OUR TEAM
All CCH clinicians are trained in multiple modalities and theories of therapy. CCH is brought together through its use of a Depth Psychology framework.
VANESSA JANKOWSKI, PhD, LCSW
Co-FOUNDER, CEO
Adult Therapy | Adolescent & Family Therapy | Typology & Jungian Coaching
Vanessa Jankowski is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, with a Master of Social Work degree from University of Chicago’s school of Social Services Administration. She received her PhD in Depth Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute, where she also received a Master’s degree in Jungian and Archetypal Studies as well. In the Chicagoland area, Vanessa completed a five-year, post-graduate intensive clinical training program focused on social work techniques, psychotherapy, group work, and Jungian/Archetypal psychology.
Vanessa guides clients to a better understanding of their gifts and strengths while helping them identify and address the sources of their suffering. Her therapeutic approach draws from a wide range of models and theories. Her work integrates techniques and interventions from Psychodynamics, Cognitive Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (C.B.T.), Dialect Behavioral Therapy (D.B.T.), Family Systems, Object Relationships, Rational Emotive Therapy (R.E.T.), Transactional Analysis (T.A.), various Depth Psychology theories and others.
Vanessa has organized and co-led annual retreats, workshops, and programs for The Center for Change & Healing, Beloit College, Corporate Learning Institute, Irons Oaks, Joy Outdoor Educational Center, the Village of Niles and Skokie Middle Schools, Niles Teen Center and more. Vanessa served as director of Horizon Hospice’s youth and family grief group program, Braveheart, where she supervised, coordinated, and facilitated groups for those experiencing grief and loss.
Vanessa is trained in crisis intervention and psychotherapy. As a high ropes and challenge course facilitator, she enjoyed working with residential rehabilitation groups, sports teams, teacher groups, college students and staff, and corporate organizations.
Vanessa co-founded Birch Forest Children’s Therapy Center in January 2022 to serve the needs or parents and children.
Vanessa’s lifelong love of painting and the arts allows her to reach individuals through creativity and imagery. She is a musician and a captivating storyteller. Before becoming a clinician, Vanessa worked extensively as a trainer of horses for shows and dressage. Vanessa understands it is important to be healthy of mind and body; She advocates and practices healthy physical activity and proper nutrition.
Conference Presentations
International Conferences
Better Together: Views on Chaos from an Interdisciplinary Jungian, Clinical Social Work Approach
for Chaos and Interdisciplinarity, Asheville, North Carolina 26-29 June 2019
Jungian Society for Scholarly Studies 16th
Appreciating Differences in Each Other’s Type: How to Avoid Growing in Your Partner’s Shadow
Association for Psychological Type International (APTI) 2023 Summer Conference
8 Psychological Type Functions and Marriage
Bay Area Association for Psychological Type (BAAPT)
Feb 2022 – San Francisco, California
Regional Conferences
Psychotherapy in Children, Adolescents, & Adults
Lemont Junior Woman’s Club & Lemont School District Educational Program
Nov 2022 – Lemont, Illinois, United States
Publications
Modern Challenges of Consciousness According to Jung, von Franz, Hillman & Woodman, Dissertation, 2024, Pacifica Graduate Institute, available through Proquest https://www.proquest.com/docview/3101097202/E3B5A39702FD4FADPQ/1?sourcetype=Dissertations%20&%20Theses
Divination, Prophecy, and Revelation as Educative Synchronicities, Chapter in New Visions and New Voices: Extending the Principles of Archetypal Pedagogy to Include a Variety of Venues, Issues, and Projects, Vol. 2 (Mayes, C.Ed.) Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield 2023
The Poem as an Educative Process: An Archetypal Approach to Joy Harjo’s “A Map to the Next World”, Chapter in New Visions and New Voices: Extending the Principles of Archetypal Pedagogy to Include a Variety of Venues, Issues, and Projects, Vol. 1 (Mayes, C.Ed.) Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield 2021
A Guide to the ESTP Universe: How Extraverted Sensates Relate to the Archetypal Realm,
Article, Personality Type in Depth, Dec 16, 2020
Interviews
INTJ and ESTP Relationship Compatibility: Love, Work & Life Insights with Kyle and Vanessa Jankowski
Joyce Meng – Typology Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23r3B9pPxdQ
A Guide to the ESTP Universe | Vanessa Jankowski Interview
Joyce Meng – Typology Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_YSKK-1usw
Kyle J. Jankowski, LCSW, MSW, MADP
Co-FOUNDER, COO
Adult Therapy | Adolescent & Family Therapy | Typology & Jungian Coaching
Kyle J. Jankowski, LCSW, MSW, MADP., is the co-founder and COO of The Center for Change & Healing, a Clinical Social Work and Depth-Psychology based psychotherapy and consultation practice.
