Michele Day, LCSW, CSAT-S
Addiction Therapist, Coach, Consultant
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Michele is the Director of the Chicago Center for Sex & Wellbeing. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a master's degree in social work from Loyola University Chicago and undergraduate degrees in psychology and marketing. She has completed a fellowship in Advanced Psychodynamic Theory at the University of Chicago and trained at the International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP), earning her Certification as a Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT). With additional training and work experience Michele has also qualified to work as a CSAT Supervisor, providing supervision to CSAT Candidates and consultation to fellow CSATs.
Working in inner-city psychiatric hospitals, child welfare agencies, substance abuse treatment agencies, and nonprofit organizations, Michele has over 27 years of experience in social services and private practice. For 14 years she worked extensively with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), providing clinical services in Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Department of Neurology interdisciplinary clinic. Michele was also an adjunct faculty member at the Loyola University Chicago’s Graduate School of Social Work, teaching Individual and Family Therapy.
Striving to support all people in their recovery journey, Michele is deeply empathetic toward her patients, her own life having been touched by many of the struggles that her clients experience. Michele’s therapeutic approach is client-centered, offering support without judgment. She is passionate about providing treatment to the whole person and understanding the larger world that they belong to.
Michele’s knowledge of the sex addiction field, coupled with her excellent psychotherapeutic skills, make her an ideal advocate for anyone ready to break the addiction cycle and start life anew.
Professional Affiliations
International Institute for Trauma & Addiction Professionals (IITAP)
Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH)
Illinois Society of Clinical Social Workers (ISCSW)
National Association of Lesbian and Gay Addiction Professionals (NALGAP)
Lake Forest College, alumni mentor
Alex Fliess, LCSW, CSAT-C
Therapist
Pronouns: they, them, theirs
Alex is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a master’s degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work and recently completed their master’s in applied behavior analysis from Simmons University. Alex is currently training with the International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP) to earn their certification in sex addiction therapy and completing a trauma consultation program.
Alex began their career working as a school social worker in low socioeconomic communities within the Chicagoland area and continues to be passionate about equitable educational opportunities for all people. In wanting to expand their therapuetic reach within communities, Alex joined a group private practice and later opened their own practice, Three Tales Therapy. While Alex’s individual practice focuses on a wide range of presenting concerns, their passion remains rooted within addictions, trauma work and the LGBTQIA+ communities.
With an endeavor to bring an empathetic and supportive focus while working through the recovery process, Alex believes that there is the opportunity to make personal change at any point in life and their compassionate, non-judgemental approach is reflected in their collaborative work with their clients.
Outside of their private practice, Alex still works within the public school system as a school social worker.
Professional Affiliations
Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS)
Association for Behavioral Analysis International (ABAI)
Illinois Association of School Social Workers (IASSW)
National Association of Lesbian and Gay Addiction Professionals (NALGAP)
Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC
Trauma Therapist
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Amanda is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with a master’s degree from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. She is a Nationally Certified Counselor licensed to practice in Illinois, Texas, and Missouri. Amanda is EMDR Certified, completing EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) basic training and EMDRIA’s (EMDR International Association) certified training programs.
With over 15 years of experience in providing therapy, Amanda has worked in specialized residential treatment centers, community mental health centers, and private practices. She has extensive experience working with clients who have experienced developmental trauma, complex trauma, anxiety, and disrupted attachment. Amanda is also a published author whose work has appeared in Psychology Today, Psychotherapy Networker, Addiction Professional, and Highlights Magazine.
Amanda strives to cultivate safe, empathetic, and non-judgmental relationships with her clients in order to empower their healing and growth. As a trauma survivor herself, Amanda has a deep, personal understanding of the level of support that clients need in order to navigate the difficult road to recovery. Amanda’s therapeutic approach is client-centered, trauma-informed, pragmatic, and collaborative. She is committed to drawing upon and combining various clinical resources and interventions, such as EMDR, Internal Family Systems, Somatic Experiencing, Attachment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Relapse Prevention.
Professional Affiliations
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
American Counseling Association (ACA)
EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)
Katie Rodenkirch, PhD, LCPC, NCC
Therapist
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Katie received her PhD from Northern Illinois University in 2023 and graduated from Mount Mary University in 2020 with a Masters’ degree in Professional Counseling and a concentration in clinical mental health counseling. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the State of Illinois.
