About our Clinicians
Director
Therapist Bio: Samantha Pillow
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I have been working as a Mental Health Clinician for the last 15 years. I am a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor and specialize in Trauma. I am also an Approved Clinical Supervisor and enjoy supervising newly licensed clinicians as well as interns focusing on beginning their journey into this field. I enjoy working with children, adolescents, adults, and couples wanting to focus on improving their overall mental health. I am a Person-Centered Therapist, recognizing that everyone is unique and different, and treatment cannot go according to a cookie-cutter approach. I also believe that therapy takes a lot of work, both in and out of sessions, and will help to focus on building routines, improving self-care, and increasing the overall effectiveness of healthy coping strategies. At this time in my career, I am transitioning into a Director/Supervisory role, and therefore, am not accepting new patients for therapy!
Therapist
Therapist Bio: Lynn Brown
I am a counseling intern who will soon graduate from Grand Canyon University with a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling for individuals of any age with an emphasis on childhood and adolescent development. My approach is primarily person-centered and strength-based using aspects of other treatment theories as they best suit a client’s needs.
Every human of any age is a unique and valuable treasure worthy of respect and encouragement in all circumstances. I have a special regard and passion for helping foster and adoptive families having personally walked this path with its many joys and challenges. Past experiences, in combination with other factors that we may or may not be able to control, all contribute to our unique individuality and purpose. Although the past cannot be undone it is possible, profitable, and healthy to explore changing our present experience while working toward healing, self-acceptance, and forgiveness. I am currently accepting new clients from youth through adulthood and look forward to traveling with you as a guide on your journey to well-being and emotional health.
Therapist
Therapist Bio: Kristine Kuehnle-Denooijer
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I am passionate about psychology, mental health, and helping individuals along their therapeutic journey to holistic wellness. My therapeutic approach is rooted in an eclectic integration, including Trauma-Informed Therapy interventions, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, and Person-Centered methods. Valuing each client as a unique individual is facilitated by respecting that each person’s therapeutic process will be just as unique and individualized. It is an honor as a helping professional to come alongside children, adolescents, and adult clients collaboratively to address various difficulties occurring in all aspects of life. I work with individuals, couples, and families experiencing life transitions, grief, relationship conflict, trauma, and adversities involving mental health and behavioral concerns. Some Specialized areas of service include depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, disruptive behavior, and mood disorders.
Therapist
Therapist Bio: Sherrell Wilson
My educational background includes a MA in Professional Counseling from Central Michigan University and experience working with individuals with various unrests including PTSD, Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Adjustment Disorder, ADHD, Grief and Loss, Bipolar Disorders, and Abuse.
I know that no single approach is right for every individual so I utilize several different theoretical approaches to ensure that client’s need are being met. These include, but are not limited to, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Strength Based Therapy, Play Therapy, Motivational Therapy, Family Systems, and Gottman’s Sound Relationship House Theory.
Therapist
Therapist Bio: Debra Strong
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I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I received my Master's in Counseling from Spring Arbor University. I enjoy working with many diverse issues and clients. I am trained in DBT, as well as Play Therapy and Grief/Trauma. I have previously worked as a Clinical Therapist in a hospital behavioral health unit and as an adjunct professor. I specialize in working through trauma via Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, DBT, and Grief/Trauma modalities. You do not have to suffer! Strong inspirations can help you find peace, acceptance, and comfort, in a manner that honors and respects your comfort level.
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Therapist Bio: Erika Nelson
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I am passionate about mental health and helping clients reach their fullest potential, through a client-centered approach. I enjoy working with children, adolescents, and adults who are committed to improving their mental health. I am passionate about many diverse issues and clients navigating these areas, including foster care/adoption, mental health during pregnancy and postpartum, and addictions. I recognize the strength it takes to engage and participate in therapy and am committed to working alongside clients to fulfill their therapeutic goals.
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Therapist Bio: Lindsey Payne
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Hello! My name is Lindsey Payne. I offer an open and nonjudgmental environment where clients can feel understood and safe. I hope to bring my passion and love for helping others into the relaxed vibe of my office space.
