24th Annual Community Mental Health Conference-Registration Opens April 13!

Marilyn and Larry Cohen founded the Naomi Ruth Cohen Family Foundation in June,2000 in honor of their daughter Naomi Ruth Cohen who died by suicide at age 33 having lived with bipolar disorder. The first Community Mental Health Conference was held in 2002, and in 2008 they partnered with the Chicago School to form the Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute for Mental Health Education. NRCI's mission is to reduce stigma connected to mental health and suicide through education, research and community.

Dr. Nell Compernolle is a Senior Research Scientist at The Bridge at NORC at the University of Chicago and a sociologist whose work centers on the structural drivers of loneliness and social connection. She studies how social, cultural, and technological shifts shape the ways people build relationships, experience isolation, and seek support.

Nell’s current research examines the antecedents of loneliness, pathways to prevention, and opportunities for community-level intervention. She also investigates the expanding role of the digital realm; how online environments can both foster belonging and deepen disconnection. Her work includes a collaborative project with Dr. Louise Hawkley tracing the evolution of momentary loneliness over time, culminating in a forthcoming book chapter scheduled for release in 2026.

As a panelist, Nell will help ground the conversation by explaining how loneliness is commonly defined and understood, and how researchers study it. She will connect these foundations to broader social trends and everyday realities shaping loneliness today, and highlight creative, emerging opportunities to reduce isolation and strengthen connection, particularly in digital and online spaces.

Sarah Bier, PMHNP-BC, CNM-FPA, APN, is a certified nurse midwife and psychiatric nurse practitioner whose clinical work spans the full lifespan, with a particular focus on how life transitions influence mental health and connection. In her practice, she supports individuals navigating loneliness and isolation during adolescence, parenthood, perimenopause, and older adulthood, periods marked by profound hormonal, identity, and relational shifts. To support her clients, Sarah integrates therapy, medication management including hormonal replacement therapy, lifestyle interventions, and social-support strategies to help clients rebuild connection and strengthen well-being.

As a panelist, Sarah will bring a grounded clinical perspective on the barriers adults face in forming and sustaining meaningful relationships, the impact of modern work and family pressures on social connection, and the ways stigma prevents people from seeking support. She will also address how cultural expectations, gendered roles, and the realities of caregiving amplify loneliness for many, and offer practical approaches for fostering community and resilience across life stages.

Erin Arnheim, BBA, M.Ed., brings a powerful, personal perspective on loneliness shaped by major life transitions that began in childhood, resurfaced during her journey as a foster parent, and then again during a career upheaval and the search for belonging in mid adulthood. After more than two decades in financial services, Erin experienced a season of profound professional and personal change that left her feeling isolated and unmoored. She speaks openly about how unemployment, identity loss, and disconnection can quietly accumulate, even in lives that “appear” full and successful on the outside.

Through this season, Erin rediscovered the grounding force of simple, meaningful connection. Time with family, sometimes natural and other times chosen, helped her reconnect to presence and joy. As she rebuilt her life and transitioned into mission-driven work, she formed deep, lasting friendships within purpose-centered communities. Her story is a reminder that belonging is not something we outgrow, and that it can be rebuilt at any stage of life.

Now the founder of Lense Advisory, Erin leads with empathy, compassion, and a deep commitment to creating environments where people feel seen, supported, and connected. As a lived-experience speaker, she shares her journey through loneliness, the courage it takes to fight for joy, and the power of choosing quality relationships over quantity. Her story offers hope, authenticity, and a reminder that reconnection is possible even in the most challenging seasons.

Tracy Levine is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who joined NRCI in June, 2021 with over 30 years of experience in behavioral health and direct services. She earned both a bachelor’s degree and her Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan and also holds a certificate in Non-Profit Executive Leadership. Her extensive career reflects her unwavering passion for service and dedication to improving lives. She has led programs that build resilience, strengthen family relationships, and support children, families, and emerging adults. Her compassionate approach and expertise make her a trusted leader and advocate in the field of mental health. 