For over 20 years, Kyle has worked with youth, couples and families. He specializes in guiding clients through major life transitions. He has provided quality mental health services through a variety of roles including school social worker, special education social worker, foster care/adoption case worker, residential day school therapist, police mental health consultant, and clinical group psychotherapist.
Kyle has designed and facilitated over a dozen Depth-Psychology based weekend and week-long personal growth retreats for adults and adolescents. Kyle earned his Bachelor’s from the University of Michigan (BSW), where he also served as president of the Social Work Club, and was inducted into the Greek Academic National Honor’s Society, Phi-Alpha. Kyle then earned a graduate degree from the University of Chicago-SSA (MSW/AM). Continuing his postgraduate education, Kyle completed a seven-year advanced clinical training program and earned a second Master’s from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Jungian & Depth Psychology (MADP).
Kyle’s therapeutic practice integrates traditional psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral and family system’s approaches. Additionally, Kyle integrates theories of multiple intelligences and Typology (Myers-Briggs/M.B.P.T.I.) with a focus on creativity, literature, poetry, creative space design/sacred architecture, comedy/improv, graphic art, film and photography.
Kyle understands the essential role vocation plays in a meaningful and fulfilling life. Through explorations of vocation, Kyle helps people to recognize, structure, and integrate their creative gifts and traditional intelligence into practical and meaningful career paths. Vocational and creative consultation are useful for midlife career changes, quarter-life existential crises, entrepreneurs, and non-traditional students in high school and college. Others have utilized vocational and creative consultation with Kyle to rediscover and reintegrate their lost or undervalued ethnic/cultural practices and identity. Such clients often report a renewed sense of mental, social, and cultural wholeness.
Kyle co-founded Birch Forest Children’s Therapy Center in January 2022 to serve the needs or parents and children. In 2023, he founded Siubhail Publishing, LLC.
Outside his clinical and consulting practice, Kyle avidly studies Polish-Hungarian Fencing, saxophone, martial arts philosophy, and Central/Eastern European history. He is a published poet and scholar. He enjoys hiking, traveling America’s National Parks, water skiing, swimming, culinary art, interior design, Polish cultural events, and patronizing Chicago’s extensive performing arts scene.
Conference Presentations
Appreciating Differences in Each Other’s Type: How to Avoid Growing in Your Partner’s Shadow
Association for Psychological Type International (APTI) 2023 Summer Conference
8 Psychological Type Functions and Marriage
Bay Area Association for Psychological Type (BAAPT)
Feb 2022 – San Francisco, California
Training Facilitator
MBPTI Typology Training on John Beebe’s 8 Functions
Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute Jan 2021
Interviews
Finding Success in Graduate School: A Journey of Resilience and Passion
Victors in Grad School Podcast
https://open.spotify.com/show/5SbdjZkeLpphdJoXUPLNlB
INTJ and ESTP Relationship Compatibility: Love, Work & Life Insights with Kyle and Vanessa Jankowski
Joyce Meng – Typology Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23r3B9pPxdQ
Publications
Dispatches from the Dnipro: Poems on the War in Ukraine
Siubhail Publishing, Apr 1, 2023. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPV112FM/ref=tsm_1_tp_tc
The Poet as Visionary and Social Conscience: the Poetry of Kyle Jankowski. In “New Visions, New Voices: the Shadow in Education (vol 3)
Featured Poet in the Quarterly Annal of Clan Hamilton Society of America, Dec 1, 2022 Celtic/Scottish themed poetry
Kevin kell, lcsw
Clinical DIRECTOR
Adult Therapy | Adolescent & Family Therapy | Typology & Jungian Coaching
Kevin Kell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker living and practicing in the greater Chicago area. He received his bachelor’s degree, Summa Cum Laude, from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR, majoring in psychology. Kevin then graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a Masters in Social Work. He is currently pursuing degrees through Pacifica Graduate Institute’s masters/ doctoral program in Jungian and Archetypal Studies. Additionally, Kevin has studied with many professional mentors from a wide variety of cultures and fields of study.
