As clinical director at Northern Illinois Recovery, Dr. McClure leads the clinical team in innovative and evidence-based practices to improve client care. Dr. McClure completed her bachelor’s degree in counseling with a focus on addiction in 2014 and her Masters in Social Work with a specialization in trauma in 2015. Since then, she has explored the intersection of addiction and trauma through her Doctorate in Social Work in order to improve community and professional understanding of the far-reaching impacts of trauma. Dr. McClure has experience working with bereavement, trauma, mental health, and substance abuse with youth and adults in community-based and outpatient settings. She also is experienced in crisis management and deescalation strategies.

Dr. Beth Dunlap, a board-certified addiction medicine and family medicine physician, is the medical director at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. She is responsible for overseeing all the integrated medical services at both campuses. Beth completed medical school, residency, and fellowship at Northwestern University, where she continues to serve on the faculty as a member of the Department of Family and Community Medicine. She has extensive experience in addiction medicine at all levels of care, and her clinical interests include integrated primary care and addiction medicine, harm reduction, and medication-assisted treatment.

Derek graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a BA in Theater and then returned for a Masters in Social Work with focuses in mental health and children/families. He used this diverse academic background to dive into a variety of clinical implementations including running an after school theater program with inner city youth, serving as a crisis intervention specialist at a therapeutic day school, working as the youth director and then Director of Operations at a transitional living program, and accumulating over seven years working in behavioral health hospitals in varied roles. Most recently, Derek was the supervisor of education programs at a domestic violence agency. His therapeutic ideology is that each person is unique in their own way and he aims to highlight an individual’s strengths to overcome any obstacles. Derek leans into this strengths-based model with strong focuses on DBT, CBT, family systems theory and multiple intelligence theory in his practice.

Erika Heatley is a primary therapist at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. She is a licensed Social Worker and a certified alcohol and drug counselor. She received her undergraduate degree from University Wisconsin- Whitewater with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Family and Health Studies. Erika also completed her Master’s of Social Work degree with a concentration in Mental Health and Addictions from Loyola University Chicago. Erika has experience working in outpatient services including partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient treatment in the fields of mental health, addictions and co-occurring treatment. Erika utilizes a person-center and holistic approach. Erika has a variety of experiences including biopsychosocial assessment, admissions and intake, insurance support and clinical services for the adult population in co-occurring mental health and substance use.

Erin Fowler is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Erin received her undergraduate degree in Secondary Education and History from Cornell College. Erin received her CADC education from Elgin Community College. Erin graduated in August 2020 from George Williams College with her Master’s in Social Work. Erin has worked in the mental health and substance abuse field for the last 14 years. Erin has a variety of experiences working with children, adolescents and adults.

Margaret is a Qualified Mental Health Professional and an Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Argosy University and her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bradley University. Margaret completed her Master’s internship hours at a domestic violence agency and was hired as a full-time therapist before being promoted to Clinical Supervisor. Along with her education and background, Margaret brings personal experience with addiction and treatment. Her work includes a variety of service modalities, mainly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, with an easy-going style that builds safe, supportive relationships to meet the personal goals of each client. This is accomplished through individualized treatment strategies and planning towards successful outcomes in therapy. Margaret is also EMDR-certified and can incorporate this into her philosophy of care.

Desarae is the primary evening IOP therapist and is a Licensed Social Worker. She received her master’s degree from Aurora University. Desarae has experience working in private practice as well as in inpatient psychiatric  care in the speciality areas of mental health, addictions and co-occurring treatment.  She also has experience across the lifespan working with children, adolescents, and adults, in individual, family, and couples therapy modalities.  Desarae strives to provide her clients with an environment where they feel heard, respected, and assisted.

As a Primary Therapist at NIRC, Noreen conducts counseling sessions with both groups and individuals to guide them through the addiction recovery process. Noreen’s background in program design, ACT, intervention, drug and alcohol education, and narrative therapy, coupled with her collaborative and supportive facilitation style, creates a strong foundation for her clients. She holds a BA in Applied Behavioral Sciences and an MS in Human Services/School Counseling, both from National-Louis University. Her previous experience and supplemental education in trauma, grief and loss, co-dependency, and mental health are blended into her carefully crafted and individualized recovery plans. Children, adolescents, and adults of all ages have benefited from Noreen’s focused attention on them as individuals—a trait she weaves through her personal life with ease and grace. Her love for photography, nature, animals, and people rounds out her character, as she enjoys operating as both a team leader and team player.

