Ron Pestana, LCSW

Ron Pestana holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from the Boston College Graduate School of Social Work. He completed a post graduate fellowship in child and family therapy at Judge Baker Children's Center, a Harvard Medical School affiliate. He brings to the Center nearly 20 years of clinical experience in individual, couples, and group psychotherapy, as well as consultation and program development. Ron's area of specialization includes the treatment of adult and childhood ADHD, addictions, bipolar disorder, trauma and personality disorders.

Ron developed a series of trainings for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services on topics such as Understanding the Needs of Children with Sexual Behavior Problems, Conflict Resolution Skills for Caseworkers and Families and Understanding the Needs of LGBT Youth.

Throughout Ron's career, he has had the opportunity to work extensively with diverse populations, including African American families and gay and lesbian adults and youth in a variety of community based settings. He is particularly sensitive to the impact of race, culture and societal beliefs on a person's ability to cope with adversity.

Clinically, Ron holds to the belief that a client's quality of life is often constrained by the labels and perceptions associated with long-term emotional conditions and abuse. He embraces the Collaborative Stage Model of Treatment. Ron places a strong emphasis on establishing a partnership with his clients so that they have an active voice in the direction of their treatment. He is committed to helping individuals expand their awareness on how biological factors, family dynamics, trauma and cultural beliefs influence their current life circumstances. Ron works collaboratively with individuals in helping them develop healthy coping skills to meet the day-to-day challenges in their lives.

At the Center, Ron is the Director of the Advanced Clinical Fellowship and he practices a variety of clinical approaches that best bring about change with individuals, couples and families. These include DBT skills groups, short-term cognitive therapy, and couples and family therapy. In addition, Ron specializes in family-oriented play therapy to help young children and their families cope with trauma.

“A problem cannot be solved with the same consciousness that created it.” — Albert Einstein