OUR APPROACH

We provide caring and skilled counsel relying on psychological therapeutic approaches, as well as on the wisdom and guidance for all of life's situations. There are things inside all of us that we struggle with. Things we want to forget. Avoid. Ignore. Wishing we could just close our eyes and never remember again. There is also a truth inside of you that needs to be awakened. 

The truth that you are not alone. That you have an identity and purpose in this world. That there is hope. Regardless of the circumstances, trauma, or challenge you have faced or might be facing currently, the counselors at Awakenings Counseling Center are the source of guidance and encouragement you need to help you uncover your identity and purpose. 

At Awakenings Counseling Center we provide counseling that is accepting and relevant to people from any faith background. With locations in Algonquin and Schaumburg, our diverse team of therapists provides expertise on a wide array of issues. 

meet our team

As Owner and Clinical Director since 2006, Shoji has developed Awakenings Counseling Center to be a reputable multi-site practice. Shoji’s life is a witness to how God uses adversity to build character and offers a life of freedom and abundance. She holds a holistic vision for her clients addressing the mind, body and spirit through an authentic therapeutic relationship. She holds the Advanced Counselor Certificate in Trauma and Abuse Counseling, trained under Dr. Dan Allender from the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology.

SPECIALITES INCLUDE:

• Anxiety & Depression

• Trauma & Abuse

• Couples & Marriage

• Adolescent & Family

• Chronic Pain

• Addictions

• Academic and Career

• Narrative & Personal Story Work

• Multicultural Relationships

• Grief & Loss

• Parenting

• Spiritual Direction

Deirdré was born and raised in South-Africa. In 2003 Deirdré and her husband Paul, moved to Chicago to accept staff positions at Willow Creek Community Church where she served in the Pastoral Response Department from 2009-2016. She is passionate about being present with people in ways that increase their awareness of God’s presence, His love and redeeming work in them.  She has navigated her own seasons of heartache and loss by clinging to the tender love and irrevocable care of a God who stays faithful and steadfast when all else is shaken.

SPECIALTIES INCLUDE:

• Spiritual Coaching

• Trained under Dr. Dan Allender

• Advanced Certificate in Trauma and Abuse Counseling -Seattle School of Psychology and Theology

• Member of the Evangelical Spiritual Directors Association.http://graftedlife.org/esda/

• Applying Faith to Life

• Spiritual Discipline and practices

• Certified training in spiritual direction through Sustainable Faith http://www.sustainablefaith.com/spiritual-direction/

Melody Knapp is a licensed professional counselor in our Schaumburg office who holds a BA from Moody Bible Institute and a MA from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. She is passionate about helping individuals, couples and families attain and maintain hope and healing by means of a therapeutic relationship and personalized intervention that work best for them. She has a deep empathy for those who are struggling with trauma, grief and loss, unresolved past hurts, mood disorders, and broken relationships. She utilizes an integrated holistic treatment approach while advancing to wholeness and wellness using psychotherapy and psychoeducation. She loves to walk alongside others and encourage them in their journey of hope and healing. She and her husband enjoy being around nature and serving in ministry.​

SPECIALITES INCLUDE:

• Anxiety & Depression

• Abuse & Trauma

• Addictions

• Adjustment Issues

• Grief and Loss

• Life Transitions

• Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy

• Gottman Method Couples Therapy

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing)

• CBT - Cognitive Behavior Therapy

• Brainspotting

• DBT - Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

• Spiritual Formation

• Adolescence and Parenting

Pamela is a licensed professional counselor who believes her professional purpose is to guide individuals and couples toward healing, recovery and growth.  She provides an authentic, compassionate, and collaborative approach in a safe therapeutic setting. Her holistic and integrative method guides clients and couples in growing toward their full capacity.  She enjoys art and includes the use of art therapy when applicable to help her clients in self discovery, and in the resolution of difficult or traumatic experiences. In working with children and adolescents, the use of art therapy is especially helpful in providing a way towards improved concentration, communication, mood, behavior, and relationships.   Pamela completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Valparaiso University and her Masters of Art in Counseling: Art Therapy from the Adler School of Professional Psychology.

SPECIALITES INCLUDE:

• Anxiety & Depression

• Art Therapy

• Adlerian Techniques

• Academic & Career

• Boundaries

• Codependency

• Family & Parenting Issues

• Grief & Loss

• Life Transitions

• Marriage & Couples - Gottman Therapy

• Stress Management

• Trauma

Nick is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) in our Schaumburg office who is passionate about helping individuals, couples, and families create and maintain positive changes. Nick holds both Gottman Level 1 and Level 2 marital counseling training certifications, and is passionate about helping couples create dynamics to maintain balance while continuously growing in relational intimacy. As a  Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), Nick has worked with clients to explore and identify their own cherished personal values to help overcome setbacks and obstacles. Nick is understanding and empathic to individuals who might be hesitant or new to the counseling process, and enjoys working collaboratively with these clients at their own pace to increase hope, healing, and emotional intelligence to enhance all areas of life.    

