Meet the Therapists of Tend
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Lisa Pisha
MS, LMFT
Founder + Therapist -
Angela Michalak
MA, LCPC
Partner + Therapist -
Carrie Thayer
MS, LMFT- Individual, Family
and Couples Therapist -
Kari Lata
MS, LCPC, LMFT
Therapist + Trauma Specialist -
Deborah Grizzell
Individual Adults
and Couples Therapist -
Sarah Greene
MS, MA, LCPC - Therapist + Team/Employee Wellness Specialist
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Emily Sanchez
MA - Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
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Katie Dawson
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
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Pam Caine
MA, MSW
Parent + Family Therapist -
Brooklyn Miller
Clinical Intern + New Client Coordinator
And if you listen very hard
The tune will come to you at last
When all are one, and one is all
To be a rock and not to roll
-Stairway to HeavenLisa Pisha, MS, LMFT
Founder & Therapist
I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Relationship Coach, Writer, and the Founder of Tend Therapy (formerly known as Grow Therapy Boutique). Tend was created to be a dedicated space to expand your awareness of yourself and your relationships with others in order to create a life full of meaning.
We all desire to feel a deep sense of love and belonging, and tending is required to get us there. Through expanding our awareness, we get to explore the ways our personal experiences create meaningful narratives that sometimes prevent us from seeing ourselves or others in any other way. While we all have a story to tell, our story can inadvertently become only one perception of a multitude of beautiful complexities that can illustrate our reality, keeping us from the connection with ourself and others we all need. At the heart of our each of us, lies an incredible ability to attain our most abundant connection to ourselves, one another and to life.
Experience.
As a Certified Daring Way Facilitator™ I use Brené’ Brown’s work daily in sessions, groups and within my own life to work with clients on living and leaning into their most authentic and wholehearted expression of themselves, often by learning about shame, vulnerability, courage and self-compassion.
I've completed the Level 3 Gottman Method Couple's Therapy training, Couples and Addiction Recovery, and the Becoming Parents Program™.
In addition, based on my years of experience as a couples therapist, I’ve created an online course for couples called Create a Conscious Marriage™ to help couples create deep, lasting connection and better relationships outside of the therapy room. CACM™ is an approach to looking at and working with couples based on the principles that self-awareness and integrating our most honest, truest parts of ourselves, opens us up for better, deeper and more connected relationships to others too. You can also find me writing about it here, on Before You Burn the House Down, on Substack.
Approach.
I’m grateful to work with individuals and couples experiencing the need for more emotional intimacy, connection, depth and meaning in their life. Whether through life events and circumstances, a change in heart, or just time, couples everywhere experience change. Sometimes it brings them together, other times it takes a toll. I love helping couples have deeper, more meaningful connection and conversation that allows for incredible opportunities to grow together. I'm a big believer in healthy adult attachment and often use therapeutic lens' of attachment, emotionally-focused as well as strategic therapies in my practice.
I thoroughly enjoy working with men and women interested in exploring their sense of self, their identity and their thought/emotion/behavior patterns to expand on the roles they embody, especially men and women who are facing changes in the areas of family, marriage, life, career, or personal identity crossroads.
Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability, shame, wholehearted living and revolutionizing life through your story, along with my training in systems therapy, as well as emotion and attachment-based theories have become the foundation of my work and it’s work I’m incredibly passionate about.
“It takes a deep commitment to change and even a deeper commitment to grow"
-Ralph EllisonAngela Michalak, MA, LCPC
Partner & Therapist
One of my intentions as a therapist is to offer a supportive, safe and non judgmental space for individuals and couples that come into my office. I am a dedicated and compassionate therapist that utilizes evidence based therapeutic techniques to help my clients achieve their goals. I am flexible and collaborative in my approach and I foster encouragement and compassion. I believe that we all want to be the best version of ourselves and are constantly trying to move toward that goal.
I have extensive experience in working with individuals that struggle with depression, anxiety, women’s issues, life adjustments, grief and loss, self esteem, mood disorders and ADHD. I have been trained in Level 3 Gottman Method Couples Therapy and work with couples to improve communication, manage conflict, and strengthen their relationship. I also work with couples on co-parenting pre and post divorce.
