Alex Simko, M.A., M.S., LPC, NCC
Struggling with anxiety, trauma, or relationship challenges can leave you feeling stuck and overwhelmed. As a counselor, I offer a compassionate, nonjudgmental space to explore what's holding you back and help you move toward healing and growth. My approach is collaborative and tailored to your unique needs, drawing on evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed care.
I specialize in working with adults navigating anxiety, OCD, depression, life transitions, and trauma recovery. I also have a special interest in supporting athletes and high performers facing mental health challenges or burnout.
I earned both my Bachelor's in Psychology and Master's in Human Development Counseling from the University of Illinois at Springfield. In addition, I hold a Master's degree in Exercise Science from Concordia University Chicago, which informs my holistic understanding of the mind-body connection-particularly when working with individuals striving for balance in both mental and physical health.
My goal is to help you feel safe, seen, and supported as we work together to understand your story, strengthen your resilience, and create lasting change. Whether you're new to therapy or returning after some time away, I'd be honored to walk alongside you on your journey.
Stephanie Wilson MO, CADC, PPC
Clinical Mental Health Professional
Stephanie embarked on her journey in the helping field over a decade ago. She came to realize that her calling was to help the “unwanted”. The concept of the “unwanted” assumes various disguises, giving rise to the falsehoods that individuals carry from childhood into adulthood.
Her therapeutic approach incorporates a person-centered focus which integrates cognitive-behavioral skills and trauma-informed care. She uses a holistic approach that aims to assist people move towards recovery, however they choose to define recovery for themselves, through self-awareness and positive life adjustments.
Stephanie's therapeutic philosophy is based on an integrative blending of strengths, inherent to each individual, thereby customizing a safe and collaborative plan for wellness. Her adaptive approach allows for the development of a unique and evolving treatment plan that caters to the individual's needs as they progress and heal. This approach helps to ensure a comprehensive consideration for holistic well-being.
The prioritization of honest and transparent communication, helps to ensure that each person feels comfortable in expressing themselves. Stephanie has a unique skill set that allows her to meet the diverse needs people experience. Her communication style allows space to observe obstacles, various communication styles and language preferences to help foster a collaborative and respectful therapeutic relationship.
Stephaine is committed to helping people reclaim mental wellness, be it anxiety, depression, loss and grief, addiction or adapting to life’s transitions. She prides herself on recognizing the value of being culturally aware, inclusive and celebrating the diversity in our community. She welcomes people from all walks of life and all demographics. Stephanie looks forward and is honored to start on the journey with you.
Specializations:
- MS in Clinical Mental Health from Grand Canyon University.
- BS in Psychology, AD in psychology from University of Phoenix
- Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)
- Domestic Violence Advocate
- Currently awaiting licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor
- LPC (C)
Emily Gibbs, MA, QMHP
Currently unable to accept new patients at this time. If you would like to be placed on a waitlist for the next availability, please click the contact link in the upper right hand corner and we will contact you as soon as space becomes available
Emily has a passion for working with individuals who have experienced trauma, which often leads to anxiety, depression, grief, and other life difficulties.
If you struggle to set healthy boundaries with difficult people in your life, she has a passion for guiding people to find ways of developing healthy boundaries in difficult relationships.
Emily states "It is essential for people to feel validated in therapy. I take special care to provide a safe space in which people can heal and tap into their authentic selves."
If you are looking for personal growth and positive change in your life, Emily can help to guide you through processing your thoughts and feelings in order to get there.
If you are new to therapy, Emily engages a holistic approach to help people bring about change in their lives. While utilizing person-centered and brief-solution focused techniques, the experience of the individual's physical, emotional and spiritual aspects are core to her therapeutic philosophy. .
Emily has a core belief that each person has the capacity of discovering their personal strengths to aid in growth and healing. I believe that each person is capable of discovering their own personal strengths to help aid in their own growth and healing.
I look forward to connecting with you!
Sarah Richmiller, QMHP, MA
Currently unable to accept new patients at this time. If you would like to be placed on a waitlist for the next availability, please click the contact link in the upper right hand corner and we will contact you as soon as space becomes available
Throughout life we are faced with obstacles, decisions, and hardships that we often least expect.
Sarah’s ideal clients are individuals who have experienced trauma including domestic, sexual, physical, and verbal abuse, as well as traumatic loss, PTSD, early childhood trauma, abandonment, addiction, anxiety, and depression.
Each life event leads us to becoming the person we are and having the life we have and sometimes that life isn’t the life we always longed for. Sarah’s approach in therapy helps lead to deep self-reflection, self-awareness and understanding of who we are as individuals.
