Meet Helen

After many years as a high school teacher, Helen Read joined Flourishing Families in a part time administrative role. She supports the internal workings of Flourishing Families to help keep things running smoothly. 

Raised in Texas, she came to Wheaton to attend college, where she stayed upon graduation. After raising a family, she received a MA in teaching and enjoyed the daily experience of working with teen aged students. Currently, she  spends her time working in her studio as an artist, and she teaches artistic skills online. Having time to be with both local and distant family is a joy.  She also enjoys gardening and spending time in the beauty of nature. 

Meet Marina

I believe that people are shaped by their life experiences and stories but not defined by them. I believe in change and that all individuals possess the capacity for growth and resilience. I believe that people can heal and thrive when provided support, understanding, and opportunities for self-exploration.

I view counseling as a collaborative process in which the counselor and client work together to identify strengths, overcome barriers, and pursue meaningful goals. My role is to create a safe, empathetic, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel empowered to share their experiences and develop greater self-awareness. I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship characterized by trust, authenticity, empathy, and unconditional positive regard serves as the foundation for effective counseling.

Marina Roddy is a Clinical Intern at Flourishing Families, completing her Clinical Mental Health Counseling training at Wheaton College (May 2027). Marina has received training in Child-Centered Play Therapy, and is Psychological Recovery Certified, TF-CBT Certified, and Spiritual First Aid Certified. Marina is pursuing a Trauma Certificate. Marina speaks Arabic and Spanish

Who you Serve:

I enjoy working with a wide age range from kids as young as two to adults. I am passionate about working with young children and families as well as individuals who have experienced trauma. I am honored to walk with anyone throughout their journey and to provide any support I can. I am the first generation of my family who is born in the US and am passionate about working with immigrants and first-generation individuals experiencing cultural changes.

Methods you Use:

I take a person-centered approach to therapy. You are the professional in your life and I am present to support you. I believe that empathy and positive regard can go a long way for someone. I also utilize Child-Centered play therapy for young children, allowing them to bolster their independence, locus of control, and decision-making capabilities, all the while providing them with empathy and unconditional positive regard to build their self-esteem.

Areas you Address:

I address a variety of issues across the life span including life changes, parenting, development, relationships, trauma, grief, culture, and assimilation.

What you like to do in your Spare Time:

I love to read, spend time with my family, cook, and bake. I enjoy trying new restaurants and spending time outside, hiking or walking. I enjoy being around people and having a good time. I enjoy traveling and trying new things and new food from different cultures.

Professional Affiliations: 

Illinois Counseling Association (2026)

Meet Jacob

I believe that every person’s story is sacred and that the relationships you have are powerful determining factors in who you are today. Healthy relationships are one of the most powerful influences in our lives, what we are shaped by, and what we value. Relationships can also be a source of great hurt and distrust. It is my belief that the therapeutic relationship can be a corrective experience for fostering confidence, trust, self-efficacy, and most importantly, hope. My approach is designed to ensure hope, build confidence, overcome challenges, and strengthen relationships.

Jacob graduated from Wheaton College with his Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a Trauma Certificate. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at Regent University. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and is currently working toward becoming a Registered Play Therapist (RPT).

Who I serve

I enjoy working with children, teens, adults, families, and couples. I desire to collaborate with my clients and their families as much as possible to ensure their needs are being met to the best of my ability. I seek to guide people through life transitions such as moving from childhood to adolescence, high school transitions, and adolescence into emerging adulthood/college age. Lastly, another area I’m passionate about is working with people who have experienced trauma, betrayal, and/or abuse.

Areas I address

ADHD, Autism, PTSD, Trauma, Depression, Anxiety, Career issues, Relationships, Military families/transition, Spirituality/Faith topics, and more.

Methods Used

I utilize a range of approaches when working with clients. I listen to each client and their needs specifically, tailoring an approach that meets their needs, builds a safe and trusting relationship, and accomplishes their goals in therapy. I draw from person-centered and child-centered approaches, play therapy, sandtray, attachment therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and more.

In my spare time

I have a range of hobbies! I enjoy working on electronics and computers, playing disc golf, pickleball, and video games, reading, and every moment I can be outside in nature.

Licenses and Certifications

Licensed Professional Counselor, Illinois, June 2026

Gottman Level 1, July 2026

Spiritual First Aid, June 2025

Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), February 2025

Professional Affiliations

American Counseling Association, 2026-Present

Association for Play Therapy, 2025-Present

Illinois Counseling Association, 2024-Present

Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association, 2024-Present

Email: jloer@flourishingfams.com

Meet Rachel

I believe that everyone needs empathy and we need each other. Every person needs to know that their story matters and that they matter. Our relationships with ourselves, others, and the world around us can build up or break down these messages throughout all of life, starting as children and eventually as adults. I see the counseling setting as an opportunity to bring our inner lives up to the surface so that we can do some work and healing together. My heart is for children, teens, adults, and their families to know that their stories and feelings matter and that they are not alone. My hope is that individuals and families can grow and feel empowered to love themselves and others in ways that leave a profound and lasting impact for years to come.

