Dr. Lori A. Bolnick, Psy.D.

Since 1999, Dr. Bolnick has been providing therapeutic services to individuals (i.e., school-age through adulthood) and their families. Thinking outside the box, integrating her understanding of Clinical Psychology, Learning Disabilities, Health Psychology, and Neuropsychology, has allowed her to create innovative interventions. She believes each individual and family is a unique puzzle and no single intervention works with everyone.​  Dr. Bolnick is trained in behavioral management techniques, as well as cognitive-behavioral techniques to help individuals manage their internal thought processes and minimize irrational thoughts. Treatment can take many forms. Some need supportive therapy to address situational issues. Others may need to learn skills to manage overwhelming feeling.  With medical issues, individuals may need to learn acceptance of their limitations and pacing in order to maximize their functionality. 

Dr. Bolnick received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Child and Adolescent Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology (now The Chicago School). Her internship was completed at the Children's Study Center at Arkansas Children's Hospital.  Postdoctoral training was completed at United Stand Family Counseling Center, focusing on providing therapy and educational testing in the inner-city Chicago Catholic Schools.  She has been in private practice in the northwest suburbs of Chicago since 2006.

Besides her psychology training, Dr. Bolnick holds a Master's degree from the School of Communication Science and Disorders (Program in Learning Disabilities) at Northwestern University. She has worked in hospital settings, including Lutheran General Hospital's Pediatric Psychology Service and Illinois Masonic Medical Center's Pediatric Developmental Center. She also has 7 years of school-based experience working in the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools and the North Little Rock Public Schools.

In the past, Dr. Bolnick spent 5 years training clinical psychology doctoral students in their diagnostic and therapy practica in several inner-city Chicago Catholic Schools. She also has provided numerous in-services to teachers and administrators in the public and parochial schools.  In addition to her clinical responsibilities, she has experience in marketing (e.g., creating brochures and email marketing/networking campaigns), program development, and administration (e.g., automation and streamlining of clinical paperwork in a hospital setting; development of the Individual Catholic Education Plan, the Chicago Archdiocese equivalent to the Individual Education Plan; and management of a staff of up to 8 people).

Telehealth is here to stay, allowing clients to manage their time better by providing psychotherapy from home or work, as well as allowing easier access to those who have difficulty attending "in person" sessions (e.g., rural populations and those with chronic and acute health issues/disabilities). To try to improve the access to services for her Health Psychology clients, in December 2019, Dr. Bolnick sought to learn more about providing effective telebehavioral health services by enrolling in training through the Telebehavioral Health Institute. To date she has completed 6 courses and 24 hours of Telehealth specific continuing education coursework. The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), which is a long-term solution for legal and ethical Telemental Health services across state lines for Psychologist, went "live" on July 1, 2020. Dr. Bolnick applied and, on July 31, 2020, ASPPB determined that she had met all requirements for the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT). Her "E. Passport" allows her to practice Telepsychology from her home state of Illinois to clients in any participating PSYPACT state. The Illinois Psychological Association announced that Dr. Bolnick was one of the first known Illinois Licensed Psychologists to receive an "E. Passport," making her a Pioneer in this new area of growth. 

Dr. Bolnick grew up in Chicago and has lived in the Greater Schaumburg area (NW suburbs) with her family since 2014. She identifies as part of the chronic health disorders community and neurodivergent (Learning Disability). Additionally, she has been a caretaker for family members with medical and mental health issues.