Our Team

Hi, I’m Anita Chlipala!

Owner and Founder

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

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People often ask me how I could listen to problems all day. My response: I have a comfortable chair…just kidding. There’s nothing more rewarding than to hear my clients’ stories and to help them achieve their goals.

I founded Relationship Reality 312 to focus exclusively on romantic relationships – from getting one to maintaining one successfully. I use cutting-edge research in my work to bring you the latest information and tools to help you achieve a happy and healthy relationship. Whatever problems or issues you want addressed, I don’t just listen – I’ll teach you the skills you need so that you no longer need to see me anymore (or a twice-yearly check-in will suffice!).

If you’re looking for a no-BS approach, contact me today.

Instagram: @AnitaOnLove

Hi, I’m Karen Washington!

Clinical Director

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

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I want to make the world a better place one sex life at a time.

I once had a therapist tell me figure out what you’re good at, and how to get paid for it. As it so happens, I am really good at talking about sex with people and helping them learn how to talk about it, too. From there, I also learned that I am fascinated by people, their own self-esteem, how they feel about each other, how they do (and don’t) communicate. Most importantly, I learned that I am completely enthralled with learning about and love to talk about sex. So now I do what I love, and it never feels like work.

I studied Sociology in undergrad, which rounded out my study of the individual and all it is impacted by from its environment. From there, I pursued my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy at Adler University. The systemic foundation reflected my belief that, while sex is not necessarily the primary problem (although it can be), typically it is what suffers from all of life’s problems. I am committed to helping individuals and couples work through life’s obstacles in order to return to a fulfilling intimate life – whether or not problems exist – by teaching better communication and coping skills. I further incorporate psychoeducation on self-esteem and sex education to enhance my clients’ understandings and enable them to continue to thrive. I write advice and editorial pieces on sex/sex related topics for online publications.

I believe my clients are experts on themselves; sometimes they just get stuck and need someone else to help them problem solve. That’s why I do what I do – to help you get unstuck by collaborating on tools specifically designed for each of your unique problems, issues, and circumstances.

View recent article on the site Between Us.

Hi, I’m Hollie Schmid!

Assistant Clinical Director

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

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Sometimes I joke and say that I started being a therapist way before I actually did. Being that go-to person for advice in most of my relationships with friends and family evolved into a passion for helping others. Furthermore, the naturally assumed role of being a listening ear and a voice of reason for many is what eventually lead me to pursuing my education in therapy. My intense desire to understand individuals and how their relationships can impact the way they think, feel, and act drove me to studying Marriage and Family therapy.

My approach to practice emphasizes emotional expression, building connections, finding support, validating emotions, and creating healthy and effective interactional patterns. My goal within each session is to always ensure that I am providing a warm, welcoming, and comfortable environment for my clients. Therapy can bring up a lot of emotions, and I believe that it is important for my clients to feel as if they have a safe place to share in these feelings.

The process of healing may not be an easy one, but I believe my role as a therapist is to put an end to the cycle of avoiding difficult topics, and dig deeper into them instead. Change ultimately begins and ends with you. You are the creator of your own journey to healing. My passion comes from helping people pave their way to growth and happiness.

Instagram: @therapywithhollie

Hi, I’m Jeannie Sytsma!

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

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Relationships have always sparked my interest, and it was no surprise to my family and friends when I decided to pursue a career in marriage and family therapy. One of the reasons I chose to become a therapist is because I have always admired the resilience of people, which includes looking at the darkness in our lives in order to grow and move forward. As humans, we are wired for connection with one another and sometimes it can be challenging to let down our defenses and open ourselves up to vulnerability. I believe that being in therapy will allow you (and your partner) to understand your vulnerabilities, identify troublesome patterns, and make concrete changes in the present that will carry into the future.

I do this work because I care deeply about helping others and I believe that everyone deserves a skilled, fierce ally with lots of resources to support them when life gets tough (as it inevitably does). As a therapist, I strive to strike a balance between showing empathy and challenging you to move you towards transformation. I know therapy can be intimidating, which is why I practice from a non-judgmental and caring stance in order for you to feel safe and secure in our time together.

It is my belief that you have the strength inside of you to make the necessary changes in order to achieve the results you want; I am here to help you gain insight about what is blocking you from getting there on your own, and provide you with skills to sustain your growth outside of therapy. My goal for you is to have connection with others and I believe that happens when both people feel heard, seen, and valued. Lastly, I will leave you with the words of Brené Brown: “Love is not something we give or get; it is something that we nurture and grow, a connection that can only be cultivated between people when it exists within each one of them – we can only love others as much as we love ourselves.”

Hi, I’m Katie Nick!

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

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I vehemently believe that with the right tools, our relationships and our sex lives can be the container in which we build the very best version of ourselves. As a relationship and sex therapist, I’ve made a profession in studying those tools – ones that allow us to develop a solid, resilient sense of self that serves as the foundation for a compassionate, enduring, and VIBRANT relationship with the people we love.

I come from a journalism background, which means I spent years writing about sex and relationships before realizing that I might just have a knack for working with people face-to-face. It also means that I have a particular penchant for helping my clients develop clear, constructive communication, and tap into their authenticity and intuition so they can create their own gripping life stories.

The truth is – working ourselves and our relationships and takes some Herculean courage, which is one of the things I’m here to support you in maintaining. In session, we’ll work on developing true emotional intimacy, learn to listen compassionately to difficult truths, and make room for the growth and change that each relationship inevitably experiences. My approach to sex therapy goes beyond establishing sexual function to creating sexual fulfillment, and I practice from a kink-friendly, LGTBQIA-affirming place.

