Psychologists

Dr. Vesna Pepic is a licensed clinical psychologist in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Arizona. She earned her Ph.D. in Counseling and School Psychology from Northern Arizona University. Dr. Pepic offers services including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, ABA Parenting Training, and Social Skills training. Dr. Pepic specializes in the assessment and treatment of autism, OCD, depression, anxiety, social anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD. Dr. Pepic also provides EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) psychotherapy for individuals who struggle with trauma and chronic PTSD. Dr. Pepic works with individuals aged 5 years old and has extensive training working with children, adolescents, and families.

Specializing in therapy for children, adolescents, and families. With a compassionate and holistic approach, Dr. Pepic integrates evidence-based therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), to address a range of emotional and behavioral challenges.

Dr. Pepic has a deep expertise in trauma work, helping individuals and families recover from the impacts of PTSD, complex trauma, and other distressing experiences. Their therapeutic style is collaborative, empowering clients to build resilience and develop healthy coping strategies. She is passionate about creating a safe and supportive environment where families can heal, grow together, and is dedicated to helping children or adolescents navigate difficult life transitions, anxiety, depression, and trauma with confidence and hope.

Dr. Hannah Paullin earned her Psy.D. in School Psychology from The Chicago School. She completed training in school settings serving at-risk youth, as well as in early intervention programs for children ages 2–4. Dr. Paullin also gained clinical experience in environments specializing in intentional violence and in school-based therapeutic services.

Dr.Paullin provides services including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Family Systems, and other evidence-based treatments, all within a trauma-informed care framework. Her areas of expertise include anxiety disorders, mood disorders, trauma-related disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, and life transitions.

Dr. Paullin specializes in working with children, teens, and young adults, though she has experience treating individuals across the lifespan. In addition to providing therapy at A Ray of Hope, she also conducts psychological testing for individuals aged 10 and up, focusing on mood disorders and ADHD.

Dr. Kati Cooke earned a Ph.D. in Combined Counseling and School Psychology from Northern Arizona University. Before pursuing her doctorate, she received a Master’s degree in Teaching and spent five years as a high school teacher. She completed her clinical training in interdisciplinary settings across Arizona and Illinois, working with individuals and families across the lifespan in both therapy and neuropsychological assessment. Her work has focused on neurodevelopmental, trauma-related, mood, and personality disorders.

As a Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow at A Ray of Hope’s Libertyville location, Dr. Cooke provides therapy and conducts neuropsychological evaluations for children and adults aged six and older. She is experienced in delivering therapy to children, adolescents, and adults, using trauma-informed practices grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and other evidence-based modalities. She specializes in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, executive functioning challenges, personality disorders, grief, and life transitions, and has a particular focus on working with LGBTQIA+/Queer individuals.

Dr. Cooke believes in creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where individuals can heal, explore, and grow. Her ultimate goal is to help each person better understand their values and live a life that aligns authentically with them.