Everyone tells a story about themselves inside their head, that story makes you what you are, we build ourselves out of that story.
Our Therapists
Hidden in the pages of our practice are the personal stories of each one of our therapists. Collectively, these therapists’ stories add to the purpose and meaning behind ‘Your Story Counseling.’ The belief that every individual has the power to reshape their life story through understanding comes from a personal journey each one of us came to understand from our own encounters. Our attunement to the stories of others is supported by our life’s work as therapists.
Mariah Carstens, LCSW
Carla Marquez Ripley MA, LCPC
Sheila Adamo LCSW, CADC
Spencer Schroeder LPC
Travis Satterlee LCPC, CADC
Cristie Fry, LCSW, CADC
Melissa Sogavo
Sara Egan, LCSW
Lexi Durdon, NCC, LCPC
Sophia Belczak, MSW
Melissa Miller, ATR-P
Brittany Tyler MA
Jennifer Ahrens, MS, MA, LPC, NBCC, CCTP
Lara Govendo
Clark Beckley
Madie Martus, MS
Ken Tworek
Our Founder
I serve on the Board of Directors of Male Survivor, a national non-profit supporting male victims of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation along with those that love them (www.MaleSurvivor.org). I am a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the International Association of Trauma Professionals (IATP), and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC).
My professional experience in law enforcement and child welfare allows me to offer a unique perspective in supporting veterans, medical, public safety, child welfare personnel, and other professionals who are susceptible to experiencing personal, relational, and professional disruption due to post-traumatic stress, secondary traumatic stress, vicarious trauma, and compassion fatigue or burnout. As an adoptee, I am aware of the experience of birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees in processing the complex feelings and thoughts connected to the adoption experience.
“I enjoy working with clients who are open to the discovery of their story and how it led them to their current circumstance.”
I am best able to nurture a relationship with a client that is aware of their reason for seeking support and who is comfortable with a direct approach to realizing their goals. I have considerable experience working with adolescents and families with a wide range of circumstances, mental health concerns, and supporting those who are in crisis. Additionally, my experience as a therapist extends to working with adults coping with a life transition, relationships, and mental health issues.
I am an experienced trauma therapist who is readily available to accompany survivors of abuse, neglect, domestic violence, and other personal or professional traumatic experiences in connecting with their journey toward freedom and peace. My approach to working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families is centered on the idea that we are experiencing components of our personal stories each and every day. When we conclude a chapter, it can impact the next chapter. By understanding your experiences and crafting your next steps, we can shape your story.
Office Staff
Your Story Counseling Intake Team
Our intake team dedicates itself to helping new clients find the best therapist suited for their needs. Throughout this process, they help schedule your first session, verify benefits, and answer any questions you may have regarding therapy. As therapists themselves, these individuals ensure that we provide new clients from the start with a level of understanding to meet the unique factors that led them to seek therapy.
Your Story Counseling Support Staff
Operations Manager
Katie Bade
I believe everyone has a unique set of experiences that help shape who they are. These experiences can be complex and overwhelming at times. Being brave enough to take the first step towards understanding yourself and facing trauma or stressors is the best way to learn about yourself and set yourself free. Taking this journey can have a ripple effect and allow you to use newly developed skills to change how you interact with others within your environment. You can learn to be the change you wish to see in the world.
Beginning the journey of self-discovery and self-improvement can be challenging at times. My goal is to help therapists and this practice to make this process a little easier. I believe the client experience is vital to the outcome of their success. I strive to foster a positive, supportive, and efficient environment that takes the administrative and operational concerns out of the picture so that the therapist and the client can focus on the most crucial task of all: healing and self-discovery within the therapeutic process.
Support Coordinator
Trish Bade
In my career plans and development, I’ve been looking for a way to help make a difference in the mental health field while keeping the relationship I’ve come to enjoy in working with people. Most recently, I’ve been working as an Esthetician who enjoys building connections with clients. It is with great pleasure to be offered and accept this opportunity with Your Story Counseling as their Support Coordinator, where I will be responsible for assisting clients through my efforts of helping to remove the administrative load from our therapists and clinicians.
There is a reason my fate has brought me to this role and position within Your Story Counseling, a part of my personal story. I hope to pass along to others what I’ve learned about one’s personal story, which is that it’s essential to be at peace with everything you do. The energy you put out in the world will return to you, and I believe there are no coincidences in this world. The good and challenging powers of our experiences propel us forward, and life is about finding a balance between the two to find our way along.
During my journey at YSC, I look forward to the support I will be able to provide to every therapist who diligently strives to provide the best possible care for our clients. Through my efforts, this practice and the therapists within it will be able to further their work and focus on bringing positive and fulfilling energy to those they serve. No matter where you are or what you believe, I look forward to providing the services that allow us to all live together in harmony.
Support Coordinator
Karina Ramos LSW
I am a true believer that everything happens for a reason. Although I am a planner who enjoys planning for almost everything, things sometimes work differently than how you prepare them. Listening is a fundamental skill. I want to listen to stories and understand how you see the world. It’s already thought to take a step into the therapist’s office, but I will make it a safe space for you to decompress and share your stories.
I hope to provide support to individuals or families, too. My most vital specialty as a human being is empathy and listening. We feel safer knowing that the person listening will be compassionate and can tell me their story so that I can start healing.
My mission is to empower and advocate for the vulnerable population. To use my educational endeavors to achieve my ultimate desire to help those most need it.