Specializes in: Treatment for grief and loss, stress and trauma, emotional/physical/sexual abuse, family of origin issues, career/workplace issues, life transitions, anxiety, depression

Populations served: Adolescents, adults

Additional services: EMDR, attachment-focused EMDR, EMDR flash technique, DBT for individual therapy and adult life skills group, pre-marital and marital enrichment assessments, critical incident stress management, sand play therapy, career and leadership skills coaching and development

Ms. Poertner completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Master of Arts in Human Development Counseling from Bradley University. She is a Board Certified Coach, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and a National Certified Counselor. Additionally, she is a certified leadership feedback specialist for the Executive Development Center at Bradley University.

Prior to joining the mental health profession, Ms. Poertner was a corporate Human Resources Manager at Caterpillar where she oversaw world-wide human resources operations. Her counseling experience includes work in agencies ranging from ABC Counseling and Family Services in Bloomington to Behavioral Health Advantages, Lutheran Social Services, and the Women’s Pregnancy Center in Peoria. Ms. Poertner provides counseling to individuals and adolescents, training to companies, and personal development workshops for clients. Her research studies have been published by the American Psychological Association and the Midwestern Psychological Association. She also developed a 12-session sexual abuse survivors’ support group published by the Illinois Counseling Association. Ms. Poertner is a member of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy National Certification and Accreditation Association.

Ms. Poertner and her husband, Terry, attend Grace Presbyterian Church.Item description