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About Us
Casey Gibson
Hail and well met friends!
My name is Casey Gibson, I became a Certified Life Coach due to the love I have for table-top roleplaying games and the positive impact collaborative storytelling can have on people.
Tabletop Roleplaying games can help with building relationships and can help teach strategies to cope with real-life situations, as well as help to find space for mental health symptoms and engage safely with mental health difficulties among those engaged in the collective narrative. One of my goals is to create a safe and inclusive gaming space for individuals without those spaces. To help discover the community these games can create, I strive to continue learning and educating myself to better provide that environment for everyone and share the joy of playing these games to more diverse communities. I draw a lot of inspiration from Fantasy/SciFi novels by fantastic authors like Brandon Sanderson, as well as podcasts and other media focused on inclusive gaming like Three Black Halflings, Transplanar RPG, and Dimension 20.
I’ve been playing Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition™ for 6 years, and recently finished Game Mastering a homebrew campaign, as well as dipping a toe into other TTRPG systems such as Pathfinder™ as my love of the hobby continues to grow and hopefully help the community grow with it!
Aly Peeler
Aly offers strengths-based, non-coercive therapy where folks can celebrate their strengths, explore coping and healing strategies, and feel empowered to meet their goals.
Aly is a Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate (LCSWA) who works with youth and adults to address concerns related to depression, anxiety, self-harm, trauma, and substance use.
Aly is proudly LGBTQIA-affirming, neurodivergence-affirming, and fat-positive. She works to promote social justice within and outside of the therapy room, and recognizes how systems of oppression are closely linked with our mental health.
Aly works with clients to identify interventions and strategies that feel right for them. Her work is informed by motivational interviewing; harm reduction; somatic processing and polyvagal theory; empowerment theory; Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT); and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Aly received her Bachelor’s of Social Work from UNC-Greensboro and her Master’s of Social Work from the University of Denver. At her Master’s level internship, Aly worked at an Intensive Outpatient Program, facilitating individual therapy, group therapy, and parent support groups for teens who had experienced trauma. She has previous experience working with people who use substances in harm reduction and syringe service settings.
Aly lives with her wife, dog, and 3 chaotic cats. Her interests include mystery novels, pokemon cards, crafting, and Stardew Valley.
Aly offers a free 15-minute consultation call for those who are interested. Please contact her at 984-208-7749 to schedule a call!
Becky Mangasarian
Reaching out for help can be scary when you have been through events that are hard to forget. It can be difficult to know who to trust, because you have been hurt by others. You have tried everything you can to cope with the feelings you are having, and you feel exhausted. It takes courage to notice that we need help and to start seeking a therapist who will meet your needs. Becky is a United States Air Force Veteran (6 years) who understands the importance of finding the right therapist for you. Becky provides a person-centered somatic approach to working with anxiety, depression, coping with stress, difficulties with relationships, and traumatic experiences. Becky works to assist those who are newly diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Becky acknowledges that working through challenges can seem like a winless task. She can help you work through these difficulties and find fitting ways to cope. Becky provides a secure and safe environment to explore challenges. This facilitates the building blocks for a trusting therapeutic relationship. She is open to working with individuals with all backgrounds and experiences. Becky is happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have about the process. Becky offers free 15-minute consultations to make sure the therapeutic alliance will be a good fit.
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Becky has training in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, seeking safety, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and neuroAffective-relational model (NARM). NARM addresses relational development, attachment, cultural and intergenerational trauma by identifying patterns of survival that cause somatic symptoms and interpersonal struggles.
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Becky offers a free 15-minute consultation call for those who are interested. Please contact her at 574-216-1694 to schedule your call!
Ellie De Leon
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Ellie believes in genuine, feel-it-down-in-your-bones healing, as the goal of therapeutic support. Working with her will be honest, consensual, deeply compassionate, nonjudgmental, and affirming of any and all identities.
Ellie a Licensed Clinician Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and a Parenting Educator. She is a relational therapist, with particular training in the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) for the treatment of complex trauma. She also draws from her training and practice in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and uses techniques from other cognitively oriented modalities to supplement her practice, with the consent and awareness of her clients. Ellie has also been trained in brainspotting.
Ellie is passionate about serving populations who face greater struggles due to systemic failures. She strives to be shame-free in her practice. She is experienced in work with individuals who have lived with childhood trauma, including in adoption and foster care, as well as religious harm, interpersonal violence, acculturation stress, grief, and mood disorders. She is happy to offer free 15 minute consultations for those searching for a provider.
