Lisa Novak, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Co-Founder
Dr. Novak earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She specializes in neuropsychological assessments for children, adolescents, and young adults with a variety of presenting concerns, as well as supervising other clinicians in their assessment work. Prior to co-founding Illuminate Psychological Assessments, Dr. Novak served as the Director of Clinical Training at a group practice on the North Shore of Chicago. Dr. Novak has worked in a myriad of settings, including private practice, social service agencies, and inpatient hospitals.
Dr. Novak’s areas of specialty include learning disabilities, ADHD, and the interplay between physical and mental health concerns. She understands the nuance of clinical presentations that might include masking/camouflaging, especially in females. Dr. Novak knows that the evaluation process spans beyond the scheduled appointments, and she integrates information from many areas of a student’s life to help formulate an in-depth understanding of their strengths and vulnerabilities. Dr. Novak attends school meetings, closely collaborates with other providers, and remains available to parents for consultation, in order to ensure that the evaluation process yields a positive change for the individual and family.
You might be able to hear Dr. Novak’s Canadian roots in her pronunciation of the word “about”, but her 15+ years in the Chicago area has made it nearly undetectable. She plays Wordle religiously, bakes a delicious chocolate chip banana bread, and serves on the board of a wonderful 501c3 organization whose mission is to help parents raise resilient and emotionally healthy kids (www.catchiscommunity.org). Though she’s often on-the-go, she most deeply cherishes her time with her husband and their two boys.
You can reach Dr. Novak directly at:
lisa@illuminateneuropsych.com
312.857.6393
Noelle Pontarelli, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Co-Founder
Dr. Pontarelli earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago. Prior to co-founding Illuminate Psychological Assessments, she completed extensive training in the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and young adults, with externships at the University of Chicago Medical Center, Head Start programs, public school districts, and several private practices within the Chicagoland area. Dr. Pontarelli completed her predoctoral internship at Regional Mental Health Center, a community mental health center serving Northwest Indiana, in 2013.
Dr. Pontarelli’s previous research, including her dissertation as well as several published papers and book chapters, examines risk factors of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders. As such, she brings specific expertise in assessment and follow-up care of individuals with symptoms of anxiety and mood disorders, although she thrives on the challenge of working with families with a wide variety of concerns. Dr. Pontarelli’s practice is informed by her passion for the science of neuropsychological assessment, as well as her dedication to the art of forming connections and developing an understanding of her clients and their families.
A native of Glenview, Dr. Pontarelli is a proud product of local schools and an active member of a boisterous and ever-growing extended family. In her free time, she takes her job of “aunting” her seven nieces and nephews very seriously, in addition to enjoying the quieter pursuits of crossword puzzles and cross-stitching.
You can reach Dr. Pontarelli directly at:
noelle@illuminateneuropsych.com
847.802.8221
Neal Paul, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Paul earned both his Master’s degree in counseling and Doctor of Psychology degree from Adler University (formerly the Adler School of Professional Psychology) in Chicago. He completed his undergraduate degree at Miami University in Ohio. Dr. Paul specializes in the assessment of children, adolescents, and young adults with a range of social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties, in addition to testing for learning disorders, academic underachievement, ADHD/attention problems, and executive functioning. He maintains areas of particular interest in the development of personality and the identification of one’s strengths. Dr. Paul strongly believes that understanding a person’s learning style, psychological profile, and areas of strength play significant roles in helping them overcome their challenges. He seeks to convey this information not only to students and their parents, but to school teams, therapists, and other providers involved in their well-being.
Prior to joining Illuminate Psychological Assessments, Dr. Paul conducted child/adolescent therapy and neuropsychological testing at group practices in the North Shore of Chicago. He completed his pre-doctoral training at Adler Community Health Services (an American Psychological Association accredited training site) and a post- doctoral fellowship in private practice. Additionally, Dr. Paul has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and young adults in a diverse array of settings, including several elementary and middle schools, a community college wellness center, a partial hospitalization program, community mental health clinics, and residential facilities.
Originally from the Cleveland/Akron area, Dr. Paul has called Chicago home for well over a decade. In his free time, he enjoys reading, rooting for his hometown teams (which is not always easy!), listening to his collection of vinyl records, and traveling with his wife.