SPECIALITES INCLUDE:

• Anxiety & Depression

• Life Transitions

• Trauma & Abuse

• Marriage & Couples Counseling

• Addictions

• Adjustment Issues

• Grief & Loss

• Men’s Issues

• Applying Spirituality into Daily Living

•  Codependency

Marc Mantasoot is a Licensed Professional Counselor in our Schaumburg office.  With over 16 years of experience as a school counselor, literacy specialist, and an English teacher, and is a graduate of the Crucible Project transformational leadership program. In ministry, he has served as a section pastor, coach, teacher, and writer. He practices an integrated approach grounded in solution-focused therapy, and Marc's ideal client is anyone ready to find greater levels of fulfillment and success in their own life.  With the help of counseling and coaching in his own life, Marc has experienced greater levels of fulfillment and success. 

SPECIALITES INCLUDE:

• Anxiety & Depression

• Life Transitions

• Trauma & Abuse

• Marriage & Couples Counseling

• Addictions

• Adjustment Issues

• Grief & Loss

• Men’s Issues

• Applying Spirituality into Daily Living

•  Codependency

Debbie Nazareth is a Licensed Professional Counselor who holds a BA from Judson University and a MA from Regent University. She operates primarily from a person-centered approach and uses CBT and acceptance strategies. She has experience primarily working with young adolescents and navigating phase of life issues, depression, anxiety, and sexual trauma. Debbie is passionate about walking alongside people in their pain and creating a safe space that promotes healing and growth.

SPECIALITES INCLUDE:

• Anxiety & Depression

• CBT

• Trauma & Abuse

• Gottman Couples Counseling

• Addictions

• Adjustment Issues

• Grief & Loss

• Parenting and Children

• Applying Spirituality into Daily Living

• Teens

As a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Nurse working in our Schaumburg office, Angela holds unwavering hope for her clients and loves to watch their heart, soul, mind, body and relationships become unified and well. She believes that the bravest thing a client can do is to begin to understand their past, live fully in the present and embrace change for the future. With a warm, yet authentic approach, Angela likes to walk alongside clients to stir up hope, courage and change. Respecting one's values, culture and life-stage, she uses various techniques to provide individualized care helping each client reach their own unique goals. She holds a BS in Nursing from Olivet Nazarene University as well as an MA in Mental Health Counseling and an MA in Theological Studies from Trinity International University.. 

SPECIALTIES INCLUDE:

• Anxiety & Depression

• Grief & Loss

• Stress & Coping Skills

• Addictions

• Life Transitions

• Spiritual Formation

• Trauma & Abuse

• Racial Identity & Trauma

• EMDR Therapy

• Caregivers, Frontline Workers & Secondary Trauma

• Marriage & Couples

• Chronic Illness & Aging

Deborah Choi in our Algonquin office is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who holds a BSW from MSU and an MA in Mental Health Counseling from Roosevelt University. Her method and approaches would depend on the client and their needs, but she draws most from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Informed, Strengths-Based, and Person-Centered. She has experience primarily working with adults and adolescents who have experienced trauma and abuse ranging from domestic violence, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. She has had received Certified Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault training. Connecting with clients by developing a genuine therapeutic relationship and providing empathy are the foundations of her counseling. She believes in the therapy process and hopes clients will find the strength and potential they already had all along. 

SPECIALITIES INCLUDE:

• Domestic Violence

• Trauma & abuse

• Anxiety & Depression

• Stress management & Coping Skills

• PTSD

• Codependency & Boundaries

• Adults & Adolescents

• Self-esteem & Self-confidence

• Life Transitions & adjustment issues

• Marriage & Couples

• Grief & Loss

• Anger Management

• CBT & DBT

• Pregnancy Option Counseling

Matthew Aguilar in our Schaumburg office is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who holds a BS from Loyola University Chicago and an MA in Mental Health Counseling from Adler University. He uses an integrated approach with person-centered therapy and CBT along with positive psychology and mindfulness strategies. He has experience working with adults and with adolescents. He helps clients navigate anxiety, depression, phase of life issues. He has tools and skills to help his clients with coping skills, racial identity, trauma, relationship issues, grief and loss, and adjustment issues. Matt is a passionate empath who is all about advocating for his clients and promoting their personal healing and growth while creating an open and safe space for them to share their thoughts and experiences.. 

