Our Team

Sara Bartus, MA, MSW, LCSW (She / Her)

Practice Owner

Sara Bartus has been working with children, teens, and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, anxiety disorders, depression, and social skills challenges for over 10 years. She utilizes an individualized and personal approach with each client and incorporates principles of structured teaching and applied behavior analysis into her work.

Sara graduated from Bradley University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in social work and psychology and then went on to receive her master’s in social work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has a second master’s degree in applied behavior analysis (ABA) from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Sara is trained in structured teaching and was honored to accept an invitation to the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (IARF) Future Leaders program.

Sara values each and every one of her clients and prides herself on helping them reach the milestones they have set. She offers individual therapy and also assists in the facilitation of group social skills therapy.

Insurance Accepted: BlueCross BlueShield PPO, BlueCross BlueShield Blue Choice PPO, Cigna PPO, Aetna PPO, UnitedHealthcare / Optum PPO

Genevieve Thornton, Psy.D. (She / Her)

Founder of SociAbility

Dr. Thornton, is a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder of SociAbility. Her professional goal is to create a whole life for the people she serves – those with autism spectrum disorders. She has been working with children and adolescents for nearly 20 years, and she is dedicated to helping her patients become interested, engaged members of their communities. 

Dr. Thornton has been in private practice in Northbrook, IL, since 2008. Prior to that, she worked with neurobehavioral centers in the Chicagoland area, including Rush Neurobehavioral Center in Skokie, the Pediatric Consultation Center in Glenview, the University of Chicago and the Illinois Masonic Medical Center. Dr. Thornton also conducts diagnostic evaluations for autism for those who have not yet received a diagnosis.

She is a graduate of the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. 

Insurance Accepted: None (Private Pay Only)

Heather Digby, Psy.D. (She / Her)

Clinical Director

Dr. Digby is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in conducting psychological and neurodevelopmental assessment for children, teens, and adults. She has a background in working with individuals across a variety of settings, including psychiatric and medical university hospitals, therapeutic day schools, and community outpatient centers. In addition to psychodiagnostics, Dr. Digby provides therapeutic services for children, adolescents, young adults, and families dealing with a range of mental health concerns, including but not limited to anxiety, depression, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

By adopting a collaborative, holistic therapeutic approach, Dr. Digby is able to focus on a client’s personal strengths, skill building, and interpersonal relationships. In session, she utilizes cognitive behavioral interventions and mindfulness techniques to address her client’s specific needs.

Dr. Digby graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology before pursuing a master’s degree in psychology from Pepperdine University and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Adler University. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Rush University Medical Center, Autism Assessment, Research, Treatment & Services Center (AARTS).

Insurance Accepted: BlueCross BlueShield PPO, BlueCross BlueShield Blue Choice PPO, Aetna PPO, Cigna PPO, UnitedHealthcare / Optum PPO

Grant W. Boyer, Psy.D. (He / Him)

Dr. Boyer is a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, MN with majors in Psychology and English. He has an MA from Loyola University in Community Counseling and a doctorate (Psy.D.) from The Illinois School of Professional Psychology with a minor in Psychoanalytic Therapy. Dr. Boyer has spent 20 years as clinical director at L.L. Kerns, MD and Associates, specializing in psychotherapy for children, adolescents, young adults, and families.

Dr. Boyer has extensive experience conducting psychological testing for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, cognitive functioning, intellectual/learning disorders, emotional disorders, and personality functioning. He has supervised post-doctoral fellows for 15 years. Clients who seek counseling services from Dr. Boyer struggle with anxiety, ADHD, bipolar depression, major depression, PTSD, personality disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, autism spectrum disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, sexual orientation concerns, and impulsivity. Dr. Boyer is on varied insurance panels, with years of experience conducting disability evaluations for the State of Illinois. Interests include self-care, health, exercise, reading, and parenting.

Insurance Accepted: BlueCross BlueShield PPO, BlueCross BlueShield Blue Choice PPO, Cigna PPO

Carly Walder, Psy.D. (She / Her)

Dr. Walder is a licensed clinical psychologist who has more than 10 years of experience providing psychotherapy to children and adolescents, in addition to providing parent support services and facilitating group therapy for children and adolescents. Throughout her trainings and clinical practice, she has worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds who have presented with a variety of struggles and challenges. Various settings that she has trained and worked in include a private practice, a therapeutic day school, and various social service agencies, including one specializing in autism spectrum disorder. Furthermore, she has worked in a special education classroom and started her career path by volunteering as a social peer and at a crisis hotline.

