Our Team
Expertise in complex trauma in children
Meet Our Team
The Center for Child Trauma Assessment, Services and Interventions (CCTASI) is based out of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. We are housed within the Mental Health Services and Policy Program on the 12th floor of Abbott Hall (710 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611). Our Center is made up of a team of talented and passionate faculty and staff with experience and training in a variety of fields including trauma-informed interventions, trauma-informed systems including child welfare, mental health and juvenile justice, and policy related initiatives. Our staff includes the following leadership, staff, and volunteers:
Cassandra Kisiel, Ph.D. (She/Her)
Principal Investigator & Director
Dr. Cassandra Kisiel is a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, a clinical psychologist, and Associate Director within the Mental Health Services and Policy Program at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Kisiel is Principal Investigator and Co-Director of the Center for Child Trauma Assessment, Services and Systems Integration along with Dr. Fehrenbach. She has over 25 years of experience specializing in complex, developmental trauma, with an emphasis on dissociation, resilience, strengths, and protective factors; trauma-informed assessment and evaluation; and trauma-informed systems, with a particular focus on the addressing the needs of transition age youth. She has published, lectured, and trained extensively in these areas. Dr. Kisiel is the primary developer of Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS)-Trauma Comprehensive, which has applications in numerous child welfare and other child-serving settings across the country. She is also the mother of two teenage daughters, a dog and cat lover (with two cats and a dog) and loves relaxing by the beach whenever possible (weather permitting!).
Tracy Fehrenbach, Ph.D. (She/Her)
Co-Director
Dr. Tracy Fehrenbach is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and an Assistant Professor at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine where she co-directs the Center for Child Trauma Assessment, Services and Systems Integration. Tracy has dedicated her career to the study of interpersonal trauma. She loves doing research, teaching, and collaborating with partners to develop trauma-informed and equitable organizations. She is grateful for, and most inspired by, opportunities to work directly with individuals doing the hard work of recovering from trauma. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, hiking, concerts and time with friends and family.
Nicole St. Jean, Psy.D. (She/Her)
Associate Director
Nicole St. Jean, Psy.D. is an Assistant Professor at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine and the Associate Director of the Center for Child Trauma Assessment, Services, and System Interventions, and she has a private practice. Dr. St. Jean has been part of the CCTASSI team since 2011 and has extensive experience in delivering trauma informed therapy, training, and developing resources for minoritized youth and families who have experienced complex trauma. She has also specialized in immigration trauma and forced migration, which included founding and directing an immigrant youth trauma center, and she is the Co-Lead for Music for Child Wellbeing Initiative, which centers around bringing group singing to as form of support and healing from managing trauma and mental health distress.
Erika Millsaps, Psy.D. (She/Her)
Research Associate
Dr. Erika Millsaps is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Research Associate at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She has over 25 years of experience providing trauma-informed training and support, therapeutic services, consultation, and teaching. At Northwestern University, Dr. Millsaps serves as the Training and Curriculum Specialist for the Center for Child Trauma Assessment, Services, and Interventions providing assistance in designing and implementing a range of CCTASSI training activities related to the support of frontline providers who work with children and families impacted by complex trauma. A major passion for Dr. Millsaps is increasing awareness regarding the impact of trauma- with a particular focus on racial and historical trauma.
Caleen McGrath, LCSW (She/Her)
Training Manager
Caleen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her Master of Social Work from Loyola University Chicago. She has extensive clinical experience in trauma-informed practices, especially with children and young adults. Caleen created, implemented, and directed a Trauma-Informed Education program in schools, where she provided direct clinical services to students, alumni, and families as well. Caleen has also worked as a consultant on trauma-informed practices with various non-profit organizations. She has a strong background in creating and implementing training that focuses on trauma-informed care and the impact of secondary trauma.
Patricia Garibaldi, M.S. (She/Her)
Doctoral Candidate/Graduate Research Assistant
Patricia is a clinical psychology doctoral candidate in the Mental Health Services and Policy Program at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. Patricia has a background as a frontline mental health worker and is interested in how to implement and evaluate trauma-informed care models in youth-serving settings. She has a particular interest in program development and clinical practice in acute, intensive, and residential mental health treatment facilities
Linzy Pinkerton, M.S. (She/Her)
Doctoral Candidate/Graduate Research Assistant
Linzy is a clinical psychology doctoral candidate in the Mental Health Services and Policy Program at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. Linzy is passionate about developing system-level support for parents and community-based solutions for preventing violence and trauma. In her clinical work Linzy helps children, adolescents, and their support systems improve familial well-being and raise awareness of their strengths. Her work with CCTASSI includes supporting the evaluation of our trauma-informed initiatives and bringing an anti-racist lens to Center products.
