Behavioral Psychology Associates
Behavioral Psychology Associates

Who We Are

Our History

Behavioral Psychology Associates (BPA) opened its doors in April of 1990 and recently celebrated 32 years of service in the community. We are honored to have participated in the care of thousands of children, adolescents, and adults.

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Meet Our Team

Team photos coming soon!

Clinical Staff

Ronald S. Dachman, PhD

Clinical Psychologist & Founder

Dr. Ronald S. Dachman is a clinical psychologist and founder of Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C. He has over 40 years experience working with children, adolescents, and families. His clinical interests include parent-child conflicts, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, issues related to divorce, and pediatric psychology.

Dr. Dachman received his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Western Michigan University and completed his predoctoral internship in behavioral pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Dachman has published several articles in peer reviewed journals on treatment benefiting children and families. In 2019, he published his first children’s storybook, In the Blink of an Eye.

Dr. Dachman sees patients in the Hoffman Estates office and via telehealth.


This clinician joined the treatment team at Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., as an independent practitioner and is not an employee or agent of Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., where the care is being provided.
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Deborah A. Megson, MS, LCPC

Clinical Professional Counselor & Practice Administrator

Ms. Deborah A. Megson is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Practice Administrator at Behavioral Psychology Associates. She has over 30 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families. Ms. Megson’s clinical interests include helping parents and their young children navigate through everyday situations such as bedtime, toileting, daily routines, separation issues, social skills, and discipline. Other areas of interest include children and adolescents with anxiety and mood disorders, peer relationships, and family therapy.

Ms. Megson received her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and her master’s degree in applied behavior analysis (ABA) from Southern Illinois University. Her clinical and administrative experience includes working for Head Start programs, the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and the Ounce of Prevention program in Chicago. Ms. Megson is a member of the Illinois Counseling Association, the Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association, the National Counseling Association, and the American Psychological Association.

Ms. Megson sees patients in our Hoffman Estates office and via telehealth.


This clinician joined the treatment team at Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., as an independent practitioner and is not an employee or agent of Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., where the care is being provided.
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Alyssa Abbate, PsyD*


Dr. Alyssa Abbate is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in therapy and assessment of children, adolescents, adults, and their families. Her clinical interests include depression, anxiety, parent-child conflict, parent-teen communication difficulties, learning disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), body image, eating disorders, life transitions, trauma, relationship difficulties, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Dr. Abbate received her B.A. in psychology from Valparaiso University. She received her master’s and doctoral degree’s in clinical psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Schaumburg, IL. Dr. Abbate has experience working in schools, domestic violence and homelessness agencies, and private practice. She has also supervised and trained predoctoral interns in group therapy and psychological assessment.

Dr. Abbate believes the relationship between patient and therapist is one of the most important parts of treatment. She aims to provide a safe, nonjudgmental space for people to share their personal stories and respects that every person works through challenges at their own pace. Dr. Abbate uses a combination of cognitive behavioral, client-centered, and insight oriented interventions to help people decrease their symptoms, improve the quality of their relationships, and achieve academic or vocational success.

Dr. Abbate likes to keep her mind and body active in her free time. She has been a flutist for 20 years and enjoys listening to all genres of music and attending concerts. She also enjoys curling up on the couch with her cat, a cup of coffee, and a good book. She often starts her days with a CrossFit workout and enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends.


*Independent Practitioner
This clinician joined the treatment team at Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., as an independent practitioner and is not an employee or agent of Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., where the care is being provided.
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Oana Demian, PsyD*


Dr. Demian received her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Adler University, Chicago. She has experience in school and private practice settings with children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Demian’s clinical interests include anxiety, depression, ADHD, interpersonal difficulties, life transitions, behavioral challenges, and parent-child conflict.

Dr. Demian also has experience conducting psychological evaluations assessing attention, learning disorders, mood, and emotional difficulties. Her approach to treatment incorporates interventions from play-therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Dr. Demian is passionate about making genuine connections and approaching each individual with openness and a humble mind. She aspires to provide a comfortable and collaborative space for people to freely express themselves. Dr. Demian is a pre-licensed therapist who joined our staff in January, 2023.


*Independent Practitioner
This clinician joined the treatment team at Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., as an independent practitioner and is not an employee or agent of Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., where the care is being provided.
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Kristy Kipka, PsyD*


Dr. Kristy Kipka is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in therapy and assessment of children, adolescents, young adults, and their families. Her clinical interests include attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attachment, parenting, and the assessment of learning disabilities.

