Meet The Outpatient Team

Audrey Grunst has been a provider in the mental health field since 2007, most known for her therapy skills in outpatient and intensive therapeutic programs. She opened Simply Bee in 2018 after spending 10 years in residential, group homes, intensive outpatient and partial hospital programs. Audrey has been able to connect treatment centers to community organizations and schools in order to provide the best continuation of care possible for her clients. Currently, Audrey spends a lot of her time presenting her Growth & Resiliency Model© to school districts and corporations across the country.

Audrey graduated from Loyola University Masters of Social Work Program in 2011 and developed programs for centers such as Lawrence Hall Youth Services, Eating Recovery Centers and Center for Contextual Change. Most recently, Audrey was awarded The Illinois Senate Award for her leadership in the Highland Park Fourth of July Shooting in 2022 for organizing over 600 therapists in a 5 day volunteer operation. Audrey combines her clinical knowledge and leadership skills to consult on several boards for mental health and safety in the Lake County, IL area and was recognized on Top 50 Women Leaders of Illinois for 2023.

Jennifer McAdams is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Supervisor with a Master's degree in Clinical Professional Psychology from Roosevelt University. With over 15 years of experience in the mental health field, Jennifer is passionate about working with adolescents and adults, as well as supporting parents through coaching and guidance during times of transition and struggle. 

Jennifer has extensive expertise as a clinician and clinical director, developing programs and leading teams across residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient care settings. She is also an accomplished speaker, having presented nationally on topics such as Eating Disorders, Adolescent Mood and Anxiety, Parent Coaching, AI and Eating Disorders, and Clinician & Caregiver Burnout. 

Her approach to client care is holistic and collaborative, helping individuals identify their values and goals while guiding them toward living a fulfilling, meaningful life. Jennifer emphasizes meeting clients where they are, providing both gentle and direct challenges to foster growth. She incorporates evidence-based practices, including DBT, ACT, CBT, ERP, and EFFT, into her work. 

Outside of her professional endeavors, Jennifer is known for her quick wit, "dad jokes," and love of music. She also enjoys spoiling her beloved dogs and cat. 

Treatment modalities include: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), and Family Based Therapy (FBT).

Margaux is a compassionate, kind and insightful licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience. She provides individual and family therapy to children, adolescents, young adults and adults. Before joining Simply Bee, Margaux gained valuable experience working in private practice and on the inpatient units and the emergency rooms of local hospitals. Margaux has helped and supported many clients and their families adjust to a new diagnosis, illness or life event, deal with grief or loss, and worked with the interdisciplinary team to determine the proper and ideal level of care for her clients.

Margaux starts where is the client is at and provides client-centered care to assist them to get to the place they want to be. She works with her clients to create manageable and obtainable goals with the ultimate hope of providing her clients with a sense of calm and control.

Treatment Modalities Include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Mindfulness, Solutions-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Trauma-Informed Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Art Therapy, Humanistic Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), Play Assisted Therapy

Kate Kelley earned her Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 2011. She previously worked at a non-profit community center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin serving LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-24 as well as in an elementary school in Madison, Wisconsin as she trained to become a school social worker.

Prior to joining Simply Bee in 2019, Kate worked in the promotional product sales field as a Director of Strategic Accounts. In that position, she focused on leadership, relationship building and gained a lot of insight into the operational side of running a business. Those lessons combined with her foundational understanding of the importance in networking and mental health advocacy are what led her to join the Simply Bee team as the Manager of Community Education. Kate is excited to help expand the footprint of Simply Bee while working to serve the community. It is her goal to partner with businesses, healthcare professionals and schools to work together in mental health awareness and education.

Feel free to reach out to Kate anytime at [email protected] if you would like to discuss our referral network program or schedule an upcoming workshop, speaking engagement or partnership opportunity with the Simply Bee team.

Cindy is a senior business development, strategy and operations leader specializing in higher levels of care for behavioral health. With direct experience launching and overseeing intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs, Cindy has also served as a senior leader for providers in residential and inpatient levels of care in Illinois, Washington and Colorado.