She believes that once we understand who we are and where we come from, we can start healing and growing toward the positive life we have always deserved.
She has previously worked with children, teens, and adults in trauma-based settings and implemented healthy coping skills within her therapy approach. Sarah uses a humanistic and person-centered approach because each person is so intricately unique that they deserve to be worked with in a way that best fits their needs. She incorporates mindfulness-based techniques to help individuals connect their mind, body, and spirit to become present and connected with themselves at a deeper level.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in Clinical Counseling as well as her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Illinois at Springfield. She is a member of the American Counseling Association and is dedicated to growing, learning, and implementing new approaches that best benefit her clients.
“I’m excited to get to know you and experience this healing journey with you!”
Rachel Cooper, MSW
Rachel's ideal clients are children through adults. She focuses on children who struggle with self-esteem, boundaries, anxiety, depression and trauma. In her work with children she also engages parents to provide parenting strategies that help foster long-term change and wellness. Her adult client work includes people who have experienced trauma and suffer from anxiety, depression and PTSD.
She uses a holistic approach tailored toward each individual's experience. She believes compassion and empathy help her engage more deeply with the people she works with.
During sessions she seeks to create a relaxed and safe environment for you to experience new personal insights, growth and a better understanding of themselves so they can heal and engage with life in healthier ways.
Rachel has received training in EMDR and will be fully trained as an EMDR therapist in April of 2023. She uses an additional tool to work through trauma and other distressing events known as the Flash Technique which greatly reduces the impact of adverse life experiences. Through this lens she effectively treats anxiety, depression, PTSD, ODD, ADHD, and self-esteem.
THERAPIES USED:
Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Play therapy.
Keilyn Goatley
Keliyn previously worked for a non-for-profit agency that provides services to children and families involved in foster care. She worked in this organization for over 2.5 years and is still passionate about children and families wellness. She has helped clients with a wide range of concerns such as trauma, depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, BPD, bipolar disorder, relationship and attachment issues, parenting struggles, and struggles with motivation.
Her counseling style is laid back, interactive, and warm. She works to create a safe space for people to take off their masks and relax into who they are during sessions. She treats clients with respect and compassion utilizing cognitive-behavioral techniques, person-centered, and psychodynamic approaches. Also, since she has worked with individuals who have experienced physical and emotional trauma, she is trained with a trauma-informed approach that she utilizes in many areas of her life. Many of her clients also enjoy doing art therapy with her as a way to heal.
She has been told that her approach is comfortable, unique, and effective. By tailoring treatment to fit YOUR individual needs, she will collaborate with you to help you gain insight and healing during your time together.
Keilyn is excited to know you are here to do the work and take steps towards inner personal freedom to become a happier, healthier you. If you are ready to take that step, she will walk the path with you.
Keilyn expresses a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to work with you!
Specialties
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
- Self esteem
- Depression
Also experienced in:
Addictions , LGBT , Family conflicts , Grief , Parenting issues , Anger management , Bipolar disorder , Coping with life changes , Compassion fatigue , ADHD , Abandonment , Adoption and Foster Care , Attachment Issues , Body Image , Read more...
Clinical Approaches:
Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
David M Kerwin, RN, BAN, CSADC, CODP-II
David brings to Thrive nearly forty years of experience in addiction and behavioral health. His interest in Internal Family Systems, trauma, and working with impaired professionals has made him a regional resource for many years. David is also very experienced in the intervention process of working with families to help those individuals. In addition, David is currently the only Internal Family Services certified coach in downstate Illinois. To learn more about Internal Family Service please see institute.com
Please Note David Kerwin does not accept insurance at this time, for more information on his rate and fees, please visit our rates and insurance page.
David Vail CEO, LCSW
Currently unable to accept new patients at this time. If you would like to be placed on the waitlist, please click the contact us button.
David specializes in treating adolescents, young adults, and adults with substance misuse and mental health issues. David strongly believes in the capacity of individuals to heal and maintain lasting wellness. In long-term recovery himself, David uses a non-judgmental, compassion-based approach to treat addiction and promote mental wellness. Trauma informed care is a primary factor in David’s work with individuals and families to help facilitate positive change in their lives. By addressing causality and early childhood trauma, David has successfully helped many individuals taper off antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and chronic pain medications through effective non-pharmaceutical avenues of treatment to address the root causes of mental illness and behavioral problems. He uses cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness-based stress reduction methods to help people get well and stay well.