about our agency
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Catalyst Clinical Group aims to foster a culturally sensitive space that empowers clients to create change, emphasizing acceptance, validation, self-awareness, and reduced barriers to treatment.
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The agency emphasizes individualized, evidence-based treatment tailored to each client, with a focus on understanding the client’s lived experience, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive services.
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• Commitment to respecting diversity, including cultural background, gender, and sexual orientation, as well as providing inclusive care (such as affirming support for LGBTQIA+ individuals)
• Focus on client empowerment, validation, and reducing barriers to access
• Application of a range of therapeutic modalities with flexibility and individualized approaches
• Recognition of the therapeutic relationship as fundamental to facilitating change
Catalyst Clinical Group (CCG) began as the vision of two Chicago-based therapists, Lucas Swenink, LCSW, and Caleb Collins, LCPC, who shared a commitment to providing compassionate and culturally responsive mental health care. After years of independent practice, they formally combined their work in January 2020, establishing Catalyst Clinical Group with a small team of six clinicians. From the outset, CCG positioned itself as a practice rooted in acceptance, validation, and empowerment, with a particular focus on trauma-informed and LGBTQ+ affirming care.
The early years of the practice were marked by steady growth and the building of a reputation as a safe, inclusive space for diverse communities. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, CCG adapted quickly by expanding into telehealth services, ensuring continuity of care during a time of unprecedented uncertainty. This period also brought new challenges, such as increased insurance audits and administrative burdens, but the group’s resilience allowed it not only to survive but to strengthen its model of care.
As the organization matured, it sought to extend its impact beyond direct service delivery. In 2019, CCG became a recognized National Health Service Corps (NHSC) site, affirming its dedication to accessible care for marginalized and underserved populations. It also began investing in building a Clinical Training Program, offering structured opportunities for interns and pre-licensed clinicians to develop their skills in a supportive environment. By 2024, this program had become a cornerstone of the practice, helping to train the next generation of culturally competent mental health providers.
Alongside its clinical growth, CCG earned recognition as a leader in the field. Awards such as Most Culturally Sensitive Practice in Illinois and Best of Chicago – Mental Health underscored its reputation for excellence and its steadfast commitment to affirming care. Its team expanded to 20 clinical staff members that include supervisors, directors, and a diverse roster of clinicians specializing in trauma, mood disorders, substance use, and co-occurring conditions.
Today, Catalyst Clinical Group stands as a thriving private practice, serving individuals, couples, families, and groups across Illinois. While governance is centered on its leadership team rather than a formal nonprofit board, its collaborative structure allows for both strategic direction and clinical innovation. The story of CCG is one of resilience and growth—beginning with two clinicians united by shared values, weathering the challenges of a global pandemic, and evolving into a recognized leader in inclusive, client-centered mental health care.
By the years
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Early years of practice-building by the founders, establishing reputations as culturally responsive therapists in Chicago.
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Recognized as a National Health Service Corps site, affirming its mission to provide accessible care to underserved and marginalized communities.
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Catalyst Clinical Group was officially established when the two practices combined, creating a unified organization with a dedicated office and staff.
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Expanded rapidly into telehealth to ensure continuity of care during COVID-19, while adapting to increased documentation and insurance challenges.
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A successful site visit and assessment from Health Resource and Service Administration (HRSA) reaffirmed CCG as a National Health Service Corps site, solidifying its mission to provide accessible care to underserved and marginalized communities. Also received awards such as Most Culturally Sensitive Practice in Illinois and Best of Chicago – Mental Health.
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Development of a formal Clinical Training Program, offering structured opportunities for interns and pre-licensed clinicians, positioning CCG as both a service provider and a teaching practice