Bringing 13 years of management experience serving patients with eating, mood and anxiety disorders specifically, she also provided business development services for a substance abuse recovery provider in Chicago. Prior to beginning her mental health career as Practice Manager for the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern, Cindy was a consultant to growing ventures in a variety of industries, helping more than 100 companies replicate and grow their businesses throughout the country. Cindy earned her MBA from the JL Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a BSB from the University of Minnesota.

Matthew is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who earned his Master’s degree in social work from Northeastern Illinois University. He enjoys working with clients of various ages and backgrounds. Specifically, he has experience working with clients from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Matthew has experience providing therapy to children, early adolescents, and teens within the Chicago Public School System. Additionally, he has experience in higher levels of care and criminal justice settings with client populations from adolescents through older adults providing social work services.

Throughout his clinical career, he has experience providing group therapy to adults who struggle with mood disorders and has facilitated men's support groups. He has worked with clients who identify as struggling with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, anger issues, low motivation, behavioral issues, and cultural struggles. Matthew is focused on developing a positive and effective relationship with all clients and empowering them to develop personal resiliency.

Treatment modalities include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Positive Psychology, and Mindfulness.

Tara is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received an undergraduate degree from Northern Illinois University and a Master's in Social Work from University of Illinois at Chicago. Tara enjoys helping children, adolescents, and adults with various challenges such as mood disorders, reactive attachment disorder, oppositional defiance, parenting challenges, social skills, anger management, ADHD, substance use, and everyday life stressors. By providing a genuine atmosphere of warmth and acceptance, Tara helps individuals feel empowered to tackle the challenges in their lives. She has 9 years of experience helping individuals in residential and outpatient settings. Tara uses an integrative approach based on client needs.

Treatment modalities include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered, Play Therapy, Insight Therapy, and Gestalt Therapy

Brittany is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and earned her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh.

Brittany enjoys working with clients from a variety of ages and backgrounds. She has been working in the mental health field with children, adolescents and families since 2014. Brittany works with clients who need support managing anxiety, depression, body-image concerns, eating disorders, parenting concerns and life transitions. She collaborates with clients to create a compassionate and hopeful space for learning and personal growth. Brittany strives to balance the use of clinical interventions with relationship building to help clients reach their goals.

Treatment modalities include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Positive Psychology and Trauma-Informed practices.

Damari is a compassionate and dedicated clinician with a Master’s Degree in Counseling from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. She has experience in a variety of treatment settings, including therapeutic day schools, higher levels of care working with individuals with eating disorders, and outpatient care supporting adults as they navigate the messiness of life.

From the sunny beaches of Puerto Rico to the unpredictable weather of the Midwest, Damari has remained passionate about working with adolescents and adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, mental health trauma, school refusal, school anxiety, and eating disorders. She utilizes DBT, CBT, play therapy, and ACT approaches to individualize each client’s treatment needs. She is bilingual in Spanish and English and welcomes working with individuals and families who are Spanish speaking.

Treatment modalities include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Play Therapy

Emily Plesnicar is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Roosevelt University. She is passionate about supporting clients across the lifespan, with a special focus on children and adolescents facing challenges such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), anxiety, ADHD, depression, school refusal, and family conflict.

Emily brings over five years of experience in the mental health field, working in both individual and group therapy sessions. Her clinical background includes prior experiences as an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapist supporting individuals with ASD, as well as in a therapeutic school setting. Through these diverse experiences, she has developed a flexible, compassionate and collaborative approach tailored to meet the unique needs of each client on their therapeutic journey.

Emily is dedicated to helping her clients build resilience, improve self-awareness, and develop meaningful tools to manage life’s challenges—both individually and in relationships. She creates a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered to grow. Outside of therapy, Emily enjoys crafting, cuddling with her dog Oxford, and spending quality time with friends.