My career in the field started in emergency mental healthcare, foster care and adoption, crisis intervention, family therapy and for the last twelve years I have been in private practice.
I received my Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Ambrose University and my Master of Arts degree from Adler University.
I have been married for over 25 years and have three children. In my free time I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading, traveling and spending time outdoors.
“If you only carry one thing throughout your entire life, let it be hope. Let it be hope that better things are always ahead. Let it be hope that you can get through even the toughest of times. Let it be hope that you are stronger than any challenge that comes your way. Let it be hope that you are exactly where you are meant to be right now, and that you are on the path to where you are meant to be... Because during these times, hope will be the very thing that carries you through.”
-Nikki BanasKari Wittmann Lata, MS, LMFT, LCPC
Therapist & Trauma Specialist
I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Marriage & Family Therapist who believes that every person has the capacity to live a healthy and joyful life if given the opportunity to reflect, heal, and take active steps towards living the life they desire. I will help you set goals based on your personal values, identify the obstacles/unhelpful beliefs holding you back, and then work together to resolve those challenges.
Experience.
I have over 15 years of experience in community mental health and private practice, working with teens, adults, and families. I bring a special focus on trauma resolution that will help clear lingering negative emotions and energy from upsetting events in the past that currently influence daily life patterns.
Trauma is often considered to be large events such as sexual assault, physical abuse, or surviving an attack or disaster, but it can also be “smaller” experiences such as growing up in an alcoholic family, being bullied as a child, car accidents, or having a spouse have an affair. Regardless of the nature of the experiences that impact a person, we often carry the negative effects around with us whether we are aware of it or not.
Approach.
I am passionate about teaching clients how to care for themselves in a way that truly uplifts them and helps them move past whatever challenges they may be facing.
While I use traditional talk therapy methods frequently, my primary trauma techniques are Holographic Memory Resolution (HMR) and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), but I am also trained in EMDR.
I use these techniques with clients to help them gently release any negative feelings and effectively “unburdening” them so they can move forward in life with more confidence, safety, and clarity.
Read more about the therapy techniques used for trauma resolution here:
“It’s the quality of our relationships that determines the quality of our lives.”
— Esther PerelPam Caine, MSW
Parent & Family Therapist
As a parent and family therapist, I have learned that one of the best ways to help children thrive is to support their parents. While families bring love and connection, they can also be complicated and messy, requiring guidance to navigate conflicts, set healthy boundaries, and maintain relationships while honoring individual needs. I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to invest in their family’s well-being, and I welcome the chance to support those ready to embark on this courageous and rewarding journey.
Experience.
I have a Masters Degree in Social Work and Bachelors Degrees in Family Science, Early Childhood Education, and Elementary Education. I have been working with families as an educator, advocate, mentor, social worker and therapist for over 20 years.
Family Life.
I have been married for over 30 years and have four children. I’m an active and adventurous hiker, biker, and skier who loves travel with my family and long walks with our dog, Oakley.
Approach.
Working with families takes many forms. It may involve helping parents manage a child’s anxiety or ADHD, reducing strife that can come with adolescence, or finding better balance in their parenting approach. It can mean guiding divorcing parents to protect their children from conflict, teaching co-parenting strategies, or creating a plan to blend two families with care and intention. Family work also includes supporting LGBTQ families, navigating differing views on faith with respect, or helping to manage the grief and complexities of estrangement. I tailor my work to each family’s unique needs, providing compassionate, evidence-based support to foster connection, resilience, and meaningful change.
Read more about my favorite online parenting resources, courses and books:
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
-Ralph Waldo EmersonSarah Greene-Falk, MS, MA, LCPC
Sports and Performance Psychology Counselor
As an athlete, performer, professional, and the parent of an athlete, I know firsthand the mental battles that come with competition and performance: overthinking, self-doubt, performance anxiety, bouncing back from a mistake or poor performance, and the pressure to perform or be "on." I also know the frustration of feeling like no one truly understands these struggles. I want to give athletes and performers the tools I wish I had when I was younger, such as strategies to build confidence, manage stress, how to communicate, understanding self as an athlete/performer and person, and develop the mental toughness needed to thrive in life in sport, performance, and life. Real success comes from also mastering life skills like communication, boundary-setting, emotional intelligence, and time management. Athletic counseling can include helping clients understand the mind-body-energy connection, how their lifestyle choices such as sleep, food, supplementation, hydration, etc, greatly affect their body, how they feel, and their ability to execute their well-trained performance. I believe every human being must ‘perform’ everyday by showing up, therefore, these skills apply to anyone that wants to invest in themselves.