Kevin brings all of his educational and practice experience to each client and session. Kevin provides individual, group, family, and couples therapeutic counseling to clients of all ages. Clients have found significant relief from symptoms of depression, anxiety, grief/ loss, anger management/ rage, self-harm, eating disorders, suicidal ideation, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, addictive behaviors, and underperformance.
Kevin’s approach draws primarily from psychodynamic and depth psychological theories. New skills and information are essential to the healing process, but often there are also unresolved issues from the past that continue to disrupt the present. Lasting change and growth often require that these issues be explored and healed with compassion and understanding. Even clients with a history of treatment-resistant issues have found Kevin’s approach helpful and transformative.
When Kevin isn’t practicing therapy, he is enjoying a wide variety of hobbies and interests. Kevin is an accomplished leather worker and craftsman. He also makes and plays hide drums of many types and sizes. Kevin is a classically trained bass vocalist and regularly performs in local operas and other venues. Kevin can be found throughout the greater Chicago area sharing his love of art, performance, and beauty.
Conference Presentations & Talks
No Forest is an Island: Taking Jung into the World with Mount Forest Island Through Active Imagination and Terrapsychological Inquiry, June, 2024
Jungian Society for Scholarly Studies Conference 2024, Albuquerque, NM
Archetypal Vaccination: Hillman’s Soul-Making as Defense Against Propaganda, Marketing, and other Unconscious Exploitation, July, 2023
Jungian Society for Scholarly Studies Conference 2022, Des Moines, WA
The Uncharted Course: Individuation Using Typological Active Imagination, February, 2023
Sacramento Chapter, Association for Psychological Type, Remote
Where Insight Fears to Tread: Using Typological Active Imagination in Clinical Therapy, December, 2022
Association for Psychological Type International Conference 2022, Remote
The Empowered Parent: Freedom from Power and Control, April, 2021
Fusion Academy, Oakbrook, IL
Carrying Cats by the Tails and Other Epistemological Concerns:
Using Pragmatism to Bridge Epistemology and Ontology in the Work of C. G. Jung, March, 2021
International Association for Jungian Studies Conference 2021, Remote
Individuation of the Ring: Exploring Beebe’s 8-Function Model in The Lord of the Rings Films, December, 2020
San Francisco Bay Area Association for Psychological Type, San Francisco, CA
Hides and Seeking: Drum Making as Mandala Ritual Towards Individuation, June, 2019
Jungian Society for Scholarly Studies Conference 2019, Asheville, NC
Hides and Seeking: Hide Drum Making as Illuminated Mandalas, April, 2019
Art & Psyche Conference 2019, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Living a Life of Meaning: Viktor Frankl and the Essence of Empowerment, January, 2018
The Center for Change and Healing, Burr Ridge, IL
Not For Sale: Reclaiming the Sacred with Standing Rock, April, 2017
Lewis & Clark College, Portland, OR
Not For Sale: Reclaiming the Sacred with Standing Rock, January, 2017
Bethany of Fox Valley UMC, Aurora, IL
Psychology of Summer Learning Loss: The Work of Hermman Ebbinghaus, June, 2016
Fusion Academy, Oakbrook, IL
Board Positions
Association for Psychological Type International (APTI), Board of Directors
Director-at-Large January 2024-Present
Salt Creek Watershed Network, Board of Directors
SCWN In-water Program Manager, Cook County Paddling Taskforce Representative
Interviews
Meng, J. [Joyce Meng]. (2022, February 8). ENFP Live Q&A with Kevin Kell, speaker at the APTI, Association for Psychological Type International. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ecmu-yXMpfc
Publications
Transcending the Power Complex: A Typological Use of Active Imagination,
Article, Personality Type In-Depth, April 25, 2021
Archetypal “Vocationing”: Being a Teacher, Healer, and Artist at Work, 2021
Chapter in New Visions and New Voices: Extending the Principles of Archetypal Pedagogy to Include a Variety of Venues, Issues, and Projects, Vol. 1 (Mayes, C. Ed.) Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.
