Pivot Collaborative
a collective focused on race, gender and inclusion
Our Team
Alexa Frenn, LCSW
Alexa (she/hers/her) is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), who completed her graduate degree at the University of Chicago: School of Social Service Administration. She provides a collaborative, strengths based, feedback forward therapeutic approach. In her first few sessions she will focus on learning and observing a client’s style and then progress into an interactive, conversational style of therapy. Alexa is trained in the Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC) Model, which presents as a combination of CBT, DBT, and psychoanalytic therapies through a trauma-informed lens.
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.
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.
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.
Kaleb Nelson, LCSW
Kaleb (he/him/his) is a licensed clinical social worker who graduated from the University of Chicago with a Masters in Social Work. He is passionate about working with trans/non-binary folks as well as their partners and/or families. As a therapist with lived experience in this identity, Kaleb strives to provide a safe and affirming space for clients to feel validated and heard. If you are questioning or exploring your gender, seeking support from someone within the trans community, or wanting to support your partner, child, or family member, Kaleb provides a unique perspective to process and explore these topics.
Katie Richie, LCSW, CADC
Katie (she/hers/her) 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. People who like to challenge and support people and organizations through change processes and are queer or queer allied- focus on race and gender- who work to change oppressive systems and who are inclusive. We are all trauma informed. As a queer therapist, I believe my style is interactive, direct, mindful and attune. I enjoy working with adults, children, couples and organizations.
Samuel Villaseñor, LCSW
If you are interested in exploring therapy, “start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” This quote by Arthur Ashe speaks to the power you already have within. My job is to join you on your journey and elevate and reflect on the wisdom inside. I am a bilingual-bicultural, indigenous Latine Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois and have experience working with individuals, families, and groups experiencing generalized anxiety and depression symptoms. My specialties are working with immigrant, first-generation Latine/Latinx individuals, seeking to navigate and understand their cultural identity and the anxiety and/or depression caused by immigration and legal status.
Sumara Baig, LSW
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).
Taeisha Stewart, MA
Taeisha (she/hers/her) has been a practicing therapist for over 15 years. She is dedicated and has a rich knowledge working with adults, teens, young adults, children and families. As a certificated parenting coach, she adds insight to families adjusting to difficult moments. She focuses on strengths, beliefs and values to build stronger connections.
Willow Krafcik, LCSW
Willow’s (they/them/theirs) goal is always to give my clients the opportunity to feel seen, heard and supported. They are non-judgmental, caring and somewhat goofy. They have worked in a variety of settings around grief/loss, identity development, trauma/abuse, anxiety, depression and disability concerns. They have training and experience in trauma-informed play therapy, and love incorporating expressive arts into my practice. Their approach is grounded in attachment-theory, narrative therapy, family-systems theory and anti-oppressive practice.