Welcome!
Come, “meet” the team of therapists. We have a wide range of specialties available to best support you. Take a look below to see who might be the best fit. If you’d like support in choosing a therapist, we are happy to help you! Just give our office manager, Jackie, or owner, Lauren, a call at (847) 919-9096 (extensions listed by directory).
We are located in Northbrook with flexible hours. Inspire is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and are able to get new clients in quickly. To schedule your first session, call (847) 919-9096 or email info@inspirecounselingcenter.com.
Lauren Schifferdecker, MA, LCPC
Owner, Speaker, Therapist
Lauren founded Inspire as part of her mission to help people in the North Shore live their best life.
She wants everyone to feel safe, cared for and valued–from their first call to their last appointment. Lauren is dedicated to excellence for each client, from the spa-like music and decor to the warmth and excellent care from each therapist. She offers an abundance of support and connection for the therapists, so that they can provide the best care possible for their clients. Lauren also brings a corporate background and business mindset to ensure Inspire is run professionally.
Lauren is passionate about public speaking, as a TEDx speaker, published writer and licensed clinical professional counselor. She and is known for her energy, humor, vulnerability and easy-to-understand clinical tools & research. Lauren also hosts workshops at her office (open to anyone!) on topics like Health & Happiness” to help improve people’s life.
Becky Freeman-Murray, MA LCPC
Clinical Director, Therapist
Children (4-13 years), Autism, Parenting, Couples, Men, Adults (35 + years) , Lyme Disease, Auto-Immune Disease, Health issues
As the Clinical Director, Becky brings 25+ years of clinical counseling experience. She is a child life specialist with extensive experience supporting children with autism (ASD) as well as their parents and families. Becky also is a Lyme-literate counselor. As a personal survivor of Lyme disease, Becky helps clients with many health issues including MS, infertility, auto-immune disorders and other health concerns.
Becky brings inpatient and outpatient experience from Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital as well as Clearbrook. She was a Child Life Specialist at Miami Children’s Hospital supporting families, individuals and children. She is trained in safety care, and is actually a certified safety care trainer herself. She has worked extensively with school staff as well and is able to support IEP advocacy.
Becky knows the value of supporting the entire family system, particularly parents and couples. She supports women and men individually as well as couples, parents and families. Becky is warm, kind and gives clear steps for her clients to improve.
From her own marriage and motherhood (of now adult children), she understands many of her client’s challenges showing a compassionate and warm approach. She believes in facing our struggles and learning to live our most creative, fulfilling and passionate life possible. Becky genuinely believes in new possibilities for all her clients
Gretchen Zagzebski, MEd, LPC
Children (4-12), Adolescents (13-19), Adults (20-30s), Families, Parents, Young Couples, Pre-Marital Counseling
Gretchen is warm, understanding and earns trust quickly. She is passionate about helping clients uncover areas of focus, put a plan in place to get back on track and succeed.
She understands the challenges that children and young adults face today and loves helping them work towards being the best version of themselves. Gretchen specializes in counseling for anxiety, depression, self-esteem, peer issues/bullying, ADHD, academic issues, emotional regulation, coping skills and career counseling. She is a collaborative clinician who has experience working with various stakeholders including school social workers, school counselors, parents, teachers and children. In addition, Gretchen facilitates young adults through major life events such as transitioning from college or preparing for marriage. She values the power of counseling and unconditional positive regard to encourage growth in each individual.
Gretchen brings counseling experience in both a grade school (K-8) as well as a high school. She has been published in John Taccarino’s S(Success)-Factor: The Psychological Roots of Success and continues to blog on various topics related to self-help and personal growth (2015). In addition, she is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), an active member of DePaul University’s CACREP Advisory Board and a member of the Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association (IMHCA) and the Illinois Counseling Association (ICA).
Pam Matos, MS, LCPC
Children (5-12), Adolescents (13-19), Adults (20-75), Couples, Autism, Developmental Disabilities, Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar, Grief & Loss
Pam is passionate about the mind body counseling experience for individual and couples counseling. She understands the roll thoughts play on our interpretation of the world. Pam provides a soothing and compassionate environment that focuses on enhancing ones self, thoughts, and confidence.