Existential Education: Towards an Archetypal Pedagogics of Empowerment, 2023
Chapter in New Visions and New Voices: New Visions and New Voices: Extending the Principles of Archetypal Pedagogy to Include a Variety of Venues, Issues, and Projects, Vol. 2 (Mayes, C. Ed.) Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.
DEREK HINDERLITER, LPC
PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Adult Therapy | Adolescent & Family Therapy
Derek Hinderliter received his bachelor’s degree from Morehead State University in Kentucky and his MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bradley University. He has been involved with addictions work for more than 10 years including providing counseling services through Recovery Centers of America, in their in-patient drug and alcohol treatment programs. Derek also has direct experience working in the field of domestic violence with both victims and offenders through programs such as Family Violence Prevention Services in San Antonio Texas.
Effective counseling begins with meeting clients where they are at, then working collaboratively towards their unique healing and development goals. Derek draws from his experience in multiple therapeutic modalities to help clients navigate challenges and find a positive and healthy path forward.
Finding meaning and purpose, even in life’s most difficult circumstances, is a core feature of Derek’s therapeutic approach. Derek helps clients identify their individual meaning and purpose through an integration of Depth Psychology, Logotherapy, and psychodynamic theories. Additionally, he includes interventions from a combination of empirically driven modalities: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Reality Therapy. One’s psychology is deeply interconnected with one’s body as well. Therefore, he uses trauma-informed approaches, including body conscious modalities and somatic awareness protocols.
Derek retired from the military after spending over twenty years as a musician with the United States Air Force Bands program. Through this opportunity, he lived and worked throughout the United States, Germany, and Belgium. His extensive experience in professional performance, logistics, public affairs, and operations provides him with a unique set of skills that he uses to facilitate the healing processes of his clients.
When he is not working, Derek enjoys traveling, cooking great food, and spending time with friends and family. He and his wife are both professional musicians and can often be heard performing in the greater Chicago area.
DR. MARK R. GRANDSTAFF, PhD
CERTIFIED JUNGIAN & TYPOLOGY COACH
Consulting, Coaching and Workshops
Dr. Mark R. Grandstaff, Ph.D., has a degree in American Popular and Organizational Culture from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Having written four books and more than seventy articles, he has taught at Brigham Young University (emeritus professor), the University of California at Berkeley, and the University of Maryland, University College. He has lectured across the world in such places as Oxford, The University of Auckland, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Amsterdam.
Dr. Grandstaff is a former fellow of the James MacGregor Burns Institute of Strategic Leadership, College Park. He served as the senior military member on the U.S. President’s Committee for National Service. He is also a world-class Certified Typology Master Practitioner who mentors people and organizations in the use of the Myers-Briggs (MBTI) for communication and conflict resolution.
His most recent book, Reclaiming The Fire: Depth Psychology in Teacher Renewal, introduces the role that Jungian Typology and Archetypal Reflectivity play in overcoming occupational stress and burnout. The editors at Marquis’ Who’s Who in America awarded him the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award for his career contributions. A Jungian Coach, he changes people’s lives and can help you do the same.
BIRCH FOREST CLINICIANS
Birch Forest Children’s Therapy Center is the pediatric branch of the Center for Change & Healing. These clinicians focus on therapy for adolescents, children and their families.
ANNIE KELL, LCSW
LEAD THERAPIST, LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER
Child Therapy, Parenting Talks & Workshops
Annie works with children and families experiencing a wide variety of difficulties such as emotional regulation, social and emotional issues, low self esteem, ADHD, anxiety, depression, trauma, and attachment issues.
Rooted in psychological research of child brain development, Annie uses clinical play therapy to strengthen the connection between brain and body, helping children learn to regulate their bodies and emotions while engaging their interest and enjoyment.
