When Dr. Lacey Lemke learned she was pregnant with her first child in 2017, she received news that no expectant mother should ever have to hear — a breast cancer diagnosis. She navigated chemotherapy while carrying her son, found her way through radiation and years of treatment, and emerged with a clarity and gratitude that now shapes every corner of her life, from the dance parties in her living room to the compassionate care she brings to her role at SunCloud Health in Northbrook.
Today, as a mom of three energetic boys and the associate vice president of clinical services at SunCloud, Lacey channels that hard-won perspective into helping individuals and families find their footing through some of life’s most difficult mental health challenges. We are so honored to introduce this Lake Forest mama, clinician, and quiet force of resilience in this week’s Chicago North Shore Mom‘s Meet a Mom spotlight.
Hi Lacey! Give us a quick snapshot of you and your life right now.
Hi! I’m Dr. Lacey Lemke, and I live in Lake Forest, Illinois with my husband, Jonathan, our three sweet (and very energetic!) boys – Jonathan (8), Benjamin (5), baby Harrison (8 months) – and our 120 lb. lovable pup, Rocky (1).
Our house is full of noise, laughter, and nonstop activity, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We love being together as a family and truly enjoy making the most of every season. In the summer, you’ll usually find us at the beach and spending as much time outdoors as possible. When baseball season rolls around, it’s game on! Life is busy, joyful, and very full – and we’re grateful for every minute of it!
Tell us about your family. What does motherhood look like in your house these days?
We are a family who genuinely loves being together. Our life is full, loud, and often a little chaotic but it is the sweetest kind of chaos. Our boys bring so much light and laughter into our home, and they truly make our world feel alive!
Jonathan has been playing the drums since he was four years old and watching his talent, and his confidence, grow has truly been a gift. There is something incredibly special about hearing him play and seeing him completely in his element, so focused and alive in the moment. What began as our three-year-old drumming on pots and pans to Phil Collins has quickly evolved into our little guy becoming a full-fledged rockstar and we absolutely love every second of it.
Our Benji is pure sunshine. He’s our little athlete with the biggest heart and the most contagious enthusiasm. He is beyond excited to start lacrosse this year now that he’s finally old enough to join a team and we can’t wait to cheer him on!
Then, there’s our sweet baby Harrison – the smiliest, squishiest bundle of joy. His happy little presence has added so much light and love to our family. We are now complete!
What’s something about you that might surprise people—outside of your work and mom life?
It likely won’t surprise anyone who knows me that I’m a full-on Real Housewives fan. I definitely present as a girly girl (I love all things fun and feminine!) but I’m just as happy getting dirty in the backyard and digging in the dirt alongside my boys.
While I tend to be bubbly and lighthearted, my story holds more depth than people might expect. In 2017, just days after learning I was pregnant with my first baby, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I underwent chemotherapy while pregnant, completed 20 rounds of radiation after Jonathan was born, and continued oral treatment for five additional years.
Walking through something so life-altering during such a vulnerable time shaped me in ways I could never have anticipated. As difficult as it was, that experience changed me for the better. It refined my perspective, strengthened my faith and resilience, and gave me unshakable gratitude for ordinary moments.
I can’t begin to imagine how you dealt with a cancer diagnosis while pregnant. Thank you for sharing that part of your life-story with us.
Any favorite spots you like that feel particularly grounding at the moment?
One of our favorite things to do as a family is go out to dinner together. Our go-to spots in town are usually a toss-up between Deerpath Inn and Francesca’s Intimo. We truly love our neighborhood and try to support local whenever we can. There’s something really meaningful about soaking in all that Lake Forest has to offer and building memories right here in our community.
What’s something about motherhood, work, or balancing both that you wish more people talked about honestly?
I wish we talked more openly about the exhaustion and moments of defeat that can come with motherhood. There is truly nothing in this world I would rather be than a mama but it is, without question, the hardest role I have ever taken on.
We put so much pressure on ourselves to do everything “right,” to balance it all, to show up perfectly in every space. But the truth is… does anyone really have it all together all the time? I know I certainly don’t. And I don’t think that means we’re failing, it means we’re human.
In my opinion, being honest about the challenges (the overwhelm, the self-doubt, the mental load) is not weakness. It’s healthy. It’s necessary. Some days feel heavy and some seasons stretch us thin. Sometimes the struggle really is real. And that doesn’t make us bad moms, it makes us real ones.
We are all doing the very best we can with what we have in each moment and even when it doesn’t feel like it, that is enough.
Is there a quote, mantra, or mindset that grounds you when things feel chaotic?
I once heard a quote from Cher that completely shifted my perspective: “If it doesn’t matter in five years, then it doesn’t matter.” It’s simple, but I’ve carried it with me ever since.
