RockWater Counseling Center, Inc


DUI & Addiction Counseling Center has changed their name to RockWater Counseling Center in July 2023. We are the same organization that offers Early Intervention DUI services, Substance Use Treatment and Psychotherapy and Faith Based Psychotherapy services to Lake and surrounding counties* in a personal, confidential setting that will enhance positive growth and development.


RockWater Counseling Center, Inc opened its doors February, 2008 in Mundelein, IL, in order to meet the growing concern of substance abuse/dependency in our community and county. We don't claim to have all the answers, but what we do possess is an empathetic ear, understanding heart, knowledge of the system, and a passion for addiction counseling. Our counselors have worked in various settings with many types of people, and now we are bringing that knowledge and those skills to Lake and the surrounding counties.

RockWater consistently evaluates and improves our services to clients and their families, stay abreast of the latest research in the field of addictions, adhere to an established Code of Ethics in regards to ethical behavior, counseling practices, and the rights and confidentiality of our clients.


*In the state of Illinois, Cook and DuPage Counties' initial DUI Evaluations must be completed by their approved Evaluators.



Meet our staff.


Barry Hinkeldey,  MA, LPC, CADC - Program Director
Barry Hinkeldey has a vision of helping individuals regain a sense of control and positive outlook on life through sobriety.  Barry holds a Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology from North Park University, Chicago, Illinois (2019) and is a Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC) licensed with IAODPCA (Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association, Inc. (2007), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with the State of Illinois (2022).  Barry founded and opened the doors to what was once DUI & Addiction Counseling Center, Inc and recently changed the agency name to RockWater Counseling Center. The agency is located in the south central part of Lake County, Illinois.  Barry facilitates psycho-educational and process-oriented group therapy sessions in a non-secular approach and also offers group therapy groups with a faith based approach. He is able to treat and counsel those that need redirection and drives his focus to heal those in need.  Barry is currently an Instructor for future CADC counselors at North Park University in Chicago, Illinois and provides mental health counseling services not related to substance use.  Barry can also communicate to the hearing impaired through ASL (American Sign Language).

                                                                       

Christine  - Director of Marketing

Christine Hinkeldey has a BA in Fine Arts with a focus on Graphic Design/Advertising. Before obtaining her degree, Chris used to airbrush at the local mall near her home. After moving into the office, she learned how to coordinate the installation of automated teller machines and learned a lot about computers by working in the  IT department at the help desk at Baxter Credit Union (BCU). After she earned her BA degree, she transitioned into the marketing department at BCU and began to learn website development and marketing campaigns. She moved to Georgia and was promoted to regional marketing manager working on regional campaigns for First Nation Bank (Now Synovus), and providing  bank offices with marketing materials, analyzing the results of the campaigns and special event coordinator. Chris was on several boards/committees serving  a School District, Chamber of Commerce, and contributed in ensuring a smooth bank merger. Chris also has provided freelance services to many organizations by designing direct mailers, logos and brochures among other print materials until she began to manage the operations at RockWater Counseling Center, Inc.


Joelle Hinkeldey - Office Manager

Joelle Hinkeldey has worked in the family care industry as a nanny/caregiver along with being an assistant teacher managing activities to the youth in a care facility. Joelle is part of many online organizations where she is an advocate for other mothers and offers support when it comes to the nutrition and feeding of newborns.  She is raising two boys and is involved in many different youth sports with her kids, school activities, and takes time for herself and enjoys the adult sport of kickball with a team locally. She provides support to all the staff at RockWater and clients who need assistance by managing the office and operations.


Caitlin O'Brien, CADC - ASAM 1 Level of Care Counselor
Caitlin O'Brien is a Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC) licensed with IAODPCA (Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association, Inc) since January 2023.  Caitlin has worked for Gateway Foundation in Lake Villa as a Chemical Dependency Technician providing stability and support to clients in the residential treatment program along with offering

motivational and educational guidance to assist clients in meeting their therapeutic goals. Caitlin also specializes in providing assistance for the LGBTQ+ population in addition to assisting adolescents who suffer from substance use disorders.  Caitlin began working with RockWater Counseling Center as an intern while she attended schooling at College of Lake County obtaining a degree in applied sciences in February 2020.  Caitlin was officially hired as our ASAM 1 Level of Care Counselor in January 2023. Caitlin obtained a design certificate for interior design in 2006 and has acquired a certificate as a Yoga Instructor in 2015.


Beth Ahrens, CADC - Early Intervention Counselor

Beth Ahrens is a Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC) licensed with IAODPCA (Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association, Inc.) since 1992.  She graduated from Western Illinois University in 1989 with a BA degree in Sociology and a double minor in Law and History.  Beth worked for Lake County Government for 30 years.  Starting in 1991, she spent 10 years as an inpatient addiction counselor with the Lake County Health Department-Addictions Treatment Program.  In 2001, she transferred to the 19th Judicial District and worked for 20 years as a Probation Officer with the DUI Unit.  She retired from Lake County in 2021.




Mission Statement.

The mission of RockWater Counseling Center is to provide comprehensive early interventive services and substance misuse/abuse treatment to our clients that will enhance positive growth and development. Our counseling center strives to achieve the best chance at prevention of dependency and or/abuse to substances.