NAME : Amanda Kunzer, NACC Woman of the Month, September 2018
Q: What is Edgewood Clinical Services?
A: Edgewood Clinical Services is a comprehensive, outpatient, mental health agency that offers therapy for all ages and stages in life, groups for children and teens, psychological testing and psychiatry/medication assistance.
Q: What is your background and what led you to Edgewood Clinical Services?
A: For over 10 years I worked at the DuPage County Health Department providing mental health treatment to the chronically mentally ill population. I was also part of the Trauma and Disaster Team for the County. I worked with the homeless population with Catholic Charities for a few years before I landed at Edgewood in 2014. What attracted me to Edgewood was the many services that were offered at one practice. The entire family could obtain mental health services at one place. I also was impressed with their commitment to taking care of our community. They are also passionate about reducing the stigma of mental illness and that is of importance to me.
Q: What is your top goal for Edgewood Clinical Services?
A: To reduce the stigma surrounding mental health treatment. Edgewood is passionate about mainstreaming mental health into the fabric of our communities. As Edgewood serves thousands of individuals, couples, and families each year, we see how many of life’s struggles can tremendously impact one’s mental health. Seeking help for these struggles is nothing to be ashamed about.
Q: How do you get people excited about their mental health?
A: There really is NO one that is “Clicking their Heels” to go to therapy. What we CAN do is make starting that journey for someone comfortable and easy. We take time to match individuals with the best therapist for their current concerns. We have a wonderful billing department that verifies insurance benefits and reviews with our clients to mitigate any financial surprises that may occur through the course of treatment. Our desire is for clients to focus on their care.
Q: What would you say are the three top skills are to successfully lead an organization?
A: Edgewood’s entire leadership team is extremely supportive of the staff. Leadership continues to embrace change and is always open to improving existing organizational systems. Edgewood’s leadership also embraces the concepts of experiential learning. Its ok to make mistakes, own the mistakes and learn from them.
Q: What advice would you give for other women in business?
A: As Women, our words and actions wield the power to plant seeds of success or failure in the mind of another. I encourage everyone to think about that with everyone you do business with. The world has enough bullies and sabotagers. Be the inspirer.
Q: What gets you excited about your work?
A: Everybody struggles from time to time in life. If I can build up, support, give a kind word or give a valuable resource to someone that can help make their situation better... it makes all the difference to me. This keeps me very motivated.
Q: What is your involvement in the Chamber, WIB and community?
A: Edgewood has been involved in the chamber before I started in this role. Adam Russo, our Chairman & CEO, was chairman of the board at the chamber (2016-17) and is currently finishing his last year. I now attend most of the Chamber events, including WIB. IF I am not going to incredible Chamber events, I can be found working in the community promoting all the services that Edgewood has to offer to doctors, schools, community providers and residents.
Q: What are you most proud of?
A: My son. My role as being a mom, is the most important in my life. I made a point to instill volunteering and giving back to our community with him, as soon as he was walking. I would find ways to get him to help others like collecting school supplies, stuffing backpacks, collecting toiletries for the homeless shelter and ringing the salvation army bell while dressed up like an elf to name just a few.. He values helping others and will be a contributor in this life for others.
Q: If you had a chance for a “do-over” in life, what would you do?
A: Nothing! Everything I have gone through is a learning experience. I wouldn’t have grown without mistakes and bumps in the road. It’s important to own your mistakes and learn from them. I feel much more resilient having gone through the difficult times and feel like I can relate to others and be a support to them.
Headshots courtesy of Megan Drane, Firefly Nights Photography.
Edgewood Clinical Services has four convenient locations and has daytime, evening and weekend availability.
North Naperville Location:
600 E. Diehl Rd
Suite 110
Naperville, IL 60563
South Naperville Location:
2948 Artesian Rd.
Suite 112
Naperville, IL 60564
Plainfield Location:
14722 S. Naperville Rd.
Suite 100
Plainfield, IL 60544
Lisle Location:
1500 Eisenhower Lane
Suite 900
Lisle, IL 60532
Q: What is Edgewood Clinical Services?
