Meet the Team

 

Emily, LCMFT

Emily grew up in south Johnson County, KS, and graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelors in Family Studies and Human Services. After, she attended Friends University in Kansas City and graduated with her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Emily’s post graduate career began in Boston. Her clients ranged from youth in the foster system to people struggling with family separation, suicide, drug abuse, prostitution, poverty, severe mental illness, and homelessness.

She has worked with all ages, ranging from three to 93 years old, in one of the most impoverished and violent cities in the United States. Emily’s work has helped homeless, spiritual, transitional living, and psychiatric facility communities.

With Emily’s extensive experience, she took what she learned and brought it back to Kansas City developing Healing Towards Wellness. Her specialties range from transitional living to adulthood, and include eating disorders, self injury/suicide, premarital/couples work and overall family therapy.

Timothy, Intern

Timothy, raised in a blended family is a transplant from St. Louis. He received his Bachelor's in Psychology from Missouri Western State University and currently completing his Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University after serving time in the US Navy.

From his lived experience and educational background TJ resonates and practices from a Narrative therapy lens.

“Narrative techniques help clients draw out the source of their struggles. I co-facilitate clients' exploration of past experiences and perspectives to discover their own self empowering stories.”

Rhiannon, Intern

After graduating from Culver-Stockton College with a Bachelor's in Psychology, Rhiannon moved to Kansas City to start a family. She is now pursuing her Master's in Clinical, Mental, and Behavioral Health Counseling. Rhiannon's therapeutic approach is person-centered, and she is passionate about helping clients heal from trauma.

“Trauma is something that occurs to us, not something that tells us who we are or have to be. By understanding the entire person, not just their trauma, a better knowledge of an individuals needs and wants for the future can be addressed. Trauma is hard enough, healing doesn’t have to be hard as well”.

Board Members

Lyndsey

Lyndsey is a born and raised Kansas Citian who recently returned home after a short stint in Louisville, KY. Her love for her hometown was only solidified with her time apart and she’s excited to be able to give back to KC through Healing Towards Wellness.

In her professional life Lyndsey is an entrepreneur, horsewoman, and is currently working to bring the InvestMidwest Conference to Kansas City in April 2023. She’s passionate about helping businesses and organizations grow and find their ideal customers.

In her free time Lyndsey enjoys spending time with her husband, kids, and their ever growing menagerie of pets.

Marisa

Marisa is a Kansas City native with a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design, a Kansas MBE/WBE/DBE certification, and a WBENC certification. She also runs her own business: Marisa Gonzales Studio, LLC. Marisa focuses on leaving a legacy she can be proud of by making the best of her circumstances. In her opinion, the best way to get there is through supporting one another.

“As someone who's experienced chronic health issues, inclusiveness (or lack thereof) got me here from the corporate world of design agencies and as a healthcare physical therapy clinician. After working in that environment of the rigidness of their policies towards women and employees with chronic health issues, I knew I wanted to do better. And that’s why I’m very much family and health-focused in my business.”

This lived experience is the way Marisa helps female consultants increase their leads and build brand authority through website design, custom visual branding, SEO, and accessibility. In addition, Marisa is a wife and mother to one human and two dogs.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth grew up in a military family, having lived in over a handful of states across the country before making a home for her amily in Kansas City, KS. She graduated from Kansas State University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Family Studies and Human Services and in 2022, graduated with her master's in Marriage and Family Therapy!

Elizabeth has worked with kids, teenagers, and adults struggling with concerns around self-injury, the LGBTQ+ community, affair recovery, depression, anxiety, or those seeking premarital counseling.

She started her career out interning with Healing Towards Wellness and then came on as a staff person. Now she has transitioned to the board as she starts her own private practice at Gaming Changing Therapy.