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About Our Patients

SunCloud Health Patients are Complex, Diverse and Incredibly Resilient

For those wondering if we treat what you or a loved one may be struggling with, we thought the data below might be helpful. At SunCloud we collect a lot of data on our patients, their progress and what types of interventions have the most positive impact (and which don’t).

Our integrated treatment model is different from most. We want people to see what we do, how we do it, how well we do it and where we can improve.

Patients deserve nothing less than this level of transparency.

We provide integrated care because our patients need it. In 2024, of the 559 patients admitted to all of our programs:

  • 26% of all SunCloud patients had a dual diagnosis of an eating disorder (ED) and a substance use disorder (SUD)
  • 44% of patients had a trauma and substance use disorder (SUD) diagnosis
  • 26% of patients had a trauma and eating disorder (ED) diagnosis
  • 90% of patients were diagnosed with 3 or more diagnoses
  • 65% of patients had a diagnosis of a trauma and stressor-related disorder
  • 73% of patients had a diagnosis of depression
  • 32% of patients had a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • 44% of patients had a trauma and substance use disorder (SUD) diagnosis
  • 24% of patients had an eating disorder (ED), mood disorder, and trauma diagnosis
  • 39% of patients had a substance use disorder (SUD), mood disorder, and trauma diagnosis
  • 26% of patients identify as BIPOC
  • 42% of patients identify as LGBTQ+

Video: DR. KIM ON WHY PEOPLE WITH BOTH ED AND SA WHO DON’T FIT IN TO STANDARD SA OR ED TREATMENT SETTINGS.

Kimberly Dennis, MD, CEDS, on why people with both ED and SA who don’t fit in to standard SA or ED treatment settings.

Who They Really Are

The people who seek our guidance, are special. These human beings; our patients, have an endurance and stamina stronger than most of us can imagine. Every day they show up for treatment willing to face their own darkness, and to shine light on the wounds and pain which has remained hidden behind the shadow of addiction. Most of our patients come from broken family systems that are at minimum dysfunctional, which may include severe physical emotional and psychological abuse, neglect, bullying, abusive romantic partnerships, being marginalized for sexual and/or gender identity, and race.One thing each of our patients share in common is this: at some point, and at no fault of their own, our patients lost their footing on life’s pathway. Whether they were misguided, mislead passively or forcefully, at some point, our patients lost sight of their connection to a Higher Power and Higher Purpose in life; a Spiritual connection which provides depth, meaning, and eternal peace. SunCloud is not allied with any religious sect or denomination, nor do we impose political beliefs on our patients, however we do enthusiastically support and encourage each of our patients to find their own truth and re-discover their passion for life by developing and exploring a relationship with a Higher Power of their own understanding. Addiction thrives in isolation. Recovery blossoms in togetherness and unity.

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We often remind our Patient’s (and ourselves) that giving back to others what you’ve been given, is a beautiful and powerful way to strengthen one’s own recovery. Our treatment philosophy is rooted in spiritual principals and carrying the message of recovery is one that we practice as staff and encourage our patients to as well. Our lives become richer when we share the light within ourselves. Authenticity, passion and creative energy, and commitment to living authentically, is something that all of our patients are working hard to achieve every day. They all seek hope and inspiration every day.

Video: KIMBERLY DENNIS, MD, CEDS, OF USING AN INDIVIDUALIZED APPROACH.

Kimberly Dennis, MD, CEDS, on the importance of using an individualized approach.

Suffering from addiction, Mental illness and PTSD sucks the hope from your heart and replaces it with shame, guilt, regret and hopelessness. As our patients work on becoming whole, they are re-claiming their natural and God given gifts. Whether that be resuming an acting career, creating an algorithm for a web-designing site, or picking up the paint brush again, each of our patients craves hope.

By participating in treatment, our patients can benefit in the following ways:

  • Their lives are saved, both literally in many cases as well as spiritually and emotionally.
  • They can continue going to school or work, spending time with loved ones, and doing what makes their lives meaningful.
  • They can rest assured knowing that we are working in collaboration with their other providers in a way that ensures our interests are aligned and centered around helping them improve their condition.
  • They learn to respond to emotional adversity with healthy thoughts and actions.
  • They surrender their lives to being who and what they were always meant to be and are no longer victim to the compulsive and self-destructive thoughts and actions dictated by their disease.
  •  They learn to rediscover the wonders of life to include the value of family, friends, their professions, their passions and their souls.
  • They are able to address the physical and emotional components of their illness, often preventing the untreated or poorly treated behavioral illness from causing a costly and sometimes deadly related medical illness.
  • They are able to take good care of themselves physically, emotionally and spiritually; many times this means the resolution of physical illness that was either associated with active mental illness or physical health that was unattended to due to the active mental illness. Our patients learn to care about their health and engage in recommended preventive medical, dental and mental health care activities.

Video: Considering Treatment at SunCloud Health?

Dr. Sita shares what patients can expect.

Video: DR. KIM ON WHY SOME PATIENTS FEEL THAT THEY MAY NOT FIT IN HERE.

Kimberly Dennis, MD, CEDS, explains how due to previous experiences, some patients think they won’t fit in at our program.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SUNCLOUD HEALH BY VIEWING OUR VIDEO FAQ PAGE HERE

Learn More

Video: TORN TO PIECES-HOOD, A QUOTE BY WILLIAM JAMES. WE ALL HAVE IT.

