Theresa Pendergraff is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who joined Marks & Associates in 2017. Theresa specializes in trauma with a strength-based skills approach to self-development, recovery, and resilience across the lifespan. Areas of experience include general anxiety and depression, family of origin issues, intergenerational trauma, neglect and emotional abandonment, LGBQT+, ADHD/ADD, mood and personality disorders including OCD, adjustment and attachment issues, dissociative disorders, work stress due to hostile environments, co-dependency, spiritual development, and substance use.

Theresa works with individuals of all ages, couples, families (including siblings), and veterans. She has worked in psychiatric hospitals (crisis, adult, and youth), residential, Hines VA (spinal cord unity), foster care for the state of Michigan, non-profit agencies (immigration, special needs, sexual impulse disorder units), and facilitates trauma support groups. She is on the executive board at Recovery House of Chicago (a 12 Step Al-anon club) and Viator House of Hospitality (serving young adults with art projects as they work towards citizenship). Theresa has global social work and social justice work experience, having made trips to Central America to serve, learn and document issues on intergenerational trauma and treatment of children in care. As a result, Theresa sat with researchers for the United Nations to assess and audit evidence of inequality of resource distribution in third world nations. She has built greenhouses in Guatemala and has a strong cultural competency with a long life of diversity.

Theresa holds a Masters of Social Work from Dominican University, where she was the president of the Social Work Organization, and degrees in psychology and gerontology. She is training in ARC, CPI, DBT, Solution Focused Interviewing, Motivational Interviewing and Trauma Informed Therapy. Theresa adheres to self-development to enhance quality of life. She is a former martial arts instructor of Degerberg Academy of Martial Arts. She has run marathons, competed in boxing, fencing, biking and soccer, as well as enjoys archery. Theresa also helps the artistic development of others, and engages in painting, journaling, writing, is a published poet, and plays the violin and harmonica.

Phone: 847.299.3400 ext. 3

Email: TLGraff71@gmail.com

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