Our Team.
Light of Hope Wellness & Consultation is based out of northwest Indiana and we serve clients in Illinois.
About
Hector Zavala, Founder
LCPC, LMHC, MA, NCC
Practices in Indiana and Illinois
My clients often describe my therapeutic style with three words: caring, understanding, and direct. I believe in an individualized approach to therapy rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy, and I integrate various modalities, including positive psychology, person centered therapy, motivational interviewing (MI), Gottman methods, solution-focused strategies, and mindfulness techniques.
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I view therapy as a partnership where you are the expert in your own life. My aim is to help you understand your needs while recognizing and valuing your strengths. I provide essential tools, resources, and skills to empower you on your healing journey, ensuring that you have the support to continue your progress long after our sessions conclude.
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Prior to my career as a counselor, I worked the field of psychology in various positions. I worked in detention centers, hospitals, group homes, and eventually as a DCFS case manager in Illinois. After experiencing compassion fatigue and burnout, I decided to pursue a fulfilling path, prompting my decision to pursue a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Argosy University.
Throughout my therapeutic career, I have been influenced by exceptional mentors and contemporary thought leaders. I incorporate insights from Jeffrey Kottler on narratives of our lives and those of my clients, Dave Ramsey on Wealth Building and Giving, Dan Siegel on positive psychology, Brené Brown on embracing vulnerability, and Gottman’s communication strategies for family and partner relationships into my practice. I lead professional development workshops in my field to help my peers continue to grow as clinicians. In addition to my counseling work, I am a psychology professor at Olive Harvey College. Prior teaching experiences include teaching as a part time professor at Adler University, Northwestern University, National Louis University, and Northern Illinois University for seven years.
About
Gretchen A. Lewis
MA, LCPC, NCC
Practices in Illinois
My clients often describe my therapeutic style with three words: transformative, understanding, and compassionate. I believe in an individualized approach to therapy rooted in existentialism, and I integrate various modalities, including positive psychology, sports psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing (MI), Gottman methods, and internal family systems (IFS), alongside solution-focused strategies and mindfulness techniques.
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I view therapy as a partnership where you are the expert in your own life. My aim is to help you understand your needs while recognizing and valuing your strengths. I provide essential tools, resources, and skills to empower you on your healing journey, ensuring that you have the support to continue your progress long after our sessions have concluded.
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Prior to my career as a therapist, I worked in sports, media, and live events with Fortune 500 companies, and I engaged in philanthropy with organizations such as Ronald McDonald House, Bears Care, and Housing Opportunities for Women (HOW). Experiencing burnout from composing proposals and planning events led me to seek a more fulfilling path, prompting my decision to pursue a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Counseling Psychology. I then went on for my doctorate in DCES Counselor Education and Supervision.
Throughout my therapeutic career, I have been influenced by exceptional mentors and contemporary thought leaders. I incorporate insights from Jon Kabat-Zinn on mindfulness, Joyce Marter on financial wellness, Dan Siegel on positive psychology, Brené Brown on embracing vulnerability, and Gottman’s communication strategies for family and partner relationships into my practice. In addition to my counseling work, I also serve as a supervisor and have been a graduate school professor at Adler University and Northwestern University for seven years.
About
Kelci Walker
MSOT, OTR/L
Practices in Indiana
Hi, I’m Kelci Walker, a licensed occupational therapist passionate about helping people regain independence and confidence in their daily lives. I earned my Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern Indiana in 2014 and have spent the past decade working in a variety of settings across the country, including acute care, inpatient rehab, and home health.
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Throughout my career, I’ve worked with individuals recovering from strokes, navigating cardiac rehab, adapting their homes for safety, and relearning essential life skills. I also love working with children and young adults, helping them build fine motor skills, process sensory experiences, and strengthen social-emotional development. My approach is always client-centered, focusing on each person’s unique goals and challenges. Whether it’s regaining mobility, improving self-care routines, or developing new strategies to engage in meaningful activities, I strive to empower my clients with the tools they need to thrive.
I’d love to be part of your journey—let’s work together to make everyday life more accessible and fulfilling!
About
Essence Scott
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Therapist in Training
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Virtual and Illinois
About
Essence Scott
Therapist in Training
Practices in Illinois and virtually
Hi, my name is Essence Scott, I am currently a Clinical Mental Health Student at Northwestern University. Throughout my education and work experiences with youth and families involved in the child protection system, I frequently heard the saying, “Trauma that is not transformed is transfer.” This realization sparked my desire to support individuals in challenging times and grew my passion to promote wellness, growth, and healing. In my work with children, adolescents and families, I aim to provide a safe space for my clients to be unapologetically themselves, to gain autonomy, and to acquire tools to work through and manage their emotions. As a counselor in training, I hope to use an integrative approach in my clinical work with clients in the future.
