Clínica de Salud Mental Emerge

Ofrecemos servicios de salud conductual para personas con discapacidad y sus familias, con acceso a asesoramiento, evaluación y tratamiento a cargo de profesionales titulados.

Acerca de la Clínica de Salud Conductual Emerge

La mayoría de los profesionales de la salud mental no están formados para trabajar con personas que padecen discapacidades del desarrollo. Y la mayoría de los proveedores de servicios para personas con discapacidad no están preparados para ofrecer apoyo en materia de salud mental. Emerge se creó para subsanar esa carencia.

La Clínica de Salud Mental Emerge es un centro de salud mental autorizado cuyo personal está compuesto íntegramente por profesionales clínicos especializados en el apoyo a personas con discapacidad. Ofrecemos evaluaciones, terapia individual, terapia de grupo y terapia familiar a personas a las que, con demasiada frecuencia, se les ha dicho que sus necesidades de salud mental son problema de otra persona.

A quiénes ayudamos

Emerge aborda las complejidades de las personas que padecen depresión, ansiedad, dificultades interpersonales, traumas, duelo, necesidades de regulación emocional o trastornos de salud mental concurrentes. Trabajamos con niños, adolescentes y adultos. Atendemos a personas individuales y, cuando procede, a sus familias.

A nivel nacional, se estima que entre el 30 % y el 40 % de las personas con discapacidad intelectual y del desarrollo (I/DD) padecen un trastorno de salud mental comórbido, lo que supone aproximadamente entre tres y cuatro veces la tasa observada en la población general. El «diagnóstico eclipsado» —que consiste en atribuir los síntomas psiquiátricos a la propia discapacidad— hace que estos trastornos pasen desapercibidos con frecuencia. Nosotros no los pasamos por alto.

Concierte una cita de admisiones → Póngase en contacto con nosotros para comenzar

Cómo trabajamos

• Evaluación especializada: evaluación inicial y continua a cargo de profesionales clínicos formados tanto en salud mental como en discapacidad, para que nada se atribuya a una causa errónea.

• Terapia individual: Sesiones individuales adaptadas a su estilo de comunicación, perfil cognitivo y objetivos. Utilizamos enfoques basados en la evidencia, como la TCC, la TDC, la entrevista motivacional y la terapia de aceptación y compromiso.

• Terapia de grupo: Sesiones grupales que fomentan las habilidades sociales, la regulación emocional y la sensación de ser comprendido por personas que comparten experiencias similares.

• Terapia familiar: Sesiones en las que se involucra a la familia en el proceso, ya que la salud mental rara vez es un asunto que afecte únicamente a una persona.

• Gestión de casos centrada en la Persona: la salud mental no es un asunto aislado. Con su consentimiento, coordinamos la atención con los profesionales médicos y de salud conductual, los centros educativos y los lugares de trabajo, para que todos trabajen partiendo de una visión común.

• Acceso flexible: Las sesiones están disponibles de forma presencial en nuestra clínica principal de Lombard o en nuestros centros satélite de Burr Ridge, Downers Grove, Lisle y Elmhurst. También se ofrecen sesiones a domicilio y de telesalud, por lo que el acceso no depende del transporte.

Cobertura y acceso

Actualmente, Emerge acepta Medicaid de Illinois, UnitedHealthcare PPO, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Blue Cross Blue Shield Community y Meridian. También aceptamos pagos por cuenta propia. Por el momento, no aceptamos fondos de exención del programa HCBS.

Estamos ampliando rápidamente nuestras redes de seguros. Consulte a nuestro especialista en Admisiones o visite esta página para consultar la lista actualizada antes de dar por hecho que no está cubierto. Se ofrecen sesiones de telesalud y a domicilio si no le es posible desplazarse a una clínica. Para concertar una cita de Admisiones, póngase en contacto directamente con nuestra clínica.

• 
  Giuliana Alfano, LCPC
• 
  Erin Halden, LCSW
• 
  Sonia Bajaj, LCPC
• 
  Keelin Burchfield, MHP
• 
  Erin Byrne, LSW
• 
  Michael Clarke, MA
• 
  Jennifer Frausto, MHP
• 
  Emily Beaudin, MHP

Giuliana Alfano, LCPC

Giuliana is the Senior Director of Community & Family Supports Services, which includes the behavioral health clinic. With over 15 years of experience, she oversees a multidisciplinary team providing therapy and employment support. She began her career at Ray Graham Association as a QIDP/Case Manager and has worked in clinical, hospital, and managed care settings. Giuliana holds a Master’s in Community Counseling and focuses on holistic, person-centered care.

Erin Halden, LCSW

Erin is the Director of Emerge Behavioral Health Clinic. She has over two decades of experience in the intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) field, working in community-based residential homes, intermediate care facilities, and day service programs. Erin helped establish and license the Emerge Behavioral Health Clinic. She holds a Master of Social Work with a concentration in mental health from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Outside of work, Erin enjoys cooking, hiking, and spending time with her family.

Sonia Bajaj, LCPC

Sonia is the Lead Mental Health Professional at Emerge Behavioral Health Clinic. She has extensive experience in agency-wide coordination of mental health and disability services, specializing in strength-based treatment and self-advocacy. As the older sister of a sibling with autism, Sonia has witnessed firsthand the powerful impact of the Ray Graham community on her own family. She is dedicated to helping individuals feel confident in their abilities and empowered to truly emerge.

Keelin Burchfield, MHP

Keelin is a Mental Health Professional working primarily with individuals with developmental disabilities. She addresses trauma, anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia using person-centered care, CBT, DBT, and motivational interviewing. Since earning her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Saint Xavier University in 2021, she has worked in group homes and community living settings. Keelin enjoys reading, outdoor activities, and spending time with her family and cat.

Erin Byrne, LSW

Erin is a Licensed Social Worker at RGA Emerge BHC with over a decade of experience supporting individuals with IDD. She focuses on anxiety, depression, mood regulation, and relationship challenges using a Strengths-Based approach, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness. She began her career as an Independent Living Skills Instructor in Los Angeles before joining Ray Graham Association as a Resource Coordinator. Erin earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She enjoys exploring Chicago, spending time with her son, and listening to Bruce Springsteen.

Michael Clarke, MA

Michael is a Mental Health Professional with over 15 years of experience in education, supporting young people through their academic and personal development. His background includes working with children and adolescents across a range of social, emotional, and developmental needs. Michael holds a Master's degree in School Counseling from Concordia University. Outside of work, he's a father of three who enjoys golfing, spending time outdoors, and staying active in his community.

Jennifer Frausto, MHP

Jennifer is a Mental Health Professional working with children, adolescents, and adults with developmental disabilities. She focuses on anxiety management, emotional regulation, and social skill development using person-centered care and CBT. Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s in Criminology from DePaul University and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is bilingual in English and Spanish. Outside of work, she enjoys connecting with her community and spending time with loved ones.

Emily Beaudin, MHP

Emily is a Mental Health Professional who helps individuals recognize their strengths, build confidence, and navigate life’s challenges through positive reinforcement and positive reframing. She has experience supporting individuals through grief, difficult life transitions, and other significant changes, providing a compassionate and encouraging space for healing, growth, and resilience. Emily earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from National Louis University and enjoys incorporating art and other creative approaches to help individuals explore and process their emotions in meaningful ways. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her cats and making memories with her family.