FOUNDER & THERAPIST

VANDALIA

Now taking clients for intensive therapy only. Inquire for more details on intensive offerings.

EXPERIENCE AND FOCUS AREAS: Gottman Level 1 and 2, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Brainspotting, EMDR, First Responders and Veterans, Trauma/PTSD, Christian Counseling

WORKS WITH: Adults for individual and couples intensives

I have faith that you can get through terribly awful things. This is a season—you will get to the next season eventually.

As the founder of Wright Choice Counseling, I look forward to meeting you and seeing if I am the right fit for your counseling needs! It's very important to me that we keep an open dialogue about how you are progressing and how I can adjust your services to better meet your needs.

Here is a little bit about me. I have two little kids and I’m married to a military man. I love going to float tanks, saunas, and hot yoga as well as knitting blankets and practicing my faith. I went through awful burnout and left a 150k-per-year career as a first responder before becoming a therapist. I believe my pain was part of my greater purpose, since it has helped others know that they can overcome burnout, too.

People tell me everything and there is nothing you can say that will shock me! I use my intuition in counseling, helping you understand the deeper emotional issues that have been left unsaid.

Accepted insurances: BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, Healthlink, Illinois Medicaid, BCBS Community, Molina.

DIRECTOR OF SERVICES & THERAPIST

VANDALIA AND EFFINGHAM

EXPERIENCE AND FOCUS AREAS: Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Level 1, EMDR, Brainspotting, Sandtray Therapy, Play Based Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Neurodiversity, Faith & Spirituality

WORKS WTH: Ages 12 and up, Individual Sessions, Couples Sessions

WE MAY BE A GOOD FIT IF: You want a therapist who can challenge you with a gentle approach. You have tried therapy or other wellness practices before and still feel stuck. You want to work on deeper rooted issues and want to work together long-term. You value a therapist who provides relatability and can incorporate humor into sessions. Scheduling wise, you want to be seen at the time every week or every other week.

I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become. – Carl Jung

I have a passion for working with individuals who finding themselves feeling numb, detached, and “stuck” despite trying many different things, even therapy. I want my clients to know they do not have to continue living life this way as I utilize various interventions that help clients get “unstuck,” which can lead to living a more connected and gratifying life.

Whatever your circumstances, your pain and experiences matter and you deserve a safe space to heal. I prioritize the relationship I have with you as I know this is the most important factor in healing. I believe that you are the expert on you, which is why I view therapy as a collaborative process to meet your unique needs. I believe in approaching therapy with kindness, curiosity, and humor (yes we can laugh while also doing the “hard stuff”).

When I am not helping others in my therapy practice, I enjoy spending quality time with my husband and children. As a coffee lover, I can often be found with a cold brew in hand while either at work, watching my favorite reality TV shows, or analyzing Taylor Swift’s latest albums.

Accepted insurances: BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, Illinois Medicaid, BCBS Community, YouthCare, Molina.

CLINICAL DIRECTOR & THERAPIST

EFFINGHAM

EXPERIENCE AND FOCUS AREAS: MS in Counseling and Higher Education, Brainspotting Phase 1 and 2, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma/PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, OCD, Self-Care

WORKS WITH: Ages 12 and up for individual counseling only

Our greatest struggles form our greatest strengths.

In session, I strive for people to feel safe, heard, and validated. I utilize cognitive behavioral therapy to help my clients replace negative thinking patterns with a self-compassionate mindset. I meet folks where they are, and support them in working toward where they want to be. Mental health is not about getting out of your head, rather, it is about making your head a place where you enjoy being. So let's work together on having a little bit of grace for ourselves as we work through struggle to form your greatest strengths!

My background is in school counseling, crisis services, and community mental health services. With 8 years in the field, I consider myself to be a generalist, but I specialize in working with depression, anxiety, OCD, and trauma. I also really enjoy supporting helping professionals so that they may continue offering services at their highest quality. In my spare time I enjoy swimming, video games, singing, and spending time with friends and family.

