Each provider affiliated with OCCI is solely responsible for all matters concerning a client’s clinical care, and all questions about that care should be addressed to her/him. Each provider maintains his or her own private practice, separate from the other OCCI members. Furthermore, professional records are separately maintained, and no other member of OCCI can have access to them without your specific written permission.
All providers maintain the highest standard of confidentiality and privacy, which will be discussed with you in the first session. Because it is possible that you may meet your therapist by chance at a church service or event, rest assured that we will not ever indicate that you are a client or discuss your concerns outside our private office. Likewise, it is our policy not to interact on social media with current clients, as per professional ethics codes.
Ary Christofidis, MSW, PH.D., LCP
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR OF OCCI
My Background
Bringing Our Faith With Us
Dr. Christofidis is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with 35 years in the field. He sees adults who are struggling with depression, anxiety, marital conflict, and family discord. Dr. Christofidis also treats youth, ages 10 and older, who are struggling with emotional and family issues and clients who are dealing with a diagnosis of cancer, assisting them with the emotional challenges that accompany the disease. His approach in working with clients includes elements of Cognitive Behavioral, Psychodynamic and Family Systems therapies. The foundation of his approach to therapy comes from his three years of study at Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology and the teachings of the Orthodox Christian Church. Prior to attending graduate school, he lived in Thessaloniki Greece in 1989 where he studied modern Greek language and took several trips to the Holy Mountain, Mount Athos.
Dr. Christofidis received two graduate degrees from the University of Pittsburgh: a Masters in Clinical Social Work and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. He has worked in two psychiatric hospitals, three university counseling centers, and a residential treatment facility. Dr. Christofidis received intensive training in family therapy from The Family Therapy Center at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in 1993.
His most recent clinical experiences include working six years as a contract psychologist at The Family Institute of Northwestern University and seven years as a part-time psychologist at the Cancer Wellness Center in Northbrook Illinois.
Dr. Christofidis is a nationally recognized speaker within the Pan-Orthodox community and has been a guest speaker on “Come Receive the Light” radio program on the Orthodox Christian Network.. He has led clergy and clergy wives retreats and Family Synaxis seminars. He is a regular guest speaker at parish events in the Chicago area. In 2013 he was a keynote speaker at the “Pastoral Challenges in Marriage” Conference at Holy Cross Seminary. In 2014 the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago appointed Dr. Christofidis to be the permanent representative to the Network of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for Pastoral Health Care.
- 1580 N. Northwest Highway, Suite 319E, Park Ridge, IL 60068
- Email: dr.ary@mac.com
- Phone: 312-593-3294
- Hours: Monday - Friday
- BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD PPO
- SLIDING SCALE
- PSYPACT Certified for TELEHEALTH in 42 States
- SQUARE APP - C.C. payments
Randa Karadsheh Anderson, Ph.D., LCP
My Background
Working at the Intersection of Faith and Psychology
Dr. Randa Anderson is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who treats adults, adolescents, and children in her part-time private practice. Please note that she does not work with couples or whole families. She works with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, grief & loss, divorce, and relationship conflicts. Managing stress, anger, and adjustments to significant life changes are also a frequent focus of treatment. Dr. Anderson often treats women struggling with parenting and marriage issues. Young adults frequently seek her services for guidance in career development and relationship concerns. With a background in Cognitive-Behavioral therapy, she works collaboratively with clients to improve emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. She offers a safe and supportive environment in which to explore underlying issues contributing to current problems.
Dr. Anderson received her Doctorate in Psychology from The University of Chicago. She completed her clinical psychology training at the University of Chicago Hospital and at Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center. For over 20 years, she worked as a staff psychologist at the Bradley Counseling Center in Lake County, where she provided outpatient psychotherapy, as well as taught child psychotherapy seminars and supervised graduate students.
Dr. Anderson is committed to offering her professional knowledge and skills to the Orthodox Christian community through volunteer work. She is the President of the Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology and Religion (www.OCAMPR.org). She serves on the Board of Trustees for St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. She also is a consultant to the Mental Health Ministries of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops (https://www.assemblyofbishops.org/ministries/mentalhealth/), and she co-chaired the working group that developed the National Directory of Orthodox Mental Health Providers (https://www.assemblyofbishops.org/directories/mental-health/). Through the Thriving in Ministries program (www.thrivingorthodox.org), Dr. Anderson facilitates peer learning groups for clergy wives in the Chicago area. She has been a guest speaker on various programs for both the Orthodox Christian Network and Ancient Faith Radio.
In 2025, Dr. Anderson launched the podcast, “Digital Discernment” on Ancient Faith Ministries, sponsored by the CrossRoad Institute. Through this podcast, she offers information and inspiration for people to be more intentional in their digital media use.
- 1580 N. Northwest Highway, Suite 125C, Park Ridge, IL 60068
- Email: drranda@randersonphd.com
- Phone: 847-650-3952
- Hours: In Person on select Tuesdays only. Telehealth on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
- Works with individuals only, not couples or whole families
- BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD PPO
- SLIDING SCALE
- Accepts credit card payment
Kristine Kallimani, LMHC
My Background
Bringing Our Faith With Us
Kristine is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who works with individual adults. She maintains a general practice of counseling and treats a wide array of life’s problems, including depression, adult ADHD, and adjustment issues such as loss of a loved one, job loss or becoming a new parent. Kristine is experienced in treating trauma and abuse. She also counsels women who are experiencing post-partum depression.