Rachel graduated from Northwestern University with her Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in child and adolescent therapy. She is a Licesned Professional Counselor and will work toward becoming a Registered Play Therapist.

Who I serve

I help children, teens, and their parents, along with individual adults. Each stage of life holds unique challenges and opportunities, and I consider it a great honor to walk alongside people in whatever season of life they find themselves in.

Areas I address

Transition, anxiety, depression, loss, trauma, conflict, career issues, and relationships.

Methods used

I enjoy utilizing a person-centered and psychodynamic therapeutic approach, which is all about unconditional positive regard, empathy, and understanding the root of what causes our problems. I also use methods from play therapy and art therapy. I am passionate about helping people (littles and adults!) grow in their ability to process their emotions in ways that help and not harm.

In my spare time

When I have free time, you can find me exploring a new part of Chicago, doing a calligraphy project, or going on a random adventure with a friend! I also love being active and really enjoy cycling classes and lifting. I love all different kinds of food and will always gladly accept restaurant recommendations. A highlight of my life was attending the very sparkly Taylor Swift concert in Chicago during her Eras tour. If I could reach out from this computer screen or phone to give you a friendship bracelet I would!

Qualifications

Counseling Student at Northwestern’s Family Institute Jan 2022–Dec 2024

Licensed Professional Counselor, IL, June 2025

Professional Affiliations

Member of American Mental Health Counseling Association, 2023–Present

Email: rgowland@flourishingfams.com

Meet Abigail

I believe that individuals and families come with their own valuable experiences and stories that shape who they are and where they are headed. I find that there is power in relationship and that healing begins to happen when in a safe and secure environment. Through a collaborative therapeutic relationship, I help clients work toward meaningful growth in order to increase self-awareness, emotional regulation, and understanding of their stories.

Abigail graduated from Wheaton College with her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has completed advanced play therapy training from the Play Therapy Institute at the University of Central Missouri and is in the process of becoming a Registered Play Therapist.

Who I serve

I enjoy working with people across a variety of ages and work with children (ages 3 and up), teens, families, and couples (pre-marital and co-parenting).

Areas I address

I address a variety of concerns, including life transitions, grief and loss, anxiety, parenting, divorce, step-family adjustment, and pre-marital counseling.

Methods Used

The methods I primarily lean on focus on Systemic and Humanistic therapies. When working with children, I often use Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) and person-centered art and sandtray approaches. I also use person-centered approaches when working with teens and enjoy incorporating art and other activities to help them feel comfortable and confident in therapy. Although the bulk of my therapeutic work is done with individual children, I highly value working with parents and families to ensure the whole family is equipped to support the child and each other while going through the therapy process and beyond.

I also am certified in Prepare/Enrich premarital counseling and use this approach with my premarital couples.

In my spare time

I enjoy playing board games with friends, spending time with family, and taking my dog on long walks through forest preserves. I also love to travel and enjoy trying out new coffee shops in whatever city I’m in!

Qualifications

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - 2025

Prepare/Enrich Certified Facilitator - 2022

Professional Affiliations

Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy: 2021 - Present

Member of the Association for Play Therapy 2022 - Present

Meet Sammie

I believe every person has an innate capacity for healing, growth, and resilience. When we feel genuinely accepted and understood, we begin to recognize the strengths that have been within us all along. I strive to create a warm, person-centered environment where children, teens, adults, and families feel safe to explore their experiences, build meaningful connections, and flourish at their own pace. My hope is to walk alongside individuals and families as they discover their own strengths, cultivate resilience, and create lasting change in ways that honor their unique story.

Sotiria “Sammie” Kapsis, LCPC, CCPT (pronouns: she/her/hers) is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Certified Child-Centered Play Therapist, and Licensed Professional School Counselor with more than 25 years of experience in education and mental health. Her professional journey includes serving as a preschool teacher, preschool director, school counselor, and therapist, giving her a developmental and relationship-centered perspective that informs her work with clients of all ages.

Growing up between Greece and the United States fostered Sammie's appreciation for culture, identity, and belonging, while her lifelong experience with grief deepened her compassion for those navigating loss and life transitions. As a bilingual English and Greek speaker, she is passionate about creating an inclusive space where every person feels welcomed, respected, and valued.

Who I serve:

I enjoy working with children, adolescents, adults, and families navigating anxiety, grief, trauma, ADHD, emotional regulation, life transitions, relationship concerns, parenting challenges, and self-esteem. I have a special passion for Child-Centered Play Therapy, partnering with parents to strengthen attachment and connection while empowering children to express themselves through play. I also enjoy supporting multicultural and multilingual individuals and families as they navigate identity, belonging, and change.

Areas I address:

I work with concerns including anxiety, grief, trauma, ADHD, emotional regulation, stress, life transitions, self-esteem, family conflict, parenting, relationship challenges, and social-emotional development. My goal is to help clients recognize their strengths, deepen self-understanding, and develop resilience that extends beyond the therapy room.