Dr. Walder received her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Her dissertation research focused on collaborating with young adult siblings of individuals on the autism spectrum in order to better understand their lived experiences and to find strengths and solutions to challenges that they have encountered.

Dr. Walder takes a relational approach to therapy and incorporates systemic and behavioral techniques. In addition, she utilizes techniques from evidence-based therapies while working with children and adolescents. She enjoys collaborating with other professionals and works to find appropriate referrals for various services needed as she sees the whole child.

Insurance Accepted: BlueCross BlueShield PPO, BlueCross BlueShield Blue Choice PPO, UnitedHealthcare / Optum PPO, Cigna PPO, Aetna PPO

Dr. Maria Yakovleva, Psy.D. (She / Her)

Dr. Yakovleva is a psychologist specializing in neurodevelopmental assessment. She has extensive experience providing diagnostic clarification of autism spectrum disorder and related conditions in medical and rehabilitation settings. Dr. Yakovleva is committed to making assessments a collaborative and therapeutic process. In addition to psychological assessments, she specializes in treating anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Clients can expect focused, goal-directed therapy sessions grounded in interventions that have been proven to work, such as exposure and response prevention. Dr. Yakovleva values the participation of family members and other providers in the treatment process to enhance boundaries and foster lasting change.

Dr. Yakovleva holds her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Pediatric Developmental Center at Illinois Masonic Medical Center. Her dissertation research during graduate school explored social factors contributing to perceived loneliness. She completed a doctoral internship at Franciscan Children’s Hospital in Boston, MA. Prior to her doctoral studies, Dr. Yakovleva earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of San Diego and served as a special education teacher through Teach For America. Dr. Yakovleva is experienced in providing services in both the English and Russian languages.

Insurance Accepted: BlueCross BlueShield PPO, BlueCross BlueShield Blue Choice PPO, Cigna PPO, Aetna PPO

Hira Abbasi, MSW (She / Her)

Hira has been working with SociAbility since Fall of 2023. Hira graduated with her master’s degree in social work from Loyola University - Chicago in May of 2024.

Hira’s clinical interests include working with children and adolescents struggling with depression, anxiety, and other mental illness, and helping children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. She has experience in an ABA therapy setting working with adolescents of various ethnic and racial backgrounds struggling with severe mental illness and with children diagnosed with ASD. Hira uses a client-centered, strengths-based approach to help clients achieve their goals and recognize their potential. She also focuses on the client’s family systems and the impact on a client’s mental health.

Hira is passionate about helping her clients recognize their own strengths and meeting each client’s individual needs.

Insurance Accepted: BlueCross BlueShield PPO, BlueCross BlueShield Blue Choice PPO, Cigna PPO, Aetna PPO

Samantha Biggio, MSW, LSW (She / Her)

Samantha is a licensed social worker with expertise helping children, teens, and adults with autism spectrum disorder. She sees every client as their own, and uses an individualized and personal approach while incorporating structured teaching and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

In addition to private practice, Samantha has extensive experience in a therapeutic day school where she works with a variety of age groups (kindergarten through college). She has experience as a job coach, enabling clients to be successful in the real world by learning skills like interviewing, professional communication and etiquette.

Samantha graduated from St. Ambrose University with a bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology. After her undergrad, she went on to earn a master’s degree in Social Work from Erikson Institute in Chicago, where she focused on children and family services in the community.

Insurance Accepted: BlueCross BlueShield PPO, BlueCross BlueShield Blue Choice PPO, Cigna PPO, Aetna PPO

Jennifer Bonk, MSW, LSW, PEL (She / Her)

Jennifer graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She received her Master’s Degree in Social Work, with a focus on children and families, from Northeastern Illinois University. In 2022, Jennifer received her Professional Educator’s License (PEL) in School Social Work from the University of Chicago. She has extensive experience working with youth and adults on the autism spectrum, as well as serving clientele afflicted with anxiety, depression, oppositional defiance disorder, and learning disabilities.