Annie received her master’s in Social Work from Dominican University after graduating from Columbia College Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Studies. Most recently she began the DIR/Floortime Professional Certificate series of courses and has completed the first level of four. Annie also has a graduate certificate in Animal and Human Health from Denver University, allowing her to practice animal assisted therapy. Annie’s work is also informed by her years of experience working with survivors of domestic violence and families in the child welfare system.
When not practicing therapy, she loves to spend time with her children, husband, and their pets. Annie enjoys training her dog, Zelda, to become a certified therapy dog. She also likes to make natural dyes and hand drums. Annie is a trained dancer and enjoys spending time hiking in the local forest preserves.
SHANNON O’BRIEN, LSW
LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER
Child, Adolescent & Family Therapy
Shannon received her master’s in Social Work from the University of St. Francis with a specialization in Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from St. Francis as well, graduating Summa Cum Laude, with a minor in Criminal & Social Justice. While there, she was inducted into the Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society as well as Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society. Shannon sees learning as a continual process and brings her passion for learning to the work she does with every client.
Prior to joining the Birch Forest team, Shannon provided advocacy and support to children and families through the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center. As part of a multidisciplinary team of therapists and law enforcement officials, Shannon helped the survivors of severe abuse share their story and work towards healing and recovery. Drawing from these and other experiences, Shannon recognizes the importance of meaningful support and treatment for those recovering from a wide range of traumatic events. When working therapeutically with children and adolescents, it is essential to build trust and demonstrate a genuine care for each client as an individual while also helping caregivers to support the healing and change as well. Shannon recognizes that when working through challenges it is important to be proactive instead of simply reactive. Her strengths-based approach to therapy allows children to develop their existing skills and abilities so that they can pursue their goals in therapy confidently.
Outside of work, Shannon enjoys making jewelry and can be regularly found selling her work at local festivals and events with her mother and business partner. She practices mindfulness in nature, making meditative art and playing with her two dogs, Ellie & Lilo.
MACKENZI MAPLES, LSW
LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER
Child, Adolescent & Family Therapy
Mackenzi graduated from Missouri State University with a master’s in Social Work after graduating with her bachelor’s in Social Work from the same institution.
Previously she worked closely with children experiencing crisis at the Children’s Advocacy Center in Arkansas. This role provided her with invaluable experience in supporting children through some of their most challenging times. These experiences have helped her to develop a deep understanding of the unique needs and strengths of young clients recovering from a variety of traumas and stressors. She recognizes the importance of creating a safe and nurturing environment for children to heal, learn, and grow. Mackenzi is excited to continue working with children and their families to foster positive therapeutic growth and development.
Mackenzi’s approach is rooted in empathy, resilience, and a commitment to helping children navigate their emotions and experiences. Mackenzi’s background in child welfare and social work has equipped her with a comprehensive, strengths-based approach to therapy. Mackenzi focuses on each child’s strengths and building resilience, ensuring that therapy is not just about addressing problems but also about empowering children and their families.
When Mackenzi is not working, she enjoys spending time with her wife and two dogs, Stella and Sadie. She also likes to spend time traveling, hiking, and reading. Because Mackenzi is new to the area, she also enjoys spending time exploring all there is to do in Chicagoland!
GRETCHEN MANSKE
ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR
Administrative Support
Gretchen Manske has 18 years of experience working in a multidisciplinary pediatric therapy center, serving in a number of administrative roles. Her most important role (and greatest passion) continues to be in supporting families throughout their therapeutic experience; ensuring that they have both a partner and a friend walking alongside them at all times as they navigate new experiences and learnings, insurance and scheduling challenges, and the ups and downs of parenting.
Gretchen will continue to guide the unique focus of Birch Forest as a therapy center that integrates trauma-informed mental health strategies and a cutting-edge neuroscientific lens with natural child development and family focused, relationship-based care. Gretchen holds a degree in Biology with a minor in psychology from Concordia University Chicago. She has attended trainings workshops through the ATTACh Conference, Trauma and Attachment Symposium, and Meeting the Needs of the Whole Child Symposium as well as completing several courses on topics of the DIR/Floortime Model, parent coaching, and a variety of approaches in trauma informed care with the pediatric population. Currently she is pursuing an Advanced Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies from the renowned Trauma Research Foundation.
Outside of work, Gretchen enjoys spending time with her husband, three sons, and their pets.