Our Clinical Staff

Dr. Aimee Koerner-Frank, PsyD

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Naperville Office; Teletherapy

With over 25 years of experience, I have been honored to provide compassionate and effective therapeutic counseling to many exceptional clients. As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor at Vine Counseling Center, I take a client-centered, nonjudgmental approach to create a supportive environment for healing and growth. I offer individual and family therapy for children, adolescents, and adults.

I have extensive experience supporting individuals with anxiety and mood disorders, autism spectrum disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and sensory integration challenges. I also specialize in helping individuals navigate interpersonal relationship concerns, divorce, and grief/loss. My passion lies in advocating for the intellectual, behavioral, and emotional needs of individuals with disabilities, giftedness, and twice-exceptional (2e) profiles, as well as those requiring home-based services.

Using a holistic approach, I recognize the importance of family well-being when working with children and adolescents. Treatment often involves developing parenting strategies and managing school-related challenges such as homework and school avoidance, bedtime struggles, and toileting issues (e.g., encopresis, enuresis). I also provide support for families navigating childhood complex trauma, helping children and caregivers process their experiences and build resilience.

I believe parents are the true experts on their children, yet the parenting journey can often feel overwhelming. Many families experience uncertainty about their child’s present challenges and future needs. As a parent of children with diverse educational and emotional needs, I bring a unique perspective to my work. I collaborate closely with families and school districts to ensure children and adolescents receive the appropriate educational and emotional support necessary for success. My goal is to empower families with the tools and resources to help their children thrive.

In addition to mental health concerns, I have experience working with individuals who face complex medical conditions and treatments. Managing chronic illness, medical trauma, and the emotional impact of ongoing treatments can be overwhelming for both individuals and their families. I provide therapeutic support to help clients navigate the extensive challenges associated with medical conditions, improving overall well-being and quality of life.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Moose Frank

Emotional Support Dog-In-Training
Naperville; Teletherapy

Moose Frank will be pursuing his training through WoofBeach Shore Professional Dog Services in Wheaton, IL. He is a great addition to the Vine Counseling Center team with his calm nature, adorably sweet face, incredible ability to zoom, strong dedication to snoozing, and extreme attention to detail (especially if it’s food related or something that shouldn’t be food, but he thinks it is). Moose accepted his lifelong position as a Good Boy with the Frank Family and Chief Canine Officer with the Vine Counseling Center team on October 10, 2022.

When Moose’s training is complete, his presence will provide comfort to individuals coping with the challenges associated with emotional and mental health conditions.

Heather Blanck, LCPC/CADC

Downers Grove; Teletherapy

Feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or just not like yourself lately? Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, relationship stress, parenting challenges, codependency, substance use, or grief, you don’t have to face it alone. Life can be hard—but it doesn’t have to feel this heavy. If you’re ready to break free from patterns that no longer serve you and start building a life that feels more grounded, connected, and fulfilling, therapy can help.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, offering a warm, non-judgmental space where you can be fully seen and supported. My style is down-to-earth, compassionate, and practical. I draw from a range of evidence-based approaches—such as behavior-based techniques and motivational interviewing—to tailor our work to your unique goals and needs.

Therapy with me is collaborative and real. While we’ll do meaningful work together, I also believe in bringing lightness and even humor into the process when it’s helpful. Healing doesn’t always have to feel heavy.

I offer both in-person and secure telehealth sessions to meet you where you are. If you’re ready to take the next step toward lasting change and greater self-awareness, I’d be honored to walk alongside you. Let’s talk and see if we’re a good fit.

Populations Served: Adults, aged 25+

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Karyn Byrne, MS

Licensed Professional Counselor
Naperville Warrenville Rd Office; Teletherapy

I am a therapist dedicated to offering you the guidance and support necessary to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and empowerment.

I work with a broad range of clients, both individuals and couples, who thrive despite difficult circumstances. For example, those enduring the emotional and mental journey associated with weight changes and health, stressful careers, chronic disease, addictions, postpartum anxiety and depression, relationships, generalized anxiety and depression, and the ongoing effects of trauma.