Peggy joins the NIRC team with a variety of experience as counseling is her second career.  After a decade as an x-ray technician, she discovered her passion for working with the substance use population and completed Hazelden’s Counselor Training Program.  She gained her early experience as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, working in all levels of care and then went on to obtain her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Roosevelt University in Chicago.  Peggy utilizes several clinical frameworks including Person- Centered Care, Family System Theory, CBT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing.  She strives to treat all clients as unique individuals and is grateful to have the opportunity to help clients get started in their recovery journey from addiction and/or dual diagnosis issues.

Willow Villalobos recently earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) from Aurora University and has valuable experience through her time at a local recovery home and an intensive outpatient program (IOP) for youth with mental health and behavioral concerns. She is committed to inspiring hope and supporting clients in substance use, mental health, and domestic violence by treating co-occurring disorders and utilizing trauma-informed care. Skilled in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and other modalities, Willow believes in assuming the best of clients and empowering them on their path to recovery.

Evan brings years of experience working in inpatient treatment programs starting as a Behavioral Health Technician at a treatment center in New Mexico. Here he gained experience with experiential therapies through running wilderness retreats and music therapy groups. After returning to Illinois and earning his CADC he transitioned into clinical work at an inpatient facility and completed his BA in Social Work. After recognizing his clients’ need for empowerment and a greater sense of control over their response to stress he developed a passion for teaching the practical application of mindfulness and breathwork skills. Evan specializes in understanding substance use and mental health disorders through a physiological lens drawing on the principles of The Polyvagal Theory. He combines this with an understanding of the need to help clients foster their own unique spiritual perspective as a source of strength and resilience through the recovery process. His goal is to help clients tap into their innate potential for healing and growth.

Besnik is the case manager at our outpatient facility. He graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Besnik completed his internship hours at NIRC and was hired on as the full time case manager afterward. He has prior experience in substance abuse and mental health as a behavioral health technician at two different rehabilitation centers. Besnik utilizes his therapeutic background and friendly demeanor to help the clients navigate their case management needs while in treatment.

Jackie is the Case Manager at our inpatient facility. She started her social work career in homelessness services where she was a Recovery Support Specialist for Mchenry County PADS. Jackie started working for NIRC as a Behavioral Tech in August of 2022 and was recently promoted to better utilize her skillset and serve our clients. She is currently attending Aurora University where she is pursuing her CADC and Bachelors in Social Work.

Tiffany has spent five transformative years working at NIRC, initially as a Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) in housing then as a Housing Supervisor and most recently as Office Coordinator. These roles provided me with invaluable experience and insights into the operations and management of Northern Illinois Recovery Center before her shift into Case Management. Her most recent endeavor with NIR is fueled by her personal experiences with addiction and alcoholism, which have given her a deep understanding of the difficulties faced by those battling similar issues and a strong desire to support and uplift my community. Driven by the passion to give back, Tiffany is committed to using her professional skills and personal experiences to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Her goal is to provide compassionate and effective support to those in need, helping them to overcome their challenges and achieve their full potential.

Holly Magdalin is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She currently holds a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling and has a background in Communicative Disorders both from Northern Illinois University. Holly has ten years of professional experience working beside people struggling with mental health issues and substance use disorders. Her experience includes working in an inpatient facility as a chemical dependency primary counselor, an outpatient therapist, working with individuals, groups, and families battling their mental health, and supervising a clinical team. She comes with an eclectic approach with an emphasis on DBT, CBT, and Person-Centered therapies.

Shira is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who has been in the field since 1985. Since then, she has held a variety of positions in mental health and substance abuse settings. She has been with NIRC since its beginning and feels honored to have witnessed the healing of so many. In addition to her work with people with substance use disorders, she has done extensive research and training in positive psychology and believes in the possibility of people to not only survive but to thrive.

A McHenry County native, Nick graduated from Eureka College with a B.S. in Business Administration and Financial Economics. With over a decade of experience in the healthcare industry, Nick joined NIRC in 2021. His expertise lies in quality, financial, and operational improvement, as well as strategic planning and implementation. Certified in Six Sigma, Lean, and Agile project methodologies, Nick is dedicated to leading and developing high-performing teams while continually striving for personal and professional growth. He is also actively involved in his community, volunteering with local organizations focused on supporting people in recovery. Nick is committed to making a positive impact both professionally and personally, and is excited to bring his skills and experience to NIRC to help improve the healthcare services in McHenry County.

