WHO WE ARE
Trusted community resource for over 100 years.
Strengthening Families, Building Community
Family Service of Glencoe is proud to offer a diverse portfolio of mental health care and social services to residents and employees of Glencoe, New Trier Township, Northfield Township, Highland Park, and Highwood, with sliding scale fees available to uninsured, under-insured, and out-of-network insurance holders, regardless of their presenting issues.
With programs and services that reach every age and stage of life, we strive to treat every facet of the family and community, recognizing that in doing so you keep the entire community healthy.
Our Clinical 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.
Tami Sollo, LCSW
Clinical Director
Tami joined Family Service of Glencoe in May 2023 as a staff therapist, bringing with her over 26 years of clinical, supervisory, and program development experience. Prior to joining FSG, Tami created a cutting-edge divorce specialty program for a large local nonprofit social services agency, which was designed to assist low to middle income families in being able to divorce. She also trained many peers agency wide in the clinical issues of divorce.
While running the divorce specialty program, Tami developed a co-parenting program which incorporated therapy and mediation techniques. She supervised and developed staff and students to work in this program as part of the collaborative model on which it was based.
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.
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.
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.
Joan Merlo, LCSW
Staff Therapist
Joan Merlo is a psychotherapist, educator and writer with over 30 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.
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
Alex is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, working with clients of all ages in both English and Spanish. She received a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago and a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish with a minor in Social Work from Coker University.
Her experience spans various different settings, including working within the community, schools, and outpatient and residential facilities, as well as with a wide range of ages.
When working with someone, Alex prides herself on offering a holistic approach, taking into consideration the environment, current living/work/school situations, previous experiences, and any support available to the client.
Ana Balthazar, MFT
Staff Therapist
Ana Balthazar, MFT joined FSG is 2024 as a Staff Therapist following her intensive studies at The Family Institute at Northwestern University. She is tri-lingual in English, Portuguese, and Spanish and is looking forward to working with both children and adults, having experience working with diverse populations and ages during her training.
Her ability to form strong alliances with her clients will enable her to utilize her language skills to provide the entire community with highly skilled and compassionate counseling services.
Our Administrative Staff
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.
Connect with our dedicated team to
discuss your needs and schedule a consultation.
Our Board
Executive Commitee
President
Samantha Aronow
Vice President
Ryne Tennant
Treasurer
Eric Newmark
Secretary
Kate Schmidt
Governing Chair
Danielle Goodman
Fundraising Co-Chairs
Mark Gershon
Karen Kremeier
Outreach & Communications Co-Chairs
Karen Rogatz
Lauren Smekhov
Directors
Sarah Abrams
Dave Barta
Rebecca Gillett
Marjorie Jacobs
Lauren Kase
Sharon Wexler
Sarah Wine
Associate Council
Karen Greer