Ellie is pansexual, a BIPOC individual (Afro-indigenous-latina), and a first-generation immigrant. She collects rare tropical houseplants, and is a figurative painter. She is a parent and cat owner.
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Ellie offers a free 15-minute consultation call for those who are interested. Please contact her at 574-216-1694 to schedule your call!
Erin Lewis
Erin believes that all humans need connection with others to be able to thrive. She operates from a multicultural perspective and strives to create an honest, empathetic, non-judgmental, and safe therapeutic environment.
As a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), Erin has been trained in a wide array of modalities to help clients heal. Erin believes that every person is unique. Erin tailor’s the treatment modality to what the client best responds to. She believes in the long-standing research that supports treatments in mind-body therapy. Erin is trained in the following modalities: NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), Internal Family Systems (IFS), mind-body interventions, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), existential theory and cognitive processing techniques.
She works with adults struggling with a variety of issues, such as, dissociative disorders (DID, OSDD, etc), shame, trauma (relational, physical, sexual, and emotional), developmental trauma/childhood trauma, spiritual trauma, interpersonal difficulties, intrapersonal issues (internal conflicts), anxiety, depression, LGBTQ+ issues, self-harm, eating disorders, and terminal illness/end of life counseling.
Erin offers a free 15-minute consultation call for those who are interested. Please contact her at 513-216-1694 to schedule your call!
Consults for Professionals
Erin offers consults for professionals seeking guidance on working with individuals with dissociative disorders. The fees are as follows: 50 minutes = $125; 30 minutes = $65; group consults with two members, 60 minutes = $65 each member; group consults with three members, 60 minutes = $45 each member. If interested in consultation please contact Erin at 574-216-1694 or erin@nccec.com.
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Haley Rognstad
Haley believes all humans possess innate wisdom that allows us to move towards deeper healing and balance in our lives. Haley's goal as a therapist is to foster conditions under which you can access this innate wisdom and healing, bringing you closer to what you truly desire for yourself.
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As a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), Haley has completed training in a variety of therapeutic approaches including Neuroaffective Relational Model (NARM), Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT), Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). They believe in utilizing an eclectic approach to therapy in order to meet the needs of the unique and complex individual that you are.
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Haley works with adults of all gender identities, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds. They provide individual therapy as well as couples counseling. Haley has experience assisting individuals with trauma and complex trauma (relational, physical, sexual, and emotional), spiritual trauma, childhood trauma, chronic pain, neurodivergence and adult diagnosed/self-diangosed autism, difficult life transitions, and LGBTQIA+ specific stressors. Haley's couples therapy is queer, poly, and kink friendly. She strives to incorporate creativity and gentle humor into every session as she believes that therapy can be both fun and challenging. Haley offers complementary 15-minute consultation phone calls.
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Haley is a queer, nonbinary, neurodivergent, spoonie who loves Halloween. She is a cat mom, partner, and artist/creator of whimsical polymer clay creatures.
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Haley offers a free 15-minute consultation call for those who are interested. Please contact her at 574-216-1694 to schedule your call!
Natalie Strzok
You are probably here because you are feeling misunderstood and unsure what to do to help others understand you. It can be hard to reach out when you are struggling, and Natalie wants to do what she can to support you in working on your goals. Even if you feel lost, there are things you can do to find your way again! Natalie would be honored to be a part of your journey to healing. Here’s some information about her and the services she offers: Natalie is an independently licensed counselor (LCMHC) through the state of North Carolina and an independently licensed counselor in Ohio (LPCC). Natalie specializes in working with individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD). She also works with folks with dissociative identity disorder (DID), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), depression, anxiety, relationship and developmental trauma, suicidality, self-harm, and other forms of complex trauma. Natalie serves those who have experienced hurts and are unsure how to move forward and those who find relating to others difficult. Natalie finds it important to work with you to create a space where you feel safe and valued, because you are worthy!
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Natalie invests in several trainings per year to help her stay current. Natalie values research and exploring new methods of working with individuals, as no one treatment is “one size fits all” and she wants to work with you to find the best fit. Natalie is an ally and member of the LGBTQ+ community. Natalie is an advocate for racial and gender equality. Natalie is committed to helping you progress through treatment at a pace that feels safe. She meets you where you are, and you guide her from there. Natalie is genuinely invested in the goals you set and how you can best get there together. She welcomes feedback and asks for it often, as this process is about you and your needs, and she will do what she can to serve those needs.
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Natalie has completed trainings in CBT, histrionic, borderline, narcissistic, and antisocial personality disorder. She has completed basic training for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. She has completed level 2 and 3 of NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) training and is a certified NARM master's level therapist.
