Meet The Team
Ann James, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I understand the bravery it takes to be completely vulnerable with another individual. My role in the counseling room is to meet you right where you are with respect, compassion, and non-judgement. I find it a privilege to journey with a client.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and owner of Ann James Counseling, LLC. Ann James Counseling opened in 2013 and continues to grow to meet the needs of the greater Rockford area. I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Luther College in Decorah, IA. I completed my Master of Social Work degree from the University of St. Thomas/College of St. Catherine in St Paul, Minnesota in 2003. I have spent my career working with individuals and families in school systems, non-profit agencies, a psychiatry office and currently in private practice. I have worked extensively with individuals experiencing life stressors including finding meaning and purpose in life, stress, anxiety, depression, and anger. I enjoy working with women in all seasons of life - struggles of adjusting to marriage and/or motherhood, entering the work world, caring for aging parents and finding purpose in their work. I also have a special interest in walking with those who have experienced a significant loss in their life. I have spent much of my career working with children and their parents. I specialize in helping children learn to cope with anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorders. When working with children, I believe in working with the entire family system. Whether it is providing support to a parent who is struggling with a child with behavioral difficulties at home, suggesting discipline techniques, or building the family communication and connection together. Goals of our work together are to increase coping skills and work on emotional and behavioral regulation. I am also licensed as a School Social Worker in the state of Illinois. I work alongside schools to best meet the needs of students. I also believe in working collaboratively with primary care physicians, pediatricians, psychiatrists and other mental health providers to best meet the needs of my child and adult clients. When I am not in the office, I enjoy spending time with my family. I have 2 children, a husband and 3 dogs. I enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, traveling, reading and drinking a good cup of coffee. |
Peg DeRango, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
I am honored to be invited into people’s lives and asked to assist them in their time of need. I enjoy working with people of all ages and helping them to discover the strength within themselves to make changes to better their lives. I believe in the connection of the mind, body, and spirit and address the needs of the "whole person.” To address these needs I use cognitive-behavioral therapy and mind-body-spirit connection techniques. I incorporate other therapeutic strategies as appropriate.
I received my Bachelor’s degree in Human and Family Resources from Northern Illinois University. I obtained my Master of Social Work degree from the University of Chicago. I began my career working in psychiatric hospital for women and adolescents. I then worked for over 20 years as a school social worker. Having worked in the school setting, I gained much experience helping children learn to effectively cope with symptoms of depression, anxiety, attention and hyperactivity disorders, and behavioral difficulties/ disorders. I am now enjoying working with parents and families as well. My practice continues to expand to include adults who are struggling with the many challenges encountered in life. I am eager to help people achieve a happier, healthier life. During my free time, I can often be found walking my 2 dogs, running on the bike path or relaxing in a pool. I am enjoying spending “exclusive” time with my husband and planning many trips to visit our two adult children. |
Marcy Turek, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
Marcy received her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana in 1995 and School Social Work Certification from Aurora University, Illinois. She graduated from the University of Saint Francis in Joliet, Illinois with her Bachelor of Arts (Social Work and Psychology and a concentration in Addictions Counseling. Marcy began her career in 1995 working for the Department of Veteran's Affairs, Hines VA Hospital and Denver VA Hospital in a variety of settings (Inpatient Mental Health, Outpatient Mental Health, Community Care and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment). Since 2002, Marcy has been working as a school social worker and providing private mental health therapy in an out-patient setting.
Marcy has worked extensively with adults, adolescents and their families. She specializes in working with adults and adolescents who have difficulty with self-esteem, depression, anxiety, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and adjustment difficulties. Marcy has a special interest in working with adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders. |
Katie Szarzynski, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker 
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Social Work is not just a career but a part of who I am. I love helping others find hope on their journey, and empowering them to do the next right thing. I am honored to be a part of my client's journey to whole healing. I believe in using a wide variety of therapeutic approaches to meet the needs of an individual including CBT, ACT, TBRI, and experiential activities. One of the best parts of this job is watching client's make changes that bring hope and healing.
I received my BSW and MSW from Aurora University. Since graduating, I have received my LCSW and gained experience working with pre-k through 12th grade students as a school social worker. I specialize with children who have anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder and emotion regulation needs. I also have the expertise to help be a connection and advocate between students, families and schools. When working with children, I engage the family system in the process as well. I have experience as an inpatient eating disorder therapist for an internationally recognized program where I worked with individuals and their families during inpatient stays. I specialize in working with Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. In 2018, I had the privilege to become a Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Practitioner. Through TBRI, I am able to help adoptive, foster and families build deeper connections, empower the family to meet the needs of the whole child, and correcting behaviors by using preventative and responsive strategies. When I am not practicing social work, I enjoy the Northwoods, being outside hiking or kayaking, reading, photography, traveling and spending quality time with my family. Nature, faith and connections with others are key parts to my self- care. |
Taresa Schuster, L.C.S.W.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
I received my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Public Communications from Luther College in 1991. Since receiving my Masters in Social Work in 1993 from the University of Iowa, I’ve worked with people of all ages dealing with depression, trauma, anxiety, behavioral concerns, and just feeling lost and alone. I earned my LCSW in 2010 and take courses to maintain my license and stay current on treatment modalities.
