walking into a room and being asked to talk about the parts of your life you may not talk about anywhere else. My goal is to make that feel a little easier. I want my office to be a place where you can exhale, drop the pressure to have it all together, and simply be yourself. No judgment. No pretending. No need to have the “right” answer. And if you’re not quite sure who you are anymore—or maybe you’re figuring out who you are for the very first time—we can work on that too.

    Trauma work has become a significant part of my practice and is an area I’m especially passionate about. I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). I also incorporate parts work and body-based approaches when appropriate, because healing doesn’t always happen through talking alone.

    I’m also a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) with Yoga Alliance. My background in yoga allows me to incorporate somatic and trauma-informed practices that help clients reconnect with their bodies, nervous systems, and sense of safety. Sometimes the body has a lot to say, too.

    Little ones are especially near and dear to my heart. I’ve worked with young children throughout my career, including in Early Intervention, and I currently provide mental health consultation to local Pre-K programs. I love helping the grown-ups who care for little humans better understand what behavior may be communicating and how we can help kids feel safe, connected, and supported.

    I also work with adults and couples navigating relationships, trauma, ADHD, anxiety, depression, identity, life transitions, and the complicated work of understanding how our past experiences continue to show up in our present lives.

Therapy with me isn’t about becoming some perfectly healed version of yourself. It’s about understanding yourself a little better, making space for the parts of you that have been carrying a lot, and creating a life that feels more authentic, connected, and genuinely yours.

Specialties:

• Relationship Issues

• Trauma & PTSD

• ADHD

• Anxiety & Depression

• Healing Childhood patterns

• Emotional and nervous system regulation

• Children & Early Childhood Mental Health

    desired to give voice to the voiceless, create safe space, and allow my clients to feel seen, heard, and valued. I believe each person is an expert of their own life and story, and will strive to meet you where you are while walking alongside you towards the goals you want to achieve.

    A little about me… I was born and raised in southern Illinois and obtained my masters in social work in 2019 from SIUC, and then went on to get my clinical license. I have worked in various social services settings with diverse populations focusing on post adoption, trauma, anxiety, depression, trauma and stress disorders, and ADHD. I have experience working with adults, children, and families.

Specialties:

• Relationship Issues 

• Trauma & PTSD

• ADHD 

• Anxiety & Depression 

• Healing childhood patterns​​

 witnessed the impact of trauma and the deep need for connection and healing. I bring a calm and steady presence to the counseling space, and I strive to create an environment where you feel safe, heard, and never judged.​

    I enjoy working with adolescents, women, and adults who are navigating anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, or spiritual challenges. My background in ministry and leadership shapes the way I walk with clients—offering support that is both compassionate and hope-filled. I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a specialized approach that helps individuals process and heal from trauma. ​

    Outside of work, you’ll most likely find me reading, playing board games, or serving in ministry through my church. I consider it a true honor to walk alongside others as they process, grow, and move toward healing. I currently see clients in both the Effingham and Newton, IL areas.​

Specialties:

• Adolescents & young adults

• Women’s issues

• Anxiety & depression

• Relationship dynamics

• Ministry support & Christian counseling

• Trauma-informed care (EMDR)​

people in times of difficulty, uncertainty, and or just regular days that seem lonely.  She desires to help people discover who they truly are-understanding their unique emotional, mental and relational makeup-and using that insight to live a fuller, more authentic life.  She believes each person carries within them a deep potential for growth, healing, and purpose.  Her goal is to help clients uncover that potential by exploring the patterns, beliefs and experiences that shape their story.​

    Her approach is person-centered, and strengths based. She believes that all people can have hope that things can change, and circumstances can be different.​

    Sarah specializes in working with teens, adults and families experiencing complex dynamics. She has extensive experience assisting clients through life’s transitions, providing tools and strategies that promote resilience, balance, and total wellness.  Additionally, her experience includes working with parents and caregivers of adopted and/or traumatized children.

​    Her therapeutic approach emphasizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), goal setting, and strengths-based practices.  Sarah also brings advanced training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC), Structured Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress (SPARCS), and Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®), allowing her to tailor interventions that address trauma, promote connection, and foster long-term well-being.

    In her free time, Sarah enjoys reading, growing plants and flowers, being outdoors and exercise.

Specialties:

• Life transitions

• Self-esteem and personal growth

• Stress and emotional regulation

• Adoption and foster care

• family issues and complex family dynamics

transitions, trauma, self-esteem concerns, and adjustment-related challenges. Many of the clients I work with feel overwhelmed by emotions, stuck in unhealthy patterns, disconnected from themselves, or uncertain about how to move forward. Together, we work to better understand those experiences while building practical skills to create meaningful change.