I graduated with my Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling from National Louis University and am currently a post-dissertation doctoral candidate in Community Psychology.

My counseling approach is holistic and integrative, incorporating evidence-based techniques from various therapeutic modalities and multimodal methods to meet your unique needs and goals. I provide a safe, non-judgmental, and compassionate space for you to explore your thoughts, emotions, and concerns. We will work collaboratively to help you gain insights, develop coping skills, and cultivate resilience to thrive during these transformative life challenges. I also help clients explore the impact of these changes on their sense of self and provide strategies for embracing and redefining self-concept and identity.

Kim Cho, MS

Licensed Professional Counselor
Naperville; Downers Grove; Teletherapy

With a deep commitment to helping individuals reclaim their lives, I specialize in working with clients facing the complex challenges of mental health and dual diagnosis disorders – where mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or bipolar disorder co-occur with substance use or behavioral addictions.

My practice focuses on treating chemical dependency and substance addiction, as well as process addictions including sex addiction, compulsive gambling, pornography use, phone use, video game use, and internet addiction. I take a trauma-informed and integrative approach, blending evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), solution-focused brief therapy, motivational interviewing, and others to address the root causes of addictive patterns. It’s important to remember that those suffering from addiction are taking what they’ve learned to fill a void that could only be filled at one time by a substance or addictive behavior. While individual experiences may vary, it remains consistent that trauma and addiction often coincide with one another, and it’s essential to treat mental health and trauma symptoms while treating the addiction concurrently in order to minimize chances for relapse and provide the individual with the best chance at recovery.

Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all method, and my goal is to meet you where you are in your journey while challenging your cognitive distortions and negative self-talk in a direct yet supportive way. If you have a little bit of honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness to grow and be uncomfortable, anything is possible. I work collaboratively with clients to not only manage symptoms but to foster long-term healing, emotional regulation, and a renewed sense of purpose. Whether you are at the beginning of your recovery journey or seeking support for relapse prevention, I provide a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore, heal, and grow.

My approach is compassionate, structured, and tailored to meet each client’s unique needs. I am supportive of harm-reduction methods and integrate those methods into my practice. Recovery is not just about abstinence but about creating a life worth living. Asking for help can be challenging, and I’m here to help you realize that taking this step makes you stronger than you truly know. My goal is to ensure you feel supported and challenged while knowing you do not have to navigate the journey of growth and healing alone.

Areas of Specialization:

Populations Served: Adults, adolescents aged 15-18, couples, and families

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Jim Frank, MA

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Naperville Office; Teletherapy

I am a mental health professional with over 20 years of experience working with individuals of all ages. My expertise lies in treating a wide range of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and complex trauma. I have also worked extensively with individuals who struggle with addiction, as well as those whose lives have been impacted by addiction.

In addition to my clinical work, I have spent a number of years leading wilderness trips, working for Habitat for Humanity, and working at an inpatient hospital program to hone my therapeutic skills. This diverse background has helped me develop a non-judgmental and eclectic approach to therapy, allowing me and my clients to explore the best options for treatment.

As a parent of two children with differing needs myself, I am also well-equipped to support special needs parents through their own complex journey. My goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore their thoughts and feelings, gain insight into their behaviors, and develop new strategies for coping and healing.

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Jennifer Inserro, MSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Naperville Office; Teletherapy

I am a big believer in people knowing their strengths and values. When clients understand their strengths, those strengths become an integral part of the healing process. When clients understand their values, they can create a vision for how they want to live. In my practice, I use strengths-based, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). I primarily work with adults who are learning to manage anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders as well as grief and loss, relationship issues and life transitions (e.g., to a new career). “Nothing changes, if nothing changes” is a quote that speaks to me. What excites me is the opportunity to work with clients who are learning to embrace change and developing a growth mindset toward life.

