Centered Therapy Chicago’s (CTC) administrative team supports our clients and clinicians related to client assignment, insurance, billing and business needs. Learn a little more about this team below:

Dr. Bianka Hardin, Practice Owner (she/her)

As the Owner of Centered Therapy Chicago, I enjoy overseeing long-term planning and visioning for the practice as well as being involved in daily operations. I love being connected to the team and being creative in my role. I value and appreciate keeping myself rooted in the “what” and “why” of all that we do as a practice by working closely with the Leadership, Administrative, Training, and Supervisory Teams as well as providing clinical, supervisory, and consultation services.

  • Something you might not know about me: My dad was an avid reader with a growth mindset whose motto was “Go For It.” He funneled leadership books to me when I was in my early 20s.  At the time, I enjoyed the learning but had no aspirations or idea that I’d ever own my own business!

Dr. Tracy Bischoff, Director of Clinical Operations and Training Director (she/her)

As the Director of Clinical Operations and Training Director, I am responsible for overseeing the clinical work of our staff and ensuring the high quality of services provided to clients at CTC. I am an active member of the Clinical Development Team, where I support clinicians with policies, best practices, HIPAA compliance, and ethical considerations. Additionally, I lead the hiring and interview process for new clinicians and trainees. In my role as Training Director, I have the privilege of managing our practicum training program and supporting doctoral-level therapists-in-training. I find fulfillment in bridging my administrative and clinical roles by offering clinical supervision and consultation. I collaborate with all departments, including Client Access and the Leadership team, to ensure cohesive support and optimize the overall client experience at CTC.

Maria Dimond, Operations Director (she/her)

As Operations Director, I oversee daily operations for both the office and business, focusing on strategic planning and continuous improvement of processes to ensure CTC runs smoothly and efficiently. My role supports clients, clinicians, and staff on a variety of matters, including employee onboarding, budgeting, technical support, and insurance payments.

Although my professional background didn’t begin in mental health, I truly enjoy working at CTC. Every day is different, and the constant learning and growth make the experience both rewarding and fulfilling.

  • Something you might not about me: My first job was working the rides at an amusement park.

Dr. Jamie Tolmatsky, Director of Clinical Development (they/she)

As the Director of Clinical Development, I provide administrative supervision, consultation and coaching to clinicians in order to support building and maintaining an ethical and sustainable practice. Both one on one and in groups, we focus on a range of topics including writing quality notes without sacrificing valuable time and designing a schedule that promotes work-life harmony. I love this role because of the opportunity to collaborate with my colleagues in building a work life that serves both them and their clients.

  • Something you might not know about me: My first job was choreographing children’s musicals

Dr. Michelle Barichello, Practicum Coordinator (she/her)

As the Practicum Coordinator, I work alongside our Training Director and broader Training Team to support all aspects of our Practicum Training Program. My work in this role focuses on maintaining high-quality practicum training through assessing and addressing training needs, conducting ongoing quality evaluation, and redesigning and implementing new protocols when needed. Activities I participate in throughout the year include overseeing the Practicum Yearlong Project, co-designing our Didactic Series offerings, and supporting our Training Director in coordinating and implementing our Practicum Orientation and Practicum Interview process.

  • Something you might not know about me: I actually completed my Advanced Practicum training at CTC and met with therapy clients in-person for the first time at our office! I truly valued my experience here as a trainee and it is an honor and joy to be on the other side of the program supporting our students through this role!

Elise Cieloha, Director of Outreach and Strategic Planning (she/her)

As the Director of Outreach and Strategic Planning, I am passionate about expanding access to quality mental health resources and fostering partnerships that support  growth, training, and community engagement. With over 20 years of experience in administrative, project management, and client-focused roles, I bring a deep commitment to helping individuals and organizations thrive. I believe in the transformative power of therapy and am dedicated to creating pathways for healing, growth, and professional development in the mental health field.

  • When I’m not working, I love spending time with my family, hiking, exploring new places (whether close to home or far away), seeing live music, and the joy of shared laughter.

Erin Szott – Practice Coordinator (she/her)

As the Practice Coordinator for Centered Therapy Chicago, I support our Operations Director, Client Access Coordinator and Clinicians with the administrative aspects of their jobs. My focus is assisting with billing/insurance and supporting our Client Access Team with the onboarding of new clients.  I enjoy my work at CTC because of the amazing work environment and the opportunity to help clients.

Mika Teyer, Client Access Coordinator (she/her)

As Client Access Coordinator, I help clients match with the right therapist, support clients through the onboarding process, and assist our clinical team. I work alongside our clinical and administrative staff to make sure clients find a good fit and that starting therapy feels as easy and accessible as possible.

  • Fun fact: I am usually juggling four or five different hobbies at any given time and love collecting minerals!