Our Staff

|| Kristin Patten, LCPC/Owner || I wear many hats. One of them is the hat of a therapist. I also wear the hat of a mother of four, wife of one, singer in my church worship team, quilter, techno geek, shopper, planner, social coordinator, and mother of two teenagers… just to name a few. I have worked with youth for over 15 years. I have parented a traumatized child, as I met my step sons at ages 2 & 5. I have always loved working with teens and younger kids, and now their parents. I am passionate about helping parents and their kids navigate through their childhood and teen years. I’d love for you to know that I love my job! Since I was 16, my desire to be a marriage therapist has turned into a fulfilling life and career. I feel honored to walk with other humans through a season of their life. I try my hardest to use my education to support each person and family in the way that works best for them!

|| Brina Auguste, QMHP || “The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do”. I am very passionate about utilizing a client centered approach to assist you in navigating these situations. You are the anchor in your life. My goal is to be your guide to help you accomplish your goals and to fulfill your purpose. I utilize CBT, Narrative therapy, Mindfulness practices and the ARC model when dealing with children and families. I work with children, adolescents and adults who are struggling with self-image, anxiety and depression, life transitions, bereavement and loss. I utilize a trauma informed approach while addressing concerns associated with substance use disorder, body image, and PTSD.

Blanche Murphy, Clinical Therapist — || Blanche Murphy, MA || Hello, my name is Blanche Murphy. I am a mother of three, wife, caretaker, Army veteran, and a Licensed Professional and Board Certified Counselor. Using a flexible client centered approach I assist people in addressing their needs and areas of concern. My skillset, knowledge, and methods have been developed through working with at risk youth and their families for over a decade. I have had the privilege of helping adolescents, families, and individuals manage negative behaviors and stressors using a collaborative approach that includes interventions built upon trauma informed care and relevant cognitive and emotional functioning levels. My aim is to meet people where they are and aid their efforts in getting where they want to be.

Mark Anthony Penarroyo — || Mark Penarroyo, MSCMHC|| I have my Masters Degree for clinical mental health counseling from Walden University. I am a medical student, and have experience in working with individuals experiencing substance abuse, alcoholism, mental health trauma and more. I am able to meet my clients at many stages of change as well as provide necessary resources for them to overcome their personal challenges in life. I am about the journey rather than the destination. I focus on strength-based approach therapy where I focus on an individual seeing the best in themselves as well as their own value. I believe everyone deserves a chance to be the best unique selves with hopes that the World can see them too. I have professional experiences that doesn’t focus only on treating individuals but giving them the tools and resources to help themselves in the outside World. I am a child at heart sometimes so I am able to connect with kids and share the world they imagine as well. My hobbies include photography, music, movies, weight lifting and spending time with my significant other and family. I have wide range of knowledge from pop culture to home improvement and more. “You know what the happiest animal in the World is? It’s a goldfish. It’s got a 10 second memory. Be a goldfish!” - Ted Lasso

|| Meruyet Akimbayeva, LPC, Clinical Therapist || My uniqueness as a bilingual therapist is that I combine the values and perspectives of the individualistic and the collectivist mentalities, allowing me to see different ways to solve mental issues and hardships. My clients are viewed as a whole system, including their mental, emotional, and spiritual states. I invite my clients on a journey to discover their potential, gain solutions and obtain the necessary resources and skills for living a meaningful and fulfilled life. I am a compassionate professional with extensive experience treating a full range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship concerns, sexual concerns, negative body image, grief, trauma, and life transitions. Additionally, I work with high functioning and ambitious clients who are facing life stresses such as relationships, work, couple, or family issues and want to balance their career, family, health, and leisure. I also offer sessions in Russian and Kazakh languages.

|| Dioselina Perez, MA, Clinical Therapist || My second career is in counseling and I enjoy it so much. I have graduated with my degree and have experience working with Spanish speaking folks in a community counseling setting. As a parent, I am also sympathetic to the challenges of raising kids nowadays. I hope to walk along side you and your youth to get to a less stressed place. I also see Spanish speaking adults for anxiety and depression.

|| Kari Santostefano, Office Coordinator || Kari joins us from years of experience in the administrative field. She is a quick learner and is one of the other voices you may hear answering the phones. She loves being around people. She is happy to be on this team!

|| Jodi Mako, Office Manager || Jodi comes to us from practice with a lot of experience in medical billing and running an office. She enjoys long walks on the beach and reading. Jodi is a delight and is the voice you will hear on the phone when you call LifePoint.

A NOTE FROM THE FOUNDER:

Therapist, Counselor, The Talk Lady, The Play Lady… we have lots of names!

Our mission is to find any way to connect with you and your child to earn your respect and walk alongside you to decrease stress in Lake County IL, one family at a time. According to the research (Fitzpatrick and Irannejad, 2008), youth are more open and willing to change if the therapeutic relationship is strong. This is part of the “magic” of therapy, and the part that we feel so honored and so rewarded to engage in. I love the work we do and am proud of each of the clinicians on our team! Life’s a journey, and counseling is just one resource that is available in the community. Working with other professionals, programs and involving kids in activities like sports help to create whole, healthy individuals will create a healthy society! Let’s make our society a great place to live!

Be well,

Kristin Patten, LCPC