As a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and a School Social Worker, Jennifer supports her clients through a person-centered approach. She engages her clients by utilizing evidence-based frameworks and collaborating with her clients to develop goals, utilize positive coping skills, and engage in appropriate social interactions. We are extremely grateful to have Jennifer aboard to share her talents by facilitating group therapy.

Insurance Accepted: BlueCross BlueShield PPO, BlueCross BlueShield Blue Choice PPO, Cigna PPO, Aetna PPO

Carlie Krider, MSW (She / Her)

Carlie has been working with SociAbility since Fall 2023. She graduated with her master's degree in social work from Loyola University Chicago in May 2024. Her degree specialization is in advanced clinical practice, with an emphasis on children and families.

Carlie has extensive experience working with children and adolescents. In previous experiences, she has served clientele on the autism spectrum, as well as those with ADHD, social anxiety, and oppositional defiance disorder. Carlie approaches every client from a client-centered and strengths-based approach, while taking into consideration the environmental aspects at play in a person’s life. She believes in collaborating with her clients to develop goals, learn positive coping strategies, and engage in favorable social interactions.

Insurance Accepted: BlueCross BlueShield PPO, BlueCross BlueShield Blue Choice PPO, Cigna PPO, Aetna PPO

Danielle Pettinato, MS, LPC (They / Them)

Everyone is the expert of their own story. Danielle focuses on listening and providing a safe space to collaboratively explore the challenges that inhibit individuals from leading a meaningful life. We can often feel helpless and hopeless as a result of past experiences or due to feeling a loss of control in our lives. Danielle helps clients focus on how their current thoughts, actions, and behaviors keep them stuck in an endless, vicious cycle of constant struggle. Danielle empowers individuals to reclaim control of their lives and draw from their strengths and resiliency to move toward positive change.

Danielle is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with experience working with individuals with a wide variety of mental health struggles, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, mood disorders, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia, and self-injury. They have provided mental health treatment for the past seven years in both an inpatient setting and within local community organizations.

Danielle obtained their master’s in Clinical Counseling from National Louis University. They specialize in CBT, DBT, mood management, behavioral therapy, and establishing connections with others.

Insurance Accepted: BlueCross BlueShield PPO, BlueCross BlueShield Blue Choice PPO, Cigna PPO, Aetna PPO

Chris Sheard, MSW (He / Him)

Chris began working with SociAbility as a theater practitioner in 2016, where he brought theater games and introduced curriculum to help our clients express themselves more effectively, recognize their emotions, and improve executive functioning in both group and individual therapy. Since then, he has obtained his master’s in social work from Boise State University. Chris has learned about the unique challenges faced by children, teens, and adults experiencing the challenges of autism spectrum disorder and related disorders, including anxiety disorders, depression and social skills challenges. He strives to build rapport with his clients through shared interests, thus fostering a stronger therapeutic relationship based upon trust. Chris’s therapeutic approach utilizes games, video modeling, and role playing (among other techniques) and works from a strengths perspective to help his clients reach their goals.

Chris has extensive experience with both individual and group therapy, and uses his talents and experience to help his clients find success and wellbeing in their lives.

Insurance Accepted: BlueCross BlueShield PPO, BlueCross BlueShield Blue Choice PPO, Cigna PPO, Aetna PPO

Halle Winkler, MSW, LSW, PEL (She / Her)

Halle is a social worker who received her master’s degree in social work from Aurora University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Elmhurst University. Her concentration is in School Social Work (PEL/Type 73). Halle completed her school concentration internship at Glenbard South High School where she worked on social-emotional goals with students in the special education setting, ran social skills groups, provided Tier 1 and Tier 2 Interventions in the alternative education setting, and provided social-emotional support to students in the general education setting.

Halle is currently a high school social worker in Oak Park, IL. Additionally, Halle is a certified yoga teacher and earned her 200hr Yoga Teacher & Social Emotional Learning Facilitator certification from Breathe for Change in 2021. Halle is passionate about mental health and empowering her clients to see their own strengths.

Insurance Accepted: BlueCross BlueShield PPO, BlueCross BlueShield Blue Choice PPO, Cigna PPO, Aetna PPO