Our Clinicians

GRACE TOMAS-TOLENTINO, PH.D. is the founder and director of Core Therapy Associates, Ltd., a group practice focusing primarily on the treatment of adult survivors of childhood abuse and neglect. She specializes in the treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, dissociative disorders, self-injury, and eating disorders. She offers individual and couples psychotherapy, and facilitates psychotherapy groups for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. She is an advocate for the prevention of violence against women and works with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. She offers individual supervision and consultation to mental health professionals.

Her treatment orientation is grounded in relational and attachment perspectives–focusing on the origin of both intrapersonal and interpersonal conflicts. Integrating a feminist perspective in her practice, she believes that healing occurs through collaborative work. She facilitates a safe and supportive environment that in turn promotes the development of trust in the relationship.

Dr. Tomas-Tolentino has written and presented on topics including the long-term sequelae of childhood abuse, domestic violence, eating disorders, self-injury, dissociation, shame, projective identification, and countertransference. She has been a presenter at the annual conference of International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD).

She is member of International Society for the Study of Dissociation (ISSTD), Illinois Chapter of International Society for the Study of Dissociation (ISSTD IL Chapter), International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISSTS), and American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH). She is also a listed provider through the Sidran Institute.

BECKY CARTER, MS, LCPC provides therapy to individuals, couples and families. She has worked with adults and adolescents from diverse backgrounds providing services with sensitivity toward gender, sexual orientation, religion and cultural background. She specializes in treating a variety of issues including sexual, emotional and physical abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, grief and loss, sexuality, chronic pain and illness, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and relationship/marital concerns. She also offers consultation for mental health professionals with an emphasis on the recognition and treatment of compassion fatigue.

Ms. Carter also offers support to adoptees and adoptive parents. She understands the complex needs and unique challenges all members of the adoption circle face throughout their lives. She provides therapy to prospective and waiting parents of domestic, transracial, open or closed adoptions and addresses issues facing adopted teens/adults and their families.

Ms. Carter has worked in a variety of settings; as a therapist in a community mental health center, as the clinical coordinator of a teen and family counseling and prevention center, and as an independent contractor with a sexual assault and sexual abuse counseling center. Ms. Carter has also provided crisis counseling services in the community in addition to presenting on a variety of topics including vicarious trauma, teen sexual health, sexual assault, and domestic and dating violence. Ms. Carter has had extensive training in working with trauma survivors and with issues of grief and loss.

Ms. Carter facilitates a holistic therapeutic process focused on becoming mindful of our experiences and how they affect us emotionally, physically and spiritually so that we can live to our fullest potential. She assists her clients in reclaiming the inner voice that so often gets lost in the complexity of past, present and anticipated relationships and experiences.

DAWN LIVORSI, MSW, LCSW provides individual, group, and family therapy using a person centered approach. Ms. Livorsi comes to Core Therapy Associates with several years experience working with adolescents and their families, addressing relationship and communication issues and assisting parents in creating more effective strategies. Ms. Livorsi has also provided therapy to youth demonstrating problematic behaviors, victims of physical and/or sexual abuse, individuals struggling with mental health concerns or personality disorders, and to couples seeking therapy to strengthen their partnership. Ms. Livorsi has also led various groups with individuals and families, where clients have the opportunity to support one another and receive support from others as they work through common issues.

Ms. Livorsi practices largely from a Cognitive Behavioral Model, but will pull from other models as appropriate. The treatment process will begin with a holistic assessment of the individual/family, where unique strengths and supports will be identified and built upon as the process continues. Ms. Livorsi will assist the client in setting goals for themselves, and various therapeutic interventions will be implemented as the client works towards the achievement of these goals.

Ms. Livorsi is also skilled in providing clinical supervision to mental health professionals that are working towards licensure.

CYNTHIA COLE, LMFT, LPC, LPHA provides individual, couples, family and play therapy services. She has extensive experience treating children and adolescents both in the school and home. Ms. Cole works with the family as a system, helping children learn new coping skills while assisting parents in managing difficult behavior. In addition to working with families, Ms. Cole treats individuals and couples presenting with issues including abuse/trauma, depression, anxiety, separation/divorce and adjustment disorders.

Ms. Cole believes that forming a trusting relationship with clients helps develop a supportive atmosphere for change. She helps clients understand current symptoms while working towards both short and long-term goals. She assists clients in discovering how to resolve their conflicts and manage emotions within a safe and comfortable environment.