Addiction Treatment Staff

Northern Illinois Recovery Center works tirelessly to provide clients with the best addiction treatment possible. We employ an industry leading addiction treatment staff of physicians and licensed clinicians. They make it their number one priority to develop successful addiction therapy services for each person they see. Our staff also has deep ties to the community and can facilitate necessities such as housing and employment. Take a minute to get to know the addiction treatment staff that has your back on the road to recovery.

No matter your situation, the addiction treatment staff at Northern Illinois Recovery Center is equipped to help. Our compassionate team provides focused therapies and proven treatments to give each client an effective recovery plan! Call us at 855.786.1978 today for help changing your life!

Jesse Cervantes

Director of Operations

Jesse Cervantes is the Director of Operations at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. He has built strong roots in the Recovery Community throughout the Northern Illinois area. After overcoming a long strenuous battle with addiction himself, he found a passion for helping others and has dedicated his life to giving back to those in recovery. Jesse oversees the Residential Program and works vigorously with the Clinical Director to ensure successful operation of the programs offered at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. Jesse’s goal is to provide support to clients while they begin their journey into a new way of life. He is excited to be part of our clients’ discovery of themselves and all they can do throughout their treatment. In Jesse’s free time, he enjoys spoiling his niece Violet, photography, and living his best life.

Darek Horan

Business Development

Darek Horan is the Director of Business Development at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. Darek manages and maintains a wide variety of marketing processes and is responsible for developing and maintaining referral sources on a national level, while also generating referrals from clinicians and other sources. Darek has worked in the addiction treatment field since 2016 and is truly passionate about helping guide individuals down a path to successful long term recovery. He uses his own experience as a recovering heroin addict to help individuals struggling with substance use disorder gain access to any helpful resources that will assist in achieving growth, change, and wholeness.

Charles Sullivan

Admissions Coordinator

As the Intake Coordinator for Northern Illinois Recovery, Charlie Sullivan works alongside the clinical, intake, and medical teams. He is the first voice and face to meet incoming clients. Charlie ensures that each client has a smooth transition from their initial phone call to getting settled in their house. He is also a resource for clients to utilize throughout their stay.

Charlie also works with billing and insurance companies to determine initial benefits verification and assists families in navigating the often-challenging financial details. He is an integral part of the entire admissions and intake process.

Through his personal recovery, Charlie has found his true passion lies in helping others on their road to recovery. His highly-developed people skills help clients feel at ease the moment they step through the doors at Northern Illinois Recovery.

Madysen Ostrowski, LCPC

Clinical Director

Madysen Ostrowski is the Clinical Director at Northern Illinois Recovery. Madysen currently holds a license in the state of Illinois and received her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Northern Illinois University.

Madysen has over six years of experience with individuals who are working through mental health issues as well as substance-related issues. She has a history of working as a primary therapist and providing clinical supervision. Madysen has also worked directly with families, schools, and court systems in attempts at making holistic wellness a priority. She is inspired to be a part of a recovery program that allows her to build community awareness while expanding her own clinical experience. Creating an environment enriched in support and innovation is what Madysen has dedicated her personal and professional life to.

Francesa Casillas

Medical Coordinator

Throughout nine years, Francesca has dedicated her time and service to the recovery community throughout different organizations while obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Due to Francesca’s personal experiences, she has an undying dedication to helping individuals overcome mental illness and addiction. She is happy to be working at Northern Illinois Recovery with a team of individuals that have the same dedication to changing the lives of others. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, spending time with her dogs, and participating in social and political activism.

Sandra Payne

Primary Therapist

Sandra Payne (Sandi) is one of the primary therapist at Northern Illinois Recovery. Sandi has been in the field for a total of nine years, starting her career as a case manager for DCFS with specialized and treatment level children. She then moved to community mental health serving both adults and children with mental health and dual diagnosis. She has volunteered as PTA President, Vice President and Environmental Chair for a total of eight years. Mostly recently, she was the Volunteer Coordinator for the SHS Varsity Poms Squad. She loves all things Disney, spending time with her family, and is passionate about providing the best care possible to her clients.

Shira Greenfield

Group Therapist, ACT and Relationships

Shira Greenfield is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She received her Master’s degree in Counselor Education from the University of Iowa in 1985. Since then, she has worked as a therapist, a crisis intervention worker, a group facilitator, and an educator. Most recently, she was the Clinical Manager of Behavioral Health Services for Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital. Shira is honored to be a part of NIRC and loves the positive energy of the staff.

Jenny Wagner LCPC, CADC

Primary Therapist

Jenny Wagner LCPC, CADC; is a primary therapist at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. She is a licensed clinical professional counselor and a certified alcohol and drug counselor with twenty-two years of experience in treating patients with dual diagnosis or substance use disorder. She has worked in many different levels of care; residential, partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs, and aftercare programs. She has also worked in various positions; from providing individual, family, and couples therapy in a private practice setting to the clinical director of a previous treatment center. Jenny prefers direct patient care and being a primary therapist to continue to be on the front lines to help patients transition through treatment with the skills they need. Her areas of expertise include substance use disorders, sensory regulation, strategies to manage anxiety and depression, self-esteem issues, and codependency.

