Do any of these questions resonate with what you need?
Are you wanting to feel more empowered and healed in your life and work?
Tired of feeling stressed, exhausted, hurt and confused in your relationships?
Wanting more peace and a sense of control in your life?
If you are a Christian, are you looking for a therapist who shares your faith perspective in working with you?
Would you like to feel happier, more content, with a sense of balance and stability?
Feeling ‘stuck’ in your life or work?
Are you in need of a new job or new career—but don’t know how to go about these changes?
Seeking to overcome worry, fears, even phobias? Obsessive thinking patterns plaguing you?
Are you tired of procrastinating, and avoiding situations, or other people?
Would you like a stronger and healthier sense of who your true self is, and what your talents and strengths are?
Would you like to resolve the impact of past &/or current abuse/trauma experiences?
Have significant changes & losses been stacking up and weighing on your heart and life?
Business owner/entrepreneurs! Family businesses! Do you need more professional support in dealing with the stress and challenges? Needing more productivity?
Or do you just feel overwhelmed by many things and need a safe place to sort things out?
Then you’ll want to know more about how qualified and competent I am to help you…
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
MA in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College, in Illinois (2000)
BS in Business (Marketing) from University of Colorado (1979)
40hr. Training as Sexual Assault Advocate (1992)
Certificate for Red Cross—Intermediate Disaster Mental Health Services Course (2001)
Certificate for Critical Incident Stress Management-Basic Course (2002)
Certified Coach – Coach Training Alliance (2006)
Certificate for Prepare/Enrich Facilitator (2014)
Certificate for Workplace Bullying University Training (2015)
Completed the Foundations of Biblical Counseling Training Course (2023) and is currently
pursuing certification by the Assoc. of Certified Biblical Counselors.
Telementalhealth Training Certificate (2020)
Member of Orchard Evangelical Free Church-Barrington, IL, and serves as a Women's Life Group Leader.
Member of various professional counseling organizations (ACA, ICA, IMHCA)
Member of Algonquin-LITH Chamber
And more about why I can understand and help you effectively…
My training and experience is broad and deep, which enables me to understand people from all walks of life--encompassing more than 23 years as a therapist; 20+ years of Christian pastoral care, small group leadership, and discipleship ministries; 41 years of marriage, parenting and grandparenting; a wide variety of work experiences—from factory & office work in my family’s third-generation manufacturing business; to waitressing, fast-food restaurants, gas station attendant, framing houses, electrician’s helper; to Sales Rep for a Fortune 500 corporation, then owned & operated my own businesses as Shaklee rep, and later a home-based secretarial service; 7yrs as a therapist for a non-profit community agency, and now the past 15yrs. as a therapist in my own private practice. And a unique fact: I was a serious athlete in several sports when younger— but specialized in track & field (800m, 1500m & Cross-Country)—competing and achieving numerous awards in local, regional, and national meets and championships.
My therapy approach is three-fold: 1) Enhance your ability to handle your thoughts, feelings, and behavior more effectively—i.e. to ‘build your toolkit’ of skills, 2) Interpersonal—the therapeutic relationship and experience can be empowering and healing, fostering growth and development personally and professionally, and 3) Utilize other approaches, knowledge, techniques, and strategies in a practical and helpful way to meet your unique needs, and further your progress. While my Christian faith informs my worldview and perspectives, I am respectful and understanding in working with people of all spiritual and cultural faiths, belief systems, and backgrounds.
And finally… Know that I have weathered many of the ‘storms’ of life that you may be dealing with right now, but I worked with professionals that could support and assist me with my needs and goals in a caring and empowering way. As a result, with advanced education, training, and experience, I can now guide and inspire others, like you, with a depth of knowledge and understanding that is invaluable. If you would like to finally have the growth and healing you’ve been longing for—call or email me right now! I would love to help.
Looking forward to working with you! Let’s begin...
It’s never too late to make a change! 
Deborah Metroka Reaches
Lake In The Hills IL