Beyond the Office
Sport and performance has always been a huge part of my life. My husband and I met through our training for triathlons and now we love watching most all sports, especially our son perform trampoline gymnastics (and beating us in chess). I still swim regularly with the Naperville Waves Masters Swim Team and love weightlifting, hiking with our dogs Honey and Clemson, and hosting backyard bonfires with friends and family.
Education
I hold a BA in Psychology (minor in Biomedical Sciences), a MA in Counseling Psychology, a MS in Kinesiology and Health Sciences, specializing in Sports and Performance Psychology, and a Certificate in Industrial & Organizational Psychology.
Approach.
My approach is personal and tailored to each client. Using evidence-based strategies, I help clients strengthen focus, regulate emotions, and take control of their mindset through mental training techniques like mindfulness, self-talk, goal setting, visualization, and a growth mindset. It may include teaching a client how to verbalize their feelings to a friend, parent, or coach; Navigate relationships, such as deciding what they need, asking for it, and setting healthy boundaries; Transition to high school, college, or career; Exploring grief when being injured or returning from injury.
Several clients experience performance anxiety with unrealistic expectations and struggle to bounce back from a loss or mistake. It can mean helping a client with ADHD harness their strengths while managing focus, impulsivity, self-regulation, organization, and structure in their sport and performance. It could be supporting an LGBTQ client by providing a safe space to navigate identity in sport and life, sexual orientation, find additional LGBTQ resources, and ensure that they feel seen, heard, and empowered to show up as their full authentic selves.
Emily Sanchez, MA
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
I bring warmth, compassion, and a light-hearted behavioral lens into the therapeutic relationship along with other spontaneous creative outlets to support building self-awareness and deepening insight to help individuals repair and rewrite their own personal narratives to create a meaningful life worth living.
Experience.
I have nearly a decade working in the field of mental health, and have gained experience working with complex trauma and eating disorders. I also have specialty experience working with OCD and Complex Anxiety, using Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), with a personal and professional interest in Perinatal OCD. I have vast knowledge of various modalities including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) to address a broad range of issues.
Deborah Jenson Grizzell, MS, LCSW
Individual Adults and Couples Therapist
I’m a clinical social worker, and my practice is guided by values that include honoring each person’s dignity and self-determination and the importance of human relationships. Our relationships are where we grow and develop as people, and they deserve our best attention and effort. We function best in relationships when we’re heard, understood, and cherished for who we are, and who we aspire to be. I help individuals and couples nurture relationships that support learning, growth, and joy.
Experience.
I entered clinical practice in psychiatric and substance use treatment facility settings in the 1990s before beginning private psychotherapy practice with individuals and couples. I have training and experience treating depression, anxiety, eating disorders, trauma, relationship challenges, and LGBT-specific concerns.
Family Life.
Married for 30+ years, my husband and I have six children who are now teens and young adults. I enjoy traveling, being outdoors, connecting with friends, time with my family, and curling up with a great read.
Approach.
I approach therapy in a very transparent, open-process manner. I love learning about every person’s unique world view, recognizing their strengths, and helping them view challenges as opportunities for growth. I pay attention to developmental experiences and family dynamics and work with people to discover how these influence their current relationships. I frequently share with people what research has taught us about human development and relationships, and talk about how that informs our work together.
I am a student of the Gottman Method of Couples Therapy, and find that their interventions provide valuable tools that benefit relationships of all types. Conflict in relationships is inevitable--but it can be managed in a way that respects each individual’s perspective and needs and helps both partners feel heard and understood. Joy comes in cherishing each other, engaging in healthy, productive communication, and in prioritizing the health of the relationship.
