Meet Our Staff

Ann Barnes PsychologistDr. Ann Barnes, Psy.D., R.D.

Dr. Barnes is a Co-Founder of Barnes & Klatt P.C.   She has been a practicing Licensed Clinical Psychologist since 1995.  She gained her doctorate from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and is an attending medical staff member at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital.  She is a licensed registered dietitian and holds a Masters in Nutrition from the University of Washington.  Dr. Barnes is a member of the American Psychological Association, Illinois Psychological Association, and the American Dietetic Association.

Dr. Barnes is dedicated to assisting individuals, families, and couples to having healthy relationships with themselves and others.  She has extensive experience in the treatment of all eating disorders, including prior responsibility for both the clinical and operational aspects of an in-patient and outpatient eating disorder treatment program.  Additional areas of interest include: mood disorders, adjustment to medical illness, couples therapy, individual and family relational issues, and bereavement and trauma.   Dr. Barnes enjoys leading workshops and presenting on a variety of topics including: eating disorder recovery, mindfulness, body image, stress reduction, and effective interpersonal communication.  She is available upon request to speak at your event.

Dr. Barnes invites individuals to engage in the courageous work of recovery which creates the transforming and transcending process of becoming who they truly are meant to be and creating a life filled with peace, joy, confidence, clarity, meaning, and connections.

img_1938-4Dr. Sylvia A. Klatt, Psy.D.

Dr. Klatt is a Co-Founder of Barnes & Klatt, P.C. She is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who has been in practice since 1995. She earned her Doctorate in clinical psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and Master’s Degree in clinical psychology from Forest Institute of Professional Psychology. She is a member of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Klatt also has her certification in grief and loss counseling.

Dr. Klatt has experience in treating a range of mood and anxiety concerns in children, adolescent and adult populations. She has trained and worked in a variety of settings including: private practice, community counseling centers, schools, child care centers, and partial and inpatient hospital programs. Dr. Klatt’s areas of interest and specialization include: generalized anxiety disorders, grief and loss, depression, social/emotional development, life transition issues, infertility, stress management and health/medical illness adjustment issues.  Dr. Klatt also volunteers with a breast cancer support group and has special interest in the emotional needs of cancer patients and their families. 

Dr. Klatt uses a variety of treatment modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), brief psychodynamic therapy, play therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help her clients achieve meaningful change and personal growth. She is warm, compassionate and engaging and feels that she and her clients work together as a team to problem solve and overcome challenges.

Dr. Klatt believes in a supportive, compassionate therapeutic relationship that is sensitive to each individual’s unique needs to facilitate their personal process of adjustment, change and growth.

Dr. Cynthia Russo, Psy.D.

Dr. Russo is a Psychologist who earned her doctorate from Adler University. She completed both her predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at Linden Oaks Behavioral Health Hospital on the adolescent inpatient unit. Prior to this she completed her Master of Arts degree in community counseling from Roosevelt University. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in communications from Loyola University Chicago.

Dr. Russo has worked and trained within mental health agencies, school settings and hospital inpatient and outpatient programs. She has treated various psychological and behavioral presentations in children, adolescents, adults, families and couples. Dr. Russo’s areas of clinical experience include treating ADD, anxiety, depression, dual diagnosed, mood disorders, and eating disorders. She also has a special interest in assisting families improve communication and relationships, supporting young adults with life transitions including college, and working with the LGBTQ community.

Dr. Russo’s treatment approach focuses on providing vital emotional support while building trusting relationships with her clients. She embraces the use of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) coupled with a warm interpersonal style. During the therapeutic process she works collaboratively with clients in identifying problematic behaviors, regulating emotions, learning stress management techniques and building healthy relationships.

Life is a journey and Dr. Russo looks forward to assisting clients on the path towards positive change and personal growth.

Ms. Marisa Sullivan, LCPC, CADC, NCC

Ms. Marisa Sullivan is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who earned her Master’s Degree from Northeastern Illinois University. She completed her certification with the National Board for Certified Counselors. She obtained her second certification for substance work  through the Illinois Certification Board and is currently a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CADC).