You can reach Dr. Paul directly at:
neal@illuminateneuropsych.com
224.326.3853
Olena Vasilik, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Vasilik earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s Child and Adolescent program. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Jewish Child & Family Services in Northbrook and her post-doctoral fellowship at a private practice in Arlington Heights, with a focus on the neuropsychological assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Vasilik has also trained and worked professionally in a number of settings, including elementary schools, outpatient and inpatient mental health centers, psychotherapeutic residential facilities and summer camps, and private practices across the Chicagoland area. Most recently, she served as the psychologist overseeing the counseling and assessment of students from 4th through 8th grades, at The Frances Xavier Warde School’s Holy Name Campus.
Dr. Vasilik’s areas of clinical interest include mood and spectrum disorders. She works with families in a collaborative manner and believes that the assessment process can provide clients with the opportunity to gain insight and tap into potential that may have formerly been unseen. Dr. Vasilik considers it an honor to join clients and their families on the path toward discovery and growth.
As a second-generation Ukrainian-American, Dr. Vasilik has a strong connection to her ethnic background. She serves on the executive board of a Ukrainian youth organization, was a member of a Ukrainian dance ensemble, and even performed with a Ukrainian sketch comedy troupe. Aside from all-things Ukrainian and clinical, she also enjoys spending quality family time with her husband and twin children.
You can reach Dr. Vasilik directly at:
olena@illuminateneuropsych.com
872.529.0012
Ross Arneson, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Arneson earned his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. He completed his pre-doctoral internship at Jewish Child & Family Services and had the good fortune of working alongside Dr. Novak. Dr. Arneson’s post-doctoral fellowship was at a therapeutic day school, where he witnessed firsthand the intersection between education and mental health. Following his post-doctoral training, he began working in private practice. Dr. Arneson had the honor and privilege of becoming the Director of Psychological Assessment, and eventually the Clinical Director, for a vibrant practice in the northwest suburbs of Chicago for 8 years before joining Illuminate during the summer of 2023.
As a parent of a child who went through the neuropsychological testing process, Dr. Arneson truly understands the parent’s perspective. Dr. Arneson’s first and primary goal is to meet families where they are and ensure their comfort and confidence. Dr. Arneson’s clinical interests include ADHD, developmental trauma(s), international & domestic adoption evaluations, learning disorders, and mood disorders. Dr. Arneson aims to ensure that he can answer the questions of all involved in the assessment process, including the child or adolescent, and is available to families for ongoing consultation.
In addition to providing comprehensive neuropsychological assessments, Dr. Arneson also provides therapy for children, adolescents, young adults, and families. His clinical interests include ADHD, adoption, anxiety, attachment, autism spectrum disorders, chronic medical illnesses, LGBTQIA+, mood disorders, parent coaching, and trauma. Dr. Arneson is a Circle of Security (COS) parent educator. COS is a caregiving training and psychoeducation intervention that aims to improve caregiver-child relationships and enhance secure attachment.
Dr. Arneson believes that having experience and knowledge of neuropsychological assessments and therapy helps him see everyone holistically, apply research-based interventions, and honor the brain-body connection. Dr. Arneson offers telehealth and in-person services., with the authority to practice inter-jurisdictional telepsychology in PSYPACT participating states (PSYPACT Map).
Bringing a light-hearted and honest approach to work and life, Dr. Arneson believes everyone has unique strengths and weaknesses. Dr. Arneson’s greatest weakness is being directionally challenged. Although he has learned a thing or two by calling Chicago home for the past decade, he still relies on his GPS to orient to the lake and get around town in a timely fashion. As a native Minnesotan, Dr. Arneson actually loves winter and insists on being by the water during the summer. Along with his husband, he is a proud father to a child and has a happy family formed through adoption.
You can reach Dr. Arneson directly at:
ross@illuminateneuropsych.com
847-220-7543
Amy Wolok, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Wolok earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She completed her undergraduate degree at Indiana University, Bloomington. She has specialized in neuropsychological assessments with children and adolescents throughout her entire career and has spent time training in a variety of clinical and school settings in the Chicagoland area. Her clinical interests include ADHD, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and developmental delays.
While providing a better understanding of a child’s challenges, her approach to assessment is strength-based and focuses on uncovering each child’s potential. She values close collaboration with teachers, therapy providers, and others involved in a child’s life, knowing that it takes a comprehensive view to best support her clients. Her goal is to make the assessment process a fun, stress-free, and positive experience.
In her free time, Dr. Wolok loves to spend time with family and friends, play board games (Scrabble is among her favorites!) and be outdoors any chance she gets. She has two children who keep life interesting and teach her something new every day.
You can reach Dr. Wolok directly at:
amy@illuminateneuropsych.com