Addiction Treatment Staff

Dr. Caitlyn McClure, DSW, LCSW

Clinical Director

As clinical director at Northern Illinois Recovery, Dr. McClure leads the clinical team in innovative and evidence-based practices to improve client care. Dr. McClure 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 through her Doctorate in Social Work in order to improve community and professional understanding of the far-reaching impacts of trauma. Dr. McClure 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.

Dr. Beth Dunlap

Licensed Physician and Surgeon
Dr. Beth Dunlap, a board-certified addiction medicine and family medicine physician, and is the medical director at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. She is responsible for overseeing all the integrated medical services at both campuses. Beth completed medical school, residency, and fellowship at Northwestern University, where she continues to serve on the faculty as a member of the Department of Family and Community Medicine. She has extensive experience in addiction medicine at all levels of care, and her clinical interests include integrated primary care and addiction medicine, harm reduction, and medication-assisted treatment.

Allyssa Bertram, LCPC, CADC

Clinical Supervisor

Allyssa is a licensed clinical professional counselor and a certified alcohol and drug counselor with 10 years of experience in treating patients with dual diagnoses, substance use, and eating disorders. She has worked in a leadership position in psychiatric inpatient, PHP, private practice, community based mental health, and in admissions. Allyssa has experience providing biopsychosocial assessments, individual, family, and group therapy as well. Her areas of expertise include substance use disorders, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and understanding co-occurring disorders such as eating disorders, and mood & anxiety disorders. Allyssa also has experience working in crisis intervention and management and holds a master of arts degree in counseling psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Jenny Wagner LCPC, CADC

Clinical Supervisor

Della Saunders, MSASS

Primary Therapist
Della is a Primary Therapist at Northern Illinois Recovery. This is a second career for her, as she discovered her passion for helping others later in life. Della completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from the University of Wisconsin and a Master’s in Applied Social Science from Case Western Reserve University in 2010. In the years following, Della has focused on Co-occurring disorders, working with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of capacities. Her therapeutic approach utilizes components from dialectical behavior therapy, strengths-based therapy, and a heavy emphasis on cognitive-behavioral therapy. Della has extensive experience in the substance abuse field, as well as community-based mental health, and work with traumatized youth.

Erin Fowler, LSW, CADC

Primary Therapist

Erin Fowler is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Erin received her undergraduate degree in Secondary Education and History from Cornell College. Erin received her CADC education from Elgin Community College. Erin graduated in August 2020 from George Williams College with her Master’s in Social Work. Erin has worked in the mental health and substance abuse field for the last 14 years. Erin has a variety of experiences working with children, adolescents and adults.

Erika Heatley, LSW, CADC

Primary Therapist

Alexa Johnson-Roach, ATR-P

Primary Therapist

Evan Joyce, CADC

Primary Residential Therapist

Bio coming soon

Hannah Seruya, CADC

Support Clinician

Hannah recently graduated from College of DuPage and obtained her CADC certification. Her passions are dance movement and animal therapy/communication. She has worked in the field the past 3 years and is focusing on furthering her career as an LCSW. Hannah enjoys spending her free time dancing, meditating, focused breath work, and creative art. She has a holistic approach to therapy focusing more on the bigger picture of mind, body and soul connection.

Aly Gilani

Case Manager

Aly has worked in reducing the shame and stigma of mental illness and addiction in her personal life and has decided to devote her career to helping clients find the internal strength and resources needed to live their best lives. She has demonstrated these skills and this commitment through her previous work with Live4Lali, Bridge House, and the Lake County Opioid Initiative. Aly is a powerful force in the workplace and uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Aly is inspired daily by her partner and their children. In her free time, Aly likes to hike, boat, and spend time with her family.

Jackie Maura

Clinical Supervisor

Holly Magdalin, LCPC

Group 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.

Gina Lawrence, LCPC, CRSS

Group Therapist
Gina Lawrence is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She currently holds a Masters in Clinical Counseling from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is also a Certified Recovery Support Specialist and Certified WRAP facilitator. Gina has six years of professional experience working with people struggling with mental health and substance use issues. Her experience includes working in community mental health, supervising a clinical team, and private practice. Her therapeutic approach utilizes techniques from CBT, DBT, and Person-Centered.

Nick Howell

Executive Director

Nick holds a B.S. from Eureka College, where he studied Business Administration and Financial Economics. A native to McHenry County, he recently relocated back to the area after living in Central Illinois for the past 8 years. Nick has many years of experience leading and building teams in the healthcare industry. He is trained in Six Sigma, Lean, and Agile project methodologies. His areas of expertise include quality, financial, and operational improvement, as well as strategic planning and implementation. Nick is passionate about building high-performing teams and continuously improving himself, the systems, and the people with which he works.

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.

Nick Villicana

Admissions Coordinator

Bio coming soon

Casey Polka

Admissions Coordinator

Casey has experience working as a Recovery Coach and Peer Support Specialist, assisting clients in meeting their recovery goals. Through her own recovery, Casey finds purpose in helping others struggling with addiction. Her goal is to help others connect with the resources they need to begin their journey in recovery and to encourage them along the way. In her free time, Casey likes spending time with her Golden Retriever, Lilah, and creating art. Casey is excited to be a member of the NIRC team and is passionate about advocating for self-care, hope, and healing.