Discover More About Us
We’re more than a wellness center; we’re your dedicated companions on a personalized path to healing and empowerment.
Our Patient Promise
Navigating struggles requires a supportive ally. At The Center for New Pathways, we promise to stand by you, offering guidance, healing, and a way forward. Your journey is distinct, and our commitment is to support you every step of the way.
Our Approach
Our approach transcends symptom management. We aim to help you uncover inner strengths, heal, and energize. Through a personalized and evidence-based strategy, we create a neutral safe space for you to share your concerns and design a treatment plan aligned with your unique goals.
Meet our Therapists in Schaumburg
Vito Alberga
LCSW, ACSW, ACCHT, BCD, EMDR
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Vito has been working in the mental health field for over 28 years. He is an Advanced Certified Heart-Centered Hypnotherapist, an EMDRIA certified EMDR therapist, and an EMDRIA Approved Consultant. He has also taught as an Adjunct Professor at National-Louis University where he taught workshops on treating trauma and shock. He is the Founder and Director for The Center For New Pathways Integrative Wellness Center, a leading wellness center that offers psychotherapy, coaching, acupuncture, chiropractic, energy work, and massage services. He has full time private practice where he specializes in working with adults, children, and adolescents.
Jon Difatta
MA, LCPC, CDVP, PAIP, EMDR
Jon holds a Master’s degree in Counseling and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor as well as a Certified Domestic Violence Professional and a Partner Abuse Intervention Professional. Jon has also been trained in EMDR for trauma related issues and uses a variety of techniques including CBT, DBT and Person-Centered Therapy. Jon’s approach is gentle, insightful, informative and this allows clients to feel at ease and participate fully in the therapeutic process.
Jon’s background is truly diverse as he has served as a Men’s Group leader, Community Educator for adolescents, Residential Therapist at a teen group home setting, Rehab Center Counselor and as a private practice counselor. Jon works with individuals, couples, marital partners, groups, adolescents, men’s issues and court ordered clientele.
Laura C Kramarz
MS, LCPC. EMDR
A licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. Laura has more than 20 years of experience working with individuals and families in the mental health field.
She helps adolescents. High-functioning spectrum individuals. and the LGBTQ population develop positive mind, body, and emotional health. Her core techniques are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure Therapy, Mindfulness, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, and EMDR.
As a catalyst for positive change. Laura brines an authentic. non-judgemental approach to understanding the needs of every individual. With her street smarts and common-sense background, Laura excels at helping people better better understand themselves and navigate the world they live in.
Joey Brooks
LPC, EMDR
Embarking on a journey towards what clients often describe as “healing” or “growing” may be overwhelming and frightening. I strive to meet my clients in that space of fear as a guide.
Someone, who will intently listen to understand your experiences, your desires, and your dreams; as well as comprehend the history that may shape your doubts, worries, and nightmares. In this way, you and I will blend your past, current, and future concerns with research-informed approaches for exploring, understanding, and addressing your voyage toward empowerment.
I have insights into navigating life circumstances & trauma-related challenges that can impact poor self-image, people-pleasing behaviors, self-loathing, identity concerns, stress, sexuality, & mood management. I combine empirical strategies with warm person-centered techniques to help clients work towards a version of self that feels ready to face life. My work will integrate various information concerning attachment theory( understanding how we connect with others and why), internal family systems/ parts work (learning to accept rejected parts of self), EMDR (neurological reprocessing of trauma), and other trauma-focused approaches.
I look forward to establishing an environment of safety, respect, and kindness that may have felt elusive before our time together.
Chris Tennant
EMDR, LCSW
Your choice to pursue therapy reflects strength, bravery, and a commitment to your well-being. I offer support to individuals dealing with a range of concerns, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use issues, LGBTQ+ identities, relationship difficulties, and feelings of being “stuck.” My approach is compassionate, encouraging, and tailored to each person’s needs, helping them manage their emotions, view situations without judgment, and find solutions that align with their values. I also prioritize diversity and social justice, integrating these into my therapeutic work.
Finding a therapist you feel at ease with is an important step in creating the changes you seek. I collaborate with teens, adults, and couples, building strong therapeutic relationships to identify the strategies and skills that can help you reach your goals and enhance your life.
I utilize various therapeutic methods based on the individual needs and personalities of my clients. My aim is to help you draw on your strengths so you feel empowered to make choices and put them into action. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Janelle Knippen
LPC, R-DMT, RYT
Emma Lange
MSW, EMDR
Emma holds a Master’s of Social Work degree from Aurora University.
She is trained in EMDR therapy, has a focus of working with children and adolescents, but is dedicated to working with people from all ages, genders, and backgrounds.
