Jessica Wright, LCSW
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
WE MAY BE A GOOD FIT IF: You’re looking for focused, solution-driven therapy rooted in strong clinical skills and Christian faith. You’re ready to be honest, apply what you learn, and make meaningful changes rather than spend years circling the same issues. I especially enjoy working with helpers, first responders, veterans, spouses, and those experiencing burnout or trauma. Morning and telehealth appointments are preferred.
I have faith that you can get through terribly awful things. This is a season—you will get to the next season eventually.
I believe Jesus is still in the business of healing hearts, restoring relationships, and breaking generational wounds. My work blends evidence-based trauma therapy with Christian faith, including inner-healing prayer when desired.
Before becoming a therapist, I worked in corrections and crisis response and received training in critical incident debriefings and canvassing for law enforcement and first responders. That experience continues to shape my work with trauma, burnout, and high-stress professions.
I value honest conversation, clear direction, and continually adjusting therapy to fit each client’s needs. Nothing shocks me, and I strive to create a space where difficult emotional and spiritual experiences can be explored openly.
Outside of work, I’m married to a military man and have two children. I enjoy float tanks, saunas, hot yoga, knitting blankets, and spending time with Jesus.
Accepted insurances: BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, Healthlink, Illinois Medicaid, BCBS Community, Molina
Founder & Therapist
Katrina Schoenfeld, LCSW
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
Director of Services & Therapist
Clinical Director & TherapistJordan Tanner, LCPC
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
Merry Lichtenberger, LCPC Therapist
EFFINGHAM
EXPERIENCE AND FOCUS AREAS: Trauma, EMDR, ADHD counseling and assessments, Parenting
WORKS WITH: Ages 12 and up for individual counseling only
I began my work 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, Aetna
Jeannetta Workman, LPC
EFFINGHAM
WHAT: Hi everyone, I’m Jeannetta. I am currently in a graduate program for my Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. I am also a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. I have been in the mental health field since 2016. I have a huge passion for addiction recovery and mental health! I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental, and laid-back environment for my clients to come in and share their stories. I am committed to creating an affirming environment for all identities and relationships. My style in a counseling setting is person-centered. I also utilize motivational interviewing, CBT, and solution-focused techniques with clients. Most of my free time is spent spending time with my kiddos. My hobbies include crocheting, baking, and reading. One of my biggest beliefs is that we are all doing the best with the tools and knowledge that we have, and when we know more, we have the opportunity to grow.
Accepted insurances: BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, Illinois Medicaid, BCBS Community, Meridian, YouthCare, Molina.
Therapist & CADC
Lydia Henson, MSW
Hi, I’m Lydia, I have my masters of social work and work outside of our Effingham location. I specialize in pre-teens, teenagers, and adults who are navigating life transitions, stress, anxiety, and relationship challenges.
I believe therapy is most effective when it is collaborative, supportive, and tailored to your unique experiences and goals. I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental environment where you feel heard, respected, and empowered to explore your thoughts and emotions openly. While I bring warmth and empathy into each session, I also thoughtfully challenge clients when appropriate. Growth often requires stepping outside of comfort zones, and I gently encourage deeper insight, accountability, and meaningful change.
As a mother of three, I understand the complexities and demands that individuals and families often face. I bring both compassion and practical perspective into my work, walking alongside you as you build confidence, strengthen coping skills, and develop the tools needed to move toward the life you want.
Pending approval for insurance
Therapist
TherapistAlison Frey, LSW
VANDALIA
EXPERIENCE AND FOCUS AREAS: Master of Social Work, First Responders/Corrections, Trauma/PTSD, Solution Focused Therapy, Depression, Anxiety, Play Based Therapy
WORKS WTH: Ages 12 and up for individual counseling only
WE MAY BE A GOOD FIT IF: I work with men and women in high-stress careers who are used to carrying a lot and handling it on their own. Many of my clients work in law enforcement/corrections, military, trades, leadership, or other demanding roles where staying composed and pushing through is expected. Over time, that level of pressure can take a toll—showing up as irritability, emotional shutdown, sleep problems, or strain in relationships. I also enjoy working with teens who feel overwhelmed with their day to day or struggling to identify their emotions.
My approach to therapy is straightforward and grounded in real life. I focus on helping clients understand how chronic stress/trauma affects the nervous system, without requiring them to overanalyze or relive everything through endless talking. Together, we work on practical tools to manage anger, emotional numbness, improve communication, and reduce stress.
Therapy with me is not about changing who you are. It’s about helping your nervous system recover from years of high demand, so you can feel more in control—mentally, emotionally, and relationally. I offer a steady, respectful space to do that work at your pace.
In my free time I enjoy hanging out with my husband and fur babies, reading, planting things, SxS riding, and visiting National Parks with my husband. I enjoy working in the mental health field because I love helping people recognize their potential and watching them grow!
Accepted insurances: BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, Illinois Medicaid, BCBS Community, Meridian, YouthCare, Molina.
TherapistJessica Hardie, LPC
Hi, I’m Jessica Hardie! I’m a licensed professional counselor at our Vandalia location. My background includes work in the justice system as a probation officer and experience in entrepreneurship. But my deepest insights into emotional and mental wellness have come from my personal story as a single foster mom, and now as a wife, adoptive, and biological mom. I take a client centered, holistic, and faith integrated approach to counseling. I believe in honoring the whole person mind, body, and spirit and often incorporate creative practices, inner child work, psychoeducation, and identity exploration. I believe Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor, and for those who desire it, I welcome prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit into the therapeutic process. No matter your background or beliefs, my heart is to create a safe, compassionate space where you feel seen, heard, and supported and where we can even share some laughter along the way. When I’m not wrangling kids, I love spontaneous adventures, listening to podcasts, and grabbing a good latte!
Accepted insurances: BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, Illinois Medicaid, BCBS Community, Meridian, YouthCare, Molina.
Kristina Arney, LCSW
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.
Wherever you are on your journey, I will meet you there. I will sit with you in it and when you’re ready, forward we will go.
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, Meridian, YouthCare, Molina.
Therapist
Andrea Wendling, LSW
EFFINGHAM
EXPERIENCE AND FOCUS AREAS: Licensed Social Worker, Anxiety, Stress Management, Grief and Loss, Life Transitions, Neurodivergence Across the Lifespan (including late diagnosis), Parenting/Caregiver Stress, Aging-Related Concerns
WORKS WITH: Ages 12 and up for individual counseling only
"Healing takes time and asking for help is a courageous step."
I strive to create a safe and non-judgemental space where you can feel comfortable to share your story and feel supported. I approach therapy through a client-centered and personalized lens, tailoring our work together to what matters most to you. Rather than telling you what to do or trying to “fix” things, I see our work as sitting side by side with a complex puzzle—gently sorting through the pieces, making sense of what feels scattered, and discovering how the pieces begin to fit together. Whatever life stressors, worries or challenges bring you to therapy, just know you will be met with an understanding and empathetic heart, focused on guiding you towards healing, hope and understanding.
I am passionate about supporting individuals with ADHD and ASD, especially parents who were diagnosed later in life alongside their children, or those struggling to understand how to support their child. I also have a huge heart for helping others navigate grief and loss in all stages, both from sudden and tragic loss to anticipated and prolonged grief, and anywhere in-between. I am comfortable sitting in all of the uncomfortable places with you, and whether you are new to therapy or returning, you are welcome here.
Accepted insurances: BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, Illinois Medicaid, BCBS Community, Meridian, YouthCare, Molina.
Therapist
Lenora Carter, Masters Level Counselor
Bio coming soon!