Jenny holds a Master of Arts degree in counseling psychology from The Illinois School of Professional Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Northern Illinois University. She is on the executive committee for the Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Elgin to provide prevention efforts in her community. Her interests include volunteer work with foster children, art, camping, motorcycle trips, traveling, and spending time with her husband, daughter, and two cats.

Holly Magalin

Contract Therapist

Holly Magdalin is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She currently holds a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling and has a background in Communicative Disorders both from Northern Illinois University. Holly has 6 years of professional experience working beside people struggling with mental health issues and substance use disorders. Her experience includes working in an inpatient facility as a chemical dependency primary counselor, an outpatient therapist, working with individuals, groups, and families battling their mental health, and supervising a clinical team. She comes with an eclectic approach with an emphasis on DBT, CBT, and Person-Centered therapies.

Lindsey Hammonds, MSW, CADC

Case Manager

Lindsey Hammonds is a case manager who specializes in helping those struggling with addiction and mental illnesses. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Judson University in Human Services and graduated from Aurora University with her Master’s in Social Work, emphasizing in Addiction Studies. Lindsey gained experience in addictions working with adolescents and adults with severe mental health disorders. Lindsey believes that connection is the key to healing from substance use disorders.

Caitlyn McClure, MSW, LCSW

Contract Group Therapist

As a contract group therapist at Northern Illinois Recovery, Caitlyn leads three groups each week. She facilitates the Trauma Recovery, Family Systems, and Connections groups. Caitlyn completed her bachelor’s degree in counseling with a focus on addiction in 2014 and her Masters in Social Work with a specialization in trauma in 2015. Since then, she has explored the intersection of addiction and trauma and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Social Work degree to improve community and professional understanding of the far-reaching impacts of trauma. Caitlyn has experience working with bereavement, trauma, mental health, and substance abuse with youth and adults in community-based and outpatient settings. She also is experienced in crisis management and deescalation strategies.

Maegan Schultz

Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Maegan Schultz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received her Master’s of Social Work degree with a concentration in Mental Health from UIC’s Jane Addams College of Social Work. Maegan has experience working in medical social work, community based mental health, and outpatient mental health services with both youth and adults. She also has experience working in crisis intervention and management. Maegan currently runs the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Group and utilizes a person-centered approach.

Michelle Djus, CADC

Case Manager

Michelle Djus works as a case manager for Northern IL Recovery Center. Michelle currently holds her CADC and has worked in the substance abuse field for over 3 years. Michelle is dedicated to helping others achieve sobriety. She is an active member of the recovery community and has overcome her own struggles using the resources and support available in the local area. Michelle is currently enrolled at Aurora University and plans to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree of Social Work in the spring of 2020. Michelle is an advocate for self-care, healthy boundaries, and life balance. In her free time, Michelle enjoys spending time with her family and doggies, reading fantasy novels, and taking camping trips. Michelle is excited to be a member of the NIRC team and believes that the program they offer helps lay a solid foundation for clients to build the life they dream of having.

Joshua Rich

Case Manager
Joshua Rich is a Case Manager at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. Joshua has over 2 years of experience working in the substance abuse field. With his work experiences and his own journey in recovery, Joshua is dedicated to helping everyone he works with the best opportunity to maintain long term sobriety. Joshua has experienced freedom from his own addiction from working the 12 Steps and applying them to his life daily. That passion shows in his work here at Northern Illinois Recovery Center in working to meeting the client’s case management needs and running a 12-step focused group weekly to help the clients understand the 12 steps and apply them to their life effectively. When Joshua is not at work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and son, volunteering in a prison ministry and going to school to complete his Masters in Divinity at Midwestern Theological Baptist Seminary.

Amy Golemis

Art Therapist
Combing her art background of 20 years and her own recovery experience, she strives to help clients increase self-esteem, self-awareness and a feeling of success in artistic expression. With a focus on helping a person practice introspection and healthy coping skills, Amy believes creative expression is a skill that can benefit those in recovery for the rest of their lives.

While uncovering the many layers of trauma and change that led to her own addiction she has discovered a need and passion to share her experience, strength and hope with others. She is thrilled to work alongside individuals with the same dedication to being a part of the recovery solution here at Northern Illinois Recovery Center.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her kids, art, design, and all things DIY from cooking, gardening, remodeling & crafts.

Kemper Schroff, LPC, ESMHL

Evening Outpatient Therapist
Kemper is a licensed professional counselor and serves as the primary therapist for the evening outpatient program. She earned her Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, TX. Kemper has served clients in community mental health agencies, nonprofit organizations, as well as in residential inpatient services. Kemper has a passion to help others create and sustain a fulfilling life in recovery and works to help them learn to own their story and love themselves. Kemper utilizes an emotion focused approach along with solution focused techniques. She believes in the power of attachment and loves integrating animals as therapeutic agents. Kemper is certified as an equine specialist in mental health and learning and has experience engaging resistant clients in equine-assisted psychotherapy. Outside of work, Kemper loves spending time with her significant other, helping on the family farm, and being outdoors with her two dogs.