It is my desire to help clients of all ages who are seeking support and understanding with depression, anxiety, adoption, military life, trauma, and marriage and family issues. I have an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and in Human Services Counseling: Marriage and Family.  I grew up in Washington State, married my husband in 1995 and we have traveled across the United States since then with the military. We recently settled in Priest River and are excited to start a new chapter in our lives. We have two adult boys, and adopted an 11-year-old special needs girl in 2015. I am a Christian and can offer both Christian and secular counseling in our Sandpoint and Priest River offices. I’ve had a passion and desire for helping people for as long as I can remember and would love to meet and walk with you in your journey, wherever you are. 

Acknowledgement and appreciation for our unique life experience can be a powerful healing tool which leads to self-acceptance and empowerment. Everyone has something about themselves that they aren’t proud of or are feeling challenged to navigate through. We all do our own healing, but we don’t have to do it alone. It takes courage to ask for support and having someone to walk through it with you can create needed connection and a smoother transition to becoming the person you envision yourself to be. It is my hope that you will find a safe and unconditional environment in our sessions together, and if I am not the best fit for you, I will do my best to help you find a therapist who is. 

I am a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (LAMFT). I hold a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, and a sex therapy certification endorsed by AASECT, the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists.
I welcome individuals, couples, families and adults. I specialize in supporting all walks of life for needs related to LGBTQIA+ concerns, grief, depression, anxiety, trauma, chronic and long-term illness, sexual concerns, life transitions, spirituality, healthy communication, parenting, adulting, mindfulness, meditation and somatic awareness. 

I’m glad you’re here and I look forward to meeting you.

Hello! I am happy you are here. My name is Makayla and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. My goal as a counselor is to create a collaborative relationship with you in order to help you achieve your full potential. I want to connect with you in order to help you better manage and understand your thoughts and emotions. While I lean towards cognitive behavioral therapy, I believe that every individual is unique and I will adjust my counseling techniques to suit your individual needs. I enjoy working with relationship and family dynamics, life adjustments, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals. I fully believe that every person can find healing. 

I am a Sandpoint native and returned to this wonderful community in 2021 after getting my masters degree at Northern Arizona University. I love to ski, hike, paddle board and take advantage of all our beautiful world has to offer. 

I look forward to meeting you!

Hi! My name is Sammy. I specialize in working with children, teens, and young adults. I utilize person-centered theory to ground my approach and I have advanced training in child-centered play therapy (CCPT) and expressive modalities. I had the amazing opportunity to be a school counselor for two years supporting K-8 students in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. I also have clinical experience as an LMHC in Washington working with children and families in private practice. I build trust with my clients by fully accepting, empathizing, and understanding them as they navigate their inner feelings and experiences. In this trusting relationship, we work together to promote healing and positive change. I look forward to hearing from you!

I believe that everyone can benefit from an outside, objective point of view when
exploring the challenges we face in this complex world. My approach to counseling is
drawing on my over 40 years of experience in the mental health field. I believe we all
want to be seen, heard, and understood. Through my own work on myself, and through the work I’ve done helping others explore themselves, I have developed an integrated approach to counseling that meets your needs wherever you are. I work collaboratively in my sessions. You’re the boss. You direct where we go. I believe it’s my job to listen actively and assess your needs while following the energy you present. I’m willing to push where needed, but never to a point that feels farther than you’re capable of going. Change can happen when we’re willing to put in the work!

I welcome individuals, families, couples, adolescents and children as young as 10-
years-old. I enjoy working with a variety of conditions that affect humans including
LGBTQIA+, anxiety, depression, marriage/relationships, parenting, personal emotional
growth and expansion, and the issues that arise in the face of the many transitions we experience over our life-spans. I’m a Christian and am comfortable counseling
individuals in spiritual and secular matters. 

My wife and I moved to Sandpoint in 1997 and we raised our children here. We are
happy to live in such a beautiful place and to call it home. I love being part of this vibrant community and enjoy all of the community and outdoor experiences this environment offers.

My goal as a Licensed Professional Counselor is to instill hope in the hearts of those who come to seek healing from life's challenges. I'm gently seasoned with experiences from my own life that continue to facilitate my personal growth. I work with a variety of clients who come from different backgrounds. Some are challenged with anxiety and depression, or recovering from alcohol addiction. The techniques I lean on are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness, among others. I will use my skills in guiding clients to become more of who they like. If I'm not a fit, that's OK we'll find someone together who will better support your needs.

I am a lifelong behavioral health practitioner with 30 years of experience providing counseling services to a large cross section of clients including veterans, first responders, athletes, and teens learning to manage symptoms associated with post traumatic stress, chronic pain, chronic conditions, depression, anxiety, and phase of life transitions. My goal is to understand and connect with clients to help better manage thoughts, feelings and behaviors to increase performance in life, relationships and/or career. My experience also tells me that true happiness involves a focus on the whole person, and I often collaborate with other wellness practitioners for a solution focused approach using the most suitable evidence based strategies to help you learn and grow. Together we can navigate your own unique life plan in a safe, nonjudgemental environment. I am a certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, and certified in Chronic Disease Management, PTSD for the military and military culture. I am also licensed to treat co-occurring disorders in another state.