    My approach combines compassion with evidence-based treatment. I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients manage overwhelming emotions, improve communication, strengthen relationships, increase distress tolerance, and develop healthier coping strategies. I also incorporate trauma-informed care, helping clients understand how past experiences may influence present-day thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

    One belief that guides my work is that we are all capable of becoming our own superheroes. Sometimes life hands us challenges that leave us feeling defeated, stuck, or uncertain of our strengths. Therapy can help you reconnect with the resilience, courage, and abilities that already exist within you. My role is not to “fix” you, but to help you recognize your strengths, overcome obstacles, and become the version of yourself you want to be.

    I believe therapy is about more than symptom reduction—it’s about helping people build lives that feel fulfilling, balanced, and aligned with their values. Whether you’re facing a difficult transition, healing from painful experiences, struggling in relationships, or looking to better understand yourself, I would be honored to support you in that process.

    Healing isn’t about being perfect; it’s about learning to move forward with greater understanding, self-compassion, and confidence. Whenever you’re ready, I’m here to help.

    “I believe we are all capable of becoming our own superheroes—we just sometimes need support discovering the strengths we already possess.”

Specialties:

• Relationship and communication issues

• Emotional regulation and coping skills

• Life transition and adjustment challenges

• Self-esteem and confidence

​

Kelly provides counseling services under the direct supervision of Jessica Ashlock, LCPC

 justice system, including some of the most complex and high-risk clients a therapist can encounter. That breadth of experience has taught me to look beyond labels and diagnoses and understand the person sitting across from me.

    My approach is experienced, practical, and deeply human. I draw from several evidence-based and established approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), existential therapy, and the Gottman Method for couples. Rather than forcing every client into one particular model, I integrate these approaches based on the person, the problem, and what is actually useful in the room.

    I work with adults and couples dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, major life transitions, identity and meaning, emotional regulation, and the feeling that something in life just isn’t working anymore.

    Clients can expect me to be engaged, curious, and straightforward. I’m comfortable sitting with difficult emotions and having conversations that don’t have easy answers. I’ll challenge you when it’s helpful, but therapy with me isn’t cold or clinical. There’s room for warmth, humor, honesty, and the occasional well-placed swear word.

    After years in this field, one thing I’ve learned is that people rarely need another person telling them how they should live their lives. Good therapy helps you understand yourself more clearly, recognize the patterns that keep getting in your way, and make intentional choices about the life and relationships you want to build.

    You don’t need to have everything figured out before you come in. We can start with where you are. you come in. We can start with where you are.​

Specialties:

• Couples and relationship issues

• Life transitions

• Emotional regulation

• Identity and self exploration

• Meaning, purpose, and life direction

• Men's issues
   

 and all the behind-the-scenes details that help create a peaceful, professional environment for clients and staff alike.

    As part of this family-owned practice, Kevin is not only the logistical backbone—he’s also the familiar face that keeps things grounded. On some days, you might even catch him spending time with his and Jessica’s grandchildren in the office, adding to the warm, family-oriented atmosphere that defines Worthy Life Wellness.

    When he’s not at the office, Kevin enjoys time with his family, working on home projects, or cheering on his favorite team.

    I specialize in helping individuals and families navigate relational challenges and life transitions, with a particular passion for supporting children and teens experiencing divorce, blended-family changes, or other shifts within the family. My natural ability to connect, especially with younger clients, allows me to provide encouragement, practical tools, and a steady source of support during times that can feel uncertain or overwhelming.

Whether someone is struggling with communication, learning to set healthier boundaries, building confidence, managing emotions, or simply trying to figure out what comes next, I meet clients where they are and walk alongside them as they work toward meaningful change.

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and am currently pursuing my Master of Social Work (MSW), with an anticipated graduation date of December 2027. My continued education, combined with my coaching experience and genuine love for people, continues to shape the way I support children, teens, adults, and families.

Outside of my practice, I am a wife and proud mom. I am a down-to-earth, bubbly soul who loves deep conversations, simple joys, and helping people rediscover their confidence, connection, and the possibility of creating a life that feels authentically their own.

Specialties:

• Life coaching for children, teens, and adults

• Divorce, blended-family, and life-transition support

• Emotional regulation and confidence building

• Mindfulness, stress management, and self-care practices

• Healthy boundaries and communication skills

• Goal setting, motivation, and life balance

• Personal growth, clarity, and resilience

Lexi Minks is not affiliated with Worthy Life Wellness, PLLC. Happy Life Coaching, LLC is an independent business that shares office space at the same location.