Our community
Our mission is to bring together a community of person-centered psychotherapists interested in rigorous clinical thinking, dedicated to self awareness and examination, and meticulous in their appreciation of difference and privilege in the lives of our clients and ourselves. Within the collaborative strength of this community, we are better prepared to support our clients’ work as humans in the world, navigating family, community, work, school, and social and political impact and change. We appreciate that psychological difficulties live within the web of our bodies, families, communities and society.
Our deep roots in the client-centered tradition guide us as we provide effective, thoughtful, life enhancing services to our clients. Our experiences in our own therapy and ongoing education reinforce our beliefs in rigorous and supportive training and supervision to developing therapists.
Feel free to reach out to any of us to talk about counseling services, our intern- and fellowships, and person-centered community events.
Our therapists
Peggy Cook, M.A., LCPC (she/her)
Contact: pcook@cca-cct.com 773-281-7200 x 3
Peggy earned her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. In addition to providing psychotherapy, she leads writing workshops and believes in the power of therapeutic writing as a meaningful pathway to healing and self-understanding, particularly in trauma work.
Her clinical interests include anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, life transitions, relationships, boundaries, pregnancy and childbirth, and mindfulness. Peggy’s approach is compassionate, thoughtful, and collaborative, helping clients navigate challenges with greater insight, resilience, and connection.
Outside of her clinical work, Peggy enjoys spending time with her family, writing, and traveling.
Dragon Ding, Ed.S., LPC (he/him)
Contact: ding@cca-cct.com 773-281-7200 x 5
Dragon earned his Ed.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Loyola University Chicago and his B.A. in psychology from Boston University. He is passionate about working with folks exploring cultural identity, the experience of being a digital native, and the life transitions of young adulthood. Dragon helps his clients navigate the “in-between” feelings that can show up as internal conflict, loneliness, relationship challenges, and difficulty adapting to change. In therapy with Dragon, you will collaborate to create a safe space that allows you to access your inner voice and brings your true self into being. Dragon is particularly experienced in working with young adults, the AAPI community, and individuals in the gaming/esports space.
In addition to his work as a psychotherapist, Dragon works with Healthy Gamer in program development and coordination and provides consultation to peer support coaches. In his free time, Dragon enjoys spending time with his two cats, Bilbao and Córdoba, playing volleyball, and gaming with friends.
Grace Gautier, A.M., LSW (she/her)
Contact: gautier@cca-cct.com 773-281-7200 x 0
Grace earned her master's degree in clinical social work and bachelor's degree in psychology and linguistics from the University of Chicago. She specializes in working with other LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals, and her clinical interests include working with complex trauma, identity exploration, and neurodivergence. Grace has provided compassionate care work in many settings, but loves giving individual therapy most of all. She believes the relational aspect of therapy is the special ingredient in her work, and provides a space fostering clients' exploration and liberation. In her free time, Grace loves to meditate, be in nature, and make art with her friends.
Carrie Lydon, A.M., LCSW (she/her)
Contact: clydon@cca-cct.com 773-281-7200 x 4
Carrie completed her master’s degree at the University of Chicago’s Crown School of Social Work, Policy and Practice. She also holds a master’s in learning and organizational change from Northwestern University. Carrie has worked in the non-profit and higher education sectors, most recently directing wellness initiatives for graduate students. Carrie is a passionate advocate and member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and in her free time enjoys spending time in nature, engaging in social justice work, traveling, and spending time with her partner and senior dog, Franklin. Her clinical interests include depression, anxiety, mindfulness, trauma-informed practices, career and life transitions, and LGBTQIA+ issues and identity development. She brings a collaborative, culturally responsive, and person-centered approach to working with clients to create a space for healing and personal growth.
