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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
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Carly Williams
Clinical Director
LCPC, NCC, MA, THTC, CCATP-CACarly’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.
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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.
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Heidi Wodrich
MA, LCPC, NCC, CCTP
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.
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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.
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Porchia Mitchell
MS, LPC, NCC
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.
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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.
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Simisola Osinaike
Social Media Manager
Simisola is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology and recently joined the team at Living Pono and is passionate about helping those who do not have the privilege of accessible mental health care.
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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.
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Yajaira Arizmendi
LSW, *Bilingual in Spanish
Yajaira feels that it is essential to create a safe space for clients to feel heard and validated and is passionate about increasing mental health awareness in underserved communities.
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Yuri Fernandez
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.
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James Michehl
M.Ed., LCPC, CHT
James believes therapy is a joint effort between therapist and client and is committed to providing you the best care possible. Every person is unique which is why there are many different treatment approaches.
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Jennie Christensen
MSW, LSW, MMCR
Specializing in anxiety, depression, and stress disorders, trauma recovery, mediation, and conflict resolution, Jennie is committed to helping individuals achieve mental wellness and personal growth.
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Jennifer Goss
MA, NCC, LCPC, CCTP, CGP, CTMH
Jennifer works with children, adolescents, young adults, adults, families, and couples. She uses a variety of methods to suit each client or couple with a motto of “super easy, super cheesy.”
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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.
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Lyndsey McIntyre
LPC
Lyndsey's style derives from 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 and seeking empowerment.
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Mariela Silva
Office Assistant
Mariela is passionate about helping the community and brings extensive customer service, organizational and time management skills to the Living Pono team.
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Sadiah Moid
Intern
Sadiah’s psychodynamic and person-centered therapeutic approach focuses on fostering empathy, safety, and multicultural understanding.
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Sarah Hamilton
Intern
Sarah's clinical style is built on mutual trust. She embraces an acceptance and commitment approach to counseling while considering cultural and contextual awareness to foster a space of inclusivity.
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Tiffany Micek
LCSW
Tiffany utilizes a holistic lens, providing psychoeducation all while leading with compassion and grace. As a result, she has witnessed many patients as they transcend along their wellness journey.
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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.
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Adriana Argueta
LCPC, CTMH, CCATP
Using an approach that focuses on strengths and building coping skills, Adriana believes in the potential of the therapeutic relationship for supporting the individual healing process, growth, and positive change.
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Joy Helfers
Intern
Joy is a Counseling Intern pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of the Cumberlands and will graduate in the summer of 2025.
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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.
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Cate Brown
MSW
Cate holds a masters degree in Social Work with a focus on substance Abuse from Aurora University and currently pursuing a LSW and CADC credentials.
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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
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Lauren LaDere
Intern
Lauren currently working towards her certification in Mental Performance Consulting (performance psychology) and certification in Rehabilitation Counseling to further support her therapeutic training and experiences.
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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.
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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.