ABOUT OUR MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC IN ILLINOIS
Leadership Teams
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 EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM
We Are Here To Help You.
“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” – Simon Sinek
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.
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 daughters and 3 dogs that keep her busy and loved.
Interesting Fact #2: Taysha LOVES Halloween! Everything spooky is her favorite!
MEET OUR CAREFULLY SELECTED OPERATIONS LEADERSHIP TEAM
We Are Here To Guide You.
“Leadership is about empathy, about understanding the needs of others and helping them achieve their goals.” – Unknown
MAGGIE DAU
ASSISTANT OFFICE MANAGER
She/Her/Hers
Maggie plays a key role in supporting the entire administrative team, including reception, billing, credentialing, marketing, and more. Building on her exceptional dedication to client care, she ensures processes run smoothly and fosters a strong, cohesive team dynamic. Maggie’s leadership enhances efficiency and provides vital support across all administrative functions.
Interesting Fact #1: Maggie lived in Paris, France for a year after graduating college, and she is still very picky about pastries and baked goods.
Interesting Fact #2: As a teenager who played The Sims avidly, Maggie still love to style and play with interior design (most of the time on Pinterest).
TAREVA SCHWANKE
BUSINESS OPERATIONS & MARKETING LEAD
She/Her/Hers
Tareva brings expertise in process improvement, project management, and team coordination to her role as Business Operations & Marketing Lead. With a strong focus on marketing strategy development, brand management, and client engagement, she excels at driving efficiency and fostering collaboration. Her experience in executive support and leadership ensures seamless operations and strategic growth across teams.
Interesting Fact #1: Before 2023 Tareva had only read a handful of books in her lifetime. In 2023, she read 40 and in 2024, she read 50! She loves that she has found a love for reading!
Interesting Fact #2: Tareva enjoys the challenge of mastering new skills. She most recently taught herself to crochet!
SAM DEBELLA
OFFICE LEAD
They/Them/Any Pronouns
Sam excels as Office Lead, overseeing daily operations with a strong focus on reception leadership. They ensure the front office runs smoothly while fostering a welcoming and efficient environment for both clients and team members. Sam’s commitment to excellence helps maintain high standards in office operations and client service.
Interesting Fact #1: Sam is a classically trained musician, with the most emphasis on piano.
Interesting Fact #2: Sam loves all things gaming, especially Pokemon, Hollow Knight, and The Last of Us.
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.”