A: Edgewood Clinical Services is a comprehensive, outpatient, mental health agency that offers therapy for all ages and stages in life, groups for children and teens, psychological testing and psychiatry/medication assistance.
Q: What is your background and what led you to Edgewood Clinical Services?
A: For over 10 years I worked at the DuPage County Health Department providing mental health treatment to the chronically mentally ill population. I was also part of the Trauma and Disaster Team for the County. I worked with the homeless population with Catholic Charities for a few years before I landed at Edgewood in 2014. What attracted me to Edgewood was the many services that were offered at one practice. The entire family could obtain mental health services at one place. I also was impressed with their commitment to taking care of our community. They are also passionate about reducing the stigma of mental illness and that is of importance to me.
Q: What is your top goal for Edgewood Clinical Services?
A: To reduce the stigma surrounding mental health treatment. Edgewood is passionate about mainstreaming mental health into the fabric of our communities. As Edgewood serves thousands of individuals, couples, and families each year, we see how many of life’s struggles can tremendously impact one’s mental health. Seeking help for these struggles is nothing to be ashamed about.
Q: How do you get people excited about their mental health?
A: There really is NO one that is “Clicking their Heels” to go to therapy. What we CAN do is make starting that journey for someone comfortable and easy. We take time to match individuals with the best therapist for their current concerns. We have a wonderful billing department that verifies insurance benefits and reviews with our clients to mitigate any financial surprises that may occur through the course of treatment. Our desire is for clients to focus on their care.
Q: What would you say are the three top skills are to successfully lead an organization?
A: Edgewood’s entire leadership team is extremely supportive of the staff. Leadership continues to embrace change and is always open to improving existing organizational systems. Edgewood’s leadership also embraces the concepts of experiential learning. Its ok to make mistakes, own the mistakes and learn from them.
Q: What advice would you give for other women in business?
A: As Women, our words and actions wield the power to plant seeds of success or failure in the mind of another. I encourage everyone to think about that with everyone you do business with. The world has enough bullies and sabotagers. Be the inspirer.
Q: What gets you excited about your work?
A: Everybody struggles from time to time in life. If I can build up, support, give a kind word or give a valuable resource to someone that can help make their situation better... it makes all the difference to me. This keeps me very motivated.
Q: What is your involvement in the Chamber, WIB and community?
A: Edgewood has been involved in the chamber before I started in this role. Adam Russo, our Chairman & CEO, was chairman of the board at the chamber (2016-17) and is currently finishing his last year. I now attend most of the Chamber events, including WIB. IF I am not going to incredible Chamber events, I can be found working in the community promoting all the services that Edgewood has to offer to doctors, schools, community providers and residents.
Q: What are you most proud of?
A: My son. My role as being a mom, is the most important in my life. I made a point to instill volunteering and giving back to our community with him, as soon as he was walking. I would find ways to get him to help others like collecting school supplies, stuffing backpacks, collecting toiletries for the homeless shelter and ringing the salvation army bell while dressed up like an elf to name just a few.. He values helping others and will be a contributor in this life for others.
Q: If you had a chance for a “do-over” in life, what would you do?
A: Nothing! Everything I have gone through is a learning experience. I wouldn’t have grown without mistakes and bumps in the road. It’s important to own your mistakes and learn from them. I feel much more resilient having gone through the difficult times and feel like I can relate to others and be a support to them.
Headshots courtesy of Megan Drane, Firefly Nights Photography.
Edgewood Clinical Services has four convenient locations and has daytime, evening and weekend availability.
North Naperville Location:
600 E. Diehl Rd
Suite 110
Naperville, IL 60563
South Naperville Location:
2948 Artesian Rd.
Suite 112
Naperville, IL 60564
Plainfield Location:
14722 S. Naperville Rd.
Suite 100
Plainfield, IL 60544
Lisle Location:
1500 Eisenhower Lane
Suite 900
Lisle, IL 60532