Tracy is a certified instructor for Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper trainings and brings a wealth of knowledge, warmth, and practical experience to every training session.

Tracy serves on the board of Mental Health America of Illinois (MHAI).

Urvi Sharma, MA is a PhD candidate in Business Psychology (Industrial and Organizational Psychology) at The Chicago School. With experience spanning therapy and human resources in global IT contexts, she brings an interdisciplinary perspective to employee well-being. Her research examines how workplace loneliness erodes psychological resources and influences long-term organizational commitment. Urvi’s work aims to bridge mental health and organizational systems by helping leaders move beyond individual-focused solutions toward building more connected and sustainable workplaces.

Meg Bowman is a licensed nutritionist and educator specializing in the intersection of mental health and nutrition. She is the co-founder of Nutrition Hive, a functional group nutrition practice supporting clients with mental health, hormone, and gastrointestinal concerns, and Clinician’s Incubator, where she mentors postgraduate professionals pursuing the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) credential. Meg also serves on the faculty of Nested Health Coach Certification, an NBHWC-approved program focused on trauma-informed coaching. She is the author of the book This Is Your Body on Trauma: How to Nourish Safety, Resilience, and Connection with Polyvagal-Informed Nutrition, which explores nutrition as a tool for trauma recovery and nervous system regulation.

Sharon Dornberg-Lee, LCSW, earned her Master of Arts in Social Work from the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. She is the Clinical Director of Community Services at CJE SeniorLife, where she has worked for 28 years. In her current role, Sharon provides strategic and operational oversight for Clinical Intake, Counseling Services, and Care Management. She also offers clinical consultation, training, and supervision for staff and students; directs groups across the agency; coordinates field instruction for social work students; oversees community mental health education programming; chairs the Professional Development Committee; co-chairs the Ethics Committee; and collaborates on advocacy efforts with government affairs partners at JUF.

Sharon is a frequent presenter on effective clinical practice with older adults and has served as an adjunct instructor at the Crown Family School, teaching Aging and Mental Health and Clinical Practice with Older Adults through the Crown Professional Development Program. She is a former executive board member of the Illinois Coalition on Mental Health and Aging and recently served on the Governor’s Multisector Plan for Aging (MPA) Community Advisory Council.

Mahalia Jackson is a Prevention & Early Intervention Specialist at PEER Services in Evanston, Illinois. She has been with PEER Services since January 2025 and focuses on delivering evidence-based, data-driven substance use prevention programming for youth, schools, families, and community partners. Her work includes youth prevention education, opioid overdose prevention, and Naloxone administration training.

Mahalia actively participates in several local and regional initiatives, including Local Area Network 41, the Cook County Regional Behavioral Health Collaborative (Region 8), and the Illinois Regional Substance Use Prevention Integration Center. Her professional interests span public health topics such as health equity, global health, health advocacy, and research. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Community Health Promotion & Education and her Master of Public Health from Illinois State University.

Natalie Larson is the Coalition Coordinator at PEER Services for the Knowledge Empowers Youth (KEY) Coalition, a substance use prevention initiative focused on reducing youth substance use in New Trier Township, Illinois. She has been with PEER Services since April 2025 and leads coalition efforts using the Strategic Prevention Framework and the Seven Strategies for Community Change. Her work addresses both individual attitudes and behaviors and broader environmental and policy-level prevention strategies.

Prior to this role, Natalie conducted independent research examining social support among individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis, served as a speaker for the National Alliance on Mental Illness’ Ending the Silence campaign, and supported the development of a Community Mental Health Board in Wheeling Township, Illinois. Her interests center on developing accessible, evidence-based interventions for individuals with substance use disorders and advancing mental health advocacy. Natalie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Psychology from Northwestern University.

Dr. Makki is a double board-certified psychiatrist through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry and the founder of Psychiatry Studio. She haws over 20 years of experience across private practice, community systems, and university settings, her work integrates clinical care, teaching, and mental health advocacy.