I received my bachelor’s degree from Saginaw Valley State University and my master’s degree from Michigan State University. I seek to use my experience and resources to develop an individualized treatment plan that will meet you or your child’s needs based on one’s strengths, goals, and obstacles utilizing a variety of treatment modalities.
Life can be difficult, and sometimes reaching out for help can be, too. It is my goal to provide you a safe space to start your journey, and develop meaningful solutions together.
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Therapist Bio: Jamie Holt​
I am a professional counselor with a heart to serve others. I have several years of experience working in the mental health field. My educational background includes a MA in professional counseling from Liberty University. While I have spent much of my career working with adults, I have spent several years working with families and children as well. My passion is to help others look within themselves to identify the underlying cause of their emotional distress. My primary therapeutic approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT. However, I am client centered and will often utilize other theoretical approaches to tailor the sessions to suit the needs of my clients. We work together, in session, to develop new life skills to live a more abundant and balanced life.
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Therapist Bio: Jordan Hayden
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Hi! My name is Jordan, I graduated from Central Michigan University with a Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health. I have been practicing as a clinician for the last three years now. I see clients of all age groups. Since I was young I knew I would go into a career where I would be able to help others. I approach therapy as a process where both the therapist and the client work together to improve the overall way of life for the client. The therapeutic approaches I use most often are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy. My goal as the therapist is to help the client gain the skills needed to be able to face challenges in a healthy way when they occur. I am looking forward to meeting and working with each new person!​
Therapist Bio: Marla Banister
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With over 15 years of dedication to the mental health field, I bring compassionate, trauma-informed care to children, adults, and couples. At Rooted In Love, LLC, my approach blends evidence-based modalities—such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Family Therapy—with holistic practices like mindfulness, meditation, prayer, and positive affirmations.
My goal is to create a safe and spiritually grounded space where clients can heal from co-occurring disorders, navigate life transitions, and discover lasting emotional wellness. Therapy isn’t just about coping—it’s about connection, clarity, and cultivating peace within.
Therapist Bio: Sarah Lewis​
I have been working as a clinical therapist for a little over ten years. I have nine years of experience in DBT. I mainly focus upon DBT principles, philosophies, and skills while also incorporating additional therapeutic strategies including CBT, person-centered, and mindfulness. I have received the additional DBT training of Prolonged Exposure to help those that have difficulties with trauma. I am passionate about helping those individuals, teens and adults, that struggle with intense emotions, self-harm, suicide, and trauma. Everyone’s path to a life worth living is different and I enjoy being a part of that journey. I look forward to helping and growing DBT here at Rooted in Love for those who have not developed their life worth living.
Therapist Bio: Jess Auch​
With over 10 years of experience as a licensed therapist, I specialize in individual, couples, and family therapy for clients of all ages. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and tailored to meet each person's unique needs. Whether you're navigating life transitions, relationship challenges, or mental health concerns, I’m here to support you in creating meaningful change and building a stronger sense of well-being.
Therapist Bio: Laura Martello
Hi! I'm Laura. I am an LLPC who has decades of experience walking alongside children, teens, and families through some of life’s most formative and challenging seasons. Before entering clinical counseling, I spent many years working in schools and ministry, supporting young people academically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and relationally.
Now practicing as a Licensed Limited Professional Counselor (LLPC), I work with children, adolescents, college students, and adults offering a compassionate, welcoming environment where clients can feel safe to be seen, heard, and understood. I approach counseling through an attachment-focused, person-centered lens, recognizing that life circumstances, relationships, and unmet needs can significantly impact emotional well-being.
I integrate a variety of evidence-informed and relational methods into our work, including play therapy techniques, trauma-informed care, attachment-based therapies, and the Needs-Connection Model. I am also certified in the Needs-Connection Model and the Story Binder Method, which help clients understand their stories, patterns, and needs while building healthier connections with themselves and others.
