Our Staff

CCCOC’s professional staff are made up of a culturally and ethnically diverse group of Master’s and Doctoral level therapists who are committed to offering high-quality counseling services. While we each operate from a solid Christian perspective, we are also respectful and sensitive to clients’ varying beliefs and worldviews. All therapists have experience and expertise in working with a wide variety of clinical settings, client concerns and spiritual, cultural, ethnic and diversity issues.

Each therapist also has training and expertise in dealing with depression, anxiety, loneliness, singleness, life transitions, relationship concerns, and traditionally underserved populations. As a whole, the therapists at the Center provide individual, couples and family therapy, consulting, seminars and assessments.

All interested parties are directed to our main phone number 1-312-573-8860, and the intake coordinators match the appropriate therapist with the client’s needs and desires. The following list provides an idea of the therapist you may be working with.

E. Susanne Francis-Thornton, Psy.D. – Executive Director, Psychologist

Dr. Francis-Thornton did her undergraduate studies at Wheaton College (IL) and earned her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Francis-Thornton is a bi-lingual (Spanish) therapist who has had a broad background in counseling, trainings and workshops, assessments and evaluations, program development, and working with diverse populations as far as language, age, culture, ethnicity, gender and religion in outpatient and inpatient settings. Dr. Francis-Thornton’s goal is to assist each person in experiencing life as meaningfully as Christ would have them to. Dr. Francis-Thornton also seeks to bring healing to the body of Christ through psychotherapy, assessments and professional trainings. Dr. Francis-Thornton is also an adjunct faculty at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and is a Fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago.

Andrew Ballew, MA – Doctoral Practicum Extern

Mr. Ballew has experience in individual and group therapy with children, adolescents, and adults. His primary focus areas include depressive symptoms, obsessions & compulsions, child & adolescent issues, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and male-specific concerns. Other clinical interests include immigrant & refugee issues, psychological testing, and issues of coping & identity.

Amanda Bull, MA – Therapist

Ms. Bull has experience working with children and adolescents, as well as their families, in both an inpatient and outpatient setting. She has also worked with college students providing individual and career counseling. She works with children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, and groups on a broad range of issues. Ms. Bull is especially interested in understanding the client from a holistic perspective, including the psychological, spiritual, physical, and social domains. Other clinical interests include career issues, stress management, romantic relationships, spiritual issues, and underserved populations.

Sally Hale, MA – Therapist

Ms. Hale is a bilingual (Spanish) therapist who works with all ages and treats individuals, couples and families. Also an artist, she often uses art in therapy to access emotions, memories, and problems that clients find difficulty accessing through traditional talk-therapy. She also works through Parent-Child-Interactive Therapy for childhood behavioral disorders including ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Other special interests include grief/loss, childhood trauma, and difficulties within couple/family relationships.

Rodney Harris, Psy.D. – Therapist

Dr. Harris provides therapy to children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples. His clinical interests include childhood trauma, sexual identity, behaviorally disordered children and adolescents, marital distress, and family/ parenting skills (i.e. communication, discipline, and addressing tough issues with children).

Hannah Im, MA – Therapist

Ms. Im has enjoyed working with college-aged students and adults in individual therapy. She has experience working with issues such as grief and loss, identity concerns, relationship issues and life transitions. She has a special interest in working with populations involved in vocational ministry, specifically missionaries and their families, as well as college-aged individuals and the second generation Asian immigrant population.

Eva Ponder, MSW, LCSW – Doctoral Intern

Ms. Ponder has experience working with individuals and couples and families. While she has a broad range of clinical experience, she is especially interested in working with boundary and relationship issues, marital and premarital therapy, and parenting issues.

Megan Thron, MSW – Therapist

Ms. Thron has experience working with families, children, adolescents, and individuals. Her areas of clinical work include grief and loss, childhood trauma, psychosocial assessments, family therapy, crisis intervention, and group work. Her special interests include child and adolescent trauma, underserved populations, bereavement, and at-risk children.

Amber Williams, BS – Masters Practicum Extern

Ms. Williams has experience working with children and adolescents. Her primary focus areas include childhood trauma, adolescent trauma, family therapy, child and adolescent behavioral issues, and self-esteem issues for young women. Ms. Williams also has a strong desire to work with underserved populations.

Judith A. Zink, MA, NCC, LCPC – Therapist

Ms. Zink works primarily with individual adult clients. Areas of special interest for therapy and workshops or seminars include women’s issues, life transitions, grief and loss, career issues, vocational ministry, and Myers-Briggs typology.