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Staff Listing
Katie McCarthy, LCPC, ATR-BC, CADC
Interim Executive Director
Katie is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Board Certified Registered Art Therapist and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor with experience providing with group, individual and family therapy.
As Haven’s Clinical Director, Katie provides clinical supervision and training to staff as well as counseling services to families and teens. Katie received her Masters of Counseling Psychology: Art Therapy in 2005 and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling in 2007 from the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago.
Since then, she has worked within the chemical dependency, domestic violence, eating disorder, community schools and homelessness areas of mental health. Katie also was adjunct faculty at the Adler School, teaching and advising art therapy students. Katie’s approach to therapy focuses on empowerment, mindfulness and building a sense of safety.
Catherine Melka, L.C.S.W.
High School Outreach Worker, Youth Board Leader & Clinician
Catherine is one of Haven’s High School Outreach Workers, offering informal counseling and support services to students at New Trier High School. Catherine also provides counseling to community families and teens. After receiving her BA in Psychology from Northwestern University, she worked at an alternative high school and a group home. Catherine joined Haven after completing her Masters in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Robin Metzler, L.S.W.
Middle School Outreach Worker & Clinician
Robin is one of Haven’s middle school outreach workers and the coordinator for the young adult board. As an outreach worker, Robin provides informal counseling and support services to middle school students at Sunset Ridge. Robin also provides counseling to teens and families in the community. After graduating from Marquette University with her Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology and Social Welfare and Justice, Robin moved to Chicago to pursue her Masters degree in Social Work at Loyola University. She joined the agency in 2011 after graduating from Loyola.
Contact Robin with any questions regarding Middle School Outreach
Naira Ejupovic, M.S.W.
High School Outreach Worker, Liaison to Erika’s Lighthouse & Clinician
Naira is one of Haven’s outreach workers, offering informal counseling and support services to students at New Trier High School. She is also the liaison to Erika’s Lighthouse and sees individuals and families in therapy. Naira received her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from University of Illinois at Chicago. She then completed her Master’s of Social Work degree at Jane Addams College of Social Work along with her Type 73 certification. During graduate school, she worked at Riverside Brookfield High School and at a therapeutic day school in Addison, IL.
Kelly Keane, L.S.W.
Junior High Outreach Worker & Clinician
Kelly is one of Haven’s Middle School Outreach Workers, providing informal counseling and support services to students at Wilmette Junior High. Kelly received her Bachelors of Science degree in Education from the University of Dayton. After graduating from UD, Kelly pursued her Masters in Social Work, specializing in schools, from Loyola University. Throughout her time at Loyola, she interned at Haven Youth and Family Services and Anne Sullivan Elementary School in Prospect Heights. Kelly also has a Type 73 certification.
Lori Barsztaitis, L.C.S.W.
Middle School Outreach Worker & Clinician
Lori is one of Haven’s Middle School Outreach Workers, providing informal counseling and support services to students at Carleton Washburne Middle School. She also facilitates “The Burne”, Washburne’s after school program where students can drop-in to hang out or receive help with homework. As a Clinician, Lori provides counseling services to teens and families in New Trier Township and also works to educate teens and community members about depression and suicide through her role at Erika’s Lighthouse. She received her BS in Social Work at Illinois State University and continued on there to earn her Masters in Social Work in 2004. Lori worked for several years in adult mental health before pursuing her Type 73 School Social Work Certificate at Loyola University in 2011, where she completed an externship at New Trier High School and worked as the Program Director for the Winnetka Youth Organization.
Beth Sackett
Intern
Beth is an intern at Haven, providing support services to students at Wilmette Junior High, as well as working with individuals and families in counseling. She received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology from Iowa State University. She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Social Work from University of Illinois at Chicago.
Melanie Gitchell
Intern
Melanie is the Haven outreach intern at Sunset Ridge School in Northfield and provides counseling services to area youth and families. In May of 2012, she received her Bachelor’s of Social Work degree from Illinois State University. During that time, she interned at Jackson Middle School in Villa Park. Melanie is currently enrolled in Loyola University Chicago’s Advanced Standing Social Work Program and will receive her Masters degree in Social Work specializing in Children and Families in May of 2013.
Sylvia Munoz
Intern
Sylvia is an intern at Haven, providing support services to students at Washburn Middle School. She also facilitates “The Burne,” Washburne’s after school program which is a safe space where students are welcome to drop in for help with homework or engage in other activities. Sylvia received her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago and is currently pursuing an AM in Social Work from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration.