Our Team
Meet Our Therapy Team in Chicago | Therapists | Individual & Couples Counseling
At Modern Therapy Alliance, you’ll meet our diverse team of licensed therapists in Chicago. Our team includes Erik Giles, LCSW, and Rachel Santellano, LSW. Together they provide individual therapy and couples counseling with a direct, conversational style that combines evidence-based approaches with honest, practical feedback.
Many clients seek a therapist in Chicago for different perspectives or comfort discussing certain topics. Modern Therapy Alliance gives clients choice and availability while maintaining our signature direct, relational style.
Our therapists work with a wide range of concerns, including work issues, relationships, anxiety and depression, ADHD, and major life transitions.
Erik Giles: Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW (he/him)
About Erik
I believe therapy should feel real, direct, and collaborative. As a licensed therapist in Chicago and founder of Modern Therapy Alliance, I help individuals, couples, and families find clarity and confidence through conversational therapy. After a career in business and management—and raising a blended family—I came to this work later in life with a passion for helping others through authentic, practical dialogue. I don’t have all the answers, but together we’ll work on what matters most to you, whether in person at our Chicago office or via telehealth throughout Illinois.
Specialties
- Individuals, families, and couples navigating conflict through therapy
- Support for anxiety, stress, and emotional challenges
- Men’s issues, self-esteem, and life transitions
- Couples Counseling and communication work
How I Work
- Direct and conversational style
- Collaborative and goal-focused
- Integrative approach drawing from multiple methods
- Serving clients across Chicago and throughout Illinois via telehealth
Rachel Santellano: Clinical Social Work / Therapist, LSW (She/Her)
About Rachel
I didn’t always think therapy worked. By the time I was a teenager, I’d seen enough therapists to feel like they were kind but not helpful — no one really showed me what to do with what I was feeling. That experience shaped the kind of therapist I became. I believe therapy should be a space where you can show up as you are and start making real changes. My approach blends warmth and honesty — I’ll listen, but I’ll also help you notice patterns and take action. I focus on awareness, accountability, and action so you can build tools that help you feel grounded and capable in everyday life.
As a licensed therapist in Chicago, I work with adolescents and adults navigating anxiety, depression, and ADHD, as well as relationship challenges and self-esteem concerns. My goal is to help you find confidence, stability, and self-awareness — both in sessions and in daily life.
Specialties
- Adolescents and adults navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, and neurodiversity
- Relationship challenges, emotional regulation, and self-esteem
- Life transitions, career stress, and rebuilding confidence
How I Work
- Warm, conversational, and action-oriented style
- Direct yet compassionate feedback that builds awareness and accountability
- Integrative psychodynamic approach combining relational, EFT, IFS, DBT, and narrative tools
- Offers sessions in-person at our Chicago office and via telehealth throughout Illinois
Jacob Nathan: Clinical Social Work / Therapist, LSW (He/Him)
About Jacob
Living with a chronic illness, figuring out life after sports, or trying to sort out what comes next can be harder than it looks from the outside. I work with adults navigating anxiety, life transitions, identity issues, career and work stress, chronic illness, relationship concerns, and ADHD. Honest, practical therapy can help you understand what is happening and move forward.
I also connect especially well with people who are new to Chicago, former athletes adjusting after sports, and people trying to make sense of a medical diagnosis or a version of life that no longer feels like a fit. My style is direct, conversational, and collaborative, with a focus on helping you understand yourself more clearly and move forward in a way that feels more honest and workable.
