Center for Religion and Psychotherapy of Chicago

Celia Brickman received her Ph.D. in Religion and Psychology from the University of Chicago’s Divinity School. She has been practicing psychotherapy for over fifteen years, dealing with the challenges of anxiety, depression, loss, and grief and with issues of identity, gender, vocation, and spirituality. She is a faculty member of CRPC’s Education Program and the author of Aboriginal Populations in the Mind: Race and Primitivity in Psychoanalysis, as well as numerous other articles. She is a member of the American Counseling Association, Division 39 (division of psychoanalysis) of the American Psychological Association, the Illinois Mental Health Counselors’ Association, and the American Academy of Religion.

Catherine Burris-Schnur has a deep passion for clinical work and came to the field of psychotherapy after many years of administrative roles in various medical centers. She graduated from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Chicago Theological Seminary, and received a certificate from CRPC's Education Program in Self Psychology and Religion. Catherine is an ordained minister of the American Baptist Churches, USA. She served as an officer for eight years in various capacities, which included four years as President of the American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago. In 2015, the American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago honored Catherine with the Elmer H. Johnson Award for Exemplary Service. Catherine is the Executive Director of the Center for Religion and Psychotherapy of Chicago, and serves on the faculty, teaching the Professional, Legal and Ethical Issues course and Counseling Techniques: Integrative Case Conference. She is also an adjunct faculty member at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and Loyola University of Chicago. She works with adult individuals and couples, and has particular interest in feminist issues, the challenges within the church for clergy, the integration of Self Psychology and religion, and depth psychology. With Catherine's numerous years of administrative experience, she works closely with executives in faith-based and other professional settings. Catherine also periodically co-facilitates a clergy consultation group at the Center. She has office hours in the Loop and in Evanston.

Gloria Grasse comes to her work at CRPC after a career in the performing arts. She has a particular interest in the impact of the creative process on the psychological and spiritual transformation of individuals. Before joining CRPC’s staff, Gloria worked with homeless and marginalized individuals in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. She has a master of arts in pastoral care and counseling and a PhD in pastoral theology, personality and culture from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Her research addresses resilience and the concept of the Divine as it relates to groups and individuals struggling with trauma. Gloria has been working with couples and individuals since 2008. She works with clients around issues of identity, vocation, and the creative process. Gloria has worked extensively with individuals in recovery from addiction as well as abuse survivors; addressing their experiences with anxiety and depression while working toward the development of life-giving skills.

JR Green (he/him/his) has a Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and a Master of Divinity and an undergraduate degree double-major in Political Philosophy and Theater Arts. JR has also completed the Certificate program in Self-Psychology and Religion through CRPC. His work is primarily psychodynamic in nature, allowing for the client to play with ideas and experiences in an open and honest space. JR brings his passion for walking with his clients on his journey and has focus in LGBTQIA clients and in Religious Trauma. JR has experience working with clients from college age and older. JR believes that we make meaning from a variety of sources and exploring those places helps us find ourselves.

JR hopes to walk beside you in your journey of self-discovery. JR offers a place of openness and honesty where ideas and concepts and stories can be explored without judgment.

Myungsu (Me-young-sue) graduated from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary with a Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling and completed an Advanced Certificate Program in Self Psychology and Religion and a fellowship through the Center for Religion and Psychotherapy of Chicago. Before attending Garrett, she received a Master of Theology in South Korea.

Her work is primarily psychodynamic and allows other approaches and techniques to provide a safe and supportive space for her clients to feel heard, learn to express themselves, and help them integrate different perspectives in understanding their experiences.

She hopes to serve clients in cultivating healthy relationships with themselves and others and explore unknown aspects of their being in opportunities for enduring growth and healing through reclaiming, reintegrating, and meaning-making. Her interest is in every issue related to clients including anxiety, depression, trauma, difficulties in relationships, religious/spiritual concerns, loss and grief, and suffering.

Myungsu enjoys working with a diverse range of clients. Her experience of living in different countries developed a multicultural lens that helps her understand the uniqueness of each person and intersecting challenges of identity formation, cross-cultural adjustment, and self-esteem enhancement. In addition to the general public, she is passionate about working with Asians and Asian Americans. She provides bilingual services in English and Korean.

Heather Kinsley graduated from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary with a Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling and has received an advanced certificate from the Center for Religion and Psychotherapy of Chicago’s education program in Self Psychology and Religion. She also completed a fellowship at the Center for Religion and Psychotherapy of Chicago. Prior to attending Garrett, she worked as a human resources consultant and executive for 20+ years and graduated from Northern Illinois University with a double major of Finance and Operations Management.

Her work is primarily psychodynamic, but she utilizes other techniques and theories when needed in order to meet the unique needs of all of her clients. While Heather identifies as Christian, she is open to working with people of all faith backgrounds including those with no identified faith tradition.

Heather works with clients on all issues that impact their sense of wellbeing, but she has a particular interest around supporting those that are working to heal from trauma, abuse, and emotional neglect. Heather’s desire is to help her clients to develop a fuller life and the associated life-giving skills that are part of the process.

Cynthia Lindner has worked as a parish pastor, hospice chaplain, and pastoral psychotherapist for over 20 years. She received her D. Min from the University of Chicago’s Divinity School, and her M.A. in marriage and family therapy from Northwest Christian College in Eugene, Oregon. She is currently Director of Ministry Studies at the Divinity School and teaches classes in preaching and pastoral care. She has worked with individuals, couples, and families; enjoys engaging youth and young adults around issues of identity, relationship and vocation; has worked extensively with ministers around issues of religious leadership and the intersection of professional and personal life; and with women around issues of identity, empowerment, depression and loss. She is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Thomas J. Litwiler is a founding partner of Fletcher & Sippel LLC, where he practices primarily in the area of railroad regulatory law. He is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago and Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. He serves as the treasurer of the American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago, and acts as general counsel for the American Baptist Historical Society in Atlanta, Georgia.

Timothy O’Connell, president of the board, is professor of ethics in the Quinlan School of Business and the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University Chicago. During his Loyola career he has also served in various administrative capacities, including ten years as Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs. The author of twelve books and over fifty articles, he is a nationally known expert in business ethics, professional ethics and the role of values in organizational life.