Staff

Our counseling is tailor-made

During your first few sessions, you and your therapist will create a plan to fit your individual situation and needs.

 

Holly Darton, MA, LPC

Holly has over 15 years of experience as a mental health therapist after graduating from Marquette University with her Master’s degree in Community Counseling. Holly is a Licensed Professional Counselor certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Working primarily with adolescents and adults, Holly uses an eclectic approach to include a variety of therapeutic strategies based on client needs. Her interests and specialties include:

• Trauma
• Anxiety, depression and personal stress
• Life adjustment and transitions
• Grief and loss
• Wellness and self-empowerment

“I believe in the power of resiliency and that people can overcome any obstacle they are faced with. My passion is to provide support and a trusting relationship to empower people to heal, grow, and find joy and fulfillment in life.”

Jonathan Elmer, LPC

Jonathan is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who earned his undergraduate degree double majoring in religious studies and philosophy. He then earned a master’s degree in counseling, and a doctorate in psychology. He studied at St. Norbert College, Lakeland College, and Massachusetts General Hospital, among other institutions. Jonathan has published articles in Grief Digest and his doctoral thesis explores themes in Hemingway’s short stories about death. His dissertation is entitled Hemingway’s Guide to Hospice: Lessons from Kilimanjaro.

Jonathan’s use of psychodynamic therapy, as well as the narrative approach, helps to empower individuals to understand their own symptoms and discover meaningful ways to better their life. He focuses on creating a safe and non-judgmental relationship as he helps clients build insight and self-acceptance as they learn to separate themselves from their identified problems. Compassion is the cornerstone of his work.

Jonathan is not interested in finding coping strategies that put a band-aid on problems but rather seeks to help identify the root causes of issues. Deep and thoughtful exploration into past behavioral patterns and history, as well as re-authoring personal narratives, creates long-lasting meaningful change. It is this very change that makes therapy impactful and will be the focus of the work that is done together.

His areas of interest include anxiety, depression, grief, obsessive-compulsive disorder, life transitions, marriage and family issues, and meaning and purpose work.

Marcy Fanello Diaz, MSW, LCSW

Marcy completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, Connecticut and her master’s degree in Social Work at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. She has been practicing psychotherapy for over 19 years and has worked in community mental health for over 27 years. In addition to private practice, Marcy’s clinical experience includes a wide range of functions in community mental health including crisis intervention, group therapy, and trauma specific group and individual therapy. Her approach is informed by psycho-dynamic theory with a particular focus on attachment throughout the life span. Marcy works primarily with adults and has special expertise in treating young adults with trauma. Her interests and specialties include:

• Depression and anxiety
• Bipolar disorder
• Trauma and abuse
• Phase of life and adjustment issues

“I have a thriving interest in helping people reach their health and healing goals in order to live a peaceful and fulfilling life with healthy, reciprocating relationships.”

 

Bedford Hines, MA, M. DIV., LPC, LMFT

Bedford has over 35 years of experience as a mental health counselor. Bedford received his Master’s Degree from Boston University Graduate School, and also received a Master’s in Divinity from Yale University Divinity School. He was the Executive Director of the former Fox Valley Pastoral Counseling Center, and prior to that had his own private mental health practice. He is a state Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. His specialties include:

• Anxiety and depression
• Grief
• Trauma
• Issues regarding aging
• Life coaching
• Relationship and family issues
• Anger management
• Wellness and enhancing life

“Living life in the fullest and most meaningful ways is a goal for everyone, regardless of issues. My passion is to empower people to resolve issues and to experience harmony in relationships and joy in life.”

Sally Hudson, MSW, LCSW

Sally has over 30 years of experience in the health sciences, with 12 years as a mental health therapist. Sally received her Master’s of Social Work from George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University, and also received a Master’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Arizona. Sally works primarily with adults using an eclectic approach including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Her areas of interests and expertise include:

• Anxiety and depression
• Adverse childhood and trauma related issues
• Oncology and other medical challenges
• Grief and loss
• Life adjustments and transitions
• Relationship issues

“I believe the innate capacity for healing lies within each of us. It has been my experience that even in times of darkness and overwhelming challenge, there is always hope. I believe that it is important for all of us to take care of our hurts, regardless of whether they are small or large – because our relationships to ourselves, those we love and care for, our greater humanity, and the planet depend upon our healing.”

Elizabeth Walker, MA, LPC

Liz has over 12 years of experience as a mental health counselor. She received her Master’s degree at Lakeland University in Community Counseling. Liz is a Licensed Professional Counselor and is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Liz works with children as young as 7 years old, adolescents and adults using a variety of approaches, with a focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Trauma Focused CBT. Her interests and specialties include:

• Trauma
• Child and adolescent issues
• Life adjustment and transitions
• Anxiety and depression
• Grief and loss
• Wellness and self-empowerment

“My passion is to provide a safe and supportive space to empower individuals to see their value and strength. It’s a great privilege to be part of a person’s journey and recognize that we are all doing the best we can with what we know and the support we have. Change can feel uncomfortable, because it is something new. My hope is that this journey helps each individual feel less alone and more empowered to give themselves grace and recognize their resilience.“

Michelle Van Thiel, MSW, LCSW

Shelly has over 20 years of experience in mental health. Her clinical experience includes a wide range of services in varied practice settings, including: behavioral health, inpatient psychiatric care, community transition and outreach, medical (oncology/nephrology/general medical, and forensic settings. She received her master’s degree in 1999 from U.W. Milwaukee. Shelly works primarily with adults using an eclectic approach, including: CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), and DBT (Dialectic Behavioral Therapy) strategies. Her areas of interest and specialty include:

• Anxiety and depression
• Grief and loss
• Wellness and self-empowerment
• Life adjustment and transitions
• Oncology, nephrology, and other medical challenges
• End-of-life

Helping others find hope in their every day, while achieving balance in their lives, is a true passion of mine. I consider it a privilege to walk with others during challenging times and promoting empowerment to navigate toward, peace, joy, and fulfillment.