Meet the Team
Dr. Pamela Fullerton
Ph.D., M.A., M.Ed., LCPC, CCTP, C-DBT, CCATP, CGP, ACS, NCC
Owner of Advocacy & Education Consulting and Clinical Director
Professional Speaker, Writer, and Workshop Facilitator
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
Certified Dialectical Behavior Therapy Professional (C-DBT)
Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional Certified (CCATP) Certified Grief Informed Professional (CGP) Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS)
Licensed School Counselor (PEL)
Adjunct Instructor at Northeastern Illinois University
In light of the ongoing social unrest locally, nationally, and globally, I feel compelled as a social justice and advocacy counselor to reach out to my community organizations and discuss possible opportunities for us to collaborate. Before I discuss some of the services we offer, I would like to share some more about me and my personal and career experiences.
I started my educational career at Palatine High School in 2005
I chose to work at Palatine because of the growing diversity, specifically the yearly increase in the Latinx population, and need to bring about change to support the community. As a bilingual and bicultural Latina, I knew I could make a difference in the lives of my students, their families, and the community, and hoped to inspire others to do the same. From day one, I was a fierce advocate for adding professional development and varying evidence-based strategies to improve the opportunity/“achievement” gap I noticed growing between our students of color and their white peers. I founded a Hispanic Parent Outreach group and started an Open House Spanish-speaking student volunteer group to get more Hispanic families engaged at PHS. I also started Spanish-speaking financial aid events to help assist our Hispanic families in completing the FAFSA and met one-on-one with undocumented students to help them navigate the opportunities and obstacles of the educational system given their documentation status. I created student-led conferences and showcases during Hispanic Heritage and Black History months, in addition to biannual Cultural Awareness celebrations. I also co-founded an Equity Coalition to work on closing the opportunity gap between our students of color and their white peers.
When I became a licensed counselor, I changed career directions, but my passion for advocacy only grew.
I worked for a non-profit organization as a clinical counselor for unaccompanied minors that were taken into our care at a residential facility. Using trauma-informed care and a multicultural and culturally-competent lens, I counseled, educated, and supported the minors until our organization found them a home in the United States. As I transitioned to higher education, I continued to gain post-secondary experiences in the areas of academic and career counseling, transitioning to college, working with first-generation and under-represented students and their families to successfully transition to college, and so much more. For the last 15 years, I have also been a board member and treasurer of a not-for-profit organization called the Latino Summit, whose mission is to improve academic achievement among Latinx students and to encourage their pursuit and persistence in institutions of higher education through mentoring, networking, and workshops.
When I opened my practice in 2020, I did so with a committment to serving all individuals through a social justice and culturally responsive framework. We believe in supporting the mental health and wellness needs of every person and each community that we serve and we do so through individual, couple, family, and group counseling services, in addition to facilitating community, professional, and school-based workshops. Our mission is to not only provide highly competent and culturally responsive counseling services, but to also provide equitable access to mental health care for ALL in Illinois.
We are dedicated to ensuring social justice and advocacy for ALL!
Using all of my professional and personal experiences, I have worked hard to provide support and resources to serve individuals and communities through specialized treatments including individual and group counseling, clinical supervision, professional development and workshops, as well as student and family group sessions, with the intent to provide equitable access to mental health and educational services and resources needed to be an advocate for ALL!
Clinical Staff
Cristina Fausto
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW
Hello, I’m Cristina (she/her/ella), and I am a bilingual, Latina therapist. My overall goal with each client is to provide a safe environment for them to come as they are, and to show them that they are not alone in any challenge they are facing. I believe clients to be experts of their lives, and I allow them to define what success means for them. As we collaborate on treatment goals, I pull from a variety of theories/modalities that cater to the client’s needs. This includes an array of approaches I utilize that go beyond traditional talk therapy, such as play- or art-based activities. I enjoy working with teens and adults to help them understand how our past experiences and those of our ancestors can influence our current functioning and may present itself as other mental health concerns.
I specialize in trauma treatment, meaning I empower clients to reclaim control of their story while promoting their resilience within. I received my MSW with a concentration in Mental Health from Loyola University Chicago, for the past 4 years I have been focused on providing trauma therapy to youth and young adults who have been sexually/physically abused and/or been exposed to domestic violence. I have completed training in various modalities to help individuals process and resolve trauma, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR utilizes back and forth movement through sight, sound, or touch and allows clients to desensitize past traumatic experiences, manage present-day triggers, and increase their ability to respond appropriately to future challenging scenarios.
My educational and professional experiences have helped develop my understanding of the human need to have safe connections with others. Being surrounded and supported by our tribe of people is one of the most healing tools of all, in addition to having a healthy therapeutic relationship between the therapist and client. If you believe we would be a good match, I encourage you to contact me for a consultation. I am honored to navigate alongside my clients on their transformation of growth as they begin to recognize their power, value, and worth and ultimately break the cycle of generational trauma. It is my firm belief that our situations do not define us, and it is never too late to rewrite the story of our life.
