Hello friendly faces! It’s a new Chicago North Shore Moms spotlight brought to you in part by Mary Gifford of Gifford Law.
Elana Margolis embodies strength, support, and empowerment in the field of mental health, which is why we are so excited to introduce you to the Northbrook mom of two teens in this week’s Meet a Mom spotlight. Elana is Vice President of Outreach and Community Engagement at Plena Mind Center, a transformative resource for families navigating mental health challenges in their children ages 6-18 with their specialized PHP and IOP programs. In our conversation, Elana opens up about her personal journey at Plena from her own daughter’s mental health struggles to her very “calling,” and how she now helps others find hope and healing through connection. Her story is a beautiful reminder that the power of community and the courage to ask for help can change everything. Welcome, Elana!
Pictured here left to right: Dr. Firuza Aliyeva, Greg Weigand, Shannon Goebel Paul, Elana Margolis
Photo credit: Jody Garland photography
Hi Elana! Give us a brief summary of you – where did you come from, where do you live now?
Hi, I’m Elana Margolis, Vice President of Outreach and Community Engagement at Plena Mind Center. I am a Norfolk, Virginia native who traded sunshine and sand for Minnesota snow at age nine! Finding sun again, after graduating from the University of Arizona, I followed my heart (and my best friend) to Chicago’s Lincoln Park. The Windy City charmed me so much I never left! Here, I met my husband, a Northbrook native, and started our family with two wonderful children and two cute dogs. When suburban life called, we happily settled in his hometown on the North Shore to be near his family.
We have two teenagers, a 16.5 year old boy and a 14.5 year old girl.
What are one or two fun facts to know about you?
I’m a true automobile aficionado! The annual Consumer Reports new car edition is my personal bible, dog-eared and highlighted for quick reference. Friends regularly consult me before making their next vehicle purchase, as I can identify nearly every make and model on the road with just a glance. My husband loves to test my knowledge with impromptu car-spotting challenges, and I’m proud to say my accuracy rate stands at an impressive 99%.
Ironically, I drive rather practical vehicles myself, but don’t be fooled, if I ever hit the jackpot, my dream garage would be filled with an impressive collection of high-performance machines! And here’s another quirk: if I’ve given you a nickname, consider yourself part of my inner circle. It’s my personal way of saying you’ve earned a special place in my heart!
That is adorable! And sporting your dream vehicle, what are your favorite local places, spaces and eats to frequent?
My favorite local spots are places where I can connect with the community and support small businesses. House 406 in Northbrook is definitely our ‘local joint’ – my husband Andy and I love sitting at the bar and chatting with Jen, the owner. We’re also regulars at Napolita in Northbrook, where we often run into friends while enjoying what I consider the best pizza in the Midwest. Our family frequents Grill House for weeknight dinners and holiday catering as well. It’s a reliable go-to when we need a delicious meal without the fuss.
For shopping, I prefer boutiques over big box stores because I’m passionate about supporting local businesses. Apricot Lane and Payton Rose are my two favorite boutiques in the area.
Downtime…. what are you reading and watching?
I recently finished reading The Little Liar by Mitch Albom, a World War II novel that offers a completely different perspective from most books I’ve read on that topic. I was captivated by Albom’s unique approach to this historical period.
I also recently read The Women by Kristin Hannah, which I found fascinating. I loved how the book portrays women as heroes who put themselves in harm’s way to save the lives of the many men in their care. This novel illuminated an interesting piece of history I had never known about before.
My husband and I typically watch one show together each evening. Currently, we’re making our way through “The Firm.” However, I have a guilty pleasure: after he falls asleep, I’ve been binging “Younger.” I know most people watched this series years ago, but since I missed it then, I find myself eagerly waiting for him to doze off each night so I can get my fix!
Oh I recently watched Younger, too! Great binge! Loads of women empowerment in that one! Any empowerment you’d like to pass along to our readers?
If you love what you do, it’s not work! My dad used to tell me that and I have been lucky enough to have loved most of my jobs. My current job with Plena feels like my calling and it definitely doesn’t feel like work!
And your mantra?
“Just be kind.” I know it may sound cliché, but it’s true, kindness matters. You never know what someone might be carrying, so take the extra step: offer a smile, go the extra mile, send the text that simply says, “I’m thinking of you.” It makes a difference.
Let’s get down to business. Tell us all about Plena Mind Center. What is it, when did it start and who founded it?