Todd Odell, LCPC, LMFT, Senior Supervisor (he/him)
Contact: todell@cca-cct.com 773-281-7200 x 2
Todd has provided client-centered counseling to individuals, couples and families since 1998. He received his M.A. in clinical psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Chicago, and then completed his internship and joined the staff of the Chicago Counseling and Psychotherapy Center. Todd has worked in several private practice and social service agencies in Illinois and California, serving as the Associate Director of Mental Health at the Center on Halsted, Program Supervisor of SPA 2 Wraparound at Olive Crest and most recently providing therapy to families involved with the California Department of Child and Family Services and the juvenile probation system. He has trained in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), as well as a number of trauma informed modalities including EMDR, and TF-CBT. Todd's clinical interests include life and family transitions, trauma work, management of depression, anxiety, grief and loss, relationship issues, and LGBTQ issues. His work is guided by his commitment to the client's self-determination and his belief that each individual has the ability to thrive and grow in a collaborative relationship.
Matthew Parsons, A.M., LCSW, Training Director (he/him)
Contact: mparsons@cca-cct.com 773-281-7200 x 6
Matthew received his master’s in clinical social work with a focus on trauma from the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration, and his bachelor’s in Arabic and International Relations from Tufts University. His clinical interests include complex and acute trauma, queer and trans identity exploration, neurodivergence, the felt impacts of systemic oppression, and relationship challenges. Matthew’s years of working in human rights advocacy, his experience working with survivors of community violence in Chicago, as well as his lived experience as a queer person have left him with a deep commitment to and belief in self determination. To this end, Matthew strives to cultivate a warm, collaborative, and authentic relationship with his clients where they are free to explore themselves and move toward ways of being that feel better. In his free time, he is often making a hearty meal, trying to be near water, or tending to his plants.
Senior Consultants
Susan Pildes, LPC, Senior Consultant (she/her)
Susan has over 40 years of experience counseling individuals, couples, and families in agency and private practice settings. She has taught in Chicago graduate programs for over thirty years, and is a much prized consultant to various community organizations. Susan is particularly skilled in collaborating with other medical and psychological professionals in client care, offering a holistic approach to her work with clients and their chosen or birth family. Her areas of expertise include work with couples and families, visual artists, disorders of attention, substance and process addictions, domestic violence, and survival of traumatic experiences. Susan studied intensively with Dr. Barbara Brodley for over 35 years, and also counts Jerold Bozarth Ph.D. and Marge Witty, Ph.D. amongst her teachers and colleagues.
Marge Witty, Ph.D., Senior Consultant (she/her)
Marge is an experienced client-centered therapist, licensed clinical psychologist, author, and educator who was first introduced to the client centered approach in 1972 when she took the community practicum at the Chicago Counseling and Psychotherapy Research Center. She has recently retired from the position of Professor and University Fellow at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Chicago, and is engaged in full time clinical work and supervision of graduate interns. Marge completed her M.S. in Counseling Psychology at the Illinois Institute of Technology and her Ph.D., also in Counseling Psychology, at Northwestern University. Marge is interested in critical psychology and the social and economic roots of psychological distress. Areas of expertise include psychological studies in the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and intersex persons, qualitative research in psychotherapy process and outcome, and life span development.
Carolyn Schneider, A.M., LCPC, Founder (she/her)
Contact: cschneider@cca-cct.com 773-281-7200 x 1
Carolyn has dedicated over 30 years to providing client-centered counseling, consultation, and training. She studied at the University of Chicago and completed internship training, began her career as a therapist, and later served as director at the Chicago Counseling and Psychotherapy Center (CCPC), the outgrowth of Carl Rogers’ University of Chicago Counseling Center. She has also served as Mental Health Director at the Center on Halsted, and as Director of Professional Development at Live Oak. In bringing together the community at Chicago Counseling Associates, Carolyn is very grateful to work with such purposeful learners dedicated to rigorous practice and person-centered values. Together we aspire to provide a level of service that honors the exceptional education and support she received from her mentors, particularly Barbara Brodley, Susan Pildes, Garry Prouty, Nat Raskin, Barbara Roy, and Marge Witty.
Carolyn’s clinical practice covers a wide range of issues and populations. She has particular interest in working with intimate partners and families working on communication, transitions, and healing, and she has many years experience working with clients who have experienced or are coping with depression, anxiety, and trauma, as well as identity and self-esteem concerns. Carolyn works closely with her clients to create strong, trustworthy and freeing relationships that foster growth and change.