As your therapist, I fully believe in practicing what I preach, and I’m so passionate about helping you and your partner tap into the glorious potential your relationship holds – both for yourselves individually and together as a dream team.

Hi, I’m Lana El Masri!

Associate Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, LPC

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Every relationship is dynamic and unique. I have always been drawn into the intricacies of how people function within their relationships and the dynamics of their close social circles. I am always eager to learn about how people operate and what constitutes a healthy relationship with friends, families, and couples. A combination of wanting to learn more while helping others was a driving factor in the pursuit of my career as a therapist. It is through these studies I have built a foundation to help you navigate, strengthen and grow these relationships both as an individual and as a couple.

Throughout my life, I have been continuously immersed in varying cultures and been enlightened by different perspectives people may have, Which has shaped me on being always non-judgmental towards any individual and supportive with an open mind. My multicultural background has been one of my continuous and significant strengths as a person. It has made me to be open-minded, flexible, compassionate, and always yearning to learn more about similarities and differences between cultures and ethnic groups. I am passionate about my own Middle Eastern culture and am bilingual in English and Arabic. It has given me the opportunity to meet many different people on various life paths, and connect with those who may feel alienated in a new place. Seeking help is the first step in creating a positive change and growing as an individual. I would love to help you in this process in a safe and welcoming environment.

I have always been a good listener to my family , friends and experience listening through my coursework at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and it would be a pleasure to listen to you and help you with any concerns you may experience in different aspects of life.

Hi, Samantha Hill!

Nationally Certified Counselor / LPC

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Life is hard! Seeking support can feel daunting but doing the work to take care of yourself always pays off. I deeply believe that we all deserve to thrive, not just survive. Therapy with me sets you up for a happier, healthier life with more satisfying relationships. I believe you are the expert of your own life. My job is to show up, support you, and walk with you on your healing journey. I bring empathy, understanding, gentle challenges, and support that facilitates insight that will increase your understanding of your actions and emotions. Greater understanding of self supports healthier relationships and a healthier world view. While therapy is not always easy and at times you will be challenged to step outside of your comfort zone, I know that growth happens when you get uncomfortable and keep moving forward anyway.

Whether you are struggling with depression, anxiety, problems communicating with your partner, feeling stuck and not knowing what to do next, or recovering from trauma and abuse, I’ve got you. In my counseling room, you will feel seen and heard. I bring warmth and care and show up for you as my genuine self. I’m here to help you help yourself.

Hi, I’m Andréa Brice!

Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

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My journey as a therapist began by recognizing that I’m a great listener… and I secretly wanted to tell people what to do with their life. While my goal is not to tell you how to live, I will support you in making decisions that work best for you to live a fulfilled life. Do you feel burdened by the weight of your experiences? Are you unsure of what your needs are, and think support could be helpful? Different seasons in life may cause you to feel stuck and unsure of the next best step. From a systemic and collaborative lens, I have developed a culturally sensitive approach and can help you if you’re faced with racism, classism, sexism, colorism, and more.

Understanding your environmental influences may provide valuable insight towards how you show up as a significant other, friend, coworker, family member, etc. As you face your challenges, my goal is to meet you where you are, and hold you accountable for your actions. I believe it is beneficial for you to become whole before finding fulfillment in the world around you. I look forward to hearing from you and supporting you on your journey.

Hi, I’m Leigh Ann!

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

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It’s a privilege to work with clients on the things that matter to them the most. Our dreams, our goals and our closest relationships, these are at the core of who we are and our path toward creating a life that is happy, satisfying and complete. All of us can benefit from the support and encouragement of a therapist who listens and helps to understand so that we can build the lives and relationships we hope for. As a therapist, my goal is to support you in a caring way. I do this by creating a non-judgmental and accepting space where individuals and couples can work through what is stopping them and move forward confidently.

Whether the focus is on dating and finding a new relationship, building the connection, communication and intimacy in your current relationship or support in navigating life changes, I look forward to working with you.
   

Hi, I’m Vito Rizzi!

Intern

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Let’s face it- relationships can be hard! It has never been easier to find a partner, yet it often feels increasingly difficult to maintain meaningful, loving relationships. Everyone deserves to feel loved, connected, and seen for what makes them special and unique, but navigating romantic relationships is not always easy. This is where I come in.

I believe that love is a resource we can all cultivate within ourselves. Oftentimes, our past experiences bleed into our relationships, laying the groundwork for relational patterns that might leave us feeling disconnected or distressed. Ultimately, I believe that by improving our relationship with ourselves, we can form more fulfilling relationships with others. I also believe that you already have the tools you need to form a sustainable solution that works for you.

Whether you’re working through challenges in your current relationship or creating a new one, I feel that a collaborative and integrative approach can produce valuable insight tailored to your unique identity. As a queer practitioner, I am committed to offering a safe space to all my clients. Relationships are not “one size fits all”, so why should therapy be? You are the expert of your own experience and I hope to approach our sessions with respect, curiosity, and care.

Hi, I’m Carina Ozers!

Intern

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Connection to ourselves and others makes life noteworthy. To make those connections deeper, it is vital to find healthy relationships that enrich our lives. I think all of us have a story of how our lives look in our minds, and how we would like to change that story for something more fulfilling.

As a therapist, I feel honored that people share their stories with me. It is incredibly brave to take the steps to come to therapy and be vulnerable about your life and feelings. In my approach, I am person-centered and empathetic to the want to improve your life and relationships in a way that works for you.

I am here to support you while we change the narrative in a way that is more serving to you. If you are struggling personally with something or are having trouble connecting to others in your life, I will support you by listening in a nonjudgmental way to find a solution that works for you and your life. It is never too late to change your story.