Plena Mind Center is a higher level of care full day (PHP) and after school (IOP) treatment center that was founded in 2018 by Dr. Firuza Aliyeva, board certified child and adolescent psychiatrist. Dr. A (as she is referred to by all the kiddos) believes that keeping our children safe and healthy is the job of the whole community. Plena provides resources to our community in all (acute) areas of mental health so children and their families have good, holistic and evidence-based treatment available to them.
What was the impetus behind you working at Plena Mind Center?
When my own child began to struggle with debilitating anxiety, I felt like I was on an island. Helpless and isolated. It was just as the world was starting to open up again after Covid, but that lingering sense of loneliness was still sitting heavy in my heart. We were in crisis, and we had no idea how to move forward.
After a lot of searching and leaning on every resource I could find, we discovered Plena and it was nothing short of life-changing.
The support we received for our child and for our entire family was incredible. I remember thinking, “why doesn’t every family have access to this kind of care?” The skills Plena provides are something all of us could benefit from, no matter our circumstances.
Photo credit: Jody Garland photography
Not long after my child graduated from the program, a friend called me in tears. Her child was also struggling, and she didn’t know what to do. She came over and cried on my couch for two hours. But by the time she left, she had a plan, and when you’re in crisis, just having a plan makes all the difference. It gives you a sense of direction. It brings hope.
That moment changed everything for me. I realized I wanted to be that person for others; the mom, friend, or acquaintance who could offer some clarity, encouragement, and remove the shame of not knowing how to help your child.
So I picked up the phone and called Dr. A. I told her I wanted to be part of her team. That was three years ago. Since then, Dr. A and Shannon Goebel, co-creator and CEO of Plena, have supported me wholeheartedly. They’ve given me the freedom to connect with mental health care providers and school teams all over Chicagoland, so I can be a resource for families navigating these incredibly tough moments. I feel so fortunate to work alongside women who deeply understand the power of relationships and community, and who know that finding the right fit is key to truly improving lives.
Photo credit: Jody Garland photography
Today, I offer referrals for all types of mental health needs, and more importantly, I listen.
I’m here for parents, caregivers, and outpatient teams who are beginning to explore what a higher level of care might look like. It’s my passion and my purpose to help others find the kind of support that once changed everything for my family.
How is Plena different from standard therapy practices?
Plena provides PHP and IOP treatment.
We work to understand and treat the root causes of anxiety, mood disorders, OCD, ADHD, and school avoidance.
Without proper care, these early challenges can develop into serious long-term issues like substance abuse and eating disorders. That’s why we take a personalized approach with each child and teen, helping them build the skills they need to flourish. Our team stays at the forefront of treatment through ongoing education and specialized training, focusing specifically on these conditions.
We believe that excellence in care comes from deep expertise and continuous learning. Through everything we do, we stay true to our core mission: understanding and treating the root causes of these challenges, giving every child the chance to heal and thrive.
What is a PHP and IOP treatment?
PHP stands for Partial Hospitalization Program. Our PHP program is designed for tweens and teens transitioning from inpatient programs OR seeking a higher level of outpatient care. PHP offers evidence-based therapies, personalized treatment plans, and compassionate support from experienced clinicians.
PHP is a short term intensive full day psychiatric program that runs Monday – Friday. Our PHP will assist your child in meeting goals such as developing coping skills, creating an individualized toolbox for long-term success and building new foundations for lasting success.
IOP stands for Intensive Outpatient Program. Our structured yet flexible approach provides personalized therapy, skill-building, and family support that empowers young individuals to overcome challenges and thrive.
IOP’s bridge the gap between traditional outpatient care and hospitalization in a nurturing environment. At Plena, our IOP runs after school Monday through Thursday. The treatment structure is similar to PHP, however, IOP provides a unique structure that allows for full time school attendance during the day followed by therapeutic programming in the afternoon/evening.
How does insurance work with these programs?
We take a variety of insurance plans and it is always good to call and talk to our intake team about coverage.
When might it be time to call Plena over a standard therapy practice?
If a child has an outpatient provider, connecting with them to get their thoughts is important. A good time to seek a higher level of mental health care is when symptoms start interfering with daily life, like work, school, or relationships, or when your child (tween or teen) is feeling persistently overwhelmed, hopeless, or emotionally numb. If they are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, or the usual coping strategies no longer help, it’s important to reach out right away. You don’t have to wait until things are unbearable, needing more support is a valid reason to get help.
How do our readers get started should they need this help?
You can learn more about Plena by visiting our website. Reach out with questions via our contact form or by calling 847-562-5612 or emailing [email protected]. We are also on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Plena is located at 1450 Techny Road Northbrook, IL, 60062.
About Our Meet a Mom Sponsor
A very heartfelt thank you to CNSMoms’ Meet a Mom sponsor, 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].
