Dionna Mantucca
LSW
Administrative Services & Intake Coordinator
Child & Family Therapist
My passion for helping others started when I was little. Whether it was family or friends I enjoyed being that listening ear for them and helping them feel some comfort with their difficult time. As I got older, I also started to experience my own roadblocks in life, as I like to call them, and began my own healing journey. I realized that having a therapist there who wouldn’t judge, would be straight forward, and helped me grow into adulthood, that was the person I wanted to be for someone one day as well.
I tailor my approaches based on goals and stressors that are presented. My main approach is to meet each client where they are at using strengths-based interventions. Based on what the client would like to achieve, I use a variety of treatment methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing and play therapy for my younger clients. It is also important to keep in mind that as goals and stressors evolve the support and approach to meeting those will also adjust. Since most of my clients are youth, I like to ensure that I include the parents/guardians as much as possible. Just like sports or school the learning doesn’t stop once at home and so the same would go for therapy. Integrating the work that we put in during our time together and coping skills we work on will need to be continued at home.
It is an act of bravery to feel your feelings”-Gayla Forman
I completed my bachelor’s degree at Benedictine University. During that time, I had an internship at Heritage Professional Associates, where I completed the client intakes, checked insurance benefits and worked closely with the psychologist who completed
neuropsychological exams.
I completed my master’s degree in social work at the University of Illinois at Chicago-Jane Adams with a concentration on children and family. I was able to gain experience through my internship at Catholic Charities where I worked as a case manager to house homeless families. My second-year internship was also through Catholic Charities, but with their children’s therapy program. I was able to gain clinical experience working with children and their families.
I have five years experience in working with families, children, and teens who have been experiencing anxiety, trauma, depression, sexual abuse, domestic violence, self-esteem troubles, emotional regulation challenges and relationship troubles. Working
with children/teens has brought experience to collaborating with their school and outside supports as well. There have been many times where a client would have an IEP or 504 plan which has needed me to work alongside the school and advocate for my client
when needed. Along with being a Therapist, I am also a trained postpartum doula where I can guide and assist mothers and families through the stressors that can surface when becoming a new parent.
If someone was to ask you what they should know before going - what would you tell them?
Therapy will look different for everyone. There does not always need to be a negative going on in your life to feel like you want to go to therapy. As a therapist we are meant to be there to meet you where you are at, not to force or pray emotions out, but rather be that listening ear that you may have been needing. It is also important to remember
that healing or “fixing” the problem will not happen after one session. It will take work and dedication to see those changes, but in therapy we will work on your strengths, and I will be there alongside you on your journey.