Kristine completed a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling at the University of Miami in 1997. She has counseled at the Loyola University Sexual Dysfunction Clinic, at the Porter Starke Services, Inc. Mental Health Practice in Northwest Indiana, and at the Barry University Center for Advanced Learning. In addition, Kristine has worked with cancer patients.
Prior to pursuing her degree in counseling, Kristine studied theology for one year under the guidance of Metropolitan Kallistos Ware. This life changing experience prompted Kristine to choose a career in counseling within the context of the Orthodox faith. Kristine is an active volunteer in her parish community and has done mission work at Project Mexico.
- Oryna Counseling INC. 1512 W. 96th Ave., Suite E, Crown Point IN 46307
- Email: OrynCounselingInc@gmail.com
- Phone: 219-781-5250
- Hours: Mon., Thur. & Fri.- 9:00am-1:30pm
- Aetna, Anthem, BCBS, ComPsych, Optum
- United Medical Resource (UMR), United Health Care
- HSA
- Out of Network - Self Pay
Betty Sellas Paganis, LICSW
My Background
Bringing Our Faith With Us
Betty is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, licensed in Illinois and Massachusetts. She is also a Certified Psychosynthesis Life Coach. Betty attaind her Master’s degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Jane Addams College of Social Work.
Previously, Betty worked as a school social worker for over two decades with children ranging in age from early childhood through elementary school.
Betty has a deep love for Orthodox Christian Missions. She is a founding member of Mission Team Chicago, a pan Orthodox group that supports the work of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center. Betty has participated on short-term mission teams to Uganda and Alaska, as well as on a work team at Project Mexico.
- 259 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington MA 02474
- Email: bettypaganis@gmail.com
- Phone: 617-681-6581
- Hours: Illinois - Telehealth Only
- Out of Network - Sliding Scale
- Pay - IvyPay App
- Telehealth - Yes
Violet Theodos, PH.D., PLLC
My Background
Bringing Our Faith With Us
Dr. Violet (Vickie) Theodos is a licensed clinical psychologist. She works with children, adolescents and adults. Her approach in treatment incorporates Cognitive Behavioral, Family Systems as well as a focus on the interaction between mind-body-spirit. Dr. Theodos assists individuals who are struggling with anxiety, depression, grief and chronic illness. She also provides support to parents with a child with academic or emotional challenges.
Dr. Theodos received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Her clinical training has been in various hospital settings as well as community mental health centers. She completed the Clinical Child Internship at the University of Chicago Department of Psychiatry. These experiences led to an interest in health psychology and working with children and adults coping with health conditions.
Dr. Theodos is active in her Greek Orthodox parish and participates in various ministries which include individuals with disabilities, the elderly and charitable work. She finds the role of faith to be integral to the healing process.
- 1550 Spring Road, Suite 220 Oak Brook, IL 60523
- Email: drvtheodos@gmail.com
- Phone: 630-233-4740
- Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Cigna, Medicare, Magellan
- Self Pay, Accepts credit card payment
- Fluent in Greek
- In Person & Telehealth
Sofie Azmy, PsyD, HSPP, MBA
Coptic
My Background
Bringing Our Faith With Us
Dr. Sofie Azmy is a licensed clinical psychologist in Indiana and Illinois. She is also approved to practice interjurisdictional telepsychology in PSYPACT participating states. Dr. Azmy earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College, where she received specialized training integrating spirituality and religion with evidenced-based therapeutic interventions. She is committed to providing sound psychological services and research-based treatments while drawing upon her clients’ strengths and values. She enjoys offering her expertise in integrating faith into the therapeutic process to facilitate healing and growth for those specifically seeking to do so in their clinical treatment.
Dr. Azmy believes in meeting clients where they are and developing a treatment plan that is tailored to their unique needs and goals. Some of the empirically supported interventions she integrates include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT). These interventions allow clients to make intentional, values-based choices about how they lead their lives. She values compassion, authenticity, and respect, which her clients experience while working with her.
In addition to her therapy experience, Dr. Azmy has taught undergraduate and graduate psychology and counseling courses and provided clinical supervision to practicum and internship students. She also enjoys leading workshops and speaking on a variety of mental health, parenting, and marital topics through a culturally sensitive perspective.
- Lightchoice Psychology LLC
-
Email:info@lightchoicepsych.com
- Phone: 219.224.8855
- Hours: Telehealth on weekdays
-
Out of Network-Self Pay
Fr. Charles Joanides, Ph.D., LMFT
Spiritual Consultant
My Background
Bringing Our Faith With Us
Father Charles Joanides, Ph.D., LMFT, has been married for 47 years. He and his spouse have two children and four grandchildren.
Fr. Charles has served both small and large churches. From 1997-2014, he directed the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese’s outreach ministry to intermarried couples and their families. Fr. Charles has authored several books on outreach and evangelism, marital well-being, and inter-marriage concerns. His writings have appeared in numerous professional journals, magazines and newspapers. He has also been a featured speaker at numerous local and national conferences.
Fr. Charles is a licensed marriage and family therapist, a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, and an approved supervisor. Since retiring from active ministry in 2014, he taught marital and family therapy at Nyack College in the Alliance Graduate School of Counseling from 2011- 2021.
He continues to consult with individuals, couples, and families who struggle with medical, emotional, and mental health disorders. His latest book is Making Disciples of all Nations: 101 Tried and Tested Orthodox Church Outreach Practices You Can Implement In Your Parish. He is revising Attending to Your Marriage: A Resource for Christian Couples and When you Intermarry: A Resource for Inter-Christian and Intercultural couples, Parents and Families. Both resources will be available early 2025.
- Phone: 845-565-5641
- Newburg, New York