Our Story

In recent months, we’ve seen our school-aged clients and their families be exposed to scarier and more complex situations than ever before. Disconnection. Depression. Perfectionism. Anxiety. Suicide. Bullying. And Numbing. The list goes on. As parents, we not only see these issues on the news and read about them online but know that our children are face-to-face with them, on a daily basis. So we asked ourselves: What do these kids need? How can we be proactive rather than reactive? How can we teach them to bounce back when life knocks them down? How can we help give parents peace, that they have truly done enough? The theme, and the necessary skill, that kept resurfacing was resilience … and, with that, New Strong was born.

What is Resilience ... and Why is it the Key?

Resilience is about developing the ability to bounce back, to recognize our emotions and to trust that we have the strength to move through them. We prepare for the when rather than focus on the if. We can’t outsmart pain, shame or stress. They will always be there. We can, however, be armed with the skills to bounce back from the painful, shameful or stressful experiences life throws our way. New Strong is a movement, a new definition of what it means to be a strong parent, child, and family.

Our Core Values

We value love. We value connection. We value giving back. We believe that a child who has been given skills to face life's inevitable challenges will thrive more than ones who haven't.

Cultivate

Love

We Cultivate love by fostering courage and empowering families to challenge the fear of "what others think of us." We are all perfectly imperfect – and should be embraced through the eyes of self-compassion and kindness.
Create

Authentic Connections

We create the opportunity to develop authentic connections through group experiences. Understanding we are all wired with both strength and struggle allows us to connect.
Find

Deeper Purpose

We create opportunities to find deeper purpose by partnering with local organizations to give back to our community. Tapping into our own unique gifts means we can give back in fulfilling ways!

Meet the Creators

We are two sisters with over 30 years combined therapeutic experience. Born to two compassionate therapists, our path to counseling was well-paved. We're on a mission to help children and their families thrive in today's world. We know in order to be proactive, rather than reactive, we must approach this work differently, and be willing to get creative!

Laura Probasco-Johnson

Laura Probasco-Johnson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator, and the creator of Messy in the Middle—a coaching-centered, therapist-informed space for women navigating midlife, shifting identities, motherhood, grief, and all the beautifully complex in-between seasons.

With over 20 years of post-Master’s experience, Laura brings clinical depth, creative insight, and a grounded, relational presence to her work with individuals, families, and groups. Her approach is warm, intuitive, and rooted in the belief that real transformation doesn’t wait for the dust to settle—it happens right in the thick of real life.

When she’s not working, Laura finds joy in the small, sacred moments—wandering Kansas City with her husband Roy, son, and step-son, soaking in a quiet bath, or planning her next gathering (because party planning is her love language). Whether it’s a cozy dinner or a full-blown theme night, she believes connection begins with an open door and a little intentional magic.

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Leah Probasco-Burns

With over 17 years of experience in education, clinical settings, and private practice, Leah is a dedicated mental health professional who brings not just expertise, but heart, to the work she

With over 17 years of experience in education, clinical settings, and private practice, Leah is a dedicated mental health professional who brings not just expertise, but heart, to the work she does with individuals and families. She’s a Licensed Professional Counselor, School Counselor, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator — a unique combination that allows her to support clients across all ages and life stages.

Leah’s career has taken her through public and charter school systems, clinical mental health agencies, and into entrepreneurship, where she successfully founded and continues to run her own private practice. Mental health care runs deep in her family — both of her parents and a sibling are also in the field — giving her a rich, personal perspective on how the profession has evolved and how lasting change is created.

She’s especially passionate about working with children, teens, and families, using approaches like play therapy and shame resilience to foster growth and healing. Whether she’s helping a child work through anxiety, walking alongside a parent in a tough season, or leading a Daring Way™ group focused on vulnerability and courage, Leah is known for her warmth, presence, and commitment to meaningful connection.

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Meet the Team

A team approach is our favorite approach! Each clinician offers a unique perspective that fosters out-of-the-box thinking and helps us redefine therapy. The right fit between client and team member is essential for personal growth, so we've curated the A-Team to provide amazing options.

Sara Vivoda

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.

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Rachel Simeone

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.

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Rachel Bichara

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.

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Jill Katz

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.

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Andrew J. Bell

Andrew J. Bell is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the owner of Evergreen Counseling Services, LLC. As a committed follower of Jesus with a background in ministry, being a counselor is how

Andrew J. Bell is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the owner of Evergreen Counseling Services, LLC. As a committed follower of Jesus with a background in ministry, being a counselor is how Andrew plays his part in God’s restoration project for the world.

Andrew specializes in Christian faith & ministry, childhood trauma & sexual abuse, pornography addiction, fathers of young children, and feelings for thinkers. Though therapy can feel heavy and costly, Andrew believes it is just as important for therapy to include times that are enjoyable and light, because positive change feels good.

His clients describe Andrew as gentle, hospitable, careful with his speech, and curious. Clients often experience Andrew as like a friend, and he likes to imagine himself as a sort of Sam to their Frodo.

Andrew is on a quest to reverse the curse of disenchantment so ubiquitous in our modern age. Mountains, old buildings, scotch whisky, and poetry help bring him into contact with transcendence. He loves drinking coffee, reading and writing, playing board games, cooking outside, pairing whisky with chocolate, family bike rides, wrestling with his two wee lads, and gazing musingly into the eyes of his beloved wife.

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Nikki Snyder

Nikki Snyder is a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Missouri and Kansas. She graduated from Avila University and worked for two years as a school based therapist before moving to private practice the last four years. Nikki specializes in anxiety, trauma and has a special passion for helping adolescents through life’s challenges. Nikki is EMDR certified through the Maiberger Institute.

Nikki approaches therapy focusing on the therapeutic alliance. Going through tough experiences is hard enough. Going through tough experiences while feeling alone and unconnected can be even more daunting. She takes a person focused approach to therapy in which she will walk with you through your journey. She also utilizes CBT, DBT and works on developing an individual’s self concept.

Aside from work, Nikki enjoys spending time with her two year old daughter, husband and cat. She enjoys reading, hanging out with friends and occasionally bingeing a Netflix show.
Kiley Deatherage PLPC

Kiley Deatherage is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor and a certified K-12 school counselor. Kiley has over 5 years post-Master’s experience providing therapeutic services for children and adolescents and 9 years working in a variety of school settings in Missouri. Kiley provides individual therapy for children along with their families in a partnership with New Strong. She specializes in anxiety, depression, trauma and social skills development. Kiley utilizes an integrative approach of empirically validated therapies, including CBT, play therapy, and sandtray 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.

When Kiley is not supporting clients with compassion and skill, you can find this lady living her best life surrounded by the people (and pup!) she loves most. She and her husband, Nick are raising two amazing kids, Walter and Ada and lucky for them, they live just a mile away from her parents, three older sisters, and a whole crew of 12 nieces and nephews! This neighborhood hub for family fun could mean spontaneous card games on the patio, dancing to music in the kitchen, or diving into the next round of shenanigans that only a big, close-knit family can dream up. For her, family time isn’t just a priority, it’s part of her adventure filled with laughter, love, and a whole lot of goof!