Grace Nga, M.A. (She/Her)
Graduate Research Assistant
Grace recently completed a Master’s in Clinical Psychology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. Her research interests broadly center around exploring sociocultural factors affecting resilience and risk after trauma exposure, with an emphasis on supporting the development of culturally responsive trauma interventions. Recognizing the important need for equitable mental health care in marginalized communities during her undergraduate years, Grace is dedicated to using her research skills to address disparities and bring about positive change in people’s lives. Her passion involves collaborating with children, youth, and their support systems to foster resilience.
Jenna Sanfilippo, B.S. (She/Her)
Doctoral Candidate/Graduate Research Assistant
Jenna is a Clinical Psychology doctoral student in the Mental Health Services and Policy Program at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Before joining Northwestern, Jenna worked as a clinical research coordinator at the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the VA, and the University of California, San Francisco, where she conducted research on substance use and the juvenile legal system. Jenna’s research interests focus on the implementation and evaluation of trauma-informed care models across various settings. She is interested in qualitative and community-based research methodology with the goal of improving resources and outcomes for adolescents and transition-age youth involved in the child welfare and juvenile legal systems. In her free time, Jenna enjoys rock climbing, yoga, hiking, and playing soccer.
Amberly Ying, B.A. (she/her)
Master’s Candidate/Graduate Research Assistant
Amberly is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, having earned her B.A. in Psychology and Social Anthropology from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Her research interests focus on utilising community-based participatory research to understand and promote mental wellbeing in youth, with an emphasis on collaborating with their support systems. Amberly is also keen on looking at how culturally responsive adaptations in assessment and intervention practices can foster resilience and improve mental health outcomes for historically marginalised youth. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with loved ones, being in nature, and playing/watching sports.
Emily Zheutlin, M.S. (she/her)
Master’s Candidate/Graduate Research Assistant
Emily holds a B.S and M.S. from the University of Michigan in Enivronmental Science and Public Health and is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology at Northwestern University. With a background in public health and policy work, Emily is passionate about addressing mental health disparities and integrating psychological research into practical, community-focused solutions. Her academic journey reflects her commitment to improving healthcare systems, especially in underserved communities, and her dedication to advancing mental health care through research, policy, and clinical practice.
Maggie Mao, B.A. (She/Her)
Graduate Research Assistant
Maggie is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at Northwestern’s University Feinberg School of Medicine. Maggie received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Rochester. Her research interests focus on underrepresented populations in psychological research and making cross-cultural comparisons. Maggie seeks to understand the western-centric nature of psychological research and aims to support the development of culturally responsive trauma-informed interventions.
Emeritus
Jordan Herron, M.A. (He/Him) was a project coordinator with CCTASSI. Jordan has worked to implement trauma-informed, equitable and anti-racist practices and procedures within child welfare and juvenile systems throughout Illinois. He is currently a Partner Engagement Manager at Early Childhood Research Alliance of Chicago (EC REACH).
Sophia Shieh, M.S. (She/Her) was a graduate research assistant with CCTASSI. Sophia assisted our center in evaluation work related to the Think Trauma Curriculum, as well as our partnerships with Cook County Juvenile Justice. Sophia is currently enrolled at Duquesne University pursuing her Ph.D.
Nadia Laniyan M.S. served as the project coordinator at the Mental Health Services and Policy Program at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine within the Center for Child Trauma Assessment, Services and Systems Integration. Nadia supported the coordinating of federal grant reporting, logistics, project timelines and work plans. Nadia’s background is in public health with a specific focus on health equity and maternal and child health.
Allie Morford, M.S. was a doctoral student in the Mental Health Services and Policy Program at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. Allie’s research interests include familial roles in the treatment of complex trauma, the role of emotion regulation as a predictor of child abuse, and how to translate this knowledge into effective trauma-informed prevention and intervention programs.