Pam specializes in counseling for depression, anxiety, bipolar, and grief & loss. She brings a diverse clinical counseling background ranging from young children to senior adults. For couples counseling, she follows the John Gottman approach. Supporting individuals with autism and developmental disabilities, she understands the importance of individual counseling as well as support to parents and siblings.
In addition to counseling, Pam brings crisis evaluation, Inpatient and Outpatient experience from Vista Medical Center, Lake Behavioral Hospital, and Clearbrook. She has worked in Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) facilitating groups for support, compassion, substance abuse/sobriety, and patient prosperity.
Pam believes in meeting individuals where their at and navigating challenging life events together. She provides a warm, encouraging, and supportive environment. Pam is a dedicated clinician that genuinely believes everyone can live a peaceful and joyful life.
Dana Spehlmann, MS, RN, LPC
Therapist, Registered Nurse, Women’s Health & Wellness Consultant
Anxiety, Depression, ADD/ADHD, Parenting, Autoimmune and Inflammation, Prenatal, Postnatal, Grief & Loss
Dana (pronounced Donna) brings 25+ years experience as a Registered Nurse and is on staff at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital. Dana brings a unique combination of medial and mental health as RN and Licensed Professional Counselor.
Dana deeply understands and values the power the body has on the mind, and vice versa. Because of her unique knowledge-base, Dana is able to support clients with a wide variety of needs, including Anxiety, Depression, ADD/ADHD, Nutritional Counseling, Parenting, Life stages counseling, Harnessing our hormones, Autoimmune and Inflammation, Metabolic Syndrome, Support life/skills for caregiver, Prenatal and Postnatal, Learning to accept and mourn loss (grief work) and more.
Dana offers consulting services for Health & Wellness as well as a New Mom Wellness. She is a certified Health & Wellness Coach, Certified Childbirth Educator, Breastfeeding Counselor and per diem Maternity Nurse.
Dana is passionate about empowering women. The role of mother has a unique interest to her because of her experiences of raising six children. She is familiar with the challenges and rewards of parenting. Dana recognizes the difficulty of integrating and maintaining one’s personal goals for health and wellness while accommodating the needs of others. The transition into parenthood is a powerful time in a women’s life which often requires extra support and encouragement. Dana was published in Family Time magazine for her article, “Postpartum Depression is More Than Just the Blues”. Dana is a devoted clinician who is enthusiastic about helping women transition in all stages of life.
Cyndi Benner, MA, LPC
Women, Moms, Parenting, Trauma, Faith-Based Counseling, Health Concerns
Cyndi is “trauma certified” by the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA). She brings clinical experience from the Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center. Cyndi is uniquely equipped to hold a gentle and safe space for clients to heal from difficult or traumatic experiences. In addition, Cyndi helps clients through troublesome childhoods, life transitions, loss, identifying needs, parenting struggles and women’s empowerment.
In her personal life, Cyndi has spent years understanding the impact and affects of ADD/ADHD as well as health concerns, such as Lyme Disease. She is Lyme-literate and knows the challenges parents face today and the importance of treating the whole person. Her personal faith and spiritual journey, also allow her to provide faith-based counseling to clients, upon request.
Amy Gregorio, MHP (Northwestern University)
Adolescents (Tweens & Teens), 20-30s, Parents, Women, Adults (30+)
As part of Northwestern University’s nationally-renowned Master of Arts in Counseling Program, Amy brings top-notch skills, warmth and experience to clients of all ages.
Amy is an emmy-nominated television journalist, wife, mom of three kids and longtime supporter for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) advocating for the best interests of abused and neglected children in courtrooms. With a heart for helping others, Amy is now focusing her passion in counseling and psychotherapy.
As part of a seasoned internship program, and Inspire’s heart for the community, Amy is able to see clients at a discounted rate (for anyone who doesn’t have Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance) and is still accepting new clients.
Jackie Roberts
Office Manager
We like to call Jackie our cruise director! She is here to make your life easier. If you are ready to get started, give her a call. She’ll help you chose the right therapist, verify your insurance, email you a map and a “New Client Packet,” and answer any questions you have.
She is warm, caring and best of all — her job is to make your experience as easy and enjoyable as possible!
Reach her directly at info@inspirecounselingcenter.com (847) 919-9096 ext. 1
To inquire more, or schedule a session, please contact info@inspirecounselingcenter.com or (847) 919-9096.