Walking through cancer changed the lens through which I see everything. When you face something that devastating, your understanding of what truly matters becomes crystal clear. The small things lose their grip. The meaningful things – the people, the moments, the presence – become everything.
Since then, I’ve tried to live with that clarity. I continually challenge myself to show up authentically, to be fully present, and to invest my energy in what truly lasts. Life feels too fragile and too precious to live any other way.
It’s time to get down to business! Please introduce the behavioral health practice that you are a part of, SunCloud Health.
I am associate vice president of clinical services at SunCloud Health. SunCloud Health is a behavioral health treatment provider with locations in Northbrook, Naperville, Chicago, and Matteson, Illinois. We offer evidence-based, holistic, and personalized care that integrates psychiatry, therapy, nutrition, and complementary modalities to treat the full complexity of mental health conditions.
SunCloud is nationally recognized for its transdiagnostic treatment model, meaning we focus on treating the whole person rather than isolated diagnoses. Our continuum of care includes adult and adolescent Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs, adult residential treatment, and residential programming for adolescent girls. We specialize in complex mental health presentations, including complex trauma and co-occurring disorders.
Founded in 2016 by Kimberly Dennis, MD, CEDS, a board-certified psychiatrist, SunCloud has grown into a mission-driven organization built on clinical excellence and compassionate, multidisciplinary care. I am continually inspired by the organization Dr. Kim has built and the exceptional professionals who embody our mission every day. It is truly a privilege to be part of a team so dedicated to transforming lives.
Can you explain the difference between a traditional therapy practice and the IOP and PHP services.
A traditional therapy practice is what most people picture when they think of counseling. Patients typically meet with a therapist once a week for about an hour. This level of care works well for managing stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, life transitions, and personal growth. It offers consistent support and a dedicated space to process experiences and build coping skills over time.
IOP and PHP are designed for times when someone needs more support than a weekly session can provide.
IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) involves attending therapy several days a week for a few hours at a time. It often includes group therapy, skill-building, and individual sessions. IOP is appropriate when symptoms are significantly affecting daily functioning such as work, school, or relationships but the individual can still safely live at home.
PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program) is a higher level of care than IOP. Patients attend treatment for most of the day, multiple days per week, while still returning home in the evenings. PHP provides structured, daily therapeutic support and closer monitoring for individuals who are experiencing more acute symptoms but do not require overnight hospitalization.
What is group treatment like and why is this such an effective mode of therapy?
Group treatment is a structured form of psychotherapy in which multiple individuals work together with a trained clinician to address shared challenges, build skills, and practice new ways of relating in real time. Being a part of a group experience is incredibly moving and watching the way individuals relate to each other, provide support and engage within the therapy process is powerful beyond words. Connection is foundational to the human experience and, in my view, an inherent psychological need. Group treatment promotes just that.
How do you tailor treatment plans to the individual who is in group therapy?
Although group therapy is delivered in a shared setting, SunCloud approaches treatment planning from a deeply individualized and holistic perspective. Each patient enters treatment with a unique history, relational patterns, strengths, and areas of vulnerability. Our role as providers is to ensure that their treatment goals reflect who they are — not simply the curriculum of the group.
In this way, the group becomes a therapeutic context but the care remains individualized, intentional and person-centered, grounded in both clinical rigor and genuine human connection.
What do you say to families who reach out desperate for you to help “fix” their child?
When parents ask me to “fix” their child, I understand that it usually comes from a place of deep love and concern. Underneath that request is often a quiet message of, “We’re overwhelmed, and we just want things to feel okay again.” For those of us with children who have ever found ourselves in a position of struggle, we can totally identify with this gut-wrenching need for immediate resolution. Understanding this, it is important to gently set realistic expectations. Meaningful and sustainable change in children rarely happens through a quick solution. Treatment is a process and one that requires patience, consistency, and collaboration.
My goal as a provider is to educate on the process and provide strategies rooted in evidence-based intervention while my goal as a fellow mom/parent is to normalize, provide empathy and compassion. I have found that holding both perspectives, clinical rigor and human understanding, creates a strong foundation for growth.
Change is possible. With alignment, collaboration, and trust in the process, I have witnessed remarkable progress in both children and their families.
Give us your dets! Where can we connect and ask questions?
I absolutely LOVE to provide consultation and chat with anyone who needs a listening ear or guidance. I am available at [email protected] for any needs!
About Our Spotlight Partner
Chicago North Shore Moms is supported in part by Mary Gregory Gifford, a Lake Forest mom of three and owner of Gifford Law, a solo Estate Planning Firm (wills and trusts). Mary, we appreciate your support of local moms in our North Shore communities! Learn more about Mary by visiting her Meet a Mom spotlight here! Contact Mary directly here: [email protected].
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