Tim has over 26 years of experience in the Social Work field, 24 of them in the Sycamore area. His therapeutic approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy using brief solution-focused treatment. He provides a caring, sensitive approach to assessment and treatment of personal, relationship and family problems. Tim focuses on practical solutions to help you through the stress of life adjustments and the pain of more long standing problems. Tim has provided clinical social work services to clients at all levels of care from outpatient, partial, and inpatient mental health settings. Tim has experience in assessing and treating substance abuse.



Jeff Maney, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist

Jeff Maney, Ph.D., is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 27 years of experience in the evaluation and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults.  He has also consulted with hospitals and businesses, trained students through clinical supervision, and taught a number of graduate courses. 

Dr. Maney’s areas of special interest include depression, behavioral medicine (e.g., services for those with pain or heart disease), and post-traumatic stress disorder.  In addition, he maintains a strong interest in psychological testing and evaluation for disability, workers compensation, personal injury, and screening for dementia. 

Dr. Maney is a participating provider for a number of insurance carriers, and is available by appointment.   

Fran Tierney, MA, LCPC
Clinical Therapist

Fran Tierney is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over 15 years of experience in working with individuals, couples, families and groups.  She believes that clients benefit most in a therapeutic relationship which is based on positive regard, understanding, support, acceptance, encouragement and expectations.  She works diligently in partnership with her clients and their families to elicit change in their daily lives and relationships. She strives to meet each client where they are in their process of change, helping them to identify and work through their ambivalence to change while encouraging them to experience greater psychological flexibility.

Fran has significant experience and success in working with clients who struggle with Eating Disorders, Body Image Concerns, Self-Injury, Depression, Post-Partum Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Women's Issues, Self-Esteem Concerns, Professional Related Stress and Unexpected Life Changes.  She has specialized training in Pragmatic and Experiential Couples Counseling and has noteworthy experience in working with relationship issues including infidelity, infertility, and life transitions.

Due to Fran's tremendous professional experience in working with general mental health issues, combined with meaningful specialty experiences, she has witnessed significant success among her individual and couples clients, as well as their families.

​In addition to individual work, Fran also provides opportunity for Group Therapy experiences.  The groups that she facilitates are the Eating Disorder and Body Image Group as well as the Anxiety Management Group.  A few times a year, she also facilitates a Couples Therapy Group program, which focuses on communication and understanding the sequence and needed patterns of relationship success.

Fran uses a combination of approaches and psychological theories in addressing her clients' concerns including:  Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, Pragmatic and Experiential Couples Therapy, and the Gottman Method Couples Therapy.

 

Susan L. Bogue, LCSW
Clinical Therapist

Susan Bogue is a licensed clinical social worker with over 40 years of experience providing counseling and clinical services in community mental health centers, residential treatment, and child welfare.  Sue received her Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Social Work, Madison, Wisconsin.

Sue worked at the Ben Gordon Center in DeKalb for 18 years. Most recently, she was a clinician at Sinnissippi Centers in Rochelle, IL for 11 years. Sue has worked extensively with children, adolescents and families. She has skills in individual counseling, play therapy, and theraplay with children. She always works with the patients and families of the children and adolescents. Sue also has experience working with adults and the elderly: dealing with depression, anxiety, grief and divorce. Sue has training and experience serving clients with ADHD, trauma, autism spectrum disorders and attachment issues. 

Before moving to DeKalb in 1983, Sue worked in Wisconsin as a social worker at a residential treatment center for children and did child welfare work. Sue has lived in DeKalb since 1983 and is well known in the counseling and social service community.

She accepts most insurance and Medicare.




Michael D. Gara, Psy.D.,
Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Gara is a Licensed Clincal Psychologist with over 20 years of experience working with individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, grief, relationship problems, trauma, co-morbid substance abuse, ADHD, and developmental disorders.

He has extensive experience working with families, children and adolescents presenting with a wide variety of emotional and behavioral difficulties.

Dr. Gara received his Psy. D from The Illinois School of Professional Psychology, and then practiced in a community mental health center in both inpatient and outpatient programs for children, adolescents and adults.

Dr. Gara has substantial training in intellectual and personality assessment using a variety of different measures of psychological functioning. He also has considerable experience working with clients who experienced trauma and is actively involved in training other professionals to work with their own clients who have experienced trauma.

Dr. Gara's primary treatment style uses cognitive therapy techniques as well as other solution focused and developmentally sensitive approaches.

With Dr. Gara, you can be assured of compassionate, confidential care. When needed, Dr. Gara coordinates his care with area physicians and schools to provide a more comprehensive approach.

Starline Crouch
Speech-Language Pathologist

Starline Crouch is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in the state of Illinois. She obtained a master of arts degree from Northern Illinois University. She has 25+ years experience including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Phonological Impairments, Cognitive Disorders, Augmentative/Alternative Communication as well as Social Communication Development.

For the school aged population, Star has taught regular education classes in written expression in addition to all aspects of public speaking.

Toney Xidis, MSW, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker

He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Roosevelt University in Chicago, a Master’s degree in Community Mental Health from Northern Illinois University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from University of Illinois.

Toney has over 35 years of therapeutic and consulting experience in the social service, mental health and educational fields.  His clinical experience includes 13 years in the Sycamore School District, five years at Ben Gordon Community Mental Health Center, five years in the Kane County Court Services System and over eighteen years in private practice and working with Employee Service Programs. Toney is a long time resident of DeKalb County and he is well known in the counseling community. His clinical experience encompasses working with adults, adolescents, children and families. 

Sharon Carani, MSW, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Sharon Carani, MSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of IL with a BA in Psychology from Eastern Illinois University and a Masters in Social Work from University of Illinois.

Sharon brings to Associates in Counseling over 22 years of social work experience including work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools and clinical settings with individuals, families and groups. Sharon has extensive experience working with a wide variety of emotional and behavioral challenges with children, teens and adults.

Sharon quickly develops therapeutic relationships with her clients, providing care based a compassionate, caring and honest approach building on the strengths of each client. Sharon works with her clients to create a therapeutic plan that best matches their individual needs, goals, interests and beliefs, while building on personal strength and resiliency models.

Sharon coordinates with other area providers and schools to provide a comprehensive approach to care. Sharon's work with schools provides an extensive knowledge of the importance of mental health and the coordination of services between home, counseling supports and the school.

Sharon's therapeutic approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Brief Solution-Focused Therapy from a strength based perspective.

Donna Heller
Office Manager