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.

MEET CINDY

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, CFRC

    Carly’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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    Sadiah Moid

    LPC Pending

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

  • Stephanie Kim

    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

    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.

    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

    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

    Julianna Novelo

    Intern

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

  • Kyle Rayome

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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.

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