I have always had a passion for social justice and coaching people to explore their strengths. Working in a partial hospitalization program allowed me to develop skills in helping clients stabilize their mental health through a combination of individual and group therapy, combined with skill-building through psychoeducation. I also worked for a community-based agency where I gained extensive training and experience working with clients who were dealing with the trauma of domestic abuse. I am knowledgeable about programs offered in the western suburbs that can assist clients with a variety of needs. I hold two master’s degrees: one in social work from Aurora University and one in Public Service Management from DePaul University. Prior to becoming a licensed social worker, I worked for 20+ years in various corporate positions.

I am blessed to have a loving husband and three children in my life. I volunteer as a mentor for Bridge Communities, a program that provides stable housing, as well as at my church. In the past I was a licensed foster parent in the state of Illinois.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Michelle Lemrise, MSW

Licensed Social Worker
North Aurora; Telehealth

With a deep passion for helping others, I have dedicated my career to guiding individuals through life’s challenges with empathy, expertise, and evidence-based interventions. I provide therapy for clients of all ages, specializing in anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem, relationship struggles, life transitions, and issues related to disordered eating and body image issues. My approach is warm, client-centered, and goal-oriented, tailored to each person’s unique needs and strengths. I am a Licensed Social Worker with a Master of Social Work degree from Aurora University.

I incorporate a range of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), trauma-informed care, and solution-focused therapy. Whether working with children facing school-related anxiety, adults struggling with work stress, or individuals recovering from past trauma, my goal is to create a safe and supportive space where clients feel heard, validated, and empowered to make meaningful changes.

I also specialize in boundary setting, emotional regulation, and self-worth development, particularly for those who have experienced difficult relationships, workplace stress, or family conflict. I believe therapy should be a collaborative process, where clients gain insight, develop practical skills, and build resilience in their daily lives.

No matter where you are on your journey, I am here to support you in taking the next step toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Danny Living, MSW

Licensed Social Worker
Teletherapy

My therapeutic practice focuses on trauma therapy, addiction, mindfulness, creative visualization, meditation, and self-acceptance. I have a Master of Social Work from Aurora University, and am a certified Rapid Resolution Therapist.

My Vine Counseling Center practice includes limited weekend appointments for those looking for help with chronic “stuckness” from patterns stemming from trauma which thinking about or talking about hasn’t helped. Read more about the process below. The two-hour sessions are conducted in-person and incorporate the healing tones of the Tibetan singing bowl, which helps relax the body and mind and deepen and solidify insights and shifts during and after the session. Sound has been proven to enhance learning, concentration, and mental and physical health, creating a rich, powerful experience.

Does It feel like there’s a pattern? Sometimes, thinking and talking about your story or stories hasn’t worked to shift the beliefs and conclusions about the self and how the world seems to work. Do you have a sense of being stuck or a belief that “this or things like this keep happening to me?” Have related experiences/patterns reinforced the fears? Is the “sound” of your mind and “vibe” from the thinking and feeling negative, like a complaint or lament? Has talking about it not changed anything?

Stories have themes and themes are the belief templates like, “There’s something wrong with me,” “I’m not good enough,” “I’m a bad person,” “When I trust people, they hurt me,” “I don’t fit in,” “Nobody loves me,” “I’m a failure,” etc., and attached “feeling” signature(s) like, guilt, shame, anger, sadness.

Once the template and emotional signatures are identified and cleared, it impacts related stories and there’s no need to clear each story individually if there’s an underlying pattern, theme, or conclusion about the self that the stories reinforce like, “I’m a failure,” or “people always hurt me” — conclusions that are absolutes or generalizations, but are based on a few experiences.

To help, I use a process called Pattern Reflection Therapy (PRT) which is based on the principles of MRT (Memory Reconsolidation Therapy), but eliminates the pain of retelling stories, the need for holding back stories too painful to tell or “leaving other stories on the table” at the end of the session. PRT addresses patterns—patterns in the past and their “meaning.” PRT uses your intellectual curiosity and imagination to discover patterns, their origins, and eliminate limiting beliefs attached to them and can leave you feeling lighter, calmer, and clearer in as little as one session.

Each day, it is my hope that my work will help others and honor the gifts that my interests, passion, and experience has given me.

