Stephanie Ardagh, LCSW, joined NorthStar Counseling Group in the summer of 2018. She brings with her 10 years of clinical experience treating children 3-18 years of age. After receiving her Bachelors in Social Work at Loyola University Chicago, Stephanie went on to Aurora University where she earned her Masters in Social Work and her Type 73 School Social Work Certification.

Stephanie began her career providing school social work services to staff, students, and families in the Deerfield and Northbrook elementary and high school systems. Stephanie also has experience working in early childhood 0-3 programs within the public school setting.
Stephanie’s work experience lends itself seamlessly to her gifted work in the treatment of children, adolescence and families.

Stephanie utilizes a variety of interventions to treat the presenting problems of childhood and adolescence. She is experienced in addressing issues of: self esteem, self injury, body image, school refusal, adjustment to divorce and loss, social skills, and significant behavior disorders.
Additionally, Stephanie works with mood disorders, Autism spectrum disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, and crisis management. Stephanie helps her clients to develop the language necessary to talk about what is troubling them.

Stephanie is experienced in running groups for children that include social skills, social thinking, and mood regulation. She is an expert at helping kids develop strategies to reduce anxiety and improve their relationships both at home and at school. She understands life transitions and is
sensitive to the impact they have on children. Stephanie sees parents as a valuable resource and ally when working with children.

Stephanie is able to teach coping and problem solving skills that empower those she works with to improve their quality of life and functioning within school, social, and family relationships. Stephanie has School Social Work experience and can also help navigate the often challenging experience of working with schools on IEP development, school refusal and behavioral interventions. Stephanie works well with parents and other providers, including school personnel, to get to know her client and their unique needs. Stephanie tailors each therapy to the needs of the individual client and has a wonderful ability to connect with those she serves. Her passion for what she does professionally and her commitment to providing thoughtful high quality treatment are obvious to all that her meet her.

Deanna Booth, MS, LCPC hails from the beautiful state of Vermont where she received her BA in psychology and her MS in counseling from the University of Vermont.

Her early work included agency work with a population of people being deinstitutionalized from mental health facilities. She focused on the client’s needs to learn basic life skills and re-learn the skills of self direction, self-regulation to live independently.

Deanna was deeply impacted by this work. It motivated her to pursue her masters. She entered her graduate studies focused on early intervention. Her driving force was the belief that if people were taught basic life skills earlier in life, it would maximize their enjoyment in the world. Specifically, their enjoyment in their families themselves and their communities.

After receiving her masters in counseling Deanna earned her license to practice psychotherapy. She began her practice as a contracted therapist in a pre-K to eighth grade school setting. There she worked with staff, parents, children, and affiliated agencies within the communities served. It was in this role Deanna learned one of her most important lessons as a therapist, “there is no problem that is too big, or overwhelming to solve. With skills, focus, intent, individualized approaches and collaboration, virtually any limiting issue in a person’s life can be positively impacted.”

Deanna continues to uphold this belief as a defining force in her practice. She believes the most powerful piece of the therapist/client collaboration is the belief that change is not only possible, but probable and attainable.

Deanna describes her approach as a “roll up our sleeves and tackle this together” exercise. She and her clients assess behavioral and thought patterns, unpack them and break them down into manageable components. Prioritizing areas of necessary change and growth.

It is essential to make a collaborative strategic plan with each client and to define measurable goals. This way Deanna says she and her clients can identify what’s going well and reconfigure what is not.

Deanna’s special interests include working with school aged and teenaged children, parenting concerns and solutions, blended family issues, managing divorce and family dynamics generally. Individual and couples work is an interest and strength. Deanna has extensive training and experience in areas including but not limited to: Anxiety, depression, body image, couples issues, life stress management, parent coaching, behavioral planning for kids and families, trauma informed work and grief and loss.

For Deanna, this profession is not a job, but rather a vocation.

Shenandoah Cardwell MA, NCC ,LCPC is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC in Illinois and LPC in Wisconsin).  With over 30 years experience providing psychotherapy,  and counseling services.  Shenan brings incredible knowledge and rich experience to NorthStar Counseling Group.  Shenan earned both her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Western Michigan University.  She has also obtained her Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) credential.

