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Scott Alamar, LMT, LAc
Acupuncturist
Massage Therapist |
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Scott holds a Master's of Science in Oriental Medicine from the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine where he graduated with honors. He also holds a Diplomate of Acupuncture from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
For many years, Scott has experienced the therapeutic benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). He began formally studying TCM upon the encouragement of his practitioner.
Scott’s clinical experience ranges from general musculo-skeletal pain conditions, menstrual issues, anxiety issues, smoking cessation, digestive issues, urogenital disorders, and sleep disorders. He also utilizes a multiple modality acupuncture facial rejuvenation technique. Additionally, Scott is a Nationally Certified massage therapist and is adjunct faculty at the New School for Massage and Bodywork where he teaches Asian Bodywork modalities.
The Yellow Emperor’s Canon on Corporeal Medicine (Huangdi Nei Jing) states “The inferior physician treats, the superior physician teaches, the wise physician works with the healthy.” Prevention is the best way to stave off disease. It is this belief that guides Scott’s practice. Contact Scott
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Mihaela Campion,
LCPC, Nia Blue Belt
Nia Instructor
Movement Instructor |
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Mihaela is an experienced, empathic, versatile psychotherapist. Eight years ago she embraced Nia as a life style practice that helped her move gracefully through life’s stresses, joys, and sorrows. Through Nia, Mihaela has experienced more balance in her life, personal and professional growth, and the joy of movement. As a therapist and Nia instructor she can help you embark on a life journey and unique experience that will transform your life.
Give yourself the gift you deserve: experience Nia, a transformational movement For all people...For all time...in the spirit of love.
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Jennifer Chesak
Youth Writing Instructor |
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Jennifer received her Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. She is the senior editor at a Chicago-based custom publishing firm and travels the world writing about myriad topics ranging from boating and fishing to cooking and architectural design. Previously she was a television reporter and producer for a station in North Dakota, her home state. Also, having been employed with a non-profit agency that caters to youth, Jennifer has an extensive background working with teens and pre-teens. She has tutored at-risk youth and co-facilitated girls’ support groups and “Keys to Inner Visions” courses that instill the knowledge in young people that their past is not their potential. Jennifer enjoys teaching youth how to tap into their creative side with thought-provoking writing exercises that also incite self-exploration. An avid journal keeper for much of her life, Jennifer believes writing in any form and at any age is a powerful self-development tool that can prompt healing and facilitate the ongoing process of discovering and rediscovering one’s self. She is passionate about helping others grasp the writer within and achieve the satisfaction of creative thinking and production. Jennifer is a long-time Logan Square resident and enjoys running the boulevards while training for marathons.
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Stephanie Draus, ND
Naturopathic Doctor
Bellydance Instructor
Meditation Instructor
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Stephanie is the owner and director of Stellaria Natural Health. Raised in the suburbs of Chicago, she graduated Magna cum Laude from Loyola University of Chicago, where she received a BA in Theatre and a BS in Anthropology. After college, she lived and worked in Brooklyn, New York, followed by Portland, Oregon, where she received a four-year Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from National College of Naturopathic Medicine, a fully accredited Naturopathic Medical College. Here in Illinois, she practices as a health consultant.
Much of her clinical academic work was done at Outside-IN, a renowned clinic and community center for homeless youth, located in Portland. There she honed her diagnostic skills while treating everything from highly infectious diseases to run-of-the-mill colds with both natural and conventional medicine. In addition, she spent several clinical rotations working with patients in various stages of addiction recovery, treating mental and physical conditions of acute and longstanding duration, while assisting her patients to stay clean and sober.
Stephanie has practiced yoga for 20 years, and is an accomplished dancer and performer. She has not owned a car since 1996, preferring to commute on foot, by bike, and by public transportation. Dealing with her own injuries, strains, and aches has given her great insight and interest in helping her patients overcome pain and inflammation to discover true joy in movement.
Stephanie's clinical interests include addiction recovery, women’s health, mental health, digestive disorders, mind-body medicine, and physical medicine. She thrives on helping patients create real, lasting changes in their lives and in their relationship to their bodies. She believes that the key to profound healing is empowerment, and that the patient is the best source of information about their own ailments and the road to health.
She is the founder of The Warrior Project, an organization dedicated to the prevention of domestic violence by helping women discover their own inherent strength. She is also the founder of Hafla in the Square, a belly dance celebration held regularly at Stellaria. Contact Stephanie
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Arlene Faulk
T'ai Chi Instructor |
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www.faulktaichi.com
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Therese Holland, LMT, CYT
Massage Therapist |
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Therese earned her BFA in Interior Architecture from Northern Illinois University. She first received massage therapy during her college years to relieve chronic pain and stress. She went on to improve her health and energy level with nutrition, massage therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic care, eventually deciding to pursue a career in the alternative health field.
Therese graduated from The Chicago School of Massage Therapy in 1998 and graduated from The Temple of Kriya Yoga’s Teacher Training Program in 2001. She holds certifications in pre-natal and post-partum massage, La Stone Therapy (hot stones), and Reiki Level III. She has completed continuing education classes in aromatherapy, reflexology, Thai massage, and ayurvedic head massage. She continues to study craniosacral therapy, energy medicine, nutrition, and yoga. Therese has worked in a chiropractic office, an alternative health clinic, a health club, spas, and as a volunteer at an AIDS alternative health clinic. She has maintained a private practice in Evanston since November of 2000, and a practice in Chicago since May of 2006.