Samantha Rivera
MS, LPC, NCC
Samantha Rivera embraces a holistic approach to client success. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Advocacy and Social Change from Loyola University Chicago, a master’s degree in School Counseling from National Louis University and is a Licensed Professional Counselor actively working towards her clinical license.
Samantha has seven years of experience in K-12 and higher education including her current position as a high school counselor for multilingual students where she implements needs assessment screenings, psychoeducational workshops, individual and group counseling, and hosts parent nights in English and Spanish. Given her own bicultural and first-generation immigrant upbringing, she conceptualizes clients from a trauma-informed, multicultural lens. Samantha tailors and integrates various treatment modalities based on clients’ specific needs. Her most common treatment modalities include CBT, mindfulness, narrative therapy, and motivational interviewing.
Kirsis A. Dipre
Ph.D., LPC, NCC
My philosophy of counseling is that clients are the experts in their lives, therefore I am here to walk alongside them in their journey of self-discovery and healing. I view counseling as a path for reaching our goals and support well-being as interrelated individuals within systems. My approach to counseling is informed by the recognition of systems of oppression impacting clients in combination with the unique ways clients view and experience the world around them. From my lens, clients have the agency to determine how they are being impacted by the world and my role is to collaborate with them to identify what is the most appropriate avenue for fostering change and growth.
I believe in a relational strengths-based approach to therapy. Meaning that my work is grounded in empathy, warmth, and challenge help to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can process, grow, and heal. I take an eclectic approach to counseling while maintaining unconditional positive regard and an egalitarian stance, with the recognition of the power differential between myself and the client. I work to honor differences in the counseling space and use my extensive knowledge and experiences, as a bilingual Afro-Latina immigrant counselor and counselor educator to help clients effectively address the challenges they are facing and start living the life they envision for themselves. If you think we may be a good fit, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Gabriela Brizuela
MA, Associate Clinician (Spanish/English)
Hi, I’m Gabriela (she/ her/ ella)! Our work in therapy is about the core essence of what it means to be human, to love, to hurt, to hurt others, and to help. I am rooting for you! I know that what brings you here may feel overwhelming, but this is the first step. I believe therapy should be collaborative and inclusive. I bring a lot of energy and humor as well as compassion and understanding to my sessions.
I received my Master’s in Couples and Family Therapy at Northeastern Illinois University. I received my undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois-Chicago in Applied Psychology and Gender and Women's Studies. I have previous experience working with teens regarding dating violence. I was also previously trained through and worked with the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) chat line for two years. I have worked with adolescents to elderly adults in case management with a local Chicago-based mental health community agency.
It is important to decolonize couples and family therapy because it does not reflect the diversity that exists. I gravitate towards relational work because we as humans are innately relational. I believe that sometimes to support the individual, we need to zoom out and support the entire tribe. I pull from a variety of theoretical frameworks, but my core framework is Bowenian, which focuses on relationship dynamics as well as the individual.
Kim Forystek
MS, LPC, PEL, Associate Clinician
Hello, my name is Kim Forystek, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a background in various clinical settings from high school and college to victim advocacy and sexual assault. In graduate school we are often asked where we think client concerns/difficulties may stem from. To answer this question, I tend to think about a quote attributed to Mother Teresa: “The biggest disease today is not leprosy or TB, but rather the feeling of being unwanted.” I would add to this quote by saying an additional problem is that many people also feel that they are not enough.
During these times of uncertainty, we can feel isolated and lonely, and it may lead us to believe that we don’t have anyone in our corner. Sometimes when unfortunate events happen in our lives, they can impact who we are or how we view ourselves, situations, and other people. However, no matter where issues may stem from, I truly believe that humans are resilient and capable of navigating difficult situations. We, as individuals, need to give ourselves space, grace, time to feel, identify emotions and triggers, and process the events going on in our lives. I also believe healing happens through community and connection.
As a counselor, I see myself as another support system on your journey of healing, which includes embracing your strengths and reclaiming your sense of well-being. Our therapeutic space will be collaborative, holistic, and free of judgment. With most of my professional background in education as a school and college counselor, and my work as a career counselor, I work with adolescents, teens, emerging adults and professionals. I specialize in academic and professional stress, anxiety, depression, relational concerns, and life transitions. I take a trauma-informed approach, leaning into motivational interviewing, CBT/DBT, solution-focused, narrative, and spiritually integrated therapies, along with Gestalt exercises, skills practice, bibliotherapy, and mindfulness to create a truly integrative approach for my clients The goal is to help each person gain self-empowerment with the support of an empathic and encouraging professional.
If you think we may work well together, please contact me for a consultation so we can get you started on a path towards your goals.
Dr. Diana Gallardo
PhD, NCC, LPC
As a relational counselor, I deeply understand that we don't go through life as isolated individuals. I recognize that we all exist within complex contexts shaped by our intersecting cultural identities and experiences. Our mental health and sense of self emerge through the lens of our relationships, attachments, and the cultural narratives surrounding us.
As a counselor, I take an individualized approach to each client's unique needs and cultural contexts. At the core of my practice is unconditional positive regard—I strive to create an affirming, nonjudgmental space where you feel fully seen, heard, and accepted. I also recognize that clients are the experts of their own lives and I use this belief to support and empower clients to make better decisions for themselves and their future.
I have experience working with various populations of clients including individuals from the Latino/a/e/x community, early professionals, college students, and members from BIPOC communities. As a Latina, first-generation counselor educator, I leverage my experiences, knowledge, training, and education to effectively and systematically assist you in addressing any challenges you may be facing.
My approach is rooted in providing a secure, culturally responsive base for you, deeply acknowledging and respecting the unique cultural influences that shape your relational world. By recognizing your deep relational and cultural nature, we can work together to find pathways toward healing, growth, and more authentic ways of connecting across differences. If you believe we may be a good fit, I invite you to reach out for a consultation.
Javier Arellano
CMHC Graduate Student Therapist
Hi, I’m Javier (he/him/el). I’m a bilingual Graduate Student Therapist (intern) with a vast cross-cultural background in community health education and advocacy work. As a queer Latino of immigrant parents with a familial history of relocating, I have learned to become incredibly adaptable and empathetic in relating to others. As a Chicagoland native, I have enjoyed living and working in nearly all major city regions, reaching various communities like the African-American, Latino, immigrant, and LGBTQIA+ populations.
My goal of becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) is firmly rooted in a passion to educate and empower marginalized communities with accessible tools and strategies that allow for personal transformation and a sense of community (value). Together, we can navigate experiences from anxiety and depression to daily life stressors and other more personal goals relating to personal freedom and responsibility or preserving one’s individuality while still being a part of the community. I view our time together as a unique, collaborative, and experimental space from which the transformative work of therapy can flourish.
My humanistic therapeutic approach draws primarily from Person-Centered Therapy (PCT), which prioritizes the relationship with clients as the primary catalyst for change. I may utilize techniques found in CBT, ACT, motivational interviewing, bibliotherapy, or other evidence-based treatments. As a counselor-in-training, I encourage both technical and relational feedback to ensure our time together is both meaningful and valuable to you.
I received a B.A. in Intercultural Communications from DePaul University, with concentrations in Latino Media and African & Black Diasporic studies. I’m currently completing the final year of my Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Adler University as I work to become an LPC. I hold certifications in Psychological First Aid, Conflict Management & Mediation, and more.
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I (can) change.” - Carl R. Rogers
Anakaren Galarza
Administrative Assistant/Medical Billing Assistant
Hi, I’m Anakaren (she/ her/ ella)! The therapy process is unique to every individual due to their experiences, how they process emotions, and how certain decisions are made. My goal is to provide individuals a space where they can feel supported, heard, and understood regarding the challenges they are struggling with.
Whether it’s working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, or families, I am here to understand who and what made you who you are. I am here to be a guide and a coach, and support you in this journey. We will work together to achieve your goals. In this journey together, we will confront issues and create new and healthier patterns.
I have previously worked in a Psychiatric Unit for 2 years, serving children between the ages of 6-17 years old. Before I started this internship, I worked at a school as a Teacher’s Assistant for 3 years for children ages 3-5 years old.
I grew up bilingual coming from a Latino Family, so my first language was Spanish. I see my cultural background as a strength and will ensure that the therapeutic space I provide is one that is inclusive and honors the backgrounds and histories of all my clients and their communities.
I am currently a Marriage and Family Clinical Intern completing my final year of my Master’s Degree in the Couples and Family Counseling in the graduate program at Northeastern Illinois University. While I gravitate towards Solution- Focused Brief Therapy, Strength-based, and Structural and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, I will utilize different evidence-based approaches that best suit the client(s).
Our work in therapy is about the core essence of what it means to be human, to love, to hurt, to hurt others, and to heal. I know that what brings you here may feel overwhelming, but this is the first step. I believe therapy should be collaborative and inclusive. I bring a lot of energy and humor, as well as compassion and understanding, to my sessions.
Affiliates
Affiliates are separate businesses and independent professionals who have partnered with Advocacy & Education Consulting, extending our services and availability. We are pleased to collaborate with them and offer them as another clinician and option for you.
Adrianne Robertson, PhD, LCPC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Adrianne Robertson is a licensed clinical professional counselor and counselor educator. She works with individual adult and adolescent clients on issues ranging from everyday stressors to complex trauma and suicidality.
For an appointment or further information, contact Adrianne Robertson at:
E-Mail: adrianne@acrcounseling.com
Call: 773-245-6842