Jesse Cervantes, Vice President of Operations at Northern Illinois Recovery Center, is a dedicated professional with over a decade of experience in mental health and substance abuse treatment. Grounded in servant leadership and guided by his core values of empathy, equality, and determination, Jesse has successfully led initiatives in both for-profit and nonprofit sectors. His commitment to fostering strong community relationships across McHenry County has solidified his reputation as a respected community leader. With an unwavering dedication to serving those grappling with addiction and mental health challenges, Jesse's work reflects his passion for improving lives through quality care.

Nick has over six years of experience working in substance use and mental health, with three of those years dedicated to the Northern Illinois Recovery Center. Nick also managed The Other Side Sober Bar for over a year and has worked at other SUD facilities and treatment centers in the past. With his passion for serving others, Nick has worked hands-on with hundreds of clients and families, helping them navigate their road to recovery by thoughtfully putting a cohesive plan of action in place. Nick understands that each individual coming to treatment has unique circumstances and is always willing to meet others where they are, regardless of their barriers.

Pastor Bill has been the Chaplain for NIRC since April 2022. He leads spirituality groups and provides pastoral counseling. Pastor Bill also works as our Community Outreach Coordinator visiting houses of worship and religious organizations and introducing them to NIRC. He has a B.A. in Bible & Theology from Wheaton College, a Masters of Divinity from Trinity Seminary and is an ordained minister with the Evangelical Covenant Church. Pastor Bill has been an associate & lead pastor since 1988 serving both in rural and urban communities with congregations ranging from 50 to 1,200 in attendance. Pastor Bill is committed to introduce all people to God’s unconditional love and grace as part of their recovery journey.

Casey has experience working as a Recovery Coach and Peer Support Specialist, assisting clients in meeting their recovery goals. Through her own recovery, Casey finds purpose in helping others struggling with addiction. Her goal is to help others connect with the resources they need to begin their journey in recovery and to encourage them along the way. In her free time, Casey likes spending time with her Golden Retriever, Lilah, and creating art. Casey is excited to be a member of the NIRC team and is passionate about advocating for self-care, hope, and healing.

Corinne is the Community Outreach Coordinator. She started her social work career serving as a Group Facilitator and Family Support Specialist for pregnant and parenting teens in DuPage County. As a Home Visitor, she educated young parents on child development, community resources and empowered young parents to achieve completing school and getting a job. She then began a career in admissions and outreach working as the Director of Outreach for a school in DuPage County. She is passionate about bringing people and resources together to collaborate and help the community thrive.

Angela, is a lifelong resident of McHenry County and brings over 16 years of invaluable experience in the medical field. As a seasoned nurse, Angela has seamlessly transitioned into nursing leadership over the past seven years. Angela’s leadership journey is driven by a commitment to ensuring safe and timely care for our clients. Her vision extends beyond the immediate to focus on refining processes that guarantee efficiency and excellence in client care services. Currently charting new horizons, Angela is on a quest for knowledge and expertise. In her pursuit of excellence, she is undertaking a master’s degree in nursing with a specialization as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. This educational endeavor reflects Angela’s unwavering dedication to staying at the forefront of advancements in mental health care.

Lauren is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with more than 15 years of healthcare experience, training, and education. Lauren’s background is deeply seated in emergency medicine with an expertise in pediatrics. While she will always have a love for critical care, her passion for addiction medicine integrated with primary care has truly flourished while working at NIRC.

Dana Karels is the Outpatient Operations Manager at Northern Illinois Recovery Center, bringing over four years of experience in the field of addiction recovery and rehabilitation.  Dana ensures that the center runs smoothly, coordinating day-to-day activities, overseeing staff, and implementing processes that enhance the quality of care provided to clients. Dana's firsthand experience with addiction and recovery fuels their passion for creating a supportive, empathetic environment where clients feel understood and empowered on their paths to sobriety. Their leadership is marked by a hands-on approach, a dedication to continuous improvement, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of those struggling with substance use disorders.

John brings years of dedicated experience in the recovery field. He began his journey at NIRC as a Behavioral Health Technician, where he gained invaluable insights into the needs of clients in treatment. Recognizing the importance of ongoing support, John transitioned to the role of Client Engagement Coordinator, where he successfully developed and expanded the center's alumni program, fostering connections and community among past clients. In his current position as Inpatient Operations Manager, John focuses on creating a welcoming and warm environment where clients can begin their recovery journey with the support they need. With a deep passion for helping others, John is committed to maintaining a compassionate and supportive atmosphere at NIRC, ensuring each client receives the care and guidance necessary to thrive in their recovery.