Our Story

Doug's specialities are marriage counseling, men's work, family of origin and trauma, grief counseling and facilitating groups and intensives.

For the past 30+ years Doug has worked as both a pastor and lay counselor in the city of Chicago. He completed his Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Trinity International University in 2017.  Doug has also completed the Sexual Abuse and Trauma Counseling certificate program from the Allender Center in Seattle and has a strong desire to work with men and couples struggling with relational issues.  He is very eclectic in his counseling style but believes that the best results come with a strong therapeutic relationship.  Working in the city Doug has grown a deep love for racial diversity.  He feels comfortable relating cross-culturally and honors our many differences.

Doug has his CSAT certification (Certified Sex Addiction Therapist) under the leadership of Patrick Carnes and the International Institute for Trauma & Addiction Professionals.  He currently counsels individuals in recovery from harmful compulsive Intimacy disorders and leads a weekly men's aftercare group.

Doug also has a deep passion to work with couples in need of a tune up or a complete overhaul in their marriages.  He and his wife use EFT and Gottman Method Couples Therapy training to facilitate and lead marriage workshops, to help distressed couples get unstuck and on their way to a new and better relationship. 

Addictions and the 12 steps are also close to Doug’s heart and he feels very comfortable working thru these difficult challenges as well.  He did a year and a half internship at Keys to Recovery Rehab center in Des Plaines, Illinois doing individual and group counseling. 

Doug is excited for the relationships that he will be able to have with those who choose to come for support and help. 

Barb's specialties ; grief, anxiety, life transition, betrayal trauma, family of origin trauma, marriage counseling 

Barbara Harsch has a Masters in Social Work and has been an LCSW since 1994. Most of her 25 years of experience have been in schools. She has been fortunate to support children through difficulties like trauma, depression and grief. She has lead multiple groups including  grief and  addiction.  Barb has completed the Sexual Abuse and Trauma Counseling certificate program from the Allender Center in Seattle. She has completed the Level One and Level Two Training from the Gottman Method Couples Therapy. Barbara completed EMDR training (rapid eye movement ) and CPTT (Certified Partner Trauma Therapist) training.

Barb counts it a privilege to walk along side women who are experiencing life changes, trauma or betrayal. Together with Doug she counsels couples and walks women through the disclosure process when sexual betrayal has occurred.

In 2019, Barb enrolled in a cohort for Sustainable Faith with the intent of helping others better hear the voice of God in the every day places of life. If clients are open to incorporating spiritual direction into the session, this is an option, but not a requirement.

Upon her retirement from her school social work, Barb partnered with her husband Doug, as they seek to offer opportunities for people to grow in deeper intimacy and connection in their relationships.

Barb's passion is to help people navigate rough waters, and their "inner critic" and to experience healing and wholeness.Her sensitivity to peoples strengths as well as their challenges, and her openness to the role of faith and spirituality shape her practice. Barb's specialities include support for Women/mom's, couples in distress, Sexual betrayal, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, life transitions, and spiritual concerns.

When working with couples, Doug and Barb do co-therapy, helping the couple navigate the blind spots in their relationship. Our hope is that both partners will feel seen and heard as they navigate difficulties.