Accepted insurances: BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, Illinois Medicaid, BCBS Community, YouthCare, Molina.

MARKETING AND OUTREACH COORDINATOR & THERAPIST

EFFINGHAM

EXPERIENCE AND FOCUS AREAS: Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Brainspotting, Neuro-Informed Counseling, Play Based Therapy, Parenting, Trauma/PTSD, Grief, Christian and Faith-Based

WORKS WITH: Ages 3 and up for individual counseling only

Healing is not linear.

My philosophy in counseling is to meet you where you are, whether you’re completely new to therapy or you’ve tried everything under the sun before. We’ll build a treatment plan using methods that best fit your needs and long-term goals.

My main goal is to take a neuro-informed approach to better identify the different areas in the brain that may be miscommunicating and work to assist you in rewiring those neuronal connections. This work helps with understanding the gap between your brain and your behavior.

I also utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution-focused approaches, and trauma-informed approaches in my work. As a therapist, I won't try to “fix you,” give you advice, or tell you what to do. I am here to remind you that you are not broken and you need a safe space to access your own wisdom. You are the expert on your own life and I am here to collaborate with you on how to make the hard stuff easier to sit with.

If you want to know a little about me, my values are God, family, self-care… and CrossFit!

Accepted insurances: BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, Illinois Medicaid, BCBS Community, YouthCare, Molina.

THERAPIST

EFFINGHAM

EXPERIENCE AND FOCUS AREAS: EMDR, Trauma/PTSD, Neurofeedback, ADHD evaluations and treatment, Parenting

WORKS WITH: Ages 12 and up for individual counseling only

I began working in private practice in 1998 after spending 12 years as a community mental health therapist. Before earning my Master’s degree in Education with a specialization in Community Counseling in 1986, I worked for three years at a children’s residential treatment facility. Early in my career, I focused on child and adolescent clinical issues, which later evolved into a specialization in evaluating and treating Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) across the lifespan. Today, my clinical interests include helping individuals of all ages recover from traumatic experiences and supporting parents in managing challenging child behavior and academic difficulties.

Accepted insurances: BCBS

Pending approval for Aetna and Cigna.

THERAPIST

EFFINGHAM

EXPERIENCE AND FOCUS AREAS: Master of Social Work (Child Welfare Track), Faith & Spirituality, Sandtray Therapy, Play Based Therapy, Neurodiversity/Autism

WORKS WTH: Ages 3 and up for individual counseling only

I’m a believer that we all need a soft place to land and that is what I want to offer to you. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), my heart is rooted in creating a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where you can feel truly seen, heard, and safe. My approach is centered on holding space for the real and often heavy emotions people carry, validating their unique hardships while gently nurturing hope. I believe that even in the midst of life’s most difficult storms, healing is possible—and that we all have access to tools that can guide us through.

In our work together, I offer a blend of traditional talk therapy and creative, expressive modalities. Whether through art, movement, writing, play, or sandtray work, I invite clients to explore what lies beneath the surface in a way that feels natural and true to them. I also love learning about my clients’ individual interests—music, books, games, or passions—and working those into the therapeutic process to make sessions more meaningful and engaging.

My background has been primarily focused on working with children, and I bring energy, curiosity, and playfulness to each session. Whether your child is navigating anxiety, behavioral challenges, neurodivergence, or grief, I aim to be a steady, supportive presence. No matter where your child is coming from or what they are facing, they are welcome here—just as they are.

My Christian faith is an integral part of my life and practice. For clients who are believers and open to it, I am honored to incorporate prayer into our sessions. It is a grounding reminder that we are not walking through this life alone—the Lord is with us, holds us, and comforts us. I see myself not as the healer, but as a tool in the greater work God is doing in each person’s life.

When I am not working, you will find me with my husband and son. I may also be writing, playing volleyball or pickleball, congregating friends together to play games, or getting teary-eyed in nature. I love “romanticizing my life” and making the seemingly mundane moments meaningful and worth remembering. 

Accepted insurances: BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, Illinois Medicaid, BCBS Community, YouthCare, Molina.