Methods used:

Grounded in Person-Centered, Child-Centered, Humanistic, and Attachment-based approaches, I integrate Child-Centered Play Therapy, mindfulness practices, Filial Therapy principles, strengths-based counseling, and developmentally appropriate experiential interventions. I believe each person is the expert on their own life and that healing unfolds through authentic relationships built on acceptance, curiosity, and trust.

In my spare time:

I enjoy spending time with my family, exploring new coffee shops, creating art, being outdoors, and practicing mindfulness. I'm passionate about lifelong learning and can often be found listening to audiobooks and podcasts, especially those focused on personal growth, relationships, and professional development. I find joy in the everyday moments of play, creativity, and connection that I encourage my clients to embrace as well.

Licenses and Certifications:

~Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Illinois,  Oct. 2024

~Certified Child-Centered Play Therapist (CCPT), National Institute for Relationship Enhancement (NIRE),  May 2025

~Licensed Professional School Counselor, Aug. 2007

~Master of Education in Counseling and Development, George Mason University, August 2007

Email: skapsis@flourishingfams.com 

Meet Sharon

I believe each person’s story is sacred and that lasting change happens within the context of relationship. I seek to create a person-centered environment where people feel comfortable to heal or grow at their pace in the way that fits their specific needs. It is my hope to empower families to embrace healing in order to live life to the fullest. Specifically, with children, adolescents, and families, I focus on age-appropriate activities designed to holistically help people overcome difficulties, develop resiliency, and cultivate strengths for lasting change.

Sharon Bryant, LMFT, RPT, CCPT-S, (pronouns: she/her/hers) is the founder of Flourishing Families. She is certified in Child-Centered Play Therapy, Filial Therapy, Relationship Enhancement Programming, and Prepare-Enrich, and is an EMDRIA Approved EMDR Trained Clinician and EMDR Consultant in Training. Sharon is a Child-Centered Play Therapy Skills Consultant (CCPT-S). She has presented twice at the National Institute for Relationship Enhancement (NIRE) national conference in Washington D.C., and has taught as an adjunct professor at ECWA Theological Seminary, Kagoro, Nigeria and Wheaton Graduate School, Wheaton, IL. She has provided trainings in Play Therapy in a variety of settings. Sharon has co-authored a life-skills curriculum called Back on Track and has contributed to a marriage-enrichment program (“Couple Talk”), as well as a parenting book titled A Life Shared: Meaningful Conversations with Our Kids.

Who I serve:

I enjoy providing counseling services to a variety of people including children and their families, adolescents and their families, individual adults and their families, friendships, teams, and couples (pre-marital, and co-parenting). I enjoy working with Blended families, families that have formed through adoption, same-sex parenting families, and families navigating cross-cultural settings (via Telehealth or in person). I also enjoy working with children who have experienced a recent trauma to help prevent PTSD and children who are experiencing Auditory Sensory Processing disorder. I like working with graduate students who are studying counseling (and their families) as they seek to integrate the knowledge they are gaining. I love leading enrichment groups for couples, parents and children.

Areas I address:

I address a variety of issues including grief, transitions, stress, culture shock, resiliency, trauma, family conflict, parenting, divorce, step-family adjustment, pre-marital, team building, depression, anxiety, separation anxiety, phobias, PTSD, ADHD, ADD, and ODD.

Methods used:

Focusing on Attachment, Systems, Humanistic and Play Therapies, I utilize an assortment of experiential therapies in my work. Methods I use most often are Child-Centered Play Therapy, Filial Therapy, Relationship Enhancement Couples Therapy, Relationship Enhancement Family Therapy, and EMDR. I also enjoy use of Sandtray, Skills Teaching, Play-Based CBT, Bibliotherapy, Art therapies, TBRI, Family Play Therapy & Theraplay-informed Family Therapy.

In my spare time:

I love spending time with my hubby playing games at a coffee shop or kayaking, and spending time at home with my four children playing “Chase” and “Find you.” I also seize moments to be in nature and to cross-stitch while watching a Red Sox baseball game.

Licenses and Certifications:

~Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, IL, March 2015

~Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, KY, Oct. 2014

~Registered Play Therapist, National Certification, Sept. 2016

~Certified Child-Centered Play Therapist (CCPT), NIRE, May 2014

~Certified Filial Therapist, NIRE, Nov. 2014

~Certified Relationship Enhancement Program Leadership, NIRE, May 2014

~Certified Prepare/Enrich Facilitator, Sept. 2011

~Child-Centered Play Therapist Skills Consultant, Sept. 2019

~Certified Cerny Smith CSA Stress Assessment Provider, Sept. 2019

~Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, Feb. 2020

~Certified Telehealth Provider, March 2020

~EMDR Certified Therapist, Aug. 2021

~Certified ILS, Safe and Sound Protocol

~Certified CCPT Educator, NIRE, Jan. 2023

~Certified Filial Educator, NIRE, Jan. 2023

Professional Affiliations:

~Member of Association for Play Therapy, 2016–present

~National Institute of Relationship Enhancement (NIRE) Board Member, 2013–present

-Member of AAMFT

Email: sbryant@flourishingfams.com