Our Staff
Amber Bond, CCMHC, LCPC, PMH-C
Executive Director
Amber has been in the mental health field since 2006, both as a leader and as an outpatient clinical mental health counselor. Amber has worked in non-profit management since 1998 in organizations devoted to the public good. For 8 years, she served as the Administrative Director for the Institute for Therapy through the Arts. During this time, she earned her MA at Adler University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. After her initial clinical training, Amber spent 5 years at JCFS focused on client care and learning clinical supervision with counseling interns. She has advanced training and experience working with children and adolescents, family therapy, and divorce mediation, and holds a Perinatal Mental Health Certification. Amber is engaged in cultural humility practice and is passionate about supporting clients from diverse backgrounds. Clinically, Amber uses a strength-based approach, working alongside clients and clinicians to remove barriers to personal growth and development. Amber is currently only accepting new clients for single session parent/family consultation.
Alicja Mietelka Lapaj,
Business Manager
Alicja Mietelka Lapaj joined Family Service of Glencoe in August 2012. She studied international business at Krakow University of Economics in Poland. She received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting at DePaul University. Alicja has worked in the field of business and accounting for over 10 years. Before coming to FSG, she held Office Manager and Accountant positions in the for-profit sector. She is very happy to be a part of Family Service of Glencoe.
Kelly Clark,
Manager of Development and Communications
Kelly joined FSG in 2022 as our Manager of Development and Communications. She holds a BS in Marketing from DePaul University in Chicago and has supported a multitude of different organizations throughout her career, most recently Career Resource Center in Lake Forest, where she served as the Director of Programs for 9 of her 13 years there. Prior to that, she held positions in fundraising management, event planning, program/services/volunteer management, community outreach, communications, and social media at organizations including MCI Telecommunications Small Business, Baxter Healthcare- Renal Division, Starbucks, and the Creative Group. Kelly brings to FSG a strong work ethic and commitment to excellence in strategic fundraising, event planning, and program development, and we are looking forward to her reaching across our community to create additional partnerships to provide even more services to those in need. Outside of work, Kelly is the proud mom to a young adult son as well as a Trustee, Friends of Lake Bluff Parks.
Jennie T. Weinstock,
Marketing & Social Media Assistant
Jennie Weinstock joined Family Service of Glencoe in 2021 as the Marketing & Social Media Assistant. Jennie has worked in marketing and fundraising in the corporate and not-for-profit sectors for more than 15 years for companies including the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, the American Dental Association, JourneyCare, and the Gastro-Intestinal Research Foundation.
Tami Sollo, LCSW,
Staff Therapist
Tami Sollo, LCSW, brings to FSG over 20 years of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and adults, most recently overseeing the divorce practice a at large local nonprofit social services agency handling high conflict divorce cases both as a therapist and divorce mediator. Her vast and deep experience as a therapist and relational approach to her work will help clients learn how their previous relationships have created and affected current relationships. When not at work, Tami enjoys spending time with her husband, adult son, and tiny toy poodle, Ruby. She prides herself on work/life balance, which strengthens her ability to be her best as a therapist, and credits her artistic expression as a metalsmith, painter, and guitarist in helping her remain centered. Currently accepting new clients.
Joan Merlo, LCSW,
Staff Therapist
Joan Merlo is a psychotherapist, educator and writer with over 20 years of experience serving individuals, families and groups at local hospitals and social service agencies. She joined Family Service of Glencoe in 2000. She is a graduate of Loyola University School of Social Work, where she was adjunct faculty and has completed a post graduate degree at the Center for Religion and Psychotherapy of Chicago. Joan has also recently obtained continuing education certificates at Wellesley’s Stone Center for Women’s Studies and Harvard Medical School Seminars in Mindfulness & Attuned Relating. She has expertise in facilitating healing, mindful awareness, self-care and self-confidence with her clients during periods of change and challenge in such areas as parenting teens and young adults, “power grand-parenting,” handling anxiety and depression, and adjusting to divorce, bereavement, or job loss. Joan also has a private practice in Highland Park and is a frequent adult education lecturer and retreat presenter for north shore churches and community organizations. Currently accepting new clients.
Cindy Brunson, LPC,
Staff Therapist
Cindy serves on the Family Service of Glencoe crisis team. She received her bachelor’s degree at De Paul University and has completed a Master of Arts in Community Counseling at Argosy University. In addition, Cindy has participated in the 40-hour domestic violence training and numerous other domestic violence workshops. She has facilitated men’s and women’s domestic violence groups for 13 years. Cindy started CASA Lake County (Court Appointed Special Advocates) with two other CASA Cook County volunteers in 1994. Currently accepting new clients.
Emily Mysel, LCSW,
Senior Program Manager
Emily is the senior program manager at Family Service of Glencoe. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Miami University of Ohio and holds a Master of Social Work degree from University of Illinois at Chicago-Jane Addams College of Social Work, with a concentration in community health and urban development. Emily has been working with older adults and their families for the past 13 years. Her clinical expertise includes educating clients and their families on the complexities of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia and providing support and referrals throughout their aging journey. Emily has vast experience in bereavement and end of life support, community outreach, and facilitating support groups. Emily’s passion for her work, combined with a commitment to providing older adults and their families the respect, compassion, and dignity they so deserve, is founded in her enduring love for her grandparents.
Alex Ochoa, LCSW,
Outreach and Intake Manager
Tara Bagnola, LCSW,
Staff Therapist
Tara Bagnola, LCSW joined Family Service of Glencoe in 2022 as a Staff Therapist. She received a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago – Jane Addams College of Social Work and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, a Minor in Women’s Studies, and a Concentration in Gender and Health from the University of Michigan. Tara prides herself on cultivating an affirming therapeutic space for every client to explore and better understand themself, always providing respect, compassion, and support. Currently accepting new clients.
Brian McHugh, LSW,
Crisis Counselor
Brian has worked on the Family Service of Glencoe crisis team since joining the staff in 2009. He is on-call for Glencoe Public Safety, responding as needed to families in crisis. Brian also supports Glencoe seniors through well-being home visits in partnership with the Committee for Senior Housing Aid in Glencoe. He has worked at the North Shore Senior Center in the adult protective services area, with Alternatives, Inc. as an on-call Crisis Specialist, and with Uptown Hull House as a child and family specialist. Brian received his master’s degree in social work from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Jane Addams School of Social Work. He also has many certifications including Domestic Violence Certification, DCFS Certification and Balance and Restorative Justice Certification. Not currently accepting new clients.
Cary Sabados
Clinical Intern
Cary is currently working toward his Master of Arts in Social Work, Social Policy, and Social Administration at the University of Chicago. He received a Master of Arts in Teaching from American University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Literature and Mathematics from Claremont McKenna College. For the last 18 years, he has worked in public education, first as a middle and high school math teacher, and most recently as a leadership coach for a national non-profit focused on developing and growing teacher advocacy. Cary is passionate about supporting young people and adults from all backgrounds to develop strategies and approaches for managing the challenges and complexities of their personal and social lives. When not working, he enjoys watching and playing soccer with his daughter.