Meet the Thrive for Life Counseling Team: Compassionate Experts Guiding You on Your Mental Health Journey
At Thrive for Life Counseling, we believe that therapy is a transformative journey, offering individuals the support they need to navigate life's challenges. Our team of dedicated therapists specializes in a variety of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and relationship issues. Whether you're seeking individual counseling, couples therapy, or support for life transitions, our experienced clinicians are here to help. In this blog, we’re excited to introduce you to our talented team, sharing their backgrounds, areas of expertise, and words of wisdom to make your first steps toward virtual therapy a little easier.
Questions
What made you want to become a therapist? Did you ever see yourself becoming a therapist?
What is your favorite age group to work with?
What is one piece of advice you would give to somebody scared to start therapy?
Andrea is the first of eight clinicians we will be discussing. She has her Bachelor's and Masters in Social Work. Andrea also holds two different licenses so she can work with clients that live in Florida and Indiana. When talking one-on-one, Andrea mentioned having a desire to help people from a young age. Originally, she thought she would be a nurse but accidentally came across social work and fell in love with it as a profession. Andrea loves working with elementary children and young adults to help them deal with major life transitions. One piece of advice she would give individuals scared to start therapy is, “ I would say that it's okay to feel scared or vulnerable, or even "unworthy" of engaging in therapy. Therapists are trained professionals who are unbiased and confidential, and many of us have also personally experienced our share of mental health struggles. We know it can take time to open up to a stranger, but we also know that we have the tools and experience to help you discover patterns and navigate challenges that no longer serve you well.”
Emma is our only trilingual therapist who speaks Korean, English, and Spanish. She is verified to take clients who live in Illinois. Emma has always loved working with people and discovered early in her career that she loved the powerful impact that could be achieved through one-on-one settings such as individual therapy. She wanted to help more people across her home state which is what led her to Thrive for Life Counseling. She loves working with young adults, especially teenagers transitioning into college. There are many stressors individuals face during this period and she desires to deal with them to make life seem a little easier. The biggest piece of advice that Emma would give to an individual scared about starting the therapy process would be, “ Being vulnerable is super scary, but to accomplish real change, we need to be brave and take that leap. If you're tired of where you're in life now, why not take the first step to feeling better and being the person you know you can be? Schedule that initial meeting and get a feel for it. You can ALWAYS change your mind if needed!”
Indya has over 16 years of experience working with adults and families. She has earned her master's degree in Social Work and is licensed in Indiana, Florida, and New Hampshire. When asked if being a therapist was her original plan, Indya said the exact opposite. She states that she wanted to be “in the know” regarding resources, tips, and tricks to help people heal from difficult situations. She mentions, however, that God opened a door for her and she's been enjoying the therapy world ever since. Her favorite age group to work with would be adults and she is particularly knowledgeable about dealing with trauma and domestic violence. When asked about any advice Indya had for incoming clients she said, “Don’t focus on coming to the session. That's the easy part. Focus on making the changes you desire to see in your life.”
Katelyn is the newest member of the Thrive for Life Counseling team and is beyond excited to start meeting and helping new people. Katelyn has earned her master’s degree in social work and is pursuing her doctorate in Social Work and Leadership. Katelyn loves to work with student-athletes since she used to be one at Indiana University Indianapolis. She finds that helping student-athletes overcome mental doubt, time management, and other challenges is fulfilling since she used to experience those same challenges. Katelyn mentioned she always had a desire to help people but didn’t think that would lead her to becoming a social worker and a therapist, but she's happy that it's the current path that she's on. One piece of advice she would give to people scared to start therapy is, “ Think of therapy like trying on a pair of shoes—you might need to try a few on before you find the perfect fit. And hey, if you trip a little along the way, at least you’ll have a good story to tell!”
Kelli knew from a young age that being a social worker was a major dream of hers, and her aunt was her main inspiration for this dream. Kelli doesn’t have a particular age group that she enjoys working with because she loves helping anybody she can. Kelli mostly works with ages 5-11 during the day and works more with adults in the evenings.
Lindsey has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports and Recreation Management, followed by a Master of Arts in Organizational Management with a specialization in Organizational Leadership and she is a Certified Master Life Coach. Lindsey says she never imagined herself becoming a life coach but experiences led her down this path which she loves. She was a support system for a lot of people growing up and always enjoyed helping people so becoming a life just felt natural. Lindsey enjoys working with anyone from teenagers to adults. The biggest piece of advice Lindsey would give to people who are nervous about starting life coaching would be, “ Keep an open mind. You never know what a stranger can teach you. Don't overthink things and be your authentic self.”
Marilyn is our only clinician who works with couples on the Thrive for Life Counseling team. Marilyn, like many people, went into college having no idea what she wanted to do next. The person who inspired her and got her interested in psychology was a professor of a child psychology course she took as an undergrad. She got into psychology and gained her bachelor of arts in psychology and her master of science degree in child development and family studies. She started working with couples and has been with them ever since. She helps couples get through and navigate a variety of current or future problems. When asked what advice she would give to individuals and couples scared to enter the therapy world Marilyn says, “Just try 1 session and you will probably think it is not as bad as you imagined.”
Saving the best for last, we have Wendy, our founder and last clinician whom we will be discussing in today’s blog. Wendy has a double bachelors in psychology and social work with her masters in social work. She was one of the first virtual therapists and is now running her own company and team, hoping to help individuals who don’t have access to in-person therapy. Since a young age, Wendy wanted to be a therapist helping others to live their best lives. Wendy's advice for individuals who are anxious about starting therapy would be, “Therapy is about getting support in a space where you can be vulnerable without judgment. You don’t have to go through life’s challenges alone, and therapy can offer tools and perspectives that make a huge difference. Sometimes, just showing up is the bravest and most impactful step you can take.”
Conclusion
At Thrive for Life Counseling, our team of compassionate and skilled therapists is ready to guide you through the therapeutic process with care and expertise. Whether you’re facing anxiety, depression, ADHD, or relationship challenges, our counselors are here to support you. With 100% virtual therapy services available via video or phone for clients in Indiana, Illinois, Florida, New Hampshire, and New Jersey, we make counseling accessible and convenient for your lifestyle. Thrive for Life Counseling accepts most major insurance plans, making it easier than ever to start your mental health journey. Take the first step today toward a healthier, more balanced life by scheduling a consultation or appointment.