Dr. Kipka received her B.S. in applied psychology from Loyola University of Chicago. She received her master's and doctoral degree's in clinical psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Rolling Meadows. Dr. Kipka’s internship was completed at Provena Mercy Hospital in Aurora. Postdoctoral training was completed at United Stand Family Counseling Center.

Dr. Kipka has 17 years of experience working with students from Chicago Archdiocesan Schools in Chicago and the suburbs. She also taught for 3 years at a special education cooperative. Dr. Kipka has supervised and trained many doctoral candidates completing diagnostic and therapy practica, predoctoral internships, and postdoctoral training. She also has extensive experience consulting with school staff and administrators, and in crisis intervention.


*Independent Practitioner
This clinician joined the treatment team at Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., as an independent practitioner and is not an employee or agent of Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., where the care is being provided.
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Amy Knize, MA, LCPC*


Amy Knize is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor specializing in the treatment of anxiety-related concerns, mood disorders, and relationship issues. She has over 13 years counseling experience with adults, adolescents, couples, and families.

Amy received her master's degree in counseling from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. Amy's counseling experience includes work with individuals, families, couples, and facilitating group treatment. Prior to joining BPA, Amy refined her skill sets in multiple settings including a counseling center for women and families with parenting and behavioral health needs, an agency specializing in domestic violence, and an Employee Assistance Program. She has received additional training in domestic violence issues (40 hr IL certification), strategic family therapy, Gottman Method couples therapy, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

Amy is goal-oriented and tailors treatment to the individual needs of each client. In addition, she collaborates with other professionals to ensure well-rounded care for her clients. Amy is a member of the Illinois Counseling Association and the Illinois Mental Health Counselor's Association.


*Independent Practitioner
This clinician joined the treatment team at Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., as an independent practitioner and is not an employee or agent of Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., where the care is being provided.
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Aleksandar Kondic, MD*


Alex Kondic, M.D., joined our treatment team in 2015 and has been practicing as a psychiatrist since 2004. Dr. Kondic was born and raised in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He began his medical training at Banja Luka in former Yugoslavia; however, he had to suspend his education in 1993, due to the civil war that began in what was then Yugoslavia.

He completed his medical training at Charles University, in Prague, in 1998. Shortly thereafter he moved to the United States and completed his medical internship at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, in 2005. Dr. Kondic finished the final leg of his medical training at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago in 2008.

He has treated patients for a wide variety of disorders and has a special interest in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; anxiety disorders, including but not limited to, obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder; and the range of mood disorders. Dr. Kondic is trained in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and brief psychodynamic therapy.

He is multilingual and is fluent in Serbian, Czech, and English. He is married and has two daughters. His leisure time interests include reading, playing guitar, and chess. Dr. Kondic sees patients in our Hoffman Estates location.


*Independent Practitioner
This clinician joined the treatment team at Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., as an independent practitioner and is not an employee or agent of Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., where the care is being provided.
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Leigh Johnson-Migalski, PsyD*


Leigh Johnson-Migalski, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist who enjoys helping children and adults in individual and family therapy. She received her Master’s in Counseling Psychology in 1999 and her doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2006 from Adler University.

Dr. Johnson-Migalski has worked at medical centers, group practices, and community mental health centers. During that time, she reports logging over 12,000 of direct clinical contact hours. In addition, she taught courses for over 13 years at Adler University, in their doctoral program. Besides Behavioral Psychology Associates, Dr. Johnson-Migalski works as a staff psychologist at William Middleton VA Medical Center based at the Rockford CBOC.

Dr. Johnson-Migalski often incorporates diversity, cultural and evidence-based theory and techniques in her practice; she recognizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship and builds on client’s strengths to achieve practical solutions. Her specialties include anxiety, depression and other mood disorders, children, adolescents, adults, family therapy, evidence-based parenting practices, evidence-based play therapy, women’s issues, and spirituality.

Dr. Leigh Johnson-Migalski shares, "I believe people can find their way to wellness and solutions. I believe through therapy people can retrieve strengths they had, and develop new solutions through thinking, feeling, and doing things in a slightly new way. I specialize in parenting strategies using strength-based interventions; managing stress, mood and anxiety disorders; and issues tailored to women and men."


*Independent Practitioner
This clinician joined the treatment team at Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., as an independent practitioner and is not an employee or agent of Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., where the care is being provided.
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Christina Miksis, PsyD*


Dr. Christina Miksis is a licensed clinical psychologist who has been working with children, adolescents, adults, and families for almost 20 years. Dr. Miksis’ clinical interests include anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, oppositional and/or defiant behavior, ADHD, parent-child conflict, and couples counseling.