Treatment modalities include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Eclectic Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Mindfulness-Based Interventions

Justine is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who earned her Master of Social Work degree from Loyola University Chicago. She enjoys working with children, adolescents, young adults, and their families using individualized talk-based therapy and elements of play, art, and mindfulness.

Treatment Modalities Include: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Person-centered therapy, play therapy, Trauma-informed, mindfulness

Gina is a Licensed Professional Counselor who earned her Master’s in Clinical Professional Psychology from Roosevelt University. Throughout her time in the field she has had a passion for working with children, adolescents, and young adults, in addition to collaborating with families to prioritize their loved one’s goals, care, and assisting with coaching and transitions in care and systems.

Gina has expertise as a clinician in residential care, community based mental health, and inpatient settings, as well as has actively worked with DCFS/youth in care and high-risk cases. Gina has served as a lead clinician, program developer, staff trainer, as well as educator on various treatment modalities that could be utilized with younger clients.

Gina works with clients holistically and incorporates an empathic, person-centered approach. Gina utilizes Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Person-Centered approaches to meet a client where they are currently at in their goals and life, as well as work towards identifying ways to challenge their comfort zone and promote personal growth, wellness, and skills building for everyday life. She is also known for her love of music and art, occasional cheesy jokes, and talking about her cat.

Katie is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) with a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Illinois Chicago and is working toward her LCSW. She takes a strengths-based, motivational approach and is passionate about supporting adolescents and young adults through strong therapeutic relationships.

Her experience spans residential, PHP, outpatient, and school settings. Katie brings compassion, challenge, and humor to her work, believing deeply in "therapeutic love." Outside of therapy, she enjoys hot yoga, sunshine, and walks with her dog, Boo.

Treatment Modalities: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Person-centered therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Keeva is a Licensed Social Worker and received her Master's degree in Social Work from Indiana University-Bloomington. She has experience in a variety of treatment settings including outpatient, intensive outpatient, hospital and inpatient. Keeva is well-versed in a wide variety of mental health treatments for children, adolescents, and adults. Additionally, she has successfully supported individuals facing challenges related to relationships, life changes, and self-discovery. Keeva has addressed mental health concerns related to depression, anxiety, mood disorders, self-harming behaviors, and behavioral dysregulation.

Treatment modalities include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Positive Psychology, and Mindfulness.

Kwamayne has a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from National Louis University. He brings over five years of clinical experience working across a spectrum of settings—from traditional outpatient to intensive outpatient (IOP), partial hospitalization (PHP), and inpatient.

He partners closely with individuals and families to help them clarify personal values, navigate life transitions, and cultivate more fulfilling, balanced lives. Kwamayne’s approach is collaborative, he meets clients where they are, offering both gentle support and honest challenge.

Laura is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over 15 years of experience.  Prior to earning her Masters of Clinical Psychology with a certification in Child and Family Therapy, she had a career working in the school systems, helping students and families navigate academic, social and familial challenges.  Laura has worked in a variety of clinical settings and levels of care with children, adolescents, and adults. Laura provides support for clients suffering from anxiety, depression, life transitions and those in need of parent coaching and family counseling.

Laura utilizes a strengths base approach to therapy, meeting the client where they are at with the hope of helping them meet their goals. She wants to empower clients to build their unique individual skill set and embrace life and take back control.

Treatment modalities: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, Client Centered Therapy

Lindsay graduated from Adler University in 2018 with a Masters in Counseling with a specialization in Forensic Psychology. She specializes in depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, different variations of traumatic stressors and is a trained EMDR therapist. Previously, Lindsay has worked as a substance use counselor, as well as a trauma counselor. She believes that therapy should be personalized and centered on the individual's needs and requirements. As such Lindsay attempts to incorporate techniques she believes will best suit the client in their journey towards their desired lifestyle. She enjoys using her creativity and passion to work with reluctant clients of various ages in therapy to allow for more open communication in sessions.

Treatment modalities include: Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Informed Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Narrative Therapy, and Positive Psychotherapy.