Specialties
- Anxiety, life transitions, and identity issues
- Career and work stress, chronic illness support, and ADHD
- Relationship concerns and former athlete support
How I Work
- Direct, conversational, and collaborative style
- Helps clients turn insight into practical change
- Strong fit for men or anyone who appreciates honest, interactive therapy
- Offers sessions in-person at our Chicago office and via telehealth throughout Illinois
Chris Sampsell: Licensed Professional Counselor / Therapist, LPC (he/him)
About Chris
I came to therapy after seeing firsthand how much the right kind of help can matter when life gets hard. Before becoming a therapist, I worked in sales, music-related jobs, and catastrophe support, experiences that taught me how people respond when life gets overwhelming. That background still shapes the way I work now: calm, direct, and focused on helping adults make sense of anxiety, grief, relationship stress, career uncertainty, and the difficult life events that can keep echoing long after they happen.
Specialties
- Anxiety, ADHD, grief, and depression
- Relationship stress, career uncertainty, and life transitions
- Creative clients, musicians, and adults working through difficult life events
How I Work
- Calm, direct, and easy-to-talk-to style
- Collaborative, practical, and insight-oriented approach
- Integrative work drawing from CBT, ACT, mindfulness, person-centered, and existential therapy
- Offers telehealth throughout Illinois and select in-person sessions in Chicago
Josie (She/Her)
Hi there! I’m Josie, and I’m the Intake Coordinator and Client Advocate here at Modern Therapy Alliance. I’m usually the first person you’ll talk to when you reach out, and I’m here to help make things feel a little easier, less overwhelming, and hopefully a bit more comforting as you take this first step. I’ve worked in healthcare and medical settings for many years, and I’m also a trained hypnotherapist—so supporting people through vulnerable and healing moments is something I truly care about. Helping people feel safe, seen, and supported is at the heart of everything I do. Whether you’re calling with questions, feeling unsure about how therapy works, or just need someone kind on the other end of the phone—I’m here for you. I’m really grateful to be part of this team and to walk alongside people as they begin their healing journey.
Laura (She/Her)
Hello, my name is Laura and I handle all things related to billing for Modern Therapy Alliance. I understand how important it is for you to focus on your mental wellness, without the added stress of navigating complicated insurance and billing processes. As a clinical mental health provider myself, I aim to offer a compassionate, client-centered approach to the billing process, recognizing and acknowledging the importance and interaction between one’s emotional and financial wellbeing. Whether you have questions about the insurance and billing frequency, to copays and coverage, always feel welcome to reach out ! My role is to address these concerns while ensuring your insurance claims or payments are handled correctly. As a member of the Modern Therapy Alliance team, I am committed to eliminating potential barriers to allow you to focus on the healing process and journey!
Why Clients Choose our Therapists in Chicago
Many people seek therapy because they want a space that feels both real and supportive. At Modern Therapy Alliance, our team of therapists in Chicago brings diverse perspectives and a shared commitment to authentic, direct, and collaborative work. Whether you’re starting therapy for the first time or returning after a break, we focus on helping you find clarity, connection, and confidence.
Our clients often tell us they appreciate:
• The range of perspectives our therapists
• A direct, conversational approach instead of passive nodding
• A comfortable, down-to-earth environment for open conversations
• Balance and insight in couples counseling for all relationship dynamics
• Flexible scheduling, including evenings and weekends at our Chicago office
• Telehealth options throughout Illinois
• Insurance acceptance with BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, and UHC
Whatever your reason for seeking therapy in Chicago, our team provides compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals, couples, and families.
Schedule with Our Chicago Therapy Team
At Modern Therapy Alliance, our Chicago-based team therapists provides individual therapy and couples counseling for people navigating anxiety, depression, relationship issues, life transitions, and more. We combine professional expertise with a direct, conversational approach that helps clients make real progress.
Ready to start therapy?
Schedule your free 15-minute phone consultation today to:
• Discuss what brings you to therapy
• Learn about our approach and how we work
• Ask any questions about individual or couples counseling in Chicago
• Determine which therapist feels like the right fit for your needs
• Get started with your first session, often within the same week
We’re ready when you are. Contact Modern Therapy Alliance today to begin therapy with one of our compassionate therapists. Evening and weekend appointments are available, and insurance is accepted.