Dr. Marcia Nickow, PSY.D., CADC, CGP, Clinical Director on the relevance of a quote by William James, torn to pieces hood. We all have it.

Explaining SunCloud’s Integrated Model Why is an integrated treatment model essential to successfully treating patients?

Dr. Kim Dennis, Co-Founder and Medical Director at SunCloud Health, discusses the vital role the integrated model (that she is pioneering at SunCloud Health) plays in the success of treating patients with co-occurring disorders and underlying trauma. How does SunCloud create an authentic culture of patient support?

2024 Demographic Fact Sheet

  • 26% of all SunCloud patients had a dual diagnosis of an eating disorder (ED) and a substance use disorder (SUD)
  • 44% of patients had a trauma and substance use disorder (SUD) diagnosis
  • 26% of patients had a trauma and eating disorder (ED) diagnosis
  • 90% of patients were diagnosed with 3 or more diagnoses
Rachel Collins, LCSW
Site Director of Northbrook PHP and IOP

Rachel Collins, LCSW, is the Site Director of SunCloud Health’s Northbrook Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs for both adolescents and adults. Rachel earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and went on to complete her master’s degree in social work from Michigan State University. She has since worked in a wide range of settings, including inpatient treatment, PHP/IOP programs, therapeutic group homes, and private practice. Rachel specializes in treating trauma (using Cognitive Processing Therapy) and anxiety, practicing through a relational, compassionate, and client-centered lens. She is passionate about creating a therapeutic space in which clients feel safe and able to explore various parts of themselves with curiosity as opposed to judgement. In addition to her leadership and clinical work, she is passionate about creating art, and learning about the intersection between creativity and mental health.

Kayla Corirossi, MA, LCSW
Site Director, Naperville PHP/IOP (Adolescents & Adults)

Kayla Corirossi, MA, LCSW, is the Site Director of SunCloud Health’s Naperville Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs for adolescents and adults. She brings extensive experience working with individuals across the lifespan, including adolescents, adults, and geriatric populations, and specializes in the treatment of mood disorders, trauma, substance use, family systems, forensic populations, and individuals in crisis.

Kayla has worked in a wide range of clinical and community settings, including community-based interventions, police crisis response, correctional facilities, inpatient treatment, PHP/IOP programs, and with vulnerable and underserved populations. In addition to her clinical and leadership work, she is passionate about providing mental health education and advocacy within the community.

Kayla earned her Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Psychology and Sociology from Aurora University and went on to complete her Master’s degree in Forensic Social Work, also at Aurora University. Her clinical approach is evidence-based, compassionate, trauma-informed, and integrative, emphasizing collaboration and individualized care.

Driven by a personal mission to meet individuals where they are, Kayla is committed to helping clients feel safe, supported, and understood. She strives to create a natural and empathetic healing environment while ensuring individuals from all backgrounds and identities know they are not alone and have access to meaningful resources and support.

Elizabeth E. Sita, MD
Medical Director of Adult Services

Dr. Elizabeth E. Sita, MD, is a Board Certified psychiatrist specializing in the care of patients with eating disorders. She completed her undergraduate training at the University of Chicago and graduated with Highest Honors. She then earned her medical degree at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and was recognized with the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Psychiatry. She subsequently completed residency with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, where she was elected Chief Resident and received the Resident Psychiatrist Leadership & Service Award.
Upon completing her training, Dr. Sita came to Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, where she served as Assistant Medical Director of the Center for Eating Disorders and Director of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Services before transitioning to lead the new inpatient eating disorder unit as Medical Director of Eating Disorder Services at Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital – Chicago. In these roles, she has cared for a multitude of adolescents and adults struggling with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other eating disorders as well as severe, cooccurring mood, trauma, personality, and substance use disorders.
Dr. Sita has been recognized throughout her training and practice for a commitment to excellence in patient care and for her ability to engage patients in their most challenging moments. Her passions include the care of treatment-resistant eating and mood disorders as well as questions of medical capacity and end-of-life decision making.
She believes that, first and foremost, human connection is key to mental health and well-being and strives to share this philosophy in each and every patient encounter. She is excited to bring her expertise to SunCloud Health as the Medical Director of Adult Services!
 
VIDEO: Meet Elizabeth E. Sita, MD, Medical Director of Adult Services


 https://youtu.be/JbmELh2UGXE

Lacey Lemke, PsyD
Assistant Vice President of Clinical Services

Dr. Lacey Lemke (she/her) is a licensed clinical health psychologist with specialized expertise in the treatment of eating disorders and the practice of medical and health psychology. She completed her doctoral training in clinical psychology with a Primary Care emphasis at the Adler School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Lemke went on to complete both her predoctoral clinical internship and postdoctoral fellowship through Ascension Health, where she gained advanced training working with individuals experiencing eating disorders and self-injurious behaviors, as well as within pediatric subspecialty settings including endocrinology, neurology, and adolescent medicine.

Dr. Lemke is deeply committed to providing evidence-based, compassionate care and collaborates closely with interdisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive treatment. Her professional mission is to support patients in achieving their fullest potential by guiding them to the most appropriate level of care and empowering them to make meaningful, sustainable progress toward improved health and well-being.

VIDEO: 2. Meet Lacey Lemke, PsyD.

https://youtu.be/iKQeU9s5U2k?rel=o