Ms. Sullivan is an experienced, dynamic, and creative counselor for the last 15 years. She has been employed by and trained in several settings including private practice, short term residential inpatient, inpatient hospitals, and outpatient hospitals. She has experience working with various psychological and behavioral concerns with patients across the lifespan including children, adolescence, young adults /millennials, adults and families. Her interests include helping patients who struggle with depression, anxiety, grief, self-esteem, low self-worth, academic struggles, and addiction education. Ms. Sullivan believes it is essential to help her patients learn and actively use healthy coping skills.

Using an eclectic therapeutic model, as an addiction therapist, Ms. Sullivan promotes wellness for her patients not only those struggling with substance use, as well as their and families. At the start of therapy Ms. Sullivan aims to meet the patient where they are at emotionally. Her supportive style is a means to lessen the negative feelings and help the patient better cope with the triggering thoughts and behaviors.

She uses her wealth of education, experience, and skills to help patients find direction and overcome roadblocks that have kept them from discovering who they really are and who they are meant to be. She believes that by working through our personal roadblocks we come to a better understanding of our lives. She aspires to support individuals to achieve freedom to live life as an optimistic, confident, resilient, and more fulfilled person.

Dr. Marlene Rivera Rodríguez, Psy.D.

Dr. Rivera Rodríguez is a bilingual clinician who was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She earned her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Military Psychology from Adler University in Chicago, Illinois.  Dr. Rivera Rodríguez completed her APA-accredited predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at Regional Health Systems in Indiana.

During her clinical experience she worked with a diverse population including, Spanish speaking population, People of Color, and individuals with a low socioeconomic background.  Dr. Rivera Rodríguez has a passion for working with the LGBTQ community and children and adolescents who identify as LGBTQ and their families.  She has clinical experience working with a broad range of severe mental illness (e.g., psychosis, personality disorders, somatic symptoms, and pain management), complex trauma, and acculturation stress.  She also enjoys working with those who present with mood disorders such depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorders.  Dr. Rivera Rodríguez is a member of the adjunct faculty at Alder University and St. Augustine College.  She is a steadfast supporter of students and delights in helping them succeed academically. 

Dr. Rivera Rodríguez believes in integrating mindfulness-based behavioral therapy, Adlerian psychotherapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).  She takes a holistic approach to the issues that patients present as well as accepting who they are as people.  In treating her patients, she adheres to the notion that the mind and body are interrelated.  To help patients live more meaningful lives, Dr. Rivera Rodríguez employs ACT to assess if they are acting in accordance with their values and to help them become more psychologically and emotionally flexible.  Dr. Rivera Rodríguez also uses Adlerian theories to examine the patients’ social engagement with others and to examine and enhance the patient’s social engagement with others and developing acceptance of their experiences.

Ms. Nicole LoChirco, LCPC, ALMFT

Ms. Nicole LoChirco is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and holds her Associate License in Marriage and Family Therapy. She earned her Master of Art with a concentration in clinical child and family psychology from Roosevelt University. She received specialized training and certifications as an Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist and an ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider.

Ms. LoChirco is a charismatic, caring, and creative therapist who has worked in both high school and elementary therapeutic school settings and private practice. She has a passion for working with children and adolescents, the family system, and couples.  She has treated various psychological and behavioral concerns including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, autism, ADHD, stress management, personality disorders, unhealthy family dynamics, and trauma. 

Ms. LoChirco uses a variety of evidenced based treatment interventions to best meet the needs of individuals and families. She is certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). She believes the family is the cornerstone to various psychological and behavioral concerns. Within therapy, Ms. Nicole guides families to create positive changes, open communication, and differentiation to support a more harmonious environment for all individuals and allow for children to grow into thriving adults.

Ms. LoChirco believes therapy should be an empathetic space in which the client feels heard and supported. Integrating an Adlerian treatment philosophy, her  therapeutic goal is to guide clients to enhance their understanding of their self-worth, their true purpose in life and to encourage clients to achieve their full potential.

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