ABOUT OUR MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC IN ILLINOIS
Leadership Team
MEET OUR PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
We’re Better Together.
KEVIN ELLIOTT
PRESIDENT & FOUNDER
He/Him/His
Kevin Elliott, LCPC, founded the company in 2002. His vision allowed the company to thrive, growing from one counselor to where we are today. The model is a unique hybrid between a private practice and a clinic, with each counselor managing their own schedule and attending to their own clients while being fully supported by full staff who manage behind the scene details. Kevin now attends to the financial management of the company and provides clinical oversite. He spends the rest of his days bike riding (he managed a cross-country trip in 2014!); creating music (Kevin Elliott Music); producing a folk music show that has national acclaim (heard on WEFT); and loving his role as a grandpa and family man.
SANDRA AHTEN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
She/Her/Hers
Sandra Ahten is a serial entrepreneur who in 2012 stepped into the business her husband founded. Today she is the Executive Director. In addition, she is an accomplished artist and an agent for social justice in the community, primarily through involvement in independent media. She was a founding member of the Urbana Champaign Independent Media Center, Public I newspaper, and Books to Prisoners. For seven years, she had a diet and life coaching business with a top-rated iTunes podcast. She enjoys bike riding, creative cooking, growing her own greens, and rooting for the underdog.
MEET OUR CAREFULLY SELECTED LEADERSHIP TEAM
We Are Here To Help.
“Acceptance rests on letting go of the illusion of control and a willingness to notice and accept things as they are right now, without judging.”
~Marsha Linehan, Founder of DBT
LAINEY EMMONS-TOPPING, LPC
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO)
She/Her/Hers
Lainey is the heart of the operations of Elliott Counseling Group. She ensures that each department is integrated and in communication with one another. When it comes to everything behind the scenes, she makes sure that everything is running efficiently and effectively. It is essential to her that our staff and clients are happy. She is also passionate about fueling the culture of our mental health agency and mentoring and supporting the leadership team.
Interesting Fact #1: Lainey is a dedicated crafter and sells custom crafts through her small business.
Interesting Fact #2: She is an animal rescue advocate and is always adding a little chaos to the mix of her already busy home that includes a husband, two little boys, and (currently) three dogs and a cat.
KELSEY BURTON
OFFICE MANAGER
She/Her/Hers
Kelsey is the linchpin of our administrative operations, she oversees the seamless functioning of reception, billing, and client care departments. Collaborating closely with our executive team, Kelsey assists in daily tasks, project management, and protocol adherence. With her keen eye for detail and exceptional organizational skills, she plays a pivotal role in maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of our agency, ultimately contributing to the well-being of our clients and the success of our mission.
Interesting Fact #1: Kelsey loves being with her blended family hanging out on the weekends, especially BBQing. She has a 14yr old son, a 3 yr old daughter and two stepsons who are 10 and 12 years old.
Interesting Fact #2: Kelsey is also obsessed with True Crime TV!
LOREN BROOKS
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
He/Him/His
Loren is responsible for all aspects of Human Resources, including the support of business needs, ensuring proper implementation of company strategy and objectives, managing recruitment and employee performance tracking, and aids in company direction and growth.
Interesting Fact #1: He loves trying spicy things – his fridge has an entire shelf dedicated to hot sauces, and he makes his own too.
Interesting Fact #2: He’s an all-around nerd, and will happily talk about movies (especially bad ones!), games (either video games or tabletop), books, comics, or pretty much anything else.
RACHEL BUNYARD, LCPC
CLINICAL SUPERVISOR
She/Her/Hers
Rachel is a Clinical Supervisor and one of many therapists at Elliott Counseling Group. In addition to providing therapy services to clients, she works managing clinical happenings, coaching, and supporting therapists through monitoring, mentoring, and supervising. She participates in team projects and aids in the company’s direction regarding Clinical growth. She also assists with reviewing and revising protocols and ensuring they are applied company-wide.
Interesting Fact #1: Rachel makes a phenomenal cheesecake.
Interesting Fact #2: Rachel is a mosquito magnet, she enjoys a good camping trip paired with a canoe ride down the river, and you won’t catch her outside without long sleeves unless it’s at least 85 degrees.
MARITZA DIAZ, LCSW
CLINICAL TEAM LEAD
She/Her/Hers
Maritza is a Clinical Team Leader and also one of many therapists at Elliott Counseling Group. Working closely with the Clinical Supervisor, Maritza provides clinical direction, support, and supervision to therapists, in addition to providing therapy services to clients as well.
Interesting Fact #1: Maritza has three dogs named after Fire Nation characters from Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Interesting Fact #2: Maritza enjoys being out in her backyard, reading a good book, and listening to the sounds of the various birds visiting her garden…that is, until they get chased away by her dogs!
TAYSHA RYAN
ASSOCIATE MEDICAL DIRECTOR / NURSE PRACTITIONER
She/Her/Hers
Taysha is our Associate Medical Director and oversees the medical department in addition to providing direct care to clients. Taysha has an extensive background in nursing, treating anxiety, depression, ADHD, and other behavioral health needs.With a blend of clinical expertise and compassionate care, Taysha plays a pivotal role in our mission to provide comprehensive mental health services. She leads our medical team with precision, overseeing patient assessments, treatment plans, and medication management. Collaborating closely with therapists and counselors, Taysha ensures holistic care that addresses both physical and mental well-being. Her dedication to improving the lives of our clients shines through in her commitment to personalized care and ongoing support.
Interesting Fact #1: Taysha has two daughter and 3 dogs that keep her busy and loved.
Interesting Fact #2: Taysha LOVES Halloween! Everything spooky is her favorite!
SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT
Our Client Care team is available to work with you and find out your unique goals and needs so we can find the right therapist for you.
It’s okay to not be okay. We are here to help you, no matter your needs.
“After all, we are all Better . . . Together.
Even on the hardest days that you face, you have support to lean on. Sometimes, it takes confidin in someone else to see the light inside ourselves… and that is perfectly okay.
We have over 35 trained therapists who are here to work with you so that you can recognize and process your feelings and thoughts and provide tools to turn those into action. We want to help you realize the empowerment that you already have, within yourself, so that you are able to make the changes you desire most in life.”