B.A. at University of Michigan, M.S.W. at Loyola University, & J.D. at Northwestern University.

Kelly Matthews-Pluta, LCSW has been a practicing psychotherapist since 1993 and has been on the Family Service Center staff since 2002, working with individuals, families, and couples. Ms. Matthews-Pluta is a graduate of the postgraduate program at The Center for Family Consultation. She received her B.A. in Social Work and Elementary Education at Mundelein College and received her M.S.W. at U.I.C. Jane Addams.

John Mazurek, LCSW has been a practicing psychotherapist sine 1976 and has been on the Family Service Center staff since 2004, working with individuals, seniors, and families on such topics as pain management, depression, anxiety, family systems and marital counseling. Mr. Mazurek attended Northern Illinois University to receive his B.A. and University of Illinois at Chicago Circle for his M.S.W.

Mary Lynn Meyers, MSW,LSW joined the Family Service Center in 2007. Ms. Meyers has a special interest in adolescence, young adult, and GLBT issues as well as stress management and substance abuse. Ms. Meyers co-founded EBH Parent Groups in 1998, a psycho-educational and support group program for parents in the New Trier Community. Ms. Meyers was a volunteer and board members at LINKS - North Shore Youth Health Service for twelve years and one of the original planners for the New Trier Township Prevention Counsil.

Ewa Nevler, LCSW has been a practicing psychotherapist with Family Service Center since 2001. Ms. Nevler sees individuals and families and is fluent in Polish. Mrs. Nevler graduated at Yagiellonian University mastered in psychology in Cracow, Poland. Mrs. Nevler also graduated at Loyola University-Chicago with a master of Social Work.

Gloria Passalacqua, MA, LCPC is a bi-lingual, bi-cultural psychotherapist who has been practicing since 1977 and has been with Family Service Center since 2006. Ms. Passalacqua specializes in family and group therapy with such topics as depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Sydney Reed, LCSW received her B.A. from Oberlin College and her M.S.W. from U.I.C. in 1975. She has been on the Family Service Center staff since 1977. Ms. Reed received her postgraduate training in family systems theory at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. and is on the faculty of the Center for Family Consultation.

Laurie Roston, LCSW has been a psychotherapist since 1975 and at Family Service Center since 1988. Ms. Roston received her B.A. at Ohio University & M.A. at The University of Chicago – School of Social Service Administration. Roston did her postgraduate training on Bowen theory. Ms. Roston sees individuals, families and couples specializing in marital & family therapy.

William Schleicher, LCSW, CADC has been a psychotherapist since 1970 and on the Family Service Center staff since 2002. Ms. Schleicher is a certified alcohol and drug abuse counselor who also has expertise in workplace issues. Schleicher received his B.A. at Miami University and M.S.S.A. (M.S.W.) at Case University.

Susanne Swisher, Ph.D. received her doctorate in psychology from the University of Vienna, Austria in addition to training at the Tavistock Clinic, London. She received her postgraduate training in family therapy at the Family Institute at Northwestern University. She has worked with families at Family Service Center since 1990 with an emphasis on marital issues and abusive situations. Other issues Ms. Swisher specializes in are life cycle issues.

Mary Walther, LCSW a family therapist since 1985 has been with Family Service Center since 2000. Mary has experience working with families and couples. Having had extensive training in play therapy techniques, she enjoys working with young children and their parents on a wide range of issues that support a nurturing childhood and a safe environment. She also has experience in working on domestic violence and the prevention of child abuse as well as with adult survivors of sexual abuse. Ms. Walther received her B.A. in Elementary Education at University of Colorado, and M.S.W. at Wayne State University. Walther did her postgraduate training at Family Systems Program—Institute for Juvenile Research.