Wendy’s career has been about helping people: as a school teacher, yoga, mindfulness, and
meditation instructor as well as an active community member. Now as a therapist, she continues
her guiding principle of “respecting the spirit in each individual.” Her work is holistic in nature,
supporting the mind, emotions, and body of her clients as a whole. Combining her GVSU
Master of Social Work degree with her years of other professional experiences, Wendy provides
a unique person-centered approach for her clients on their path and meets them where they are
at in their lives.

In her practice Wendy uses somatics, mindfulness, yoga, self-compassion practices and similar
modalities such as experiencing nature for overall wellness in individuals and relationship
concerns. She provides trauma-informed care, and specializes in women’s issues, anxiety and
depression, life transitions, and interpersonal relationships. She works with individuals of all
ages, including those who have family histories of addiction and substance use disorders. Additionally, she has a deep interest in end of life issues, grief and loss. Given her years as a teacher,
she still enjoys working with children, adolescents, along with providing parental and family
support.

Life can be challenging at times. Wendy feels honored to help provide a safe and healing
environment for individuals and families, collaborating with them to find more balance and
equanimity in their lives. Wendy’s personal passions include gardening, reading, being at the
lakeshore, wandering a farm market, and hiking in area parks.

Jackie has been a social worker since 2005 after receiving a Liberal Arts degree with emphasis on Women’s Studies from Grand Valley State University. She considers Liberal Arts to be one of the best ways to prepare for therapy because it teaches appreciation for diversity. Before graduate school she worked as a substitute teacher for all ages, counseled women facing unplanned pregnancies, provided case management for adults with developmental disabilities, and was a support staff at a women’s shelter. She has also volunteered as a community organizer in Grand Rapids and has been a fierce ally for the “underdogs” of society.

Jackie found her niche after graduating with a Master of Social Work from Western Michigan University. She became a therapist in diverse settings including men’s prisons and substance use programs. Jackie is also passionate about providing compassionate care to individuals with personality disorders. She is a survivor of the true crime genre and all of its exploits and welcomes clients with the same struggles.

Believing clients are experts on themselves, Jackie works as a guide for clients to accomplish identified goals. Building the “Therapeutic Alliance” is of utmost importance as this has proven to be where change happens. Jackie is skilled in Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She also attended an intensive training on Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and teaches its invaluable skills when applicable. For fun and relaxation Jackie plays with her puppy, John. She loves to travel and see friends. She wishes Fall and Halloween were year-long. She believes dancing is the best medicine. She does not believe normal exists and her motto is don’t “should” on yourself or others.

Sonia Frausto LLMSW speaks Spanish and English fluently and takes great pride in her heritage, language, and culture.

She has worked in the mental health field since 2016 and obtained a Master of Social Work degree from Spring Arbor University in 2018. Sonia has extensive experience assisting and supporting children and teens struggling with Social/ Emotional Regulation, Anxiety, Depression, Suicidal Ideations and Trauma. She takes great privilege and joy working with a wide array of ages, ranging from children to adults.

Sonia’s therapeutic approaches include person-centered, solutions-focused, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). “I believe therapy needs to be customized, as every person’s life experience is their own. Whether you are looking for skills to better cope with stress, improve your ability to regulate your emotions, or increase your satisfaction in your relationships. I welcome the opportunity for us to work at it together.”

Sonia believes that rapport-building is one of the most crucial steps in creating a therapeutic alliance based on trust. She strives to create a serene, comforting environment where my clients feel supported, listened to, and understood. “I’m here to support you through your challenges and provide you the tools you need to overcome them and accomplish your individual treatment and development objectives.”