Meet Our Therapists

Kristy Johnstone received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Eastern Illinois University in 1996 and went on to receive her Masters of Social Work Degree from the Loyola University of Chicago in 1999.  Since then, Kristy has worked with children, adolescents, and families in a variety of settings.  Tender Hearts Therapy, Ltd. was founded in Downers Grove, IL. in 2014. Over the years, training has been completed in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Functional Analysis and Behavioral Management Plans, Anxiety Treatment Techniques, Attentional Issues, Domestic Violence Groups, Child Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Anger Management, Stress Reduction, and Relaxation Techniques, Communication Techniques, and much other mental health and behavioral areas.  As a Clinical Social Worker, Kristy's main objective is to be an effective listener who works with her clients in developing treatment goals.  As a caring and compassionate therapist, Kristy will provide a comfortable and trusting relationship as the basis for working toward positive changes.  She understands the demand of being a parent and has a special focus on helping parents deal with the stresses that can be involved with day-to-day behaviors and emotions of children and adolescents. 

Justyna graduated with her Bachelor’s of Liberal Arts degree in 2021 from Benedictine University and her Master of Social Work degree from Aurora University in 2023. Justyna’s experience includes working with young and older individuals who have a wide range of Mental Health diagnoses such as ASD, OCD, ADHD, PTSD anxiety, and depression. Justyna utilizes CBT, art therapy, and exposure therapy based on the child and their best fit. Justyna has worked with children since her early teens babysitting to working as a BCBA with young kids who have autism. Justyna continued her journey working with children when interning as a school social worker, and now she works with children one-on-one during therapy sessions as well in a dialysis clinic. Justyna’s motto expresses building rapport with a young individual is key to success during therapy sessions. As therapy sessions become more frequent, the child will then become more confident and be more open to sharing to get the support they need and deserve from a therapist. Justyna’s goal as a therapist is to have all clients realize that sessions are a safe place to be open and share any experiences they want to talk about.