Megan graduated from Mount Mary University in Wisconsin, receiving a master's degree in art therapy. She has a passion for working alongside adolescents and adults. Since 2019 she has experience working with individuals with disabilities, autism, veterans, trauma, depression, anxiety, and self-esteem. Her approach is person-centered and collaborative through creative problem-solving, mindfulness, and a variety of expressive outlets. She values developing relationships with individuals by creating a safe space that is both empathetic and evolving.

Treatment modalities include: Art Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Mindfulness.

Michael is an extern therapist that completed his dual-masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Sport and Human Performance. Michael is currently working on his mental performance certification through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Michael has worked the past few years in mental performance with athletes and teams focusing on issues such as stress-management, confidence, perfectionism, and team dynamics. Michael's strengths include building a clinical relationship with his clients and fostering a safe and comfortable environment for his clients to open up and discover new perspectives about themselves.

Michael believes that each individual has a meaning and purpose for how they think, feel, and behave. By taking a holistic approach and meeting the client where they're at, he believes that the client can find their purpose and be able to make necessary changes to live a better, healthier life.

Treatment Modalities Include: CBT, ACT, Mindfulness, Reality Based and Solution Focused Therapy

Olivia is a Licensed Professional Counselor who earned her Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Iowa. She is also a Certified Nutrition Coach. Olivia enjoys working with children, adolescents, and young adults utilizing talk therapy and pieces of play therapy.

Olivia specializes in working with mood and anxiety disorders, eating and related disorders, depression, behavioral issues, and self-esteem. She has prior clinical experience working with children and teens at the inpatient hospitalization level of care and a school-based setting, as well as eating disorders in the inpatient and partial hospitalization level of care.Olivia emphasizes the importance of allowing space for clients to be their authentic selves while working from a collaborative approach to reach their full potential.

Treatment Modalities Include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Mindfulness.

Robin earned a Master's Degree of Arts in Education with a concentration in Clinical Counseling and Human Development. Robin has worked with adolescents, young adults, adults and seniors. She has provided care in various mental health and substance abuse settings, including clinics, hospitals, and a Human Trafficking organization. Throughout her career she has provided therapy to individuals, groups and families. 

Robin is a passionate therapist with extensive experience working with individuals that want to pursue personal change. She is a constant advocate for her clients working to help them develop coping mechanisms for dealing with challenges and improving relationships and interpersonal skills. Robin is dedicated to assisting her clients with developing a sense of autonomy and creating positive change through a person-centered approach.  She works to meet her client where they are at and focuses on exploring thoughts, feelings and their own self-awareness to help facilitate positive lifestyle changes.

Treatment Modalities Include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness

Stella is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and earned her Masters in Social Work at Loyola University of Chicago. Stella enjoys working with adolescents and young adults and their families as they navigate life transitions. Stella also works with difficult behavioral challenges including those created by Covid. She recognizes that anxiety can be an obstacle to clients of all ages feeling successful and wants to help clients learn how to manage life in a way that feels right to them.

Stella has a wealth of experience working with many treatment modalities and many different clinical presentations and is considered an expert in crisis management. She has spent her entire career working in and around the Chicago area.

Treatment Modalities Include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Crisis Management and Mindfulness.

Steven is a second-year student at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology completing a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. In the past few years, Steven has worked in the nonprofit space advocating for access to services for people with Substance Use Disorder.

Steven believes that emphasizing human dignity, personal autonomy, self-acceptance, and meeting people where they're at are essential for helping clients shine as their genuine and unique selves. Steven takes a holistic approach with clients to meet their unique needs and bolster their unique strengths and talents.

Anthony is a dedicated and compassionate healthcare professional with over 7 years of experience in critical care nursing, specializing in the ICU. Since 2018, he has practiced as a Critical Care Nurse, earning 5 Daisy Awards for his exceptional patient care and dedication to compassionate, high-quality nursing. Building on his extensive experience in acute care, Anthony transitioned to become a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). He holds a Master’s degree in Advanced Practice Nursing from Lewis University. His deep passion for mental health is rooted in a commitment to improving the lives of his patients, utilizing a holistic and collaborative approach to care.