Her clinical focus includes the evaluation and treatment of young children, including toddlers under age six, school consultation, and second opinions for complex cases. She is licensed in Illinois, Missouri, and California. Dr. Makki completed her fellowship at the University of Illinois at Chicago, her residency at Washington University School of Medicine, and earned her medical degree from PECS Medical University in Hungary. She serves as an Adjunct Professor at Rush University Medical Center and the UIC Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She is a President-Elect of the Illinois Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, with additional leadership involvement in the American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders.

Alexis Eyler, MSW, LSW, is Executive Director of the Birthparent Support Alliance, a nationally recognized nonprofit supporting birthparents across the United States and Canada. With over a decade of leadership in adoption-informed practice, she develops clinical programming and advocacy initiatives at the intersection of adoption, maternal mental health, and reproductive loss.

Her work focuses on populations whose grief is often unrecognized by social systems, drawing on the frameworks of ambiguous loss and disenfranchised grief to address the complex experiences of birthparents navigating placement and its aftermath. Alexis is the creator of Beyond Placement, a trauma-informed therapeutic support group grounded in attachment theory and designed specifically for birthparents. She has presented at national conferences including NCFA and CAFFA and holds a Master of Social Work with a concentration in Leadership and Social Change from the University of Illinois.

Dr. Sandra Clavelli’s passion for helping others began in adolescence, when she worked at a learning center supporting students in closing academic gaps. Although she initially planned to become a high school physics teacher, her time at the University of Notre Dame sparked a passion for psychology. Summers spent as a psychology trainee at an addictions center in her hometown of Carson City, Nevada, led her to pursue her doctorate.

Throughout her graduate training at the University of Denver and beyond, Dr. Clavelli has remained deeply connected to educational settings, working with Denver Public Schools, Jewish Family Services, and later completing her internship at a therapeutic day school in the Chicagoland area. She has since continued serving students and educators in alternative education, while also working with youth and adults in community mental health, residential treatment, and the criminal justice system.

Dr. Clavelli served as Training Director for an APA-accredited internship for over a decade before becoming the Internship Chief Psychologist in 2021. She now oversees a community mental health center and consults with therapeutic day schools to strengthen trauma-informed care. She has also co-authored a book and launched a consulting business to help educators restore balance and joy in their work. Across her roles, Dr. Clavelli focuses on trauma-informed principles that help individuals balance independence AND connection to reduce loneliness and promote well-being.

Cristina Castillo, M.S., is a bilingual Latina educator and behavioral health advocate who serves as Program Coordinator for the Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development at SIU School of Medicine. With over 12 years of experience in education, community engagement, and recovery support initiatives, she collaborates with cross-sector partners to address behavioral health disparities affecting Hispanic/Latino communities in rural Illinois. Cristina holds a Master of Science in Educational Psychology with a specialization in School Counseling from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. Her work integrates Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Social Drivers of Health (SDOH), and culturally grounded prevention approaches, advancing the understanding that belonging functions as a critical protective factor in mental health, substance use prevention, and lifelong well-being.

Dr. Ana Belmonte earned her Psy.D. in Clinical Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is a licensed clinical psychologist in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Arizona. Dr. Belmonte's clinical and research interests include evaluation and assessment with forensic populations, competency/fitness to stand trial restoration, issues related to family law and families in conflict, such as divorce, parenting capacity, and child custody, and policy and legal advocacy. She has extensive training in the evaluation and treatment of forensic populations, working with both adult and juvenile populations in criminal and civil courts. Dr. Belmonte completed her pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship at the Kane County Diagnostic Center, where she completed general psychological evaluations, sex offender evaluations, risk assessments, fitness evaluations, and pre-employment screenings on candidates applying for positions within the Kane County Sheriff's Department. Dr. Belmonte was previously the Director of Assessment and Research at The Chicago School Forensic Center/Interwoven Community Counseling Center. Dr. Belmonte also was the Associate Director of the Outpatient Fitness Restoration Program at The Chicago School Forensic Center, which was the largest program of its kind in the state of Illinois funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). She is currently serving as a Division Chair & Assistant Professor for the Department of Forensic Psychology at The Chicago School. In addition to her academic and clinical work. Dr. Belmonte currently serves as the Web Editor and Chair of the Communications Committee for the American Psychology - Law Society (Division 41 of APA). 

