I am a Child and Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist with over 25 years of experience working with children experiencing emotional, social, behavioral, and learning challenges. I completed my residency program in Psychiatry and my fellowship program in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Chicago. Following the completion of my clinical training, I spent 12 years as the Medical Director of Mt. Sinai Hospital’s Outpatient Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Program, where I continued as a consultant for the clinic for four more years. For more than 12 years, I served as the Medical Director of the Inpatient Unit for adolescent girls at Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center. In addition to my clinical practice, I also enjoy teaching and have had the pleasure of educating a variety of medical students, as well as, psychiatric and pediatric residents in the assessment and treatment of children with emotional and behavioral disorders. My years of clinical experience in large medical groups left me searching for a new model of more personalized care for children, adolescents, and families struggling with emotional and behavioral problems. In 2007, I embarked on the journey of assembling a team of skilled professionals including psychologists, neuropsychologists, developmental specialists, and psychiatrists to provide comprehensive, scientifically-based assessments and treatments in a supportive and nurturing environment. The result of this journey is Afg Guidance Center. Over the past several years, Afg Guidance Center has rapidly grown into a unique and thriving program that allows our team the opportunity to collaborate and create personalized treatment for each of our patients. I am proud to be a part of this talented group of clinicians and look forward to continuously learn from them, as well as, from my patients.

Urooj Yazdani holds an M.D. from the Chicago Medical School and an M.Ed. from the Johns Hopkins University School of Education. She completed her adult psychiatric residency training at the University of Louisville and her pediatric psychiatry fellowship from the University of Chicago. As a former teacher, her interests in the realm of child & adolescent psychiatry have been vast and include common physiological illnesses such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD as well as nuanced topics such as the manifestations of childhood trauma, refugee and immigrant mental health. Her research on the link between systemic poverty and intergenerational trauma became the basis of a feature documentary, titled ‘A Destruction’. The film was created with the support of Johns Hopkins University, the Indus Resource Centre and Kartemquin Films. It was developed by the Tribeca Film Institute and was screened at film festivals around the globe. The film has been contracted for broadcast distribution through Filmoption International, educational distribution through InfoBase Learning and Alexander Street/Proquest Films. It has debuted on television networks around the globe as well as classrooms and universities across the country. Through her unique skill set, Dr.Yazdani hopes to be an influence on how to make the public invested in complex psychodynamic issues. She aspires to utilize her skills in media literacy, her expertise in storytelling and her passion for advocacy for the betterment of our global community.

As an Adult Psychiatrist, I am experienced in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders (including depression, bipolar, OCD, and PTSD) and ADHD. I received my undergraduate degree in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago with minors in biology and neuroscience. I went on to get my medical degree from Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed my general psychiatry residency at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine. I enjoy working with patients, often in conjunction with their families, in order to help them live up to their full potential. I strive to make sure patients feel heard and believe in working collaboratively toward an appropriate treatment plan that meets their goal using as few medications as possible. I also believe that not everything can be treated with medications alone and that no person exists as an island. Therefore, I am thrilled to be able to work in conjunction with highly and diversely trained clinicians who can provide additional support and therapies to ensure the best possible outcomes.

I am a Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist experienced with the treatment of emotional, interpersonal, and behavioral disturbances. These areas include depression, anxiety, mood instability, and executive functioning dysregulation. I received my medical degree from Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School. I completed my general psychiatry residency at Mount Sinai Beth Israel in New York City and my child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. I am drawn to the field of medicine and psychiatry by the prospect and desire to work with children, teens, and their families. I specifically welcome the challenge to work with young adults to implement lasting change and ensure they feel heard, understood, and accepted. I strive to draw out insights from clients, work together toward a shared understanding and discovery, and tailor treatment approaches in a strength-based model. In the field of psychiatry, medications cannot take the place of support. In child and adolescent psychiatry, we tend to “start low and go slow” with medications. By doing so, children are on the least amount of medication necessary. I am fortunate to be surrounded by a group of diversely and highly trained clinicians, who can evaluate and support the educational and therapeutic needs of our clients. Their perspectives and expertise are invaluable in shedding light on the client’s needs, helping me to learn and grow in this field.

Hi, I’m Dr. Graczyk (pronounced “gray-zack”), though many of my patients and families also know me as Dr. Matthew. I am a double board-certified psychiatrist in both adult psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry. I completed my adult psychiatry residency at Saint Louis University and my child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at the University of Chicago. My clinical experience includes working with a wide range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, bipolar disorder, trauma/PTSD, learning disorders, and autism. Whether working with children, teens, or adults, it is such a privilege being a part of one’s journey toward mental well-being. My therapeutic philosophy involves a holistic and collaborative approach. I work closely with patients and their families to create a personalized treatment plan that tailors their unique needs and aligns with their specific goals. My approach prioritizes lifestyle and behavioral factors, while remaining open to the use of medication when necessary. Above all, I strive to create an environment where patients feel safe, affirmed, and empowered. Beyond my clinical practice, I am committed to advocacy efforts aimed at reducing stigma surrounding mental health and improving access to care for gender-diverse populations. My goal is to positively impact not only the lives of my patients but also the broader conversation around mental health awareness and support.