South Elgin outpatient team
Emily Shelton
Primary Therapist
My name is Emily Shelton. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Certified Recovery Support Specialist and received my M.H.S. in Addiction Studies from Governors State University with a concentration in mental health counseling. I am clinically licensed as a mental health counselor in the States of Illinois and Indiana. I am a certified drug and alcohol counselor and a certified recovery support specialist in the state of Illinois.
I entered this field to help people be the best that version of themselves that they can be. I do this by first establishing a genuine connection with people and then building trust and rapport. Everyone struggles sometimes; I want to help break the stigma of mental health and addiction. I want to let you know that it is okay not to be okay. Let me help you to be okay once again.
I offer a nonjudgmental listening ear. I am client-centered and believe that a therapy session is your time to process or not process anything you would like. I do not believe in making my clients open about anything they are not ready for or are comfortable opening. I believe in being by my clients’ side and accompanying them on the therapeutic journey where together we will rebuild and put all the pieces back together one step at a time.
I treat clients from a cognitive and psychodynamic theory approach. I utilize a client-centered therapy offering empathetic listening and unconditional positive regard. I also draw from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) as well as motivational interviewing (MI). I understand that there is no “one size fits all” for treatment. I make sure that your treatment is as unique as you as a person. I have worked with clients experiencing trauma, crisis, stress management, life transitions, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, grief and loss, self-esteem issues, and substance abuse. I have also worked in many different treatment settings including residential treatment, recovery homes, community mental health centers, homeless shelters, home-based treatment at my clients’ homes, and in the community.
My clients are my inspiration and my drive for continuing the work I do in this field. I admire the bravery that my clients possess by embarking on their journey of healing and self-love. I feel it an accolade to weather the storm alongside them. I would love to hear from you; let’s weather this storm together.
Jennifer Scribano
Primary Therapist
Jennifer Scribano MSW, CADC, and QMHP has been working in the mental health and addiction field since 2017. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a specialization in Mental Health. Jennifer has worked with a diverse population, ranging from working with children to adults. Jennifer is very compassionate and dedicated to helping patients achieve their goals and meeting them where they are at in their lives and on their recovery path. Jennifer got into this field to encourage and cheer on people to let them know that they can do it and they can achieve their goals, whatever those goals are. Jennifer uses CBT, DBT, humor and creative groups or activities to help patients achieve their goals. Jennifer enjoys hiking in the fall, coaching cheerleading and tumbling, anything Disney, animals, enjoys spending time outside and spending time with friends and family. Jennifer is excited to be apart of the RCA team as the outpatients primary therapist.
Lauren Smith
Primary Therapist
Lauren Smith, MSW, CADC has been working in the addiction field since 2016. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a specialization in Addiction Services. Lauren is very compassionate, dedicated, and willing to meet patients where they are at in their recovery journey, while still challenging them to progress by learning new skills. Lauren uses humor and creativity to engage her patients while assuring their safety and recovery is always the number one priority. Lauren enjoys spending time with her dogs and is a huge advocate for DBT skills, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and helping patients find what works for them to stay sober. Even if it is unorthodox!
Jeffrey Lange
Primary Therapist
My name is Jeffrey Lange, MA, CADC, CODP1 and I obtained my Bachelor’s Degree in 2005 at Judson University, a Master’s degree in psychology in 2015, and I’m currently getting 2nd Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I obtained CADC License in 1999 and I have been a practicing Addictions Counselor for 22 years. I practice CBT and DBT therapies. I have worked and run PHP, IOP programs and also have experience in working with behavioral health inpatient and outpatient and have a specialty working with Dual Diagnosed Clients. I am a jokester have a million jokes- and all of them are bad! I’ve been a Guitarist/Musician for years specializing in rock and metal guitar; currently working on my new album release “Romantic Songs for the Hearing Impaired”.
Denise Meginniss
Clinical Assessor
Denise Meginniss, LCPC; I have been in the Substance-abuse field for almost 30 years In many different positions. Currently, I am a clinical assessor for Recovery Centers of America. I find this position so fascinating because I can assess clients for the correct level of care and get them the help that they need. The whole team works together to do the very best for the client and get them into the treatment that they need to succeed.
Antionette Fisher
Primary Therapist
My name is Antionette Fisher and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I have been a therapist since 2020. I believe life is complex and so are we. We are faced with grief, trauma, and expectations of ourselves and others on top of being born into situations we have little to no control over, like an addiction. The suffering ends here! I use a variety of therapeutic modalities tailored to you to assist you through your journey. All you have to do is take the next step and we can work through the rest together!
Kim Sutherland
Director of Outpatient Services
Kim Sutherland, MA, LCPC, CADC, brings over 2 decades of behavioral health experience to Recovery Centers of America. As a licensed clinical professional counselor, Kim’s experience is dedicated to working in a leadership and advocacy role within a therapeutic setting supporting the emotional growth and treatment needs of those with mental health and substance abuse struggles, as well as staff development for the professional growth of the organization. Kim is detail-oriented and wholeheartedly believes in helping others. With her Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology, Bachelor of Arts in Clinical Psychology, and Associate in Arts in Psychology, Kim brings experience, passion, and knowledge to RCA at South Elgin as the Outpatient Director at South Elgin.
