WE HAVE A SEASONED TEAM OF THERAPISTS,
EACH WITH THEIR OWN UNIQUE AREAS OF EXPERTISE.
ALL OF OUR CLINICIANS FOCUS ON HELPING PEOPLE LIVING
WITH CHRONIC MEDICAL ILLNESS.
Dr. Tiffany Taft
Clinical Health Psychologist
Practice Director
Dr. Taft founded Oak Park Behavioral Medicine in 2012 and serves in an administrative leadership role. She completed her doctoral degree at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and predoctoral internship at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. Dr. Taft helped launch the first integrated behavioral medicine service in gasatroenterology in the United States at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, where she worked from 2009 to 2023. She is an internationally recognized expert in the psychosocial effects of chronic digestive diseases. Now as a “retired” Associate Professor, Dr. Taft has brought together an excellent team of clinicians dedicated to expanding access to specialty GI psychology services for patients in Illinois communities and across the United States.
Dr. Emily Edlynn
Clinical Health Psychologist
Director of Pediatric Behavioral Medicine
Dr. Edlynn completed her doctoral degree at Loyola University Chicago, predoctoral internship at Stanford University, and postdoctoral fellowship at Children’s Hospital Orange County. Before coming to Oak Park Behavioral Medicine, Dr. Edlynn served as the clinical director of pediatric palliative care at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and as director of Medical Day Treatment at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Dr. Edlynn writes an advice column for Parents.com and is the author of the upcoming book, Autonomy-Supportive Parenting: Reduce Parental Burnout and Raise Competent, Confident Children.
Specializes in:
Child & Adolescent Therapy, Youth Grief & Loss, Chronic Medical Illness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Therapies, Medical Hypnotherapy
Emily Hahn, MSW
Social Worker
Office Manager
Supervised by Dr. Tiffany Taft
Emily is a Licensed Social Worker who has been with Oak Park Behavioral Medicine since 2020. Since she joined the team, she has worked with individuals ages 7-75. Though she enjoys working with all ages, Emily specializes in early-late adulthood. Prior to earning her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Aurora University, Emily taught for eight years at the middle and high school levels. When she isn’t at work, Emily enjoys taking long walks with her dog, being in the sunshine, and spending as much time as possible with family and friends.
Specializes in:
Adult Therapy, Chronic Medical Illness, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, School and Educational Issues
Alix Kramer, MSW
Social Worker
Supervised by Dr. Emily Edlynn
Alix is a licensed social worker who works with all ages, but specializes in late adolescence and early adulthood (ages 16-35). After studying journalism at Northwestern and working in the art world, she returned to Chicago for a master’s degree in social work at the University of Chicago. After interning at OPBMed and then on the GI service at Lurie Children’s Hospital, she was thrilled to return full time to Oak Park Behavioral Medicine. In her free time, Alix loves to knit, sing, and spend time with her black cat Arnold.
Specializes in:
Adolescent and Young Adult Therapy, Chronic Medical Illness, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for IBS, Mindfulness Approaches
Clark Bray, MSW
Social Worker
Supervised by Dr. Emily Edlynn
Clark is a recent graduate of the University of Chicago School of Social work who enjoys working with pediatric and young adult patients. Prior to studying English Literature at McGill University in Montreal, he spent time in Paris teaching English at two elementary schools. Clark has worked extensively with children from age 6 and up, including with GRO Community in Chicago, Becket Family of Services in Newbury Vermont, and the Epilepsy Foundation of New England. In addition to his work with children, Clark also worked as a case manager for people experiencing homelessness with Franciscan Outreach in Chicago. When he is not working, Clark enjoys watching movies, weightlifting, and hiking.
Specializes in:
Child, Adolescent, and Young Adult Therapy, Chronic Medical Illness
Dr. Laureen (Lori) Burda
Clinical Health Psychologist
As of January 2023, Dr. Burda is only accepting patients for Bariatric Surgery evaluations.
Specializes in:
Bariatric Surgery Evaluation