meet the team
We want you to get the care you deserve.
meet the founder
Cindy McKnight, Mental Health Therapist, and Owner of Living Pono Counseling is a nationally certified counselor.
With over twenty years of experience in the mental health field, she is dedicated to helping her clients achieve a high level of emotional and mental well-being.
Working interactively with individuals, couples, families, teens, and first responders she is solution-focused to assist her clients in living their lives to their fullest potential. Integrating research-based methodologies and techniques; Cindy assists her clients on their journey of emotional strength-building and personal fulfillment with a focus on lifelong health and prosperity.
a place to call home
Our team of counselors and practitioners create a safe space that allows you to process through hard things.
A place to quiet the noise, slow down, and find community.
A place to call home.
when life around you feels fast,
Living Pono invites you to slow down.
Our dedicated team is committed to providing you with a nurturing environment for your healing journey. Our goal is to help you cultivate personal growth, and ultimately achieve a sense of harmony within yourself.
meet our team
-

Carly Williams
Clinical Director
LCPC, NCC, MA, THTC, CCATP-CA, CFRCCarly’s mission is to empower teenagers and adults to become the best versions of themselves by supporting them in overcoming obstacles and accomplishing their goals.
-

Porchia Mitchell
MS, LCPC, NCC, Training Supervisor
Porchia’s hope is to provide a safe place to allow you to continue your journey of transition. Whether the focus is finding coping skills, acknowledging triggers, managing life moments and stressors, or other goals.
-
Brenda Shafer
LSW
Brenda’s approach to therapy is integrative, based on the individual’s needs and goals. She provides a safe, trusting environment which allows for collaboration and solutions.
-

Becky Feiler
LCSW
Becky's therapeutic approach centers on creating a collaborative, trusting partnership with her clients. She is dedicated to helping individuals recognize and build on their strengths, while fostering motivation for meaningful change.
-

Brian Hides
LPC
Brian focuses on creating a compassionate and nonjudgmental space where clients feel safe, heard, and supported. He uses a trauma-informed and strengths-based approach.
-

Elizabeth Green
LPC - pending
Elizabeth integrates evidence-based methods such as CBT and trauma-informed care with holistic practices like mindfulness and trauma-sensitive yoga. Dedicated to creating a safe, supportive environment, she helps clients build resilience, self-awareness, and lasting emotional balance.
-

Heidi Wodrich
MA, LCPC, NCC, CCTP, CFRC
As a psychotherapist, a certified clinical trauma professional, and a former teacher, helping people to learn and grow has been the core focus of Heidi’s life and career.
-
Joy Helfers
MA, NCC, General Certified EMDR Practitioner
Across all ages, Joy uses a person-centered approach to help clients experience relief from relationship struggles, shame, anxiety, depression, and inner criticism, often through self-understanding and self-compassion.
-

Karson McEwen
LPC
Karson is devoted to supporting you on your individual journey toward mental and emotional health. Her goal is to create a safe, supportive environment where you feel empowered to make meaningful changes in your life.
-

Kenny Close
MFT, Intern
Kenny brings calm structure, cultural humility, and evidence-based care to his work with couples and families. He specializes in communication, conflict resolution, and major life transitions, including reintegration for military and first-responder families.
-

Kristi Kauth
LSW, MSW
Choosing to pursue therapy is a courageous step toward healing. It is Kristi’s goal to provide a safe and comfortable space for clients to be their truest selves and get the most out of their therapy experience without judgment.
-

Lana Raines
Intern
Lana is a dedicated and compassionate therapist-in-training, currently completing a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Concordia University Chicago, with an expected graduation in the fall of 2025
-
Latoi Bennett
M.Ed, MSW, LSW
Latoi creates an environment that allows you to understand your true self, your relationships, and past experiences that led you to where you are today. She is here to listen and to guide.
-
Lauren LaDere
LPC, CFRC
As well as being an LPC, I also am a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), specializing in disability and chronic illness.
-

Lyndsey McIntyre
LPC, NCC, CFRC
Lyndsey's has a solution-focused approach and a place of mutual understanding. She is passionate about working with first responders, teens, young adults, as well as those navigating new life changes.
-

Megan Woyke
MA, LPC, BA
Megan has experience working with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use conditions. Megan also has experience working with children diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
-

Natalie Grubczak
Pre-licensed Professional Counselor
Natalie uses an existential, client-centered approach that encourages self-awareness and a deeper sense of purpose. Passionate about supporting teens and young adults, she fosters a safe, collaborative space where clients feel heard and empowered to bring their inner strengths into everyday life.
-

Nicole Gorr
Intern
Nicole is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work degree at Aurora University, scheduled to graduate in May 2025. She aims to work with clients using a trauma-informed lens and a person-centered approach.
-

Renee Jaegers
LCPC, NCC
Renee strives to create a safe, comfortable, and trusting atmosphere. She works with clients to help them gain a better understanding of themselves and their relationships.
-

Sadiah Moid
LPC Pending
Sadiah’s psychodynamic and person-centered therapeutic approach focuses on fostering empathy, safety, and multicultural understanding.
-

Stephanie Kim
LSW
Stephanie is deeply passionate about supporting individuals on their journey to mental wellness and personal growth. Her goal as your therapist is to create a non-judgemental environment where you feel safe and heard,
-

Yuri Fernandez
LSW, *Bilingual in Spanish
Yuri’s background consists of working as a youth counselor with adolescents placed out of the home in group homes and corrections. Yuri is passionate about serving diverse populations.
-

Christopher Skanes Sr.
Intern
Chris is committed to supporting the mental health and wellness of first responders and their families. His work focuses on crisis intervention, holistic wellness, and advocacy for men’s mental health, with a mission to help remove the stigma surrounding mental health care.
-

Cody Hawks
Intern
Cody prioritizes creating a safe, supportive environment where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered. His approach blends Humanistic, Cognitive Behavioral, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy frameworks, often incorporating humor to build connection and awareness.
-

Julianna Novelo
Intern
Julianna is passionate about making mental health care accessible and empowering clients to feel seen, heard, and supported.
-

Kyle Rayome
Intern
Kyle’s approach emphasizes multicultural understanding, safety, trust, and empowerment, helping clients navigate life transitions, recognize their strengths, and achieve meaningful personal growth and healing.
-

Kate Elmore
Office Manager
Kate works with new and existing clients to find the best match in a therapist as well as answer any questions they may have throughout their mental health journey.
-

Amber Berndt
Account Management
Amber Berndt is a Collections Specialist who started with Living Pono in 2023. Amber works to collect co-pays for patient visits and ensure that records are as up to date as possible.
-

Simisola Osinaike
Social Media Manager
Simisola is pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology and is passionate about helping those who do not have the privilege of accessible mental health care.
-

Britta Johnson
Office Assistant
Britta is dedicated to creating a welcoming environment and is happy to answer any questions current or prospective clients may have.
-

Nicola Thompson-Hill
Office Assistant
Nicola works with new clients helping them with clinician placement, greets visitors with a welcoming attitude, and is here to help with any questions or concerns they may have.
our approach to healing
In life, Pono stands for righteousness and balance.
In Hawaiian, if a person is living Pono, it means that they have struck the right balance within themselves, with other things, places, and the people in their lives.
We take that same approach when helping you to grow.
To help you to begin Living Pono.