About Me

Hello, my name is Debra Baran and I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC). I’ve been providing psychotherapy for over 20 years.  I earned a B.S. in Psychology and French from North Central College, an M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Benedictine University, and an M.S. in Health and Nutrition Education from Hawthorn University.   My experience spans a variety of settings including inpatient hospital programs for teens and adults, residential treatment facilities, therapeutic day schools, and private practice. Much of my work has been with teens and their families as well as adults. My clients tell me that I am easy to talk to and that I connect well with teens. My approach is focused in evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, as I believe our thoughts and interpretations of our environment are what create our feelings which in turn affect our overall life. By helping my clients learn how to identify cognitive distortions, they are then able to make changes that bring about emotional balance. In addition to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, I incorporate mindfulness training into my work by teaching my clients how to stay in the moment and use relaxation exercises to bring a sense of calm. Mindfulness is facilitated through the use of breathing techniques, relaxation exercises such as progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery, skills to be in the moment without judgment, to relax the body and mind.


My passion for health and wellness and a love for learning led me to pursue my M.S. degree in Health and Nutrition Education in 2014 and my certification as a Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional. I have always believed that nutrition plays a role in preventing disease and that by making dietary changes and incorporating nutrient-dense foods in our diet, we can improve our mental health. Science has proven that nutrient deficiencies and a SAD diet (i.e. the Standard American Diet) contribute to poor health, including our mental health. I am able to utilize nutrition education to help my clients make dietary changes if they are interested in pursuing a more “natural” approach to bring about emotional wellness. I am able to collaborate with functional medicine providers if a client’s needs are beyond my scope of practice.

My goal as your therapist is to help you achieve emotional balance so you can flourish and grow beyond your struggles, by addressing body, mind, and spirit.

I recently added a new member to my practice, my 3-year-old Golden Retriever, Coco.  She is a Certified Therapy Dog and can join you in your sessions if you are interested in Animal Assisted Therapy.

In my free time, you can find me scrapbooking, spending time with my family, working in my garden, training my golden retriever Coco, or looking for new nutrient-dense recipes. Another secret passion of mine is my love for all things Hawaii, hence the photos of the beach and plumerias on this site. Volunteering in my community has also played a significant part in my life whether it be teaching religious education or presenting mental health topics of importance at my church, walking dogs at a local animal shelter, or helping stock shelves and serve those in need at our local food pantry. I have also served on the McHenry County Mental Health Board.

Welcome to my Practice