Deidra Dame
Owner | Clinical Director
ddame@moonlightcounselingcenter.com
Deidra works with adults and teens who are navigating the aftermath of complex trauma, coercive control, high-conflict separation/divorce, and relational harm. She frequently works with clients who may be managing custody stress, untangling long-standing attachment wounds, or living with a nervous system that feels either constantly on edge or shut down.
Deidra’s work is grounded in the understanding that symptoms of trauma are not weaknesses, they are adaptations from previous experience. She can work with you to provide a space to examine those adaptations with precision and compassion, and to decide which ones still serve you.
Areas of Focus
Complex PTSD (cPTSD)
Coercive control and post-separation abuse recovery
Divorce and custody-related stress
Adult children of narcissistic or emotionally immature parents
Attachment injuries and relational trauma
Nervous system dysregulation and trauma-related shutdown
In addition to direct clinical work, Deidra is interested in interdisciplinary collaboration, trauma-informed systems work, and clinical supervision/case consultation with professionals related to coercive control, recovery after abuse, and complex trauma patient presentations. Deidra has certification by the NASW in Individual Clinical Social Work Supervision and is a registered Clinical Supervisor in the NASW-IL Supervisor Registry.
Deidra holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois. She received her Bachelor of Science from Millikin University. She is trained in EMDR and has completed the ICADV Domestic Violence Victim Advocate Training Certification. Deidra is also licensed to provide telehealth services to clients located in the state of Florida.
When not working, Deidra enjoys traveling and spending time with her three children and her dog, Buddy.
Erin Gelke
Owner | Clinical Director
(217) 249-7600
egelke@moonlightcounselingcenter.com
Hello and welcome! My name is Erin and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Illinois with four years of clinical experiences working in the field of mental health. I received my Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign in 2019. Prior to my Master’s studies, I received a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute in Chicago, where I focused on Fiber and Material Studies and Performance Art. I have received additional trauma training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) through EMDRIA.
Since completing my studies I have chosen to work in the area of mental health, and have spent the past four years as a therapist in the private practice setting. I am experienced working with children, teens, and young adults who are seeking counseling for a wide range of concerns and life experiences. I work collaboratively with parents and caregivers of children to provide supportive guidance on navigating areas of concern with their child, and encourage them to be active participants in the therapeutic process. I am comfortable working collaboratively with other professionals such as: attorneys, Guardian Ad Litems, Custody Evaluators, law enforcement investigators, and DCFS personnel if needed. I am comfortable and experienced in navigating family court involved cases, including providing testimony surrounding clinical concerns when needed.
I am comfortable working with children and teens who are experiencing the following concerns: high conflict divorces/separations, family and criminal court involvement, acute crisis, self-harm, emotional abuse and coercive control, parental death or illness, childhood sexual trauma (including parental sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and child on-child sexual assault), child witnesses of violent crimes, domestic violence and parental abuse, medical trauma, parent/caregiver substance abuse, gender and identity exploration, highly sensitive or Indigo child traits, neurodiversity, and general emotional/behavioral concerns.
My therapeutic approach with children is based on establishing a strong therapeutic relationship that is individually developed for each child and their needs. Therapy will always be a safe and neutral space, where your child is prioritized and advocated for. During a typical therapy session with me, your child or teen can expect to engage in a variety of therapeutic and art activities, spend time in nature, utilize a wide variety or toys, games and books, laugh, listen to music, and receive unconditional and nurturing emotional support. They may leave a typical session covered in marker or paint with an art creation to share, or some mud on their boots after spending time outside. My therapeutic approach is eclectic and pulls from different treatment modalities, including: EMDR, art and creative therapy, play therapy, narrative therapy, nature/eco-therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, animal assisted therapy, and general coping skill development.
I also utilize an emotional support cat named Moonie who is always available to care for emotional needs and provide a touch of humor and playfulness to a session.
I would love to hear from you and see if I may be a good match for your child or teen!