Hello! My name is Natalie. I am a compassionate and empathetic person dedicated to helping individuals cultivate a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world. As a nature lover, I've always been drawn to the beauty and wonder of the natural world, and this connection can be a powerful source of healing and growth. I believe each individual has a unique energy signature shaped by their experiences, emotions, and thoughts. Through somatic awareness, mindfulness, meditation, art therapy, and other holistic practices that integrate all parts of the human experience, I help clients tap into their inner wisdom and find greater balance and harmony in their lives.

I have an interest in working with clients struggling with addiction, adolescents, and young adults navigating the challenges of transitioning into adulthood, helping them develop healthy coping mechanisms and build resilience for the journey ahead. I am also interested in working with those struggling with depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties and finding one's life purpose/career counseling. As a spiritual person, I accept all faiths and backgrounds and love to explore connections with a higher power as well.  If you're looking for a compassionate guide to help you navigate life's challenges, I invite you to get to know me. My goal is to provide a safe, accepting, and empathetic space for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, needs, and life experiences. Together, we can work towards a deeper understanding of yourself, build confidence, empowerment, and discover new paths to greater fulfillment and peace.

I am completing my master's degree in counseling psychology and am excited to become a licensed clinical professional counselor in the coming years!

I am working as a counseling intern here at The Human Connection while I complete a Masters degree in mental health counseling. I spent my 20s and 30s doing antiterrorism work as a U. S. Marine and with other government organizations. I left that line of work in 2018 in order to be more present as a father and husband. Diverse life experiences, genuine curiosity, and sincere empathy help me relate with and support others. 

I credit other veterans and counselors for ushering me from a path of isolation into connection and comradeship with others. Inspired by the care and goodwill shown to me, I am studying and practicing to support others in navigating their internal and external environments effectively. 

I'm learning and practicing applying various theories and methods upon an existential philosophical foundation. I have experience working with trauma, depression, and anxiety, among other issues. I am a combat veteran and have worked with other combat veterans in various ways for over twenty years. I am glad to work with people of any age and background. I have experienced firsthand, and in others, the reality that we can continue to grow and thrive throughout life, even in the presence of challenging circumstances. As a counselor in training I am learning to do more each day.

If you feel that you could use support, please reach out. I am confident we can build connection and courage for living.

Hello! My name is Tara. I am a counseling intern here at The Human Connection, as I complete my Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I have my Batchelor’s Degree in Marriage in Family Studies from BYU-Idaho. As a divorced, single mom, I am passionate about helping families and individuals navigate the challenges of life. I am happy to work with anyone that needs help, whether it be depression, marital struggles, anxiety, trauma, grief, parenting concerns, emotional regulation, etc. I am willing to sit with you, listen, and work with you to meet your desired needs. Helping others, serving, and educating is something that I am very enthusiastic about, and have devoted myself to. I am a Christian and am happy to provide Christian counseling or secular counseling based upon your preference. I believe that where there is help there is hope, healing and change are possible. I would be honored to walk part of your journey with you.

I grew up in Sandpoint and have always seen it as my home. I moved away for 8 years living in Utah, Oregon, and Arizona but have landed back in beautiful Sandpoint with my son. We love it here, I enjoy spending my free time with him, being in nature, and serving my community.

I founded The Human Connection in Sandpoint in 1991, and strongly believe that, with the right kind of support, everyone can grow to have a more fulfilling life.  I enjoy working with clients seeking to grow their lives and are willing to do the work that growth takes.  I believe that all of us are wounded in some ways, and, most importantly, that all of us can heal.

I am a passionate and active member of the Sandpoint community, having volunteered for many organizations over my three decades in Sandpoint.  I founded the Long Bridge Swim in 1995, and have volunteered many years at the Panhandle Animal Shelter, The Panida Theater, The Festival At Sandpoint and for many other events and organizations.  I draw inspiration from nature and animals and genuine connections with other people.  I have a wonderful wife of 18 years and we have two adult children who also live in this community.

I'm the Business Manager here at The Human Connection.  You will most likely talk to me when you call in or contact us via email. I take great pride in matching every client with the right counselor to provide them with the best possible support.  I handle the behind the scenes aspects of the business, manage all of the billing, and support the public in understanding the services we offer.  I was born and raised in Sandpoint, and while I've had the privilege of traveling, Sandpoint has always been my favorite place. I love the mountains that surround our beautiful home and spend as much time in them as I can, whether that's hiking, camping, or skiing with my partner and our rescue pups. When you visit our office you may also meet the office dogs and my adventure pals, Loki and Birdie.