Anthony prioritizes working closely with his patients to set clear goals and create personalized treatment plans. His ability to integrate his broad medical knowledge into mental health treatment allows him to offer a more comprehensive and effective care experience. With a focus on dedication, compassion, and patient-centered care, Anthony continues to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those he serves.

Outside of his professional work, Anthony is an avid traveler and has explored 22 states and visited 12 countries. Alongside his wife, Anthony fosters dogs and has rescued 44 dogs to date (more to come), providing them with loving homes and second chances. In his downtime, he enjoys cooking, watching soccer, and spending quality time with their playful Pitbull mix.

Christian is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and Adult Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP-C) with a strong commitment to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to his patients. He holds a Master's degree in Nursing Education from Chamberlain University (2014) and a Certificate of Advanced Studies as an Adult Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (2022) and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (2024), both from Lewis University. With 13 years of experience as a Registered Nurse, including 8 years at Northwestern Medicine, Christian has cultivated a deep passion for mental health care and a dedication to improving the well-being of his patients. In 2024, Christian was nominated for both the Northwestern Medicine Clinical Excellence Award and the Dr. Michael Shafer Award.

Christian's specialized training in Internal Medicine and Mental Health equips him with the knowledge and skills to deliver exceptional patient-centered care. His extensive clinical expertise allows him to address a wide range of medical and psychiatric concerns, ensuring that each patient receives personalized treatment tailored to their unique needs.

Outside of work, Christian leads an active lifestyle, enjoying activities such as running, swimming, and biking. As an 8x Ironman finisher and a seasoned athlete, he values the discipline and determination required to achieve his goals. Christian also has a passion for adventure, having swam from Alcatraz Island to San Francisco. In his leisure time, he cherishes moments spent with his wife, children, and adorable cats.

Mike has been practicing as a nurse practitioner since 2012. He is board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner as well as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. He earned his Master's in Science in Nursing from Northern Illinois University in 2012 for Family Practice, his doctorate in nursing practice from University of St. Francis in 2015 and his Certificate of Advanced Study as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from Lewis University in 2022.

Mike enjoys treating patients of all ages and is dedicated to building a positive rapport with his patients and their families. His goal is to develop therapeutic relationships that foster an environment of comfort and trust to allow for the healing process to begin.

Outside of the office, Mike loves spending time with his wife, three adult children, one granddaughter, and his 4 large dogs that fill out the rest of his family.

Shannon is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian who earned her Master’s degree in nutrition and wellness, with an emphasis in counseling, from Bradley University. She has experience working at the PHP/IOP and Outpatient level of care, treating adolescents and adults with eating disorders.

Shannon is Health at Every Size (HAES) informed and takes a weight neutral approach to nutrition therapy, utilizing the Intuitive Eating principles to assist individuals in healing their relationship with food and their body. Whether your goal is to learn how to manage a health condition through nutrition or heal your relationship with food, Shannon brings compassion and understanding to each session.

Dr. Bailey is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who earned her Master's and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago.

She specializes in working with children, adolescents and adults, performing comprehensive evaluations to provide diagnostic clarification for neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral disorders for concerns related to ADHD, Mood Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder evaluations, school risk assessments and school consultations.

Matthew is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who earned his Master’s degree in social work from Northeastern Illinois University. He enjoys working with clients of various ages and backgrounds. Specifically, he has experience working with clients from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Matthew has experience providing therapy to children, early adolescents, and teens within the Chicago Public School System. Additionally, he has experience in higher levels of care and criminal justice settings with client populations from adolescents through older adults providing social work services.

Throughout his clinical career, he has experience providing group therapy to adults who struggle with mood disorders and has facilitated men's support groups. He has worked with clients who identify as struggling with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, anger issues, low motivation, behavioral issues, and cultural struggles. Matthew is focused on developing a positive and effective relationship with all clients and empowering them to develop personal resiliency.

Treatment modalities include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Positive Psychology, and Mindfulness.

