Psychotherapy Services
Compassionate Psychotherapy in Plainfield, IL for Lasting Emotional Wellness
At Behavioral Health and Education Specialists (BHES), we provide personalized psychotherapy in Plainfield, IL, designed to help individuals overcome challenges, build resilience, and improve their overall quality of life. We understand that every person’s journey is unique, which is why our experienced clinicians create individualized treatment plans tailored to each client’s specific needs, goals, and circumstances.
We provide treatment for children, adolescents, adults, and families experiencing a wide range of concerns, including:
Personalized Care Focused on Your Well-Being
As a trusted mental health clinic, BHES is committed to helping clients achieve meaningful and lasting progress. Our treatment philosophy centers on addressing specific concerns while empowering individuals with effective coping strategies and practical tools for everyday life. Whether you are facing emotional difficulties, relationship struggles, or major life transitions, our team is here to provide compassionate support every step of the way.
Comprehensive Therapy Services for All Ages
Evidence-Based Support and Assessment
In addition to therapy services, BHES offers psychological testing to help identify concerns, clarify diagnoses, and guide effective treatment planning.
Start Your Path Toward a Healthier Future
Contact our team today to learn how our personalized psychotherapy services can support your mental and emotional well-being.
Our Treatment Providers:
In network with Aetna, BCBS, Claritev, Evernorth Behavioral Health/Cigna, Medicare, and Optum/United Behavioral Health.
Dr. Brucker earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 1994. He then earned a Master's of Arts and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology in 1996 and 1998, respectively. He became an Illinois Licensed Clinical Psychologist in 2000 and has been licensed as such ever since.
Dr. Brucker has extensive professional experience assessing and treating outpatient adolescent and adult males and females with depression, anxiety, stress, anger, grief, trauma, and sleep difficulties; interpersonal skills deficits; coping skills deficits; domestic violence difficulties; maladaptive personality traits, and chronic mental illness.
Dr. Brucker also has extensive experience working with adult males who previously or currently engage in criminal behaviors and require assistance in moving away from a criminal lifestyle. His treatment approach is primarily cognitive-behavioral, and dialectical-behavior, but also incorporates client-centered, mindfulness, and reality therapy components.
In network with Aetna, BCBS, Claritev, Evernorth Behavioral Health/Cigna, Medicare, and Optum/United Behavioral Health.
Jeffrey Clausen, M.S.
Jeffrey Clausen is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the state of Illinois. He attended National-Louis University in Lisle, Illinois, where he completed his Master of Science degree. Additionally, he has earned a Master's degree in Health Care Administration from National-Louis University. He has managed hospital outpatient psychiatric and chemical dependency programs. He also has extensive experience working in adolescent and adult residential treatment facilities and forensic facilities. Mr. Clausen works with adolescents and adults dealing with depression, anxiety, stress, substance abuse, anger management, and relationship difficulties. His professional interests include Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, chemical dependency treatment, individual psychotherapy, couples therapy, and family therapy.
Kathleen M. Costello, Psy.D.
(Not Currently Accepting New Patients)
Dr. Costello earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Northern Illinois University in 1999. For her graduate training in Clinical Psychology, she attended the Illinois School of Professional Psychology (ISPP). At ISPP, Dr. Costello earned a Master of Arts (M.A.) in 2005 and a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in 2008. Dr. Costello became licensed in the state of Illinois as a Clinical Psychologist in 2010, and currently maintains an active license. She has experience working in correctional, residential, outpatient, and academic settings, as well as a hospital. Dr. Costello began seeing patients at BHES in 2012.
Dr. Costello works with individuals, couples, and families at varying stages of life. She effectively provides therapy, conducts thorough psychological assessments, and provides education, training, and supervision as needed. Dr. Costello works with patients with a range of symptoms and disorders. She feels anyone can benefit from psychological services, and sees her role as someone who can help people clarify their values and goals and work toward living the life they want to live. She views psychological work in a team approach where she has expertise in theory, disorders, and intervention skills, and patients have expertise in themselves and their story. Dr. Costello believes collaborating in this way allows a strong therapeutic relationship to develop, which fosters growth and positive change. Some of the ways she helps patients are setting and maintaining healthy boundaries, adapting to life’s exciting changes and devastating losses, and understanding how our thoughts influence our emotions and behaviors. Dr. Costello primarily utilizes cognitive behavioral techniques and strongly believes in the connection between the mind and body, and thus incorporates education and understanding of biological responses. She is committed to tailoring her approach to fit the unique needs of each person she works with to provide realistic, practical, and change-promoting interactions.
Dr. Costello works with individuals, couples, and families at varying stages of life. She effectively provides therapy, conducts thorough psychological assessments, and provides education, training, and supervision as needed. Dr. Costello works with patients with a range of symptoms and disorders. She feels anyone can benefit from psychological services, and sees her role as someone who can help people clarify their values and goals and work toward living the life they want to live. She views psychological work in a team approach where she has expertise in theory, disorders, and intervention skills, and patients have expertise in themselves and their story. Dr. Costello believes collaborating in this way allows a strong therapeutic relationship to develop, which fosters growth and positive change. Some of the ways she helps patients are setting and maintaining healthy boundaries, adapting to life’s exciting changes and devastating losses, and understanding how our thoughts influence our emotions and behaviors. Dr. Costello primarily utilizes cognitive behavioral techniques and strongly believes in the connection between the mind and body, and thus incorporates education and understanding of biological responses. She is committed to tailoring her approach to fit the unique needs of each person she works with to provide realistic, practical, and change-promoting interactions.