Shenan offers traditional and general counseling services with a solution focused and cognitive behavioral (CBT) approach that comes from a place of warmth, respect and understanding for where the client is at, and yet a directness in support of movement and progress.  Shenan provides Individual, Couples, and Family Counseling services across the lifespan.  She honors diversity and views herself as eclectic enough to be willing to pull in techniques from across various styles of therapy in order to meet the needs of the client.  Shenan’s trauma specialty influences her therapeutic approach across all of the clients she works with , including an emphasis on strength centered and problem solving techniques, healthy boundaries, personal responsibility, and healing to thriving.

Shenan has extensive experience working with law enforcement and legal communities, child protective services and the courts.  Her expertise allowed her to expand her services in the areas of therapy and advocacy for Victims and Survivors of sexual abuse.  Shenan also founded and has facilitated the Family Members of Sex Offenders Group. Shenan’s practice areas also include the privilege of providing counseling services to Intellectually and Developmentally Delayed adults, and her personal and family association with members of the fire service, law enforcement, and the military, has led her to offer, with a  strong sense of honor, counseling services to First Responders and members of the Military. Shenan provides clinical consultation to an Early HEad Start Birth to 3 program and offers trainings to community and professional groups in the areas of mental health and wellness.

Stephy started her career as a Clinical Social Worker working in community mental health. In this setting she provided individual, family and group therapy. She also worked with survivors of sexual abuse, and evaluated and treated clients ages 3 to adult. Stephy actively volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in Lake County. Her commitment to bettering the lives of those she interacts with is evident in her gentle and compassionate disposition, as well as her ability to connect authentically.

Stephy comes to NorthStar Counseling Group with significant experience supporting mothers of premature and high risk infants and pregnancies. She held the position of president for the Infant Special Care Parent to Parent support program at Evanston hospital for 15 years. In this capacity, Stephy was in charge of developing, training and supporting volunteers, writing and distributing the newsletter, making floor visits, and connecting new parents with volunteers. She also secured relevant speakers and created a resource book that was then distributed to all ISCU families. Stephy shared her expertise by sitting on the board of the National Perinatal Association where she was awarded the NPA Becky Hatfield Family support Award. In addition, she worked as the Twin to Twin transfusion coordinator for the Twin to Twin Transfusion Foundation.

Stephy is curious and engaging. She recognizes the uniqueness of every client she works with and values the opportunity to find meaning and understanding within the therapy setting. Her style is collaborative and insight oriented. Her goal as a therapist is to find out what is causing discomfort, stress or anxiety within those she serves and to help alleviate symptoms via both talk therapy and cognitive behavioral techniques.

Cara Stronsky, LPC brings a wealth of experience and a diverse background to her role at NorthStar Counseling Group. She began her career as a high school Spanish teacher, where she honed her ability to engage and connect with students, understanding early on the significance of building relationships to foster student success. This passion for supporting students led Cara to pursue a Master’s in Counseling, eventually taking on a role as a high school counselor. In this position, she worked closely with adolescents, helping them navigate the challenges they faced, and also provided guidance to parents and community members, becoming a trusted figure in the school environment.

Cara’s colleagues recognized her as a natural leader, a dependable team player, and a compassionate, enthusiastic presence within the school community. After her time in education, Cara transitioned to private practice, where she expanded her expertise to include adults as primary clients, further broadening her skill set.

In her therapy practice, Cara uses techniques such as motivational interviewing and internal family systems, fostering a collaborative and introspective approach to therapy. She is dedicated to listening closely to her clients’ thoughts, feelings, and needs. Cara offers guidance, insight, and education to clients while respecting their perspectives and goals throughout the therapeutic process. Cara works with individuals from adolescents to adults and families dealing with a variety of issues including but not limited to; depression, anxiety, transitions, recovery, divorce, gender, aging, sexuality, and parenting. Her extensive knowledge of the school system also allows her to guide and support parents as they navigate the educational landscape for the benefit of their children.

Committed to lifelong learning and professional growth, Cara utilizes consultation and continuing education to further develop as a therapist. She remains passionate about being part of a community of clinicians and lifelong learners.