Juliya is a second-year student at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science completing a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. In the past few years, Juliya worked at the Veterans Association assisting with research on PTSD and trauma and as the executive officer at the Interpersonal Community Clinic at Rosalind Franklin where she developed a deep commitment to accessible, community-focused mental health care. 

Juliya is dedicated to building positive, collaborative relationships with her clients where she strives to create an environment where individuals feel safe to feel their genuine selves. Juliya's therapeutic approach centers on fostering growth, authenticity and helping clients reach their full potential.

Lainey is a second-year graduate student at Aurora University completing her Master's in Social Work. Before pursuing her MSW, Lainey was a music teacher at an elementary school and has experience working with children of all ages, from infants to high schoolers. Through her work as a teacher and a crisis specialist, Lainey has lots of experience cultivating a safe and welcoming environment to help people navigate the challenges of life in a thoughtful and gentle way.  

Lainey uses a person-centered, trauma-informed approach with clients and believes the therapeutic relationship is key for progress and effective intervention. Lainey is passionate about ensuring all people she works with feel known, valued, and empowered.

Ola is a second-year graduate student at National Louis University, pursuing a Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Ola has three years of mental health experience leading groups for children and adolescents with mood, anxiety and eating disorders. Having experience in higher levels of care, Ola has become attuned to internal and external signs of distress and how to manage safety concerns. 

Ola has a passion for helping youth populations overcome adversity and foster a growth mindset. She utilizes active listening, empathy, and validation into her everyday practice and prioritizes patient autonomy in treatment.

With over 15 years of experience in customer service and client relations, Faye brings a compassionate, detail-oriented approach to supporting clients. As Client Care Coordinator at Simply Bee, her goal is to ensure that each client feels valued and supported in every interaction. Driven by empathy and her passion for personal growth, Faye strives to create a positive impact for those around her.

Faye’s background in the restaurant and food service industry sharpened her skills in communication, multitasking, and customer engagement. In 2022, she transitioned into healthcare as a Patient Service Representative, driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference in the community. She is excited to continue her journey of helping others in new and impactful ways.

Outside of work, Faye enjoys baking, frequently experimenting with new recipes inspired by her cultural background, and is always open to learning new recipes.

Jenny earned her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2019. During her training, she provided individual and group therapy at a residential substance use recovery facility.

Before joining Simply Bee in 2025, Jenny spent a decade in the insurance industry as an Office Manager and Executive Assistant, building expertise in operations, leadership, and digital solutions. Her passion for mental health and commitment to efficient, compassionate care inspired her transition to Simply Bee, where she supports the mission of making mental health resources more accessible and impactful.

Outside of work, Jenny advocates for infertility and perinatal loss awareness. She enjoys spending time with her loved ones and pets and is always on the hunt for her next favorite book.

Patty received her B.A. in Psychology and Child and Family Studies in 2011 from Roosevelt University. She then received her M.A in Human Services in 2018 from Concordia University of Chicago.

Prior to joining Simply Bee's team in 2023, Patty worked as an Early Intervention Service Coordinator supporting children ages birth to three in receiving therapy through the Early Intervention program for over 10 years. There she focused on referrals, conducting intakes, coordinating evaluations/assessments and completing the child's plan of care. Fusing together her extensive knowledge and skills from working in the field, she is excited to make a difference at Simply Bee.

In Patty's spare time, she enjoys traveling as much as possible, weekend adventures, theater, trying new restaurants and spending time with her loved ones. She is thrilled to continue to grow and help promote Simply Bee's mission.

Tammy brings over 20 years of customer service experience to her role as Office Assistant. Before joining Simply Bee, she spent more than a decade in the insurance industry working as an office assistant for an insurance agent and later as an auto claims processor. She also has more than a decade in retail management experience.

Tammy is passionate about mental health awareness and is proud to be part of a team that shares her commitment to making a positive impact. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor events, walks with her pup, watching movies, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Dr. Tater Tots is Simply Bee's favorite office companion. She reminds us all to smile!