Pivot Collaborative
a trauma informed group practice
Our Team
Dr. Alana Friedlander, PsyD
Fellow
My name is Dr. Alana Friedlander (she/her), and I am a clinical health psychologist specializing in sex therapy, chronic illness, and psychogastroenterology (brain-gut disorders). My approach is sex-positive, kink-affirming, and gender-affirming, and I am committed to creating a save, inclusive space for individuals and couples across the diverse spectrum of gender, sexuality, and relationships.
Alexa Frenn, LCSW
I’m Alexa Frenn (she/hers/her), a therapist at the Pivot Collaborative Practice. I hold a graduate degree from the University of Chicago: School of Social Service Administration and I am a licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I am trained in the Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC) Model and Contextual Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (C-DBT), both through a trauma informed lens.
Allison Tao
Intern
Allison (she/they) is an intern therapist who seeks to understand each client’s subjective reality and intersectional identities within a broader systemic context. Born and raised in China, Allison is fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese and also has basic communication skills in French. Rooted in her Asian heritage and queer identities, she continually reflects on the complexities of multiculturalism, minority experiences, and intergenerational trauma. She believes in the healing power of personal narratives, resilience, and equitable access to resources.
Amberlee Webster
Intern
Amberlee Webster, is receiving her master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at DePaul. She has previous experience in community mental health, and equity and accessibility of mental healthcare grounds her work in the field. Amberlee also has experience working with mood disorders, emotional dysregulation, navigating identity struggles, conflict in couples, and attachment styles.
Ameera P. Lys, LCSW
Ameera Lys (she/hers/her) is the clinical director at Pivot Collaborative. She has been working as a trauma informed therapist over 10 years. She is grounded, honest, compassionate and a well-rounded therapist. As an LGBTQ ally, she sees clients who are curious about their identity and gender. Her practice tends toward working with individuals with complex trauma, anxiety disorders and depression as well as adjustments to life changes.
Andrew Hazzard, LCSW
Andrew (he/him/his) is a licensed clinical social worker who uses his clinical experience to support children, adults, and families. Andrew uses his intuitive and thoughtful nature to support people in accomplishing their goals, increasing self awareness, and practicing new ways of being. He brings openness, curiosity, and intentionality to the work he does with people.
Becky Jenkins, LCSW
Becky (She/Her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in the relational treatment of trauma. Becky earned her master’s degree in clinical social work from Loyola University Chicago and is a graduate of Womencare Counseling and Training Center’s 2-year Postgraduate Fellowship program, where she developed her specialization in treating complex and developmental trauma.
Claudia Loza, LPC
Fellow
My work is informed by my own identities as a queer Latina, who is also bilingual (English/Spanish). I value exploring the intersection of identities and helping you build community. My goal is to encourage collaboration, so together, we can consider a holistic perspective of who you are and the experiences that have brought you here. This includes considering the impact various systems and spaces have on the identities you hold. You are the expert of your story and life, and this space is for you to be heard, seen, and supported. My approach includes working from a strengths-based and trauma-informed lens.
Devorah Silberstein, LCSW
A graduate of the Columbia University School of Social Work (New York City), I have more than 30 years-experience working as a therapist. I am committed to a collaborative approach to therapy, partnering with my clients to envision and create the change they desire.
Dinah Hudson, LCPC
I am a BIPOC, GNC licensed clinical counselor who holds a nationally certified counselor certificate. I have worked with individuals, groups, relationships, and families in a variety of settings within Chicago, gathering my clinical experience as a school counselor, community mental health therapist, and group private practice fellow and therapist.
Harvey Rose
Gross, LSW
Fellow
My practice focuses on working with complex trauma, anxiety and neurodivergence. I am passionate about working with children and adolescents who are struggling to find their place and realize their strengths inside the challenges of this world. Being queer, nonbinary and neurodivergent, I understand those who feel different and may need support and companionship as they shape their relationship with themselves and others.
Julie Key, LCSW
It can be difficult to ask for help in today’s society, and even more difficult to find the best fit in a therapist. As a trauma-informed biracial therapist, I strive to create a therapeutic environment that is safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental. My clinical background includes work with individuals managing co-occurring disorders, difficulties related to identity (e.g. racial, cultural, gender, spirituality), Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar, ADHD, Autism, Trauma, PTSD, and grief. I work with individuals and couples at any point in their lifespan, though my background has primarily focused on young adults and families.
Katie Richie, LCSW, CADC
Katie (she/they) is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Chicago. Katie believes it is her role to make therapy a safe, nonjudgmental, and affirming space where she can support her clients on their journey of self-discovery. Katie approaches the therapeutic relationship collaboratively, focusing on individual strengths, strengthening personal agency, and providing space for radical acceptance and empathy throughout treatment. Katie’s areas of specialty and clinical interests include adolescents, young adults and families, substance use, co-occurring disorders, anger and stress management, anxiety and depression, gender, sexuality, self-esteem, women’s issues, and trauma.
Kavita Khara, LCPC
As a clinician, my intentions and practices are to meet clients exactly where they are at the beginning of their journey with compassion and empathy. As we build our therapeutic relationship, in which you feel safe and supported, I hope to facilitate the change you would like to see in your life that promotes greater functioning and satisfaction. I strongly believe that each of my clients are an expert in themselves, and thus, I am optimistic that between both of our expertise, we can pinpoint the root of your struggles and collaborate on how you can move forward and thrive.
Linda Bartoli, LCSW
I am the founding director of our collective. I aimed to build a diverse group practice for people who are passionate and curious about other people. We are all trauma informed and come from diverse backgrounds. We believe that our client’s are experts in their own lives and have tried to create a group where identity and cultural understanding is top of mind.
As a queer therapist, I believe my style is interactive, direct, mindful and attune. I enjoy working with adults, children, couples and organizations.
Sumara Baig, LCSW
I am a bilingual – Spanish/English – licensed social worker working on my clinical license under supervision. You hold the answers that you are looking for – my role as your therapist is to work in partnership with you to bring those skills, capacities, and experiences to the forefront. My personal identities (i.e. Latinx, South Asian), along with my education in psychology, religion, and social work, inform my practice through an anti-oppression lens that is affirming of people on the LGBTQ+ spectrum, people of all racial identities, sizes, and religions, parenting and non-parenting people, diverse relationship structures, kinksters, people who have been incarcerated, and people who work(ed) in under-regulated economies (i.e. sex workers).
Taylor Nys, LCSW
I enjoy supporting folks navigating dissociation, shame, complex trauma, neurodivergence, plurality/multiplicity of self, and substance use. As a queer, trans, relational therapist, I am informed by lived experience and through more than 10 years working in case management, peer support, and community mental health. My approach is compassionate and grounded, integrating parts work, liberation and disability justice values, somatic practices, and harm reduction principles. Many of the people I work with identify as LGBTQ+, creatives, neurodivergent, helpers, and cycle breakers.