Tawny Spinelli, B.A. was in the Mental Health Services and Policy Program at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and pursued her JD/PhD in clinical psychology. Tawny supported transition-age youth initiatives, as well as projects related to developing and adapting trauma-informed resources.
Rachel Sax, M.A. worked as a part-time project coordinator for CCTASI wrapping up our second cycle of funding. Rachel oversaw resource dissemination and finalizing Center products including the CANS-Application videos, C.A.R.E. Calendar, and Remembering Trauma public awareness campaign. Rachel has an interest in social emotional learning in schools and trauma-informed juvenile justice settings.
Lindsey Weil, M.A. worked as a graduate research assistant with our Center. As part of the team, Lindsey supported the early education initiative, as well as projects related to dissociation education and research. Lindsey’s research interests include: childhood trauma and chronic illness, placement stability and permanency, and protective factors among youth in the child welfare system.
Faith Summersett Ringgold, M.S., worked as a graduate research assistant on the CCTASI team. She is currently a clinical psychology doctoral student in the Mental Health Services and Policy Program at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. Her research interests include placement outcomes, complex traumatic experiences and symptoms, and protective factors among racial minority youth in the Illinois child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
Domenico Carli, LCPC is a Behavioral Health & CANS Quality Manager and a Certified TARGET Trainer, Fidelity Monitor and Coach. His responsibilities include curriculum development, training, consultation, credentialing, remediation and coaching of child welfare professionals regarding clinical assessment (CANS) and treatment best practices. In addition to TARGET (Trauma Affect Regulation Guide for Education and Therapy), Domenico has been trained in several trauma focused evidence based clinical treatments: ARC, TF-CBT, SPARCS, and EMDR. He received his Masters Degree of Counseling in 1999 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Gary McClelland, Ph.D., Project Analyst. Dr. Gary McClelland was a faculty member in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Northwestern University Medical School where he worked as a methodologist, epidemiologist and policy analyst. He served as the Director of Data Operations at the Mental Health Services and Policy Program and his work focused on child trauma in the Illinois child welfare system. As part of the CCTASI, he was responsible for oversight of all data analytic activities with an expertise in working with large scale systems data. He contributed to the development and implementation of data-driven of trauma informed practice in conjunction with this project and throughout the Illinois State child welfare system.
Nicole Maj, M.S., Project Coordinator. Nicole was responsible for overseeing, organizing, and implementing the evaluation, clinical research and training activities for the Center. Nicole assisted the team in planning and coordinating activities related to the project including communication with partnering organizations and coordinating day-to-day project activities. She is currently a doctoral student in clinical psychology at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Liz Torgersen, M.S., Graduate Research Assistant. Liz was a doctoral candidate in the Mental Health Services and Policy Program at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. Liz supported the national Breakthrough Series Collaborative regarding the meaningful use of the CANS-Trauma/FANS-trauma assessments; worked at the interface of the CANS-Trauma and evidence-based trauma-informed practices; and supported data analysis and clinical report design efforts. Clinically, Liz has worked in settings including community mental health, university counseling center, academic medical center, and VA medical center settings.
Andrea Ocampo, B.S., Volunteer. Andrea is a volunteer research assistant who helps to coordinate and implement a range of CCTASI project activities. She has experience in direct clinical service, program design, intervention and treatment. As a director of psychology services for a Clinic of the government of Costa Rica in a marginal, urban community, she developed the psychology program while treating child and adolescents under stressful situations.
Christopher Villa, M.A., helped to collect, manage, and analyze project data, manages website development activities, participates in a variety of other coordination capacities. His interests are health care research, policy and management.
Jennifer Marett, LCSW, provided training and consultation to child welfare agencies in Illinois to support the local application of trauma-informed practice for both caseworkers and therapists. She has extensive experience in the areas of quality improvement and has clinical experience with individuals experiencing substance abuse, trauma, mental illness, domestic violence in numerous settings.
Gene Griffin, J.D., Ph.D., Project Co-Director, is a clinical psychologist and attorney who worked in the fields of child trauma, child welfare, children’s mental health, and juvenile justice. He served as an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School and Co-director of CCTASP. He was a Fellow of the Child Trauma Academy in Houston, Texas and a lead trainer and developer of the MacArthur Foundation Models for Change Action Network on Mental Health and Juvenile Justice’s curriculum on juvenile justice, mental health and child trauma.