Katie Scheer Dawson, MA, LCPC
Individual Therapist
I enjoy working with women, older teens (15+) and emerging adults. My goal is to work with each individual to empower them to live a life that is authentic to their values and beliefs. I enjoy meeting with clients struggling with anxiety, depression, self-worth issues, work and school stress, shame, family challenges, and life transitions.
Experience.
As a former teacher, I love serving educators as they process the unique difficulties of their career. I have a particular passion for working with young adults as they navigate the challenges and joys of gaining independence, attending college and gaining work experiences
Approach.
I bring humor, compassion and support to the therapeutic relationship to promote the use of boundaries, the implementation of self-care, emotional awareness, and personal growth. I am trained in Brené Brown's program, The Daring Way™, and use the curricula to work with clients to cultivate a life that is most aligned with their personal values and goals.
“Healing isn’t about fixing what’s broken. It’s about nurturing what’s been neglected.”
- Carrie ThayerCarrie Thayer, MS, LMFT
Individual Adults and Couples Therapist
As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I specialize in helping individuals of all ages navigate life, family, relationships, and careers. Whether you need practical tools for managing anxiety or depression, or extra support during a difficult time, I offer a unique blend of clinical expertise and compassionate care. On a personal note, I am a West Coast native, a pastor's wife, and a boy mom of two. I love being at home with my family, dinner dates with my husband, and cheering on my boys at flag football games.
Approach.
In my work with you, I focus on looking at your past, relationships, and family of origin to understand how they connect to your current situation. Often, we develop ways of dealing with challenges during our youth and carry them into adulthood. In therapy, we will look at these patterns that may no longer serve you and replace them with more gentle and healthy thoughts and behaviors. I provide both practical tools and a deeper understanding to help you move forward. Whether you're facing personal struggles, seeking guidance, or simply need a space to express yourself, I am here to offer a safe and neutral environment. Your story is important, and I am here to listen and provide support.
Experience.
With over 15 years of experience, I specialize in working with individual adults and couples. My expertise includes addressing anxiety, depression, life transitions, family conflicts, marital communication, boundaries, finding identity in motherhood, dating and singleness, premarital counseling, midlife confusion, and crisises of faith.
"And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good."
-John Steinbeck, East of EdenBrooklyn Miller
Clinical Intern + New Client Coordinator
I’m a graduate student of Marriage and Family Therapy, and I’m passionate about understanding the opportunities for growth in our closest relationships. With a background in Human Development as both a student and a parent, I love learning about how we move through the stages of our lives.
When I decided to pursue a counseling career, I chose the field of Marriage and Family Therapy because I believe relationships are at the heart of everything. The field of MFT embraces “systemic thinking,” which acknowledges that nothing happens in isolation—we are all interconnected. I wanted to be trained to look at the whole person—their family, their culture, and their community—and understand how those relationships shape their experiences. I find that this approach creates a deeper, more compassionate understanding of a person.
I welcome the opportunity to work with individuals, couples, and families who are trying to see themselves more clearly. I would love to work with clients facing life transitions, wanting to improve their intimate relationships, seeking more parenting skills, or hoping to develop a stronger sense of themselves.
Outside of work, you can find me reading out loud to my kids, bike riding with my dog Moose, and enjoying all the local high school plays with my husband. I grew up in Colorado and I love visiting the city.
Approach.
I am drawn to Bowen's Family Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Emotionally Focused Therapy. I will bring compassion, support, insight, acceptance, humor, and honesty into this work - and I will honor whatever my client brings to this work as well.
I’m a firm believer in the concept of “differentiation of self” from Bowen Family Systems Theory. It’s all about finding a balance between staying true to yourself while remaining connected to others. There’s a lot of pressure in life to conform, avoid conflict, or give up parts of ourselves. In my practice, I also use the principles of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help clients strengthen emotional bonds and tune into the messages their feelings are sending. By integrating these approaches, I support both individual growth and healthier relationships.
Brooklyn is currently under the direct supervision of Lisa Pisha, MS, LMFT and is seeing clients at a reduced rate of $25/hour.
Read My Favorite Books.
Man’s Search for Meaning – Victor Frankl
Good Inside – Becky Kennedy
Liberated Parents, Liberated Children – Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
Everything Isn’t Terrible – Kathleen Smith
Primal Wound – Ann Gila and John Firman