Specializing in traumatic sexual relationships, Katie intimately understands the complicated mix of feelings that come with traumatizing relationship(s), whether they are romantic, familial, or with another trusted/loved one. Working from a person-centered theoretical orientation, Katie believes that everyone deserves to grow into themselves in an authentic, empathetic, and nonjudgmental space. Using relational-cultural therapy, Katie supports clients in identifying, striving towards, and thriving within healthy relationship systems. She has experience working with survivors of sex trafficking (forced sex work/full-service sex work, child brides/forced marriage, sexual slavery), sex offenders, sex addicts, and the LGBTQIA+ community. Additionally, she holds competency in counseling sexuality- and gender-expansive issues, complex trauma, anxiety, and non-suicidal self-harm.
Katie feels comfortable and confident working with a variety of relational and sexual topics and sees adolescents (12+) and adults for individual or relationship therapy.
Professional Affiliations
American Association for Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT)
International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors (IAAOC)
Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES)
American Counseling Association (ACA)
Theo Wilder, LCPC
Therapist
Pronouns: he, his
A graduate of Benedictine University, Theodore holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the State of Illinois.
Theodore’s experience provides him competency and confidence in working with a variety of presenting concerns. He began his career in a community mental health center, facilitating individual and group therapy in a mental illness/substance abuse (MISA) program. This was followed by a position as a Mobile Crisis Response (MCR) Therapist, assisting individuals experiencing emergent mental health crises, and conducting follow-up outpatient care for lasting stabilization. Theodore then spent the past 3 years working as a therapist for incarcerated adolescents and adults. These positions reinforced Theodore’s passion for working with individuals seeking to explore the following:
- Sexuality
- Maladaptive behaviors
- Relationships
- LGBTQI+
- Trauma
- Disrupted Attachment
- Substance Use
Career and life experience have made clear Theodore’s interests and strengths, encouraging his transition to the Chicago Center for Sex & Wellbeing. His authenticity, use of humor, and non-judgmental approach provide a comfortable, secure setting for discussing your presenting concerns.
Michelle Holleman, LCAS, CSAT
Consultant, Coach
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Michelle Holleman began her career as a television news anchor and reporter after graduating from College of Charleston and worked in Southern California before moving back to North Carolina to serve as the Director of Communications for a Fortune 500 Company. After graduating with honors from Capella University with a Masters in Science, Michelle began her clinical career at an inpatient substance detox facility outside of Charlotte, NC while earning her credentialing and licensure, and was quickly promoted to Lead Clinician. Currently, Michelle is the owner and Clinical Director of Life Healing Counseling, a private practice in Charlotte, NC.
A skilled and compassionate clinician, Michelle specializes in treating Substance Use, Sex and Intimacy Disorders, Gaming and Internet Disorders and treating the families and partners of people with addictions. She is trained in EMDR and treating multicultural and marginalized populations.
Michelle is an engaging and highly sought-after presenter for schools, corporations, healthcare groups, religious organizations and clinical groups as she develops protocols and programs for the treatment of teens with Sex/Gaming/Internet Addictions. She is passionate about teaching others how to connect and have uncomfortable, but necessary, conversations appropriately.
Professional Affiliations
The Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH)
International Institute for Trauma & Addiction Professionals (IITAP)
American Counseling Association (ACA)
International Association of Addictions & Offender Counselors (IAAOC)
International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors (IAMFC)
Sigmund Freud
Therapy Dog
Meet Sigmund Freud, the Chicago Center for Sex & Wellbeing’s resident therapy dog. Sigmund Freud is a twelve-year-old Miniature Golden Doodle. Originally from Iowa Sigmund relocated to Chicago in 2010 to pursue his education and achieve his goal of becoming a therapy dog.
Harnessing the human-animal bond, Sigmund works side-by-side, and paw-to-paw with clients to decrease stress, anxiety, depression and feelings of loneliness.
Continuous and immediate positive feedback provided by Sigmund can help set clients at ease. His presence can also help decrease blood pressure, heart rate and reduce the level of the stress hormone cortisol. Hormones associated with general health and feelings of wellbeing, including dopamine, oxytocin, prolactin and serotonin are also increased.
The emotional and physical strains encountered in addiction and recovery can be daunting. Sigmund and his role in treatment is just another way that the Chicago Center for Sex & Wellbeing sets itself apart from other treatment facilities with holistic and experiential therapies.