Pet Bereavement Counselors: Illinois

Lynn Bednarz, LCPC, CADC

115 South Wilke Road, Suite 203
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005

Phone: (847) 951-1457
Email: BednarzLW@ameritech.net

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with several years of experience. Counseling from a foundation of Judeo-Christian values, along with a genuine love of animals, I am compassionate and supportive. With extensive training and experience in grief work I help people deal with depression and pet-loss issues, offering practical strategies to lessen the pain. Each person’s grief is a unique and highly individual process when losing not only a companion animal who loves you unconditionally, but an integral part of the family. My extensive training also includes trauma treatment, anxiety, and numerous other mental health issues. The loss of a pet can be devastating. I also guide parents who are searching for ways to explain the loss to their children, and will meet with families when appropriate. Short-term pet-loss counseling is given for immediate help, healing, and hope for the future. I’m available days, evenings and weekends. Many insurance plans are accepted.

Nancy Curotto, Psy.D.

Phone: (312) 409-7182
Email: nancy@curottopsyd.com

As a psychologist with more than 15 years of clinical experience, my approach to treatment is a combination of psychodynamic, CBT, mindfulness practice, and EMDR training. I offer clients a specialized setting where they can develop an awareness and understanding of how their past/current relationships (human and animal) have influenced their lives and overall happiness. I have two locations: Lincoln Park and The John Hancock Center. I am fluent in Spanish — habló Español.

Arryn Hawthorne-Jader, AM, LCSW, EMDR, Certified Therapist

5138 N. Clark Street, 2nd Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60640

Phone: 773.852.3642 (voice/text) | 773.347.1756 (fax)
Website: Arryn Hawthorne, LCSW

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have been in practice over twelve years. My training and experience includes work with grief and bereavement, trauma, childhood abuse, pet loss, relationships, and chronic illness. I am also an Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Certified Therapist.

Mindfulness is key to recovery and spirituality can be an important part of each of our lives and often becomes more important at times of great loss, as in the loss of a beloved pet. I meet clients where they are with regard to spirituality and the grief process. Grieving isn’t a linear process and can stir up many issues that might seem unexpected. My approach is one of great respect for complicated emotions that the loss of a pet can elicit.

Victoria Velinski, MA, BFA

Chicago, Illinois

Phone: (773) 551-5362
Email: dearprudence1168@gmail.com

Victoria Velinski is the Director of Humane Education & Community Outreach, and a certified Pet Bereavement Counselor for the Shields’ Animal Shelter Foundation. Ms. Velinski currently divides her time between Kualapuu, Molokaʻi, Hawaii and Chicago, Illinois, where she has been a Sexual Assault Counselor for Rape Victim Advocates for more than 14 years. Her approach to pet bereavement therapy tracks traditional cognitive therapy methodologies with a focus on redirecting negative thoughts and feelings towards positive, affirming attitudes. This design has the goal of alleviating feelings of unwarranted guilt and promoting individual progress. Victoria and the Shields’ Animal Shelter Foundation are presently investigating novel approaches to animal care in the Chicagoland area.

Joy Davy, MS, LCPC, NCC

15 Spinning Wheel Road, Suite 417
Hinsdale, Illinois 60521
Phone: (630) 935-7915
Website: www.JoyDavy.com

Joy is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with a private practice in Hinsdale. An animal lover from childhood, she has studied the fascinating connection that people and animals share. One of her special areas of focus is Pet Bereavement, and she facilitates a Pet Grief support group at PAWS Chicago. In her Hinsdale office, she also works with individuals mourning or anticipating the loss of an animal friend. Her personal and professional experiences have brought her in touch with the beauty and mystery of the animal-human bond. If you are deeply grieving the loss of your animal companion, your heart can heal.

Linda R. Harper, Ph.D.

Phone: (708) 227-5330
Email: Lharper6@aol.com
Website: http://www.drlindaharper.com/

I have co-facilitated WINGS, the pet loss support group for the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, for 12 years. I give workshops to animal welfare organizations including Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. I arrange private individual Healing Heart workshops in my office. This 2-hour session teaches the coping tool: Honor Feelings, Reframe the Story. It is designed to help uncover the grieving individual‘s own ability to heal and find peace in pet loss.

Lori Ashbaugh, MSW
Ch.t Medical Hypnotherapist

16135 S. Farmingdale Drive
Plainfield, Illinois 60586

Phone: (815) 409-5493
Email: lorilu19@icloud.com
Website: www.junebugvshurricane.com

I am an animal lover and Clinical Social Worker. My approach to treatment is a combination of Gestalt, mindfulness practice, cognitive behavioral therapy and hypnosis. I offer clients a specialized setting where they can develop an awareness and understanding of how their past/current relationships (human and animal) have influenced their lives and overall happiness and how their grief can be best explored in a safe and non-judgmental environment. I offer Skype sessions as well as a private office location. On occasion, I will travel to a client’s home.

Lynn Bednarz, LCPC, CADC

237 Southwick Lane
Schaumburg, Illinois 60173

Phone: (847) 951-1457
Email: BednarzLW@ameritech.net

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with several years of experience. Counseling from a foundation of Judeo-Christian values, along with a genuine love of animals, I am compassionate and supportive. With extensive training and experience in grief work I help people deal with depression and pet-loss issues, offering practical strategies to lessen the pain. Each person’s grief is a unique and highly individual process when losing not only a companion animal who loves you unconditionally, but an integral part of the family. My extensive training also includes trauma treatment, anxiety, and numerous other mental health issues. The loss of a pet can be devastating. I also guide parents who are searching for ways to explain the loss to their children, and will meet with families when appropriate. Short-term pet-loss counseling is given for immediate help, healing, and hope for the future. I’m available days, evenings and weekends. Many insurance plans are accepted.