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 recently completed his Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Trinity International University.  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 is currently pursuing 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 sexual behaviors and co-leads a weekly men's group in Palatine.

Doug helps lead and develop a men’s ministry called Redemption Road.  It helps men grow to live free from the lies and personas men feel they need in order to make it in life. 

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 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. 

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. She has taught mediation and conflict resolution skills to students and staff.  She spear headed a student leadership group in her middle school. 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.

Barb has participated in the Restore Couple’s Ministry at her church for six years. She assisted couples in getting unstuck and on their way to a deeper connection and more fulfilling relationship. 

In January, 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.

Recently, Barb retired from her school social worker job, to partner 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, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, life transitions, anxious/depressed youth and spiritual concerns.

Barb has been married to Doug for 39 years. She is the mother of two boys and two daughter-in-laws. She has three grandchildren.