In network with Aetna, BCBS, Claritev, Evernorth Behavioral Health/Cigna, Medicare, and Optum/United Behavioral Health.
Winlynn Lin, M.Ed.
Winlynn is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois. She earned her Bachelor of Arts at Boston University. She completed her Master's degree at the University of Georgia. She has had over 30 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families in a variety of settings, including community-based case management, outpatient programs, partial hospitalizations, a comprehensive residential facility, and in private practice settings.
Winlynn’s interests and specialties include assisting people to achieve their desired outcomes, become the best version of themselves, and manage stress, anxiety, depression, behavioral difficulties, and other mental health struggles in a way that’s right for them. She is also effective at working with parents to respond effectively to their children’s everyday and most troubling behavioral issues, along with developing appropriate expectations for their children. She is successful at working with children to decrease their symptoms and increase positive behaviors. Her comfort with helping families and quickly resolving their concerns provides the relief the family is looking for. She has worked extensively with children who experienced trauma.
Winlynn uses a solution-focused therapeutic approach and, when appropriate, play therapy to help her clients achieve their desired outcomes. Her approach to treatment helps her clients successfully use their personal strengths to empower themselves to reengage their lives with resiliency, confidence, and be the best version of themselves. You will find that Winlynn is personable, friendly, and helpful. Her ability to use her skills and talents will offer comfort and hope as you work toward your desired outcome.
In network with Aetna, BCBS, Claritev, Evernorth Behavioral Health/Cigna, Medicare, and Optum/United Behavioral Health.
Pamela Murphy, Psy.D.
After earning a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2006, Dr. Pamela Murphy received her Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) and is licensed in the state of Illinois as a Clinical Psychologist.
Dr. Murphy has worked with children, adolescents, adults, and families with a variety of disorders, including behavioral, mood, and personality disorders. She has experience providing direct mental health services, including individual and group psychotherapy and conducting psychological evaluations, as well as supervising others providing such services. Although she has worked with multiple symptom presentations, she has extensive experience working with those dealing with instituting behavioral change, adjustment concerns, life transitions, stress/emotion management, and loss. Dr. Murphy's clinical experience has been much focused on forensic psychology at adult treatment and detention centers.
Dr. Murphy has worked with children, adolescents, adults, and families with a variety of disorders, including behavioral, mood, and personality disorders. She has experience providing direct mental health services, including individual and group psychotherapy and conducting psychological evaluations, as well as supervising others providing such services. Although she has worked with multiple symptom presentations, she has extensive experience working with those dealing with instituting behavioral change, adjustment concerns, life transitions, stress/emotion management, and loss. Dr. Murphy's clinical experience has been much focused on forensic psychology at adult treatment and detention centers.
Dr. Smith is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the state of Illinois. He attended Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois, where he completed his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees. He earned his doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, Illinois. He has trained and worked in hospitals, inpatient psychiatric treatment facilities, outpatient clinics, academic institutions, and forensic facilities.
Dr. Smith works with children, adolescents, and adults. His professional interests include psychological testing/ assessment and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.
Dr. Smith's treatment philosophy is based on a collaborative, doctor-patient relationship where each person has the opportunity to learn to effectively manage distressing symptoms, more efficiently resolve ongoing problem areas, improve relationships, and lead a more productive and satisfying life.
Dr. Smith works with children, adolescents, and adults. His professional interests include psychological testing/ assessment and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.
Dr. Smith's treatment philosophy is based on a collaborative, doctor-patient relationship where each person has the opportunity to learn to effectively manage distressing symptoms, more efficiently resolve ongoing problem areas, improve relationships, and lead a more productive and satisfying life.
Edward Smith, Psy.D.
Claire Westrick attended Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree; she later obtained a teacher’s certificate and taught at the high school level. Additionally, she taught English as a Second Language to non-native speakers in a variety of settings. Later, she attended Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois, where she earned a Master of Education degree in Community Counseling.
Ms. Westrick has ten years of experience as an Employee Assistance Program professional where she specialized in assessment, crisis intervention, and brief psychotherapy to address mood disorders, anxiety, relationship concerns, parenting, grief and loss, infertility, stress management, work/life balance, workplace issues and substance abuse. She also worked in a respite capacity with individuals with developmental disabilities.
Ms. Westrick has worked at BHES since 2015. She treats adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Her professional interests include anxiety management, family systems, communication, mindfulness, and wellness. She works from a strengths-based perspective and believes in the healing nature of the therapeutic relationship while working to identify and strengthen internal resources and external sources of support. Her treatment approach is collaborative, educational, and supportive. Her goal is to create a safe environment where clients can address their concerns honestly and openly, leading to new insight, growth, more intentional and meaningful relationships, and improved functioning and well-being.
In network with Aetna, BCBS, Claritev, Evernorth Behavioral Health/Cigna, Medicare, and Optum/United Behavioral Health.
Claire Westrick, M.Ed.
In network with Aetna, BCBS, Claritev, Evernorth Behavioral Health/Cigna, Medicare, and Optum/United Behavioral Health.
In network with Aetna, BCBS, Claritev, Evernorth Behavioral Health/Cigna, Medicare, and Optum/United Behavioral Health.