Healing Path Counseling, LLC
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Providers 

Brigid Zarbock, PsyD-“Dr. Z”
Owner of HPC, LLC
Licensed Clinical Psychologist

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Dr. Z attended Roosevelt University, Chicago, where she received her Masters and Doctoral degrees in clinical psychology. She has trained in community mental health, university counseling, and a forensic setting. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Counseling Center, and completed her post-doctoral fellowship at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Student Health and Wellness Center.​  
Dr. Z started HPC, LLC with a vision to provide specialized services to the community, focusing on community outreach and working to reach underserved populations. As the practice grew, Dr. Z connected with trusted colleagues who shared the same vision, and wished to provide highly specialized services.
Dr. Z believes in transparency, advocacy, and takes a “servant-leader” approach to running the practice-Emphasizing
the needs and values of the employees first, and creating a working environment in which people feel valued, and, in turn, bring that energy to the clients they work with.

Dr. Z’s Specialties and Approaches

I work to provide an open space where you can explore, discover, and heal; a space where you feel safe and understood in order to begin to facilitate the growth you wish for. I aid you in understanding yourself, your choices, and the origins of your interpersonal and behavioral patterns.I approach my work with a warm, down-to-earth, attitude. I appreciate humor and hope to make you feel comfortable as we begin our work together.
I use a variety of therapeutic approaches to my work with clients, emphasizing the best fit for clients. This can include psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, dialectical-behavioral, and acceptance and commitment approaches. 
I specialize in weight concerns/body image, overeating, bariatric topics, trauma, depression, anxiety, family conflict, and women's issues. I offer information/treatment/assessments to individuals undergoing or considering bariatric surgery. Please see the section on "Bariatric Counseling." I work closely with many local hospitals, providing education for bariatric patients. 

Shannon Merkin, LCSW, PMH-C
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Perinatal Mental Health Certified Provider

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​Shannon attended Loyola University Chicago and received her Masters degree in clinical social work. She has trained in community mental health and has worked in a forensic setting and private practice settings. Shannon is a certified perinatal mental health provider. 



Shannon Merkin's Specialties and Approaches

I believe that change begins with a strong therapeutic relationship in a safe and supportive environment. It is important to me to provide individuals with a warm and non-judgmental space where they can identify and explore areas of life in which they are struggling. My approach to therapy is client-centered and I strive to help individuals increase life fulfillment and work toward making meaningful life changes. My style is compassionate and engaging and I work to empower individuals during the therapeutic process. My therapeutic style of treatment is eclectic and includes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I focus a great deal of my practice on women’s issues, specifically perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. I have extensive training in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders through Postpartum Support International. I have also done training in perinatal loss through Seleni Institute. I am a certified perinatal mental health counselor (PMH-C). I am passionate about working with this population and helping new parents and parents-to-be in navigating the journey through pregnancy and parenthood. 

Jordyn Hoffman (Varga), PsyD
Post-Doctoral Fellow in Clinical Psychology

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Dr. Hoffman is a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Healing Path Counseling. She attended The Illinois School of Professional Psychology where she received her Master's and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology. She has trained in university counseling, hospitals, and private practice settings. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Palos Behavioral Health Professionals in Palos Heights, IL 

Dr. Hoffman's Specialties and Approaches

My approach to therapy is relational and person-centered as I understand how important it is for you to feel safe within the therapeutic relationship. I focus on meeting you where you are to help create an environment where you feel comfortable exploring your personal journey. It is important to me to understand your perspective, which is why I aim to develop a collaborative relationship with you where we work together to achieve your goals. My style is warm and compassionate, and I work to create a space where you feel supported and empowered. I use a variety of therapeutic approach within my work, including cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness-based, and emotion-focused approaches. I specialize in working with adolescents and young adults struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, identity issues, and interpersonal relationships. I am  currently working on a specialty in bariatric psychology, eating disorders, and body image issues through my post-doctoral fellowship here at Healing Path Counseling.  This specialty includes work with adults, adolescents, and young adults struggling with eating, weight, and health concerns. 

Oana Varga, PsyD
Pre-Licensed, Doctor of Psychology

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Dr. Varga is a Pre-licensed provider, having completed her post-doctoral fellowship.
 Dr. Varga attended Adler University, Chicago, where she received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She has trained in school settings and private practice. Dr. Varga completed both, her pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship, at Palos Behavioral Health Professionals in Palos Heights. 

Dr. Varga's Specialties and Approaches

​​My clinical treatment approach is integrative incorporating interventions from person-centered, cognitive-behavioral, relational, and biopsychosocial perspectives. I am passionate about making genuine connections and approaching each person with compassion, openness, and a humble mind. I aspire to provide a comfortable and collaborative space for people to freely express themselves and connect with their emotional and rational selves in order to make balanced decisions. I have worked in a therapeutic context with children, adolescents, and adults. My work with children has focused extensively on understanding the child’s experience by utilizing their natural and common language, play. Play-therapy serves to explore the child’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors by entering their world of communication and imaginative thinking. Children are creative in the way they express themselves, and I believe appropriate attention and genuine interaction helps children learn to regulate their emotions and behave in more adaptive ways. Additionally, I have experience conducting psychological and neuropsychological evaluations assessing attention, learning disorders, behavioral, and emotional difficulties. I embrace connection and relationship, and encourage individuals to attend each session with curiosity, courage, and vulnerability, embarking on the journey to change and growth.

Alana Bak, LCPC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

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Alana is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor.  She attended The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, where she received her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology.  She has trained in community mental health and memory care facilities and has experience in forensic and court settings.

Alana's Specialties and Approaches

My approach to therapy is very much centered on meeting the client where they are at in their journey.  It is important for me to create a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship with you so we can work towards your goals together.  I utilize a variety of therapeutic interventions including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Art Therapy and Play Therapy.  I have experience working with adults, young children, families, individuals involved in the court system and police officers.  I specialize in working with substance abuse, trauma, depression, anxiety, parenting struggles, addiction issues and sexual disorders.  My style is warm and engaging and I like to focus on holistic methods to lead clients to the path of being the best version of themselves.  

1S132 Summit Ave.
​Suite 305D
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-3929

2100 Manchester Rd.,
Building C, Suite 1620
​Wheaton, IL 60187
10540 S. Western Ave.,
Suite 312
​​Chicago, IL 60643

phone: 630-296-7449
​Fax   630-929-7532

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