Though a majority of my career has been working with children and their families in the school environment, foster care, and residential placement, I enjoy working with people of all ages. I pride myself on being approachable and making people comfortable as I listen without judgement. I’m a lifelong learner so I enjoy finding new ideas, activities, and tools to help myself and others. I use a variety of treatment methods from more traditional cognitive behavioral therapy to breathing techniques, mindfulness, and hands-on and movement activities so we can find what works best for you. My hope is you leave my sessions feeling supported and armed with tools to make you feel more confident. I’m a mom of 3, an obsessed Harry Potter and Star Wars fan, and for fun I enjoy reading, doing puzzles, running obstacle mud races, and have a love/ hate relationship with my treadmill. |
Berenice Jaquez, MSW
Master Level Social Worker |
I always knew I would grow up to be a Social Worker! From an early age I was volunteered to interpret and translate for my parents, parent’s friends and neighbors when there was a need. This early experience inspired me to not only be an interpreter but to also become a voice and advocate for those in need.
After receiving my BSW and MSW from Aurora University, I began my career working the Early Intervention program for the State of Illinois. I gained experience working this program serving families with children ages 0-3 that have special needs. After that, I became a Medical Social Worker working closely with clients and their families to advocate for their needs in the very complex medical system often teaching and modeling advocacy skills. Most recently after obtaining my MSW, I returned to working with children again, this time in the school setting. I have been able to use all my working experiences and knowledge learned to provide a holistic approach to help students and families and help them get connect them to right community resources. I believe that the best way to make a difference in our children's lives is working closely with the parents and staff to meet their needs. I have extensive experience working with diverse populations including children with anxiety, depression, ADHD and behavior management. I am bilingual in English and Spanish and am passionate about helping families and children! |
Anne Fane, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
I attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and received my Bachelor’s in Social Work in 2012. I then went on to receive my Masters in Social Work at St. Ambrose University in 2014. In 2021 I earned my LCSW. I have worked as a school social worker seeing students age 3-21 for 7 years. While working with students in the school setting I collaborated with families and worked to meet the needs of my students and their families. During my career I have worked with individuals focusing anxiety, Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, LGBT, peer relations and self esteem.
This profession allows me to see how resilient and strong people are. Being a Social worker means helping people when they are struggling or when life gives them challenges. I enjoy being able to guide people through those moments in their life. One of my favorite things about working with children and adolescents is when they are able to see their own potential and what they can become .When I am trusted with a person’s struggles it is a privilege to work together to collaborate using evidence-based practices to find solutions. In my down time I enjoy nature, gardening and sewing. Spending quality time with my husband and two children is a must. I also love to curl up with a blanket on my couch and my two cats and watch a tv show. |
Sarah Birdsill, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
I received my Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California in 2017 specializing in mental health. I am an Air Force Veteran currently working in mental health at the Department of Veterans Affairs. I began my career in community mental health and have experience working with clients of all ages and genders. I have a strong desire in working with teens and adults that have experienced depression, trauma, anxiety, women's issues & phase of life difficulties. If there is one thing, I would want clients to leave with in working with me would be to gain a strong sense of self-love & acceptance. By supporting them to live & embrace their most true, beautiful, and authentic selves is the best gift clients could give themselves and those around them. I look forward in partnering with you to begin your healing journey.
One moment, one hour, one minute, one second at a time. This is the daily mantra I take on when working with clients. In doing so, this allows my clients to take their time in reflecting & seeking understanding within the various life circumstances they might find themselves within to gain self-awareness & find healthy solutions for the challenges set before them. This ultimately helps clients to build healthy coping skills that will create new outlooks on their life while fostering healthy choices with endless possibility for personal growth. |
Kyli Marshall, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
I am passionate about empowering others and helping them to manage the pressures of life through the therapeutic process. My aim is to help clients create a full and well rounded life and find peace, self-worth, and confidence in their ability to take on life’s many challenges. In our work together, I provide the space for clients to recognize the patterns and habits that have helped them to cope to this point and let go of those that are unhealthy or no longer serve them while developing new skills that foster growth. We all have many roles that we take on each day and many relationships to balance but I believe that the most important relationship we must continue to develop is with ourselves.
I received my MSW from UIC’s Jane Addams College of Social Work in 2011. Since that time, I have worked as a school social worker, providing adolescents and their families with the social and emotional tools they require to increase success in and out of school. I have worked with students who have experienced significant trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and a range of disabilities. I have served as staff advisor for high school GSA’s (Gender and Sexuality Alliance), advocating for the needs of LGBTQIA+ youth. I use a variety of therapeutic approaches to meet the needs of my unique clients. These include ACT, DBT, and motivational interviewing from a systems perspective. I have extensive training in trauma and attachment and have particular interest in the areas of anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief/loss, and life transitions. I work with adolescents and adults of all ages, ethnicities, and genders. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my husband, dogs, family and friends. I love getting together with friends to kayak, hike, or explore new places. |