I believe healing happens holistically—emotionally, relationally, and developmentally—when individuals are met with safety, empathy, and connection. My work is rooted in the belief that growth and restoration are possible at every stage of life, and that meaningful change begins in relationships where love, understanding, and hope are present.
Therapist Bio: Kelsy Hoerauf
Hello, I’m Kelsy Hoerauf marriage and therapist. I work with ages 12 and up, individuals and couples on trauma, family difficulties, depression, bipolar disorder and mild to severe anxiety. I enjoy using a systematic lens meaning I look at how behaviors or symptoms make sense within the family, work, school, cultural, ethnic, community and greater world context. I have a background in couples therapy, play therapy, ADHD treatment, grief and somatic therapy (using breath work and body placement).
I find mind and body approaches are often helpful. These incorporate things like breathing, meditation, mindfulness. body placement to express emotions and noticing how one feels inside when discussing certain topics.
I am certified in ART (accelerated resolution therapy). Accelerated resolution therapy works directly to reprogram the way in which distressing memories and images are stored in the brain so that they no longer trigger strong physical and emotional reactions. Proven effective in treating :
-Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD), Depression, Grief, Phobias, Anxiety, Addiction
I use Gottman backed researched approach to work with couples. I enjoy helping them find what works for them to become more in tune with one another and decrease the severity of the effects of arguments.
My background in family and play therapy allow me to connect to family members of all ages and assist with problems such as grief, socialization, LGBTQ+ issues and other difficulties that arise.
Therapist Bio: Stella Daniels
Greetings,
My name is Stella Daniels, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), I earned my Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling and my undergraduate degree in Behavioral Science. I have worked with children, families and adults in the field of behavioral health for more than 30 years. My therapeutic approach is collaborative, facilitative and strength based with a focus on Trauma Informed Care to promote solution focused recovery and resilience. Therapeutic interventions include but are not limited to, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Psychodynamic Therapy. Services provided are holistic in nature, encompassing well being of mind, soul and spirit; tailored to meet the unique needs of the client.
Therapist Bio: Stephanie Johnson
Clinician Bio Coming Soon!
Therapist Bio: Stacey Baker
If you are searching for a therapist for yourself or someone else you have likely noticed some thoughts, behaviors, or troubling patterns you would like to break. You want someone who sees where you are and can help you get to where you want to be. I could be of some help. I enjoy working with individual adults and teens from all walks of life, and my approach has been described as direct, supportive, and kind.
I graduated from Texas Tech University with a Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I have extensive training in CBT, including Trauma Focus. I also bring ACT practices into treatment to help people let go of what cannot be changed.
No matter who you are if you would like to come in, share your story, and decide where you are going next it would be my pleasure to listen and help you draw your map. If you are interested in exploring further but are looking for some extra assurance I offer 15 minute phone consultations at no charge. Let’s meet and help you move forward.
Therapist Bio: Hayley Baerwolf
Clinician Bio Coming Soon!
Therapist Bio: Heide Bauchan
Clinician Bio Coming Soon!
Therapist Bio: Whitney Brown
Whitney is a Master's Level Intern working on completing her Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree. She works with children, adolescents and adults , focusing on mental health needs utilizing Person Centered and Strengths Based techniques. Whitney will be working part-time at the office, and is accepting new patients for in-person or virtual appointments! Whitney’s availability is Wednesday from 12-3pm and Friday 4-7pm.
Therapist Bio: Bayley Sampson
Clinician Bio Coming Soon!
Therapist Bio: Jessica Hardy
I’m Jessica, a fully licensed clinical therapist with a Masters in Social Work. I have over
20 years experience in both the US and the UK working with both adults and children of
all ages. My approach is person centered, trauma informed, and helping both children
and adults to better regulate their emotions. I specialize in depression, anxiety, grief &
loss, and trauma informed. I would like to be able to create a safe space where you are
able to express your emotions and we can work through this thing called life together.
Let’s Work Together
2029 S. Elms Rd
Swartz Creek, MI 48473
E-Mail: inquiry@rootedinlovellc.com
Tel: 810-285-8429
Fax: 810-204-4950