She received an undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of Iowa and her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Miksis completed her predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the Menta Group. She has extensive experience in administration, clinical trials, student training, supervision/consultation, and providing educational presentations.


*Independent Practitioner
This clinician joined the treatment team at Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., as an independent practitioner and is not an employee or agent of Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., where the care is being provided.
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Ellen Sagendorph, MSW, LCSW*


Ellen Sagendorph is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Her clinical interests include anxiety-related concerns; depression and other mood disorders; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); home and/or school-based behavioral challenges; school consultation, including the development of IEP and/or 504 plans; peer relationships and social skills training; self-injury; and LGBTQIA support. Ellen’s practice will focus on the behavioral health of children, adolescents, and families.

Ellen received her masters degree in social work from the University of Illinois at Chicago: Jane Addams College of Social Work and her bachelors degree in social work from Illinois State University. Before transitioning to BPA, Ellen worked as a school social worker at the high school, middle school and elementary school levels.


*Independent Practitioner
This clinician joined the treatment team at Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., as an independent practitioner and is not an employee or agent of Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., where the care is being provided.
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Suellen Shively-Mack, MSW, LCSW*


Suellen Shively-Mack is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years’ experience working with children, adolescents and adults in a variety of outpatient settings, including community-based mental health facilities. She received her Master’s Degree from The University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration, with a focus on children and families and the use of cognitive-behavioral treatment strategies.

Suellen’s clinical interests include depression; anxiety; adjustment to divorce and other divorce-related matters; parent-child and parent-adolescent management issues, couples and family therapy, managing stress and life transitions; and family-based treatment of eating disorders.

As a bilingual Spanish speaker, Suellen has experience working with Spanish-speaking populations and providing them with linguistically and culturally competent treatment. Suellen uses a collaborative, supportive approach to help her clients build upon their individual and family strengths in order to achieve their goals.


*Independent Practitioner
This clinician joined the treatment team at Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., as an independent practitioner and is not an employee or agent of Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., where the care is being provided.
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Virginia M. Seng, PhD*


Dr. Virginia (Gigi) Seng is a licensed clinical psychologist. Affiliated with Behavioral Psychology Associates since 1999, Dr. Seng specializes in working with children, adolescents and families. Her clinical interests include social skills training, treatment of anxiety disorders, treatment of trichotillomania, and pediatric psychology.

Dr. Seng earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Loyola University in Chicago. She received her Masters and Doctoral degrees in Child Clinical Psychology from DePaul University in Chicago. While earning her doctorate, Dr. Seng received clinical training at a diverse range of sites including the community mental health center at DePaul University, the developmental assessment program at Children’s Memorial Hospital, and the community mental health center at Mercy Hospital. She completed her predoctoral internship at Children’s Hospital in Boston where she had a fellowship in psychology through the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Seng is a member of the American Psychological Association. She sees patients in our Hoffman Estates office.


*Independent Practitioner
This clinician joined the treatment team at Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., as an independent practitioner and is not an employee or agent of Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., where the care is being provided.
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Sheryl Sierakowski, MS, LCPC, NCC*


Sheryl Sierakowski is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Her clinical interests include anxiety-related concerns, depression, neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD, home and school-based behavioral challenges, grief/loss, relationship issues, trauma, and athletic performance.

Sheryl received her master's degree in counseling from National-Louis University. Her clinical experience includes school-based counseling, therapy on behalf of individuals, parents, families, and couples, as well as facilitating an intensive outpatient program for adolescents presenting with substance use and/or abuse. Sheryl tailors treatment to the individual needs of each client. In addition, she enjoys collaborating with other professionals to ensure well-rounded care for her clients.

Sheryl is a member of several counseling associations, including the American Counseling Association (ACA), the Illinois Mental Health Counselor's Association (IMHCA), and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). She routinely pursues opportunities for professional growth in order to provide the most appropriate care for her clients.


*Independent Practitioner
This clinician joined the treatment team at Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., as an independent practitioner and is not an employee or agent of Behavioral Psychology Associates, P.C., where the care is being provided.
Read More

Support Staff

Our support staff greet patients, answer phones, listen to voicemail messages throughout the day, conduct new patient intakes, make sure new patient sessions are scheduled with the most appropriate clinician, check clinician waitlists to fill openings, and trouble shoot with clinicians to help patients schedule appointments in a timely fashion. They also monitor insurance verifications and other insurance-related matters and work with clinicians and patients regarding billing questions. They work hard to make it easier for patients to focus on their treatment.

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