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Natalie shares her life with her beautiful wife and they have two dogs and a cat at home. She loves going on outdoor adventures and is training to be a parkour athlete. Natalie is also a level one reiki practitioner. She loves spending time with her friends and family by going out to climb or hike, getting a tattoo, or staying in and playing video games while rocking out to Lindsey Stirling.
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Natalie offers a free 15-minute consultation call for those who are interested. Please contact her at 574-216-1694 to schedule your call!
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Consults for Professionals
Natalie offers consults for professionals seeking guidance on working with individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder. The fees are as follows: 50 minutes = $125; 30 minutes = $65; group consults with two members, 60 minutes = $65 each member; group consults with three members, 60 minutes = $45 each member. If interested in consultation please contact Natalie at 574-306-4338 or email at natalie@nccec.com.
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Kelly Caniglia
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Kelly Caniglia is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Kelly works with adults offering individual therapy.
Though Kelly has a specialty in working with trauma, CPTSD, and a specialization in Dissociative Identity Disorder, she very much enjoys working with a range of clients assisting with anxiety, mood disorders, Depression, ADHD, life stressors, LGBTQ issues, relationship concerns and helping individuals find their path. Kelly takes pride in working from a positive perspective, allying with clients, helping them find their strengths and move toward empowering themselves within their own lives. Kelly approaches therapy through several different modalities, but had specialty training in the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Model, Motivational Interviewing, Somatic Experiencing, DBT, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and Brainspotting.
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Kelly takes great pride in serving as the Director of Conferences and Events and working board member of An Infinite Mind, an international organization focused on education and advocacy for individuals living with DID. Kelly received her Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Central Florida in 2006 and her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Rollins College in 2013. Kelly started her career working in intensive in home assisting children and families with behavioral concerns and substance abuse. In her spare time, Kelly enjoys going on outdoor adventures with her dog and her partner. She is also a painter, photographer and artist. She avidly enjoys theater and being onstage as well as behind the scenes, and focuses on soaking in all of life’s experiences.
Derek
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Derek, a seasoned musician with roots in metal and rock, found solace in the therapeutic realm of Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (D&D 5e).
Transitioning from stage performances, he channeled his love for music into mastering recording software, becoming a skilled sound engineer. Embarking on quests as a player in the podcast "Mindscapes & Magic,"
Derek wields both character sheets and mixing boards. In this D&D 5e adventure, he seamlessly integrates the magic of storytelling with the artistry of sound, creating a unique blend of fantasy and musical enchantment.
Join Derek in the immersive world where dragons roar to the beat and magic unfolds with each roll of the dice.
Lori Marhefke
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Lori is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in NC and WI who earned her undergraduate degree from Mt. Saint Mary’s University in Maryland and her graduate degree in Counseling from The University of Tennessee.
Lori has been a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor since 2018 and a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor since 2008 and has provided counseling services in many settings. She has provided substance abuse services in correctional facilities and career guidance for college students. In addition, she has worked extensively with active duty and retired military.
Lori’s primary focus is working with adults. She uses several treatment modalities to include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and she has specialized in treating trauma and grief.
Lori enjoys nature and nature photography. She and her husband enjoy camping when they are able, and Lori watches for deer, foxes, and many coastal birds near their home every day. Lori has a fox living under the culvert at her mailbox in coastal NC. Lori also loves curling up with a good book. Although she prefers reading and re-reading classic literature, she is currently making her way through Terry Pratchett’s Discworld books and really enjoying the characters.
Thilini Weerakkody
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Thilini is a master’s student in the UNC Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling program, with a background in serving, healing with, and advocating for women of color who have experienced different forms of marginalization.
Her research surrounds recurrent Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) caused by Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in black, brown, and indigenous communities.
Thilini is passionate about honoring people’s humanity, placing a big emphasis on leaning on the wisdom of our own bodies, letting ourselves rest and heal, and becoming familiar with the sensations within ourselves in her work.
She approaches her sessions with a deep respect for her client's capacity to heal themselves and the goal of giving her clients the safety, compassion, and time needed to facilitate their own recovery. She aims to use an eclectic methodology that intertwines the knowledge of DBT, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, somatic experiencing, and many other modalities in accordance with her client's needs. Suffering from trauma and mental health concerns often feels like wading through a dark, boundless forest or a cold, never-ending winter.
Oftentimes, it is difficult to imagine the end of the forest or warm summer days when all you know is what you see, how you feel, and how you have felt; however, there is a path and there is an end to this pain. Thilini would be honored to be one of the many guides and companions you will encounter as you go through this journey; encouraging you along in your pursuit of healing, even when you may not be able to envision it yourself.