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Amber Reeves, MA

Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP)
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC – In Process)
Naperville; North Aurora; Teletherapy

After earning my bachelor’s degree in psychology and dance theatre from Western Illinois University, I went on to earn a master’s degree in clinical psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago.

I have extensive experience working with Depression, Anxiety, Anger Management, Trauma, Adjustment Disorders (e.g., divorce, job loss), Grief/Loss, Family Conflict, Couples/Relationship Issues, and Stress Management. In addition, I have also been trained in Family-Based Treatment to support those experiencing a variety of eating disorders/disordered eating.

I have worked in community mental health since 2016. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to provide individualized therapy to children, teens, and adults in an outpatient setting, lead anger management groups, as well as provide community-based counseling services for children and adolescents experiencing behavioral challenges at home and school. I have worked with students within a therapeutic day school setting utilizing the REStArT model as a way to work collaboratively with the student and their families to reach personal and academic goals.

In 2018, I was hired as a consulting expert for a software company and played an integral part in laying the foundation for their telehealth communication platform, which became an invaluable tool in the mental health world during the Covid pandemic. After leaving the consulting role, I transitioned to a role as a community mental health therapist in the City of Chicago serving under-represented populations. Working within a multidisciplinary team, I shared responsibility for providing rehabilitative behavioral health support services while developing trauma-informed, person-oriented treatment plan(s) that prompt resilience-oriented skills.

My passion is centered on building strong therapeutic bonds that allow clients to feel safe and supported as they work on their personal journey toward self-actualization. While my therapeutic approach can be varied to meet each client’s individual needs, I enjoy utilizing a psychodynamic and client-centered approach, while placing focus on a strength-based method that empowers the individual to achieve their identified goals.

Elizabeth Veeser-Sharer, MSW

Clinical Manager
All Offices

With a career rooted in nonprofit mental health care, I’ve spent over two decades helping individuals and families access the services and support they need to thrive. My professional journey has taken me through a wide range of settings—working with children and families in crisis, individuals with differing developmental needs, and survivors of sexual assault. No matter the role, my focus has always been the same: ensuring people receive high-quality, compassionate care tailored to their unique needs and goals.

As both a mental health professional and a parent of children with differing needs, I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges that come with navigating complex systems. I understand how exhausting it can be to face long waitlists, communication breakdowns, and mismatched providers. Those personal experiences shape the way I lead at Vine Counseling Center. I’m committed to making our practice a place where clients feel seen, heard, and supported from the very first contact—through clear communication, accessible information, and a thoughtful, individualized process for matching clients with the right therapist.

I hold a Master of Social Work from Boston College, with a specialization in Community Mental Health and Community Organizing, Policy, and Administration. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, walking our rescue pup, and tending to my perennial garden.

Populations Served: All

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Tracy Wheeler, MSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Downers Grove; Teletherapy

I chose the field of social work with the clear intention of helping others and earned my Master of Social Work degree from Loyola University. In therapy, I utilize mindfulness techniques and basic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help adult clients accept their current situations, understand how and why they are where they are, and explore specific ways to move forward.

If you’re feeling stuck in your relationship, thinking about divorce, or already going through it — I see you. It’s confusing, lonely, and often overwhelming. You may be spending every day holding it together while quietly wondering, “Is this really how it’s supposed to feel?” Or maybe the decision is made, but now you’re left trying to pick up the emotional pieces.

I work with adults who are facing tough relationship crossroads — those contemplating divorce, navigating the process, or figuring out how to move forward after it’s over. I also help clients work through anxiety, especially when it feels like the weight of uncertainty, change, or pressure is just too much.

With 20 years of experience as an LCSW, I create a grounded, supportive space where you don’t have to have it all figured out. Together, we’ll work through the hard stuff — the fear, the sadness, the anger — and help you reconnect with your strength, your clarity, and your voice.

You deserve to feel calm in your mind and confident in your choices. You deserve a relationship — with yourself, a partner, or other people — that actually feels good. If you’re ready to take the next step, I’m here to help you do it.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers