about Us
Meet Our Clinicians
Dathan Paterno, Psy.D.
Founder, Clinical Director
Dr. Paterno is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. He received his Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Chicago. He completed his doctoral internship at The Arlington Center for Attention Deficit Disorders in Arlington Heights, IL, where he assessed and treated children, adolescents, and adults. He is also the author of three published works, including the parenting book Desperately Seeking Parents.
Dr. Paterno’s Philosophy
Dr. Paterno affirms that all people are biological, social, and spiritual beings. He believes that all of these are relevant in assessing and responding to a person’s struggles. To ignore any of these facets of the personality, then, would be to ignore an essential facet of a person’s being, functioning, and suffering.
He adamantly denies the currently held myth that emotional disorders/problems are the result of genetically transmitted, biochemical imbalances. While he recognizes that biological factors are relevant to psychological/social/emotional problems, he sees “symptoms” as meaningful and purposeful, within the holistic context of the person. This means that almost all problems are essentially normal responses to abnormal situations.
Dr. Paterno denies that psychotropic medications are necessary, effective, or generally safe. While he sees plenty of clients who choose to remain on psychiatric medication, he utilizes non-medical alternatives, which have been proven — in an ever-expanding body of research and also in his professional experience — to be more effective and safe.
Nick Reilly, PsyD
Post Doctoral fellow
Nick Reilly, PsyD is a Post Doctoral fellow at Park Ridge Psychological Services and completed his Clinical Psychology degree at Adler University in Chicago.
He has worked with individuals across the lifespan in a variety of settings, including private practices and a family medicine hospital program, where he provided both inpatient and outpatient therapy.
Nick’s clinical interests include working with adolescents, teens, and adults. He has specialized experience with depression, anxiety, ADHD, eating disorders, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and couples therapy.
Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as his primary approach, Nick also integrates other evidence-based methods to meet the unique needs of each client. His goal is to create a collaborative, empathetic, and supportive therapeutic environment.
Nick emphasizes helping clients understand the connections between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, guiding them toward meaningful growth and long-term change.
Olga Zavgorodnya
LPC, NCC
Olga Zavgorodnya is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marquette University. She has been part of Park Ridge Psychological Services since 2012, beginning as a psychometrician and later advancing into her role as a therapist. Her clinical experience spans children, adolescents, and adults.
Olga’s background includes work as an Emergency Room Behavioral Liaison at Wheaton St. Francis Hospital, a Clinical Case Manager with Holocaust Community Services, and a researcher for Marquette University. These roles have given her a deep understanding of individuals across the lifespan.
She specializes in trauma, grief, depression, and anxiety, drawing from mindfulness-based, cognitive-behavioral, and multicultural frameworks. Olga believes in individualized, evidence-based care and tailors her approach to each client’s needs, values, and current emotional state.
Her therapeutic philosophy centers on helping clients reshape how they view themselves – past, present, and future. Through perspective-building and skill development, she supports clients in creating meaningful change, cultivating resilience, and moving toward stability and wellbeing.
Olga is also committed to strengthening family connections and recognizes the impact of socioeconomic factors on mental health. She works collaboratively to help individuals identify core values, build effective coping strategies, and create fulfilling, joyful lives. Additionally, Olga’s background and training allow her to offer culturally sensitive therapy and psychological evaluations, creating a space where every client feels seen, respected, and supported.
Jessica Dorgan
LCPC, NCC
Jessica comes to Park Ridge Psychological Services with a passion to help those in the community achieve their optimal selves through positive behavior change. As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor, she specializes in health, wellness, and addictions. With years of experience in the weight loss, body image, and behavioral health industry, she navigates individuals to a healthier version of themselves.
Jessica began her work with clients facing food and body image struggles in a therapeutic behavioral camp environment and has held Clinical Director, Behavioral Coach and Admissions Coordinator roles. She also held the position of admissions counselor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
She graduated from Bradley University with a Bachelor’s in Health Science and a Master’s in Human Developmental Clinical Counseling. During graduate school she implemented a health and wellness initiative called “Get Fit, Stay Fit” for Bradley University that continues to this day.
She guides clients through their personal journey utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness techniques. Her passion is instilling positive behavior changes within teenagers, young adults, and families. She has extensive experience working with families and supporting them through their healthy lifestyle changes. Jessica works with individuals in many different stages of life and helps them through the counseling process taking a holistic approach. She understands that each journey is unique and creates and individualized plan for her clients.
She is currently accepting new clients and looks forward to guiding you on a path to your healthier self.
Ewa Florczak
LCPC
Ewa is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) who earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She offers a warm, down-to-earth approach to therapy, tailored to meet each client’s unique needs. Ewa combines gentle guidance with more direct techniques to help clients achieve lasting change.
With many years of experience working with the addiction population, Ewa brings a compassionate and nonjudgmental approach to helping individuals and their families navigate the challenges of early recovery. She works closely with clients affected by addiction, supporting them in developing healthier coping strategies and maintaining long-term sobriety.
As a trained EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapist, Ewa specializes in helping individuals process and heal from trauma. EMDR is an evidence-based therapeutic technique that helps clients reprocess distressing memories and experiences, allowing them to heal from past trauma and move forward with greater emotional resilience. The therapy involves guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, which facilitate the brain’s natural healing process by unlocking and resolving the emotional blocks associated with traumatic events. EMDR is particularly effective in treating PTSD, anxiety, depression, and negative self-beliefs. Ewa uses this approach to help clients work through both past traumatic events, such as abuse, loss, or accidents, and ongoing life stressors, enabling them to release emotional pain and build resilience. Through EMDR, clients often experience a reduction in distress, a shift in perspective, and a renewed sense of emotional well-being.
Ewa is a trained infertility specialist with a focus on supporting individuals and couples through the emotional and psychological challenges of infertility. She works closely with clients navigating the complexities of infertility treatments, pregnancy loss, and the journey to parenthood. Ewa provides compassionate care at all stages of reproductive health, helping clients address the unique challenges that arise during these times. She creates a safe, supportive environment for clients to process feelings of grief, frustration, and hope, empowering them to move forward through this unique journey,
In addition to infertility care, Ewa provides pregnancy and postpartum support, assisting clients through the adjustments during these pivotal life stages. She helps individuals manage anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns related to pregnancy and the transition to motherhood, ensuring they feel supported and empowered as they navigate these significant changes.
Ewa works with teens and adults on a wide variety of issues: depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and life transitions. Whether clients are facing academic pressures, career changes, relationship challenges, or feeling stuck, Ewa provides a supportive environment to help them explore their concerns and develop practical coping strategies. She is committed to helping individuals identify their strengths and build the skills they need to navigate life’s challenges. Through therapy, Ewa helps clients build confidence, enhance their overall well-being, and develop a stronger sense of self, guiding them toward healthier, more fulfilling lives.
In addition to individual therapy, Ewa enjoys working with couples to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen their relationships. She is dedicated to helping couples build healthier, more fulfilling partnerships.
Ewa offers therapy in both English and Polish, providing a culturally sensitive and comfortable experience for her Polish-speaking clients.
Dijana Strinic, M.A.
Dijana Strinic obtained her Master’s Degree in Counseling from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Her background is primarily in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with children on the Autism spectrum from ages 2-13. As a practicing behavior therapist, she honed her skills in providing a nourishing environment for children with specific needs, while learning a myriad of behavior approaches and techniques suitable everyday use.
Dijana’s clinical internship paired her with youth aged 4-17, where she enjoyed working in both individual and group settings. She learned numerous modalities to support children and their families, as well as creating safe spaces for people to feel welcome to discuss anything. Dijana currently advocates for improved mental health through her volunteer work as well as throughout everyday life.
Dijana works to create a fun environment for young people in her office. She utilizes games, toys, puzzles, sensory activities, and other modalities. She specializes in working with children and their families using a dialectical behavior (DBT) lens. She further uses cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as well as a narrative approach. Because every child is unique, Dijana recognizes that an approach may not work for everyone. She believes that all children and parents have a right and need to tell their story and to have someone listen, care, and respond without judgement.
Participating in therapy can be quite difficult for a child. Dijana believes that the benefits are more than worthwhile, ultimately teaching and modeling for the child that safe people and environments exist and there people one can talk to who can provide understanding and empathy, as well as fun.
Micayla Paterno
Licensed Social Worker
Micayla is a Licensed Social Worker with an integrative, holistic approach to psychotherapy. After receiving her B.A. in Clinical/Community Psychology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, she completed her Master of Social Work at Aurora University, where she researched the effects of excessive screen time on children. Currently, one of her primary objectives as a social worker is to educate clients about the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional risks of social media and other modern technology.
Micayla empowers clients to find a balance that aligns with their goals. She prioritizes trust, boundaries, and communication to foster healthy relationships for clients in and outside of therapy. Rather than exclusively treating symptoms, she is passionate about uncovering the “why” behind our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors by exploring early childhood, attachment style, relationships, and physiological wellness. Micayla recognizes that the process of healing is not always simple. As such, she encourages clients to ease out of their comfort zone with the help of a guide.
Primarily, Micayla enjoys working with teens and young adult women. She is passionate about supporting clients through major life transitions, especially from adolescence to early adulthood. She has experience treating anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and individuals with disabilities.
Whether you have a specific goal in mind, simply want someone to talk to, or aren’t sure where to begin, Micayla is excited to meet and see if she might be a good fit for your therapeutic journey. Her goal is to create a relaxed, judgment-free space where you can share things that are too heavy to carry alone.
Tamara Simovic, M.A.
Doctoral Therapy Practicum Student
I believe that healing begins in a space where people feel genuinely seen, heard, and accepted without judgment. My approach to therapy is rooted in the understanding that each person already holds the capacity for growth and change within themselves. Rather than viewing therapy as a one-sided relationship that provides answers, I see it as a collaborative process of exploring life’s experiences, making meaning of them, and developing a deeper understanding of oneself. My hope is to create a relationship where clients feel safe enough to be curious about who they are, what has shaped them, and where they would like to go.
Although my work is primarily person-centered and relational, I also integrate concepts from cognitive behavioral and psychoanalytic therapies when they align with a client’s needs and goals. I value authenticity, curiosity, and the therapeutic relationship as foundations for meaningful change. Whether someone is working through anxiety, relationship difficulties, life transitions, trauma, or simply seeking greater self-understanding, I strive to offer a compassionate space where self-exploration and healing can unfold naturally and at a pace that feels right for them.