Connections4life
A Pioneer in Healing and Education

Karolina holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Mount Saint Mary’s University. With a strong background in customer success and marketing, she brings both strategic insight and a people-first approach to her role as Practice Manager. Karolina is passionate about creating smooth, supportive experiences for both clients and staff. Outside of work, she enjoys relaxing with her dog, Chance, and soaking up quality time together.

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Erica graduated from Virginia Tech with a Master of Education in Mental Health Counseling. As a resident in counseling, she uses mindfulness-based, EMDR, psychodynamic, and CBT theories alongside expressive and experiential techniques to help clients heal and know their authentic selves. She has experience working with adults and young adults who have experienced trauma and live with depression, low self-esteem, anxiety, existential depression, identity issues and high sensitivity. 

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Meet Shaya, a compassionate resident in counseling with experience working with patients, physicians, and pharmacists in healthcare. A devoted daughter of divorced parents, Shaya’s passion for facilitating the healing process and mental health advocacy developed at a young age. Fluent in English and Farsi, Shaya is quite familiar with diverse client populations including first-generation clients, single parent households, blended, extended, and multicultural families and the multiple struggles and responsibilities that they face. She specializes in working with individuals, adults, and elders who struggle with depression, anxiety, and chronic illness. She utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic psychotherapy to help clients both enhance their coping skills toolbox as well as explore the oftentimes hidden root cause of issues. There are times in life where we experience immense pain, feel hopeless, helpless, and very alone in our journeys. You are not alone. Shaya believes in helping clients see the light at the end of the tunnel again by giving them a safe space to share their unique stories and empowering them to unleash their full potential. She knows that seeking therapy takes a lot of courage and is honored to embark on this healing and wellness journey with you.

Meet Casey, a creative and empathetic resident in counseling. Casey received her Masters Degree in Counseling from the University of Virginia. Since then, she has been working as a School Counselor at the Elementary level. She has worked with a diverse population of children and parents as they navigate neurodiversity, self-regulation, relationships, and life transitions. She specializes in creatively using evidence-based solutions to best meet the needs and goals of the individuals she is working with. Casey values the importance of individuality with her humanistic approach to counseling. Casey's counseling approach emphasizes the value of finding and utilizing strengths to create peace within oneself. When she is not counseling, she practices the mind body connection through coaching gymnastics and teaching indoor cycling classes. 

Meet Jenna, a compassionate graduate-level counseling intern currently completing her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Jenna is dedicated to your well-being. Jenna connects with clients by using light humor, warmth, and mindfulness to create a safe space for healing and self-discovery. Therapy is most effective when there is a meaningful connection between the client, therapist, and approach. With a nonjudgmental, authentic, and compassionate stance, Jenna strives to foster a safe and collaborative environment in which to explore sensitive issues, experiment with new behaviors, and work toward what matters to you. Whether you want to improve the quality of your relationships, interactions, health, or life as a whole; cultivate more meaning, purpose, and fulfillment; or address mental health challenges, Jenna will wholeheartedly support you in shaping your efforts to achieve these goals. Collaborative and experiential, Jenna’s approach blends ancient Eastern mindfulness practices with modern, evidence-based treatments like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Whether you feel depressed, anxious, distraught, frustrated, or stuck, together we can find ways to cope with overwhelming thoughts and feelings.

Meet Kristen, a lifelong empathetic, compassionate caregiver and graduate level counseling intern with over 15 years supporting teens, children, and their families in educational settings. After years of caretaking for her ailing parents, she developed a
passion for working with the aging population and those dealing with chronic health issues. She specializes in working with individuals who struggle with depression, anxiety, grief, loss, and those adjusting to major transitions in life. Kristen strives to create a safe place for clients to share their stories and work together to achieve each client’s personal goals. Depending on client interest, Kristen offers traditional, non-faith- based counseling, as well as Christian Counseling to clients of all ages. By utilizing existential and person-centered approaches with cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, she seeks to help clients find purpose and meaning in their struggles as they work towards greater acceptance and joy in their lives.

She is currently finishing her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Colorado Christian University. She is a married mother of two adult children, one teenager, and a Nana to one granddaughter. As an avid enthusiast of the arts, Kristen loves music, visual art, books, movies, and musical theater, and enjoys incorporating these media into her therapy sessions, when possible.

Meet Lisette, a graduate level counselor-in-training with a passion for counseling rooted in cross-cultural competency and evidence-based care. Her research interests include animal-assisted therapy, positive psychology, and the intersection between interior architecture + design and mental health.

Lisette approaches her client work with an emphasis on unconditional positive regard, a strong sense of congruence, and a learner-first mentality. As a counselor who values psychological safety and authentic connection, she is committed to cultivating spaces where all individuals are welcome.

Lisette graduated from the University of Missouri – Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism and Bachelor of Arts in 2015 and is a current master’s student at Capella University with a concentration in clinical mental health counseling.  Lisette will be accepting clients January 2026.