Linda Gilkerson, Ph.D.
Linda is a professor at Erikson Institute and founder and executive director of its Fussy Baby Network. Linda has specialized in creating programs to support parents and their infants. She works with state agencies and national organizations such as Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families to address the needs of infants and families. On the Fussy Baby team, Linda directs our program, develops Fussy Baby Network programs in other states, and provides home visiting and warmline services.

Larry Gray, M.D.
Larry is a board-certified general pediatrician with subspecialty certification in developmental and behavioral pediatrics. He is an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Chicago Medical Center. His clinical practice and research focus on the behavioral and developmental issues of infants and young children with a special emphasis on temperament and the developmental and behavioral ramifications of early stress. As the medical director for the Fussy Baby Network, he consults with the network team on each family and as required sees families and infants in our Fussy Baby Clinic at the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital. This clinic helps parents concerned about medical conditions and helps them understand their baby’s behavior, development and temperament.

Margret Nickels, Ph.D.
Nickels is a clinical psychologist who has worked with parents and children in the Chicago area for more than 20 years. She has extensive experience as a child, adult, and family therapist helping to promote healthy relationships. At the Fussy Baby Network, she  provides clinical consultation to the team and guides our infant specialists in supporting foster parents caring for infants.

Karen Benson, M.Ed.
Karen, a senior infant mental health specialist with a master’s degree in child development, has worked with parents and infants for 30 years. She has been a child therapist, coordinator of parent group services and coordinator of consultation and training at two Chicago area social service agencies. At the Fussy Baby Network, she leads parent/infant groups, consults to community organizations and participates in our home visiting program.

Nancy Mork, L.C.S.W.
Nancy is a social worker and senior infant mental health specialist who holds an infant studies certificate from Erikson. She has worked with families, young children, and infants for 15 years as a therapist and group leader. She serves as a board member of the Illinois Association of Infant Mental Health. At the Fussy Baby Network, Nancy is a member of our home visiting team and provides community outreach and training.

Marsha Baker, OTR/L, M.Ed.
Marsha is an occupational therapist and infant specialist with 20 years experience working with infants, young children, and their families. She earned her master’s degree in child development and certification in infant mental health and infant studies from Erikson. She also is a certified infant massage instructor. She has specialized in treating infants with feeding problems and sensory/regulatory disorders. Marsha consults to community programs and is part of the Fussy Baby home visiting team, working with families around sensory, motor and feeding concerns.

Michelle Lee, M.Ed.
Michelle is an infant mental health specialist. She holds a master’s degree in counseling with a specialization in early interventio and a certificate in infant mental health. Michelle was a kindergarten teacher for five years, and has been involved in community programs to support teenage mothers. At the Fussy Baby Network, she coordinates community outreach efforts, works with foster parents, and is also a member of the Fussy Baby home visiting team, helping parents observe and respond to their baby’s cues.

Sinane Goulet, L.C.S.W.
Sinane is a licensed clinical social worker who received her master’s degree in social work from Loyola University Chicago. For more than 12 years, she has worked with infants, young children and families, focusing on both typical and atypical development. She provided direct clinical services to families at a pediatric developmental center and has also worked as a consultant within the early intervention system. As a bilingual, bicultural therapist, she has worked extensively with Latino families and communities in Chicago. She coordinates Fussy Baby’s Latino Family Services initiative, participating in community outreach, parent groups, and individual home visiting.

Catalina Ariza, M.Ed.
Program consultant and Healthy Steps Liaison
Catalina holds a master’s degree in early childhood development from Erikson and Loyola University Chicago as well as a certification in infant mental health from Erikson. She has been director of early intervention and prevention programs at an area social service agency and is currently the Healthy Steps specialist for Advocate Family Practice and Residency Training Program at Ravenswood. Catalina is committed to working with families to foster babies’ healthy growth and development.

Leslie Katch, M.S., M.S.W., manages outreach and recruitment for the program, coordinates the National Fussy Baby Network, and conducts program evaluation.