SPECIALTIES INCLUDE:

• Anxiety/stress

• Addictions

• CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)

• Depression

• Grief & Loss

• Men's issues

• Life Phases / Adjustment

• Boundaries

• Family / Relationships

• Racial Identity

• Trauma

Nicole Kwon in our Schaumburg office is a LPC counselor who received her BA in Political Science at Benedictine University and finished her Master’s at Wheaton College. She uses Psychoeducation and CBT and likes to adapt her counseling techniques in accordance with the client’s needs. She has experience with working with young adults going through various stages of life and helps navigating relational issues and developing good coping mechanisms. Nicole has also worked in the service world for 10-plus years and throughout her time she learned and understands that people come from various walks of life, cultures, and values and that we have a lot to learn from each other regardless of age and ethnicity. She is passionate about building good therapeutic relationships and her goal in counseling is to instill hope and healing.

SPECIALTIES INCLUDE:

• Anxiety/Stress

• CBT

• Stress Management

• Transitions/Stage of Life

• Grief and Loss

• Boundaries

• Parent-Child Relationships

• Racial/Cultural Identity

• Adolescents, Emerging Adults and Adults

• Self Esteem and Confidence

Amanda Lai Wai Kuen is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and an Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional (ICDVP). She holds a BA in psychological studies from Cardiff Metropolitan University, United Kingdom, and an MA in mental health counseling from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS), Illinois. She enjoys working with children, teens, young adults, couples, and families. In counseling, Amanda aims to create a safe space where clients can share their story without feeling judged or shamed. Her goal is to meet clients where they are and come alongside them in their journey of growth and healing. Her therapy style is relational, client-focused, and insight-oriented. Aside from work, Amanda loves a good cup of coffee, working out with her husband, and spending quality time with her young sons and dog.  

SPECIALTIES INCLUDE:

• Anxiety & Depression

• Domestic Violence

• Family Conflicts

• Trauma

• Stress & Coping Skills

• Life Transitions

• Self-Worth and Self-Esteem

• Postpartum Support

• Marriage & Couples

• Spiritual Formation

• Racial Identity & Intergenerational Trauma

Mattlyn is an LPC Counselor who holds a BA and MA from Cornerstone University. Her methods are adapted to her client’s needs and her approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Person-Centered Therapy. She has experience working with teens, young adults, adults, and couples. The goal is to create a safe and non-judgmental space to share your story and develop skills to manage intense emotions, develop healthy coping skills, and empower you to make lasting changes.

SPECIALTIES INCLUDE:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Stress & Coping Skills

• Self-Worth and Self-Esteem

• Couples

• Spiritual Formation

• Family/ Relationships

• CBT

• DBT

• Boundaries

Madison Kerber is a Master’s Level Counselor completing her MA in Mental Health Counseling from Trinity International University. She holds a BA in Biology from Hope College in Michigan. Madison draws from cognitive-behavioral therapy and person-centered therapy, using techniques best suited to the client's needs. Madison enjoys working with children, teens, young adults, and adults.

SPECIALTIES INCLUDE:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Stress & Coping Skills

• CBT

• Boundaries

• Life Transitions

• Adolescents, Emerging Adults

• Self Worth and Self Esteem

• Teens / Students

• Young women

Joel Purohit is a Master's Level Intern from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) and is finishing an MA in Mental Health Counseling. He has a BA in Ministerial Studies from Christian Life College. Joel has worked with youth for over a decade and is currently in pastoral ministry as a Youth Pastor. Joel utilizes narrative and person-centered therapy to empower clients and to create an environment of encouragement, safety, and healing. His passion is helping clients discover their value and worth regardless of the challenges they may be facing.

SPECIALTIES INCLUDE:

• Anxiety/Depression

• Adolescent Transitions

• Teens

• Self Worth/Esteem

• Identity Formation

• Spiritual Abuse/Neglect/Trauma

• Spiritual Abuse/Neglect

• Trauma

• Identity Formation

• Racial/Cultural Identity

• Men’s Issues

• Life Transitions

OFFICE ADMIN

Ryan is working as the Business Director at Awakenings. With a Bachelor’s in Information Systems and experience in Business, Ryan supports the practice from an operations perspective. He has a Masters in Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and 13 years of experience on the pastoral staff at Willow Community Church. His leadership, theological and relational gifts allow him to build into the holistic vision of Awakenings. Ryan and Shoji have taught classes at Willow Creek as well as globally, in the Middle East and India. There is no doubt that Ryan loves celebrating the unique aspects of diverse cultures and the adventurous aspects of being married cross-culturally to Shoji.

SPECIALTIES INCLUDE:

• Leadership & Management Coaching

• Pastoral Counsel

• Team Development

• Business Operations

WORKSHOPS:

Together Ryan and Shoji have developed workshops such as:

• Living Authentically – Exploring the Johari Window

• Boundaries

• Generational ties & the Genogram

• The Marriage Puzzle

• Conflict & Your Culture

• Fighting a Good Fight” – Discover Your Conflict Style

Billing department 

Candace helps our clients by processing insurance and payments for their sessions.