Sara Vivoda (formerly a Probasco) is a licensed Occupational Therapist with over 7 years experience, specializing in treating the whole child through sensory, motor, play, and emotional techniques.

Sara graduated from Rockhurst University with her Master’s in Occupational Therapy and has since been working in the Chicago area. Sara has a unique set of clinical experiences in a variety of settings including a therapeutic preschool, pediatric outpatient clinic, rehabilitation hospitals, and a mental health community based program. In her 7 years of clinical work, Sara has had the pleasure of working with pediatrics, adolescents, and adults. Sara developed and implemented a new occupational therapy program in a school setting providing group and individual therapy to drive student’s successful participation in play, social interactions, and emotional development.

Sara has extensive training in sensory modulation and regulation interventions. She is passionate about treating the whole child by addressing the foundational skills required to support healthy development through play, engagement, and mind-body connections. She works to achieve measurable change for her clients and their family by connecting physical movement and sensory integration to influence a child’s emotional well-being.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking with her husband, and socializing with friends and family. She discovered yoga over 10 years ago with her sister and has never looked back. She understands the importance and power of connecting our breath with our movement to cultivate change within ourselves. This practice can be observed not only in her personal life but in her interactions with children and their family. By creating body and sensory awareness, we provide the chance for children to take on emotional obstacles with more clarity and confidence. Sara is excited to provide insight into the physical and sensory influence of child development through consulting and collaborating with the staff and families of New Strong.

Whitney Wilson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has over five years’ experience helping adolescents, adults, and families begin their healing journey through art, play, and communication. She has a passion for helping clients find healing after experiencing trauma or toxic stress, and to begin to blossom when they see themselves as complete, whole, and safe. She believes that connecting with clients is the most powerful tool we can use to facilitate healing, and that all people have the capacity to thrive when given the right tools.

Whitney has extensive experience working in schools with adolescents, as well as providing attachment-focused parent education for parents of infants and young toddlers. She has training in play therapy and other expressive therapies, as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She also has experience working with clients with a wide range of problems, from trauma-driven reactions to severe and persistent mental illness. She believes that all clients, regardless of their age or past, possess the innate ability to bloom where they are planted.

Rachel Simeone is the owner of Discover Play Therapy, LLC. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and K-12 Certified School Counselor. Rachel has over 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and their families.

Rachel provides individual and group therapy for children, three years and older, along with their families in a partnership with New Strong. She specializes in autism, anxiety, depression, trauma and social skills development. Rachel utilizes an integrative approach of empirically validated therapies, including CBT, play therapy, sandtray, and Theraplay techniques to help clients feel safe and heard. She believes the therapeutic relationship between the client and counselor is essential in providing a safe place for healing and growth.

Rachel Bichara is a Provisionally Licensed Counselor in both Missouri and Kansas. She graduated from MidAmerica Nazarene University and has been doing private practice ever since. Rachel also has experience in higher levels of care specializing in eating disorder treatment and anxiety.

Rachel approaches therapy with a refreshing and modern touch, curated to fit each client’s needs and desires. Curated Life Therapy is her practice name, and she is passionate about helping people get “unstuck” from patterns in life that no longer serve them. Rachel uses CBT and DBT often, but describes herself as eclectic and client focused.

Aside from work, Rachel enjoys pampering her rescue pitbull, diving into home renovations with her husband, or having friends over for dinner.

Jill M. Katz is a Licensed Professional Counselor. For over 30 years as a family law attorney, Jill
was a tireless advocate for children and guided parents through relationship transitions. From
families changing through separations to adoptions, she sought ways to empower them to move
forward in their new family dynamic.

As a therapist she continues to focus on what she was most passionate about as an attorney:
supporting people and giving them the tools to thrive as parents regardless of circumstances. She
works with individuals and couples with a focus on co-parenting, relationship changes, and
custody issues– overall helping families redefine their relationships for the future through
changes and separations. She applies a variety of therapeutic techniques and interventions based
on an individual’s or family’s needs.

Outside of her work as a therapist, Jill mentors young and aspiring family law attorneys. She
enjoys sewing, making fresh pasta, and visiting her daughters and their families in St. Louis and
Newcastle, Australia.

Kris Probasco is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Kansas City Infertility Resource Counselor. With over 40 years of experience in private adoption, donor conceptions, embryo adoption, and surrogacy. Supporting more than 3,000 families, Kris is a valuable independent resource to help families answer questions and provide guidance throughout the process. Many of Kris’s former clients have acknowledged the benefit of making these difficult decisions with an experienced therapist to make a confident decision when building their families. Kris’s work has been recognized internationally and across the states as well in infertility literature.

When Kris is not spending time with her clients or keynote speaking, you can find her cheering on her SIX grandson’s and catching up on the latest Law and Order. Kris resides in Hyde Park with her husband and enjoys the midtown life!

Kathryn supports women grappling with identity loss and relationship with body in pregnancy, postpartum and motherhood. She holds space for clients to heal the emotional wounds of trauma and loss that often shape challenges in mothering.

Kathryn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her master’s degree from the University of Kansas. Her professional experience includes maternal mental health in perinatal and NICU hospital units and providing professional education and psychotherapy for eating disorder recovery.

Kathryn has more than a decade of clinical experience supporting women. She earned her Certificate in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders through Postpartum Support International in 2020. Kathryn is EMDR trained through the Institute of Creative Mindfulness and engaged in consultation toward her EMDR certification. Kathryn has also trained under Karen Kleiman, MSW, LCSW of the Postpartum Stress Center. She utilizes the Art of Holding, EMDR, ACT, and other mindfulness and somatic-based interventions in the therapy room. Her therapeutic approach utilizes these modalities and more with an emphasis on warmth, non-judgment, and authentic connection.

Kathryn lives in Kansas City with her husband, two children and a dog. She enjoys riding horse, walking in nature, trips to the mountains, writing and devouring good books.