Real Residents
We are a venue that caters to independent practitioners & health providers
Learn more about who you can work with, train alongside, and vibe with at For Real Spaces below:
Founder & Resident Therapist
Dr. Fabrice Lubin
I am a clinical psychologist, poet, father and child of Haitian immigrants.
My professional experience is reflected across the lifespan and in a variety of settings including trauma-work, college counseling, IOP/PHP hospital programming, depression, anxiety, self-injury, career changes, and identity exploration.
I interweave evidence-based practice with an emphasis toward radical change to create concise, supportive, and tangible interventions. If you observe that you've been stuck for quite awhile, I'm particularly adept at providing perspective.
My work is designed for individuals desiring something new, impactful, and meaningful.
Website forrealtherapy.com
Questions? frlubin@forrealtherapy.com
Resident Therapist
Dr. Brian Kong
I provide individual and couples therapy to adults presenting with various issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, grief, or stress.
I utilize a variety of therapeutic styles in my treatment approach including humanistic, relational and psychodynamic based approaches. I also make use of emotion-focused therapy and cognitive-behavioral-based approaches when working with couples and symptomatic issues, respectively.
Apart from various theoretical approaches, I believe that art and pop culture highlight themes that people resonate with in therapy and welcome the opportunity to integrate some of these unifying themes in our work together.
Website: briankongpsyd.com
Questions?: bkong.psyd@gmail.com
Resident Therapist
Kathleen Pendergast, LCPC
I provide individual & couples therapy to adults presenting with various challenges including anxiety, depression, grief/loss, trauma, relationship issues, life transitions, & other sources of stress. I take an integrative approach to counseling that includes aspects of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Client-Centered, & Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, among many others modalities of treatment. I also find it helpful to incorporate your learning style, personality, & interests into therapy in order ensure these therapeutic approaches stay fresh and relevant to you!
My goal is to provide each person I work with an emotionally safe environment where they feel comfortable exploring even the biggest challenges, whether it is how to manage overwhelming emotions, rebuild a more honest sense of identity, learn to recognize and fight unhealthy or toxic patterns in life & relationships, confront past trauma or abuse, or other flavors of struggle. Many of my clients battle mood disorders, daunting life transitions, relationship issues, as well as navigate cultural barriers, LGBTQ integration struggles, grief/loss, trauma, & body image discomfort/disordered eating.
I believe that therapy can look as many ways as there are people, that you are allowed to feel however you feel and you are allowed to voice those feelings in therapy to your therapist, and that we get out of therapy the work that we put into it, just like most things in life. My website has a fun little page that is dedicated to what therapy can be, what it can mean, what it can address, how it can relate to real life/real world struggles, and what can be done to address those struggles we all face as humans. Check out out the link below to learn more!
Website: kathleenpendergasttherapy.com
Questions?: begin@kathleenpendergasttherapy.com
Resident Therapist
Emily Thornton, MSW, LCSW, CYT-200
Emily is a clinical social worker, yoga/meditation instructor, and writer. Her mission is to create a truly holistic model of service for each person or group she works with, and to help shape a new way of thinking about mental health and self-care in our broader culture and communities.
Emily’s work as a therapist is rooted in DBT, ACT, MSBR, and trauma-sensitive approaches to psychodynamic work for the treatment of anxiety, depression, coping skills, relational challenges, early childhood trauma, and existential concerns, among others. You’ll find that Emily aims to create an equitable partnership with you as the work takes the pace and shape necessary for your desired areas of growth. Using basic principles from yoga, including seated meditation and restorative practice, Emily will guide you in infusing your overall wellness plan with a diverse range of options that meet you where you are and honor your truest, wisest self.
In addition to talk therapy with individuals and couples, Emily offers regular private yoga/meditation instruction, group therapy, and ongoing workshops covering a variety of themes, often in collaboration with colleagues in complementary fields. She also teaches public yoga classes and curates a thoughtful Instagram for your consideration at @breathe_first_studio. Check her website for more info and teaching/workshop schedule.
Emily accepts BCBS PPO and out of pocket payment. To inquire about a first appointment, you can email her at emily@breathefirststudio.com.
Website: https://www.breathefirststudio.com/
Practicum intern
Joe Bova
As I work to earn my master’s degree in mental health counseling, I am excited to join the For Real Therapy team. Prior to entering the world of counseling, I spent the first part of my career working as an animation artist in Los Angeles and, more recently, I owned and operated a small business in Chicago. Based on my experiences as an artist, I have a broad understanding of how the creative process works and what it takes to tap into your artistic strengths. I also know how frustrating it feels to be stuck creatively and how it can affect the overall process. As an entrepreneur, I have first-hand knowledge of what it takes to build a business from the ground up and how to keep it thriving. I am living proof that many of us are not meant to have just one career path.
My work seeks to assist individuals in navigating the challenging transitions that accompany personal and professional life changes. Whether you are an emerging artist, multifaceted business owner, or struggling to connect with your significant other, I hope to provide a better understanding of where you have been, grasping the here and now, and integrating this to empower a better future.
Questions? joe@forrealtherapy.com