Administrative Staff

“I do have to also say that I love your title! Not everyone has a Patient Happiness Concierge. One of the MANY reasons why we love this practice so much. You are all amazing.”

As the New Patient Concierge, I will be your first point of contact at AMANI Clinical Services if you are a prospective new patient. I am dedicated to listening to your needs and pairing you with the therapist who is best suited for you.

As Amani Clinical Services’ New Patient Concierge, I strive to make each person’s first experience with our practice feel welcoming, supported, and seamless. I’m passionate about the mental health field and believe that thoughtful administrative and operational support plays an important role in making high-quality care more accessible. It is an honor to help connect individuals and families with the services they need while supporting the incredible work of our clinical team.

 I will work with you through your first appointments to make sure everything goes smoothly and all your questions/concerns are addressed, before you begin working with our Scheduling & Patient Happiness Concierge, Lidia, who schedules current patients.

As a Person…

Outside of work, I love exploring Chicago’s restaurant scene, listening to podcasts, and getting lost in a good book. Music has always been an important part of my life—I play the piano, sing, and am even trained in opera! Most of all, I love spending time with my cat, Kiwi, who keeps life entertaining and is never far from my side.

She/her/hers

I delight in making you feel welcomed and valued as I take care of your unique scheduling needs. I’ll talk with you on the phone to problem solve your scheduling needs and read your emails carefully to ensure your satisfaction. Whether you need to schedule a recurring appointment, a neuropsychological testing appointment, or need to cancel and reschedule an appointment, I am happy and ready to serve you.

As a Person…

In my free time, I like to work on DIY projects around my home. I love hanging out with my husband, our 5 adult daughters and their spouses, and my grandson.

She/her/hers

My overall goal at AMANI is to make insurance and billing as stress-free as possible for our patients. Insurance billing is often a confusing nightmare for patients, so I attempt to breakdown the language insurance uses for a more user friendly understanding of the process. I also advocate for our patients if there are insurance denials to alleviate any stress patients may have and prevent a disruption in services. My goal is to make sure that the process of insurance and billing doesn’t prevent anyone from seeking help. Unlike other offices which use a service to automatically process claims, I strive to look at inconsistencies and ensure that your insurance is processing your claims properly and to your maximum benefit. While it can be frustrating – especially when I have to call multiple times on the same claim – I truly do think this is something that sets us apart.

As a Person…

Outside of my work with AMANI, I spend time with my daughter and friends, officiate swim meets, read, do puzzles, watch movies (Star Wars frequently) and TV (currently the newest season of Great British Bake Off), and do home renovations on my 1905 house.

She/her/hers

“Paula, thank you and all in office, who have helped me so much.”

“I appreciate the compassionate communication and set up of this practice. So many others just tell us there are no openings and to look elsewhere. I can’t comprehend that. So thank you again!!”

“Thank you so much Lidia.  Dr. Kroencke and everyone I’ve worked with have been wonderful, this of course includes you.”

“I want to thank you for always being so helpful!”