Her style consists of integrating Swedish relaxation, muscle therapy, myofascial work, hot stones, Reiki, reflexology, essential oils, and yoga to restore and rejuvenate your body and mind.
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Sally Levin,
CYT
Yoga Instructor |
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Amy Lynn, LCPC, ATR
Art Therapy Instructor |
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Amy is an art therapist (ATR) and licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) with a private practice in Lakeview for women, children and families. In her holistic approach to treatment, Amy uses art therapy, psychotherapy and other expressive therapies, in addition to collaboration with other healing professionals. She offers individual and family therapy, as well as art-based wellness workshops for people seeking balance, stress reduction and a creative outlet. Amy is passionate about social service and self-expression, and especially enjoys helping people who don't consider themselves "artists" learn to express their feelings through art. Amy received her masters degree in Art Therapy and Marriage & Family Therapy from Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, California.
Amy lives in the Logan Square neighborhood in Chicago with her husband, Brian, and their son, Gavin. She enjoys playing with Gavin, traveling, working out, spending time with friends and listening to music, including her husband's band.
You can read more about Amy's practice here.
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Kelly McCann
Certified Rolf Practitioner,
Registered Craniosacral Therapist |
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Kelly is a Registered Dental Hygienist, Certified Rolf ® Practitioner, and a Registered Craniosacral Therapist. She received her certification as a Rolfer by the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration in Boulder, Colorado in 2003. Her interest in craniosacral work was inspired by one of her instructors at the institute and she began studying at the International School of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy with Michael Shea in 2004. She was Certified in 2006 and has assisted Michael Shea and Ginger Crisenberry in foundation level one trainings.
Rolfing and biodynamic craniosacral therapy are the two somatic practices that have had the most profound effect on her life. She decided to become a practitioner of both modalities in order to continue learning about them and to be able to share what she has learned with others to promote health and wellness. Kelly suffered with chronic pain from a whiplash injury, a TMJ surgery and repetitive stress syndrome. By the age of 26, she could barely move or live in her body and her career in dental hygiene exacerbated the pain. After learning about Rolfing from her physical therapist, she signed up for the classic series of 10 treatments. During the series, she was able to stop taking pain medications and anti-inflammatories. Overjoyed and impressed by the relief she'd received, she moved to Boulder within 6 months of her 10 series to become a student at the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration. Kelly's experience increased her sensitivity to the pain of others, and inspired her to spread the word about the benefits of her work.
Kelly works with those experiencing chronic and acute pain, as well as those who wish to prevent injury and improve muscle efficiency.
Kelly’s Rolfing experience includes clients suffering from scoliosis, mild osteoporosis, repetitive stress syndromes, whiplash, and chronic pain, as well as yogis and triathletes. Her craniosacral experience includes working with anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress syndrome, and chiari 1 malformations. She is a member of the International Association of Structural Integrators (IASI) and a member of the Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America.
In her spare time she enjoys hiking, meditation, yoga, and walking by the lake.
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Debbie McDermitt, LCSW, CYT
Counselor
Yoga Instructor |
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Debbie is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and also a certified yoga teacher (CYT). She has been providing individuals and families with counseling services since 1994. She has experience working with clients experiencing depression, anxiety, grief and loss issues, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, learning disabilities, Fetal Alcohol Effects/Syndrome, and attachment problems. In addition, Debbie has provided group supervision to masters-level professionals seeking their LCPC/LCSW.
Debbie graduated from the Temple of Kriya Yoga's hatha yoga instructor training program in 2003, right here in Logan Square. She has taught introductory, beginners, moms and babies, and open level classes at Santosha and Stellaria.She enjoys working with students individually and as groups, helping to strengthen student's bodies, minds, and spirits. Contact Debbie
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Molly Moynahan
Writing Instructor |
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Molly has been teaching writing for over twenty years in Manhattan, London, Texas, Oklahoma, Zen Bosatsu Zendo, SMU, Rutgers, Columbia College, Loyola, DePaul and Evanston. Her latest novel, Stone Garden (HarperCollins) was chosen by The New York Times as a Notable Book of 2003 and she has won a number of awards for her short stories and screenplays. Her essays have been broadcast on Chicago Public Radio and published in THE BEST TEXAS ESSAYS. You can read more about Molly's writing here, and about her teaching here.
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Meggan Shortall,
LMT
Massage Therapist |
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Meggan holds a bachelors of science in Psychology from Rocky Mountain College, and is a graduate of Chicago School of Massage Therapy. Originally from North Dakota, she moved to Chicago to participate in the Lutheran Volunteer Corp. During this time of transition and personal health struggles she developed an interest in alternative medicine, aspiring to practice a wellness approach to health. This realization coupled with her natural tendencies towards touch led her to the study and practice of massage therapy. She is skilled in the areas of relaxation massage, myofascial release, neuromuscular therapy including trigger point therapy, and sports massage. Meggan has a background in aquatics, transits by bike, and studies martial arts.
Meggan uses massage to restore balance in our bodies and lives by treating chronic strain patterns in soft tissue and supporting personal relaxation. Contact Meggan
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Vera Videnovich
Knitting Instructor |
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Vera is a farmer, knitter, spinner, and teacher. You can read more about her here.
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Stephanie Villinski
Yoga Instructor |
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