Julie Fanning, DSW, LCSW, is a therapist, consultant, and owner of Holding Hope Services. She supports individuals, professionals, and organizations navigating trauma, professional grief, identity development, and the emotional realities of working within complex and often inequitable systems. Julie also serves as Director of Programs at Turning Point Domestic Violence Services, where she provides leadership across clinical services, shelter operations, and court advocacy.

With nearly 30 years of experience in social work, Julie’s professional focus includes trauma-informed practice, professional grief, identity, and reducing bias within health and mental health systems—particularly stigma related to severe mental illness and body size. Her doctoral research and ongoing consultation examine how provider fear, assumptions, and systemic pressures influence interactions with individuals living with serious mental health conditions, shaping access to care, engagement, and treatment outcomes.

Her work is grounded in curiosity, accountability, and the belief that meaningful change begins with providers’ awareness of themselves, their systems, and the communities they serve.

Halle Schelb brings a thoughtful, clinically grounded perspective on late-identified ADHD and autism, shaped by both professional expertise and lived experience. Her work is rooted in a neurodivergent lens that explores how burnout, grief, and trauma often develop after years of operating without adequate understanding or support. Her clinical focus highlights the long-term impact of masking, internalized expectations, and survival-based functioning, especially among females whose neurodivergence is frequenctly overlooked or misunderstood. 

As a clinician, Halle has worked with adults navigating the process of understanding a late neurodivergent identification, including identity shifts, nervous system dysregulation, and burnout. She is especially passionate about empowering females across the lifespan, helping them reframe long-held narratives of "failure" or "too much" into accurate, compassionate understandings of how their brains and bodies functions. 

Halle is EMDR certified and integrates trauma-informed therapy with practical, brain-based strategies. She is known for translating complex clinical concepts into accessible frameworks that resonate with both professionals and clients. She practices at CLE Counseling and Wellness Center in Ohio, where she serves as a clinician and educator supporting neurodivergent adults through trauma, anxiety, and major life transitions. 

Samantha Willi (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Supervisor and EMDR Certified Therapist with over a decade of experience in mental health treatment, clinical leadership, and practice development. She is the Owner and Clinical Director of CLE Counseling and Wellness Center, a multi-clinician group practice in Northeast Ohio specializing in trauma-informed therapy and comprehensive adult ADHD and Autism evaluations. 

In addition to her clinical work, Samantha is the Owner of Once Upon a Practice, LLC, a consulting and training company dedicated to supporting mental health professionals in building sustainable, accessible, and neurodiversity-affirming practices. Through continuing education trainings, consultation, and program development, she helps clinicians strengthen services, improve operational systems, and integrate evidence-based, client-centered care. 

Samantha is passionate about increasing access to high-quality mental health services, particularly through insurance-friendly practice models and inclusive programming. Her professional interests include neurodevelopmental assessments in adulthood, trauma-informed interventions, clinical supervision, and empowering clinicians to grow. 

As an educator and presenter, Samantha brings a practical, engaging approach to training, blending clinical expertise with real-world application to help professionals immediately implement what they learn. 

Tracy Levine is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who joined NRCI in June, 2021 with over 30 years of experience in behavioral health and direct services. She earned both a bachelor’s degree and her Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan and also holds a certificate in Non-Profit Executive Leadership. Her extensive career reflects her unwavering passion for service and dedication to improving lives. She has led programs that build resilience, strengthen family relationships, and support children, families, and emerging adults. Her compassionate approach and expertise make her a trusted leader and advocate in the field of mental health. 

Tracy is a certified instructor for Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper trainings and brings a wealth of knowledge, warmth, and practical experience to every training session.

Tracy serves on the board of Mental Health America of Illinois (MHAI).