Emma knew from a young age that her work and mission in life, came from a higher calling of healing and hope. Emma has entered the social work field to answer that calling by treating the individual and empowering them along their mental health journey. Emma believes that the client holds the power to create change in their life and can reach new heights with healing and intention. With a sunny disposition and empathic nature, Emma creates an environment for her clients where they feel heard, understood, and a little lighter in spirit.
Stephanie Garcia
MSW
I am deeply committed to the belief that everyone deserves to live a happy and fulfilling life, embracing their self-worth and sense of empowerment. My dedication lies in supporting women, children, immigrants, and refugees. Drawing on my personal experiences and professional training, I strive to empathize with and stand up for those navigating life’s complexities. My ultimate goal is to help individuals heal from their trauma, discover their potential, and find fulfillment, using my education and personal background to make a real impact in their lives. Additionally, I am able to provide therapy sessions in Spanish, which is my native language. Through my own experiences, I have gained a deep understanding of the immigrant experience, especially the challenges faced by women and children. This journey has not only shaped my perspective but has also ignited my passion for social justice and empowerment. With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Concordia University and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Dominican University, I focused on trauma and global immigrants and refugees, driven by my commitment to serving marginalized communities. My approach is holistic and compassionate, aiming to create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued. I firmly believe that empowerment is not just an individual journey but a collective one, where shared experiences and understanding can lead to meaningful change.
Betsy Murphy
MS, RN, HNB-BC, C-IAYT
Betsy is a holistic nurse and mind-body specialist with over 15 years of experience in mind-body medicine. She helps individuals find inner peace and strength by cultivating self-awareness through mindfulness training and yoga therapy.
Betsy’s approach centers on helping clients harness their own inner resources for healing. With a deep focus on self-care, she teaches tools and practices that promote health and wellbeing. Her clinical experience spans a broad range of conditions, from chronic or terminal illness to anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Betsy holds a master’s degree in Mind-Body Medicine from Saybrook University and a nursing degree from Loyola University. She became a certified yoga therapist at Integrative Yoga Therapy and Parayoga and an accredited teacher of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction at the UMass Center for Mindfulness in Healthcare and Society.
Her approach focuses on self-awareness, promoting health and well-being.
Student Interns
Andi Dosti
With a passion for psychology, a non-judgmental nature, and a genuine desire to help others, Andi is a perfect fit as our Intake Coordinator. By appreciating and accepting people as they are during the intake process, he helps every client begin their journey with greater comfort.
Andi is currently earning a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health at Northeastern Illinois University, with a focus on individual therapy, couples, and family systems. His passion for psychology was partly inspired by the ancient Greek Enlightenment, which centered on the value of knowledge, freedom, and happiness in helping people grow.
Like our other wellness professionals, Andi has a collaborative approach to therapy, believing that clients can and should co-create their own healing. He understands that creating a safe space for healing begins from the very first conversation with new clients, and he works to earn the trust of everyone who comes to the Center for help.
Hannah Madden
Our Affiliates
Teri Calandra
Teri graduated from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, Chicago, IL with her Masters of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, and herbology. In 2005, she earned her degree in massage therapy from American Institute of Alternative Medicine – Columbus, Ohio. She specializes in Tui Na (Chinese Medical Massage that uses acupressure).
Teri is licensed by the state of Illinois in acupuncture (L.Ac.), and is board certified through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) as a Diplomate in Acupuncture.
She has been practicing energy medicine since 2011 in an effort to better understand her gifts and self-healing. Her journey started with studying the Akashic Records with Christina Cross. She became Reiki Master certified for the Usui Shiki Ryoho lineage in 2013, and the Usui Reiki Ryoho lineage in 2017 (as taught by Frans Stiene.) She currently teaches only the Usui Reiki Ryoho lineage. Teri is trained in Access Consciousness Bars and various other energy healing modalities.
Tangee Moscoso
Tangee is the owner and founder of Holistic Mental Health Wellness Inc., which originated long before it was founded in 2015. Tangee started in the field of psychiatry in 2005, as a floor nurse at an urban hospital in Chicago. There, she saw how the deprivation of social, physical, mental, spiritual nurturing, and love from others and towards ourselves can impact one’s psyche.
As Tangee went through her own healing journey, she awakened to this inner knowing that challenges were indeed opportunities which ultimately lead us to align with our higher power. As Tangee started practicing as an APN, after graduating from the University of Illinois at Chicago, she soon found that though there is a place for medication in the treatment of psychiatric illnesses, in particular; one cannot ignore that there are holistic options that don’t only treat the symptoms but can heal at the core of the problem.
Student Opportunities
Designed to inspire and inform the next generation of mental health and wellness professionals, our internship program allows students to learn from experienced trauma therapists, building skills to become the wellness professionals they aspire to be.
