Grand Rapids Team

Tara Steketee, LMSW

Tara is a Licensed Master Social Worker. She earned her master’s in Social Work from the University of South Carolina and her bachelor’s in Sociology, Criminal Justice and Women’s Studies from Ball State University.

Tara has an empathic, non-judgmental and person-centered approach to therapy. She believes wholeheartedly in the inherent strength and resilience of her clients, and their potential for growth and change. She has experience working with adolescents, adults and couples. Tara utilizes an eclectic, evidence-based therapeutic approach in order to tailor treatment individually for each client. She aims to create a warm, safe environment and strives to support and empower her clients as they navigate through life's challenges and transitions.

Tara enjoys spending her free time with her husband and two children. She loves reading, traveling and cooking.

Lehanna Hardy, LLMSW

Lehanna has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Western Michigan University and Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from Lincoln Memorial University.

Lehanna received a specialization in Trauma Across the Lifespan at WMU. Lehanna has worked in Equine Therapy, Substance Abuse Treatment and most recently as a Behavioral Health Consultant in a Medical office.  She is trained in CBT, Motivation Interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy, Hakomi and Mindfulness. Lehanna is a trauma informed clinician who brings an integrative approach to her work with clients.

Lehanna believes in connecting with people through empathy and compassion. She works to provide a safe and nonjudgmental space that affords people the ability to do the difficult work of therapy. Life’s struggles often create a wedge between people and their authentic selves.  It is Lehanna’s goal to walk with her clients as they learn to reconnect to themselves using their strengths. She believes that everyone can reach their goals through self-empowerment and personal growth.

Lehanna is also passionate about her work with Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids where she facilitates supports groups for those impacted by cancer or grief. She feels it’s an honor to walk beside people on their cancer and grief journeys and be a part of the Gilda community.

Emily Warning, LMSW

Emily, Limited Licensed Master of Social Work, earned her master’s degree from Western Michigan University and her undergraduate from Grand Valley State University. Her focus is in treating trauma across the life span, addressing the past in order to help clients live a fuller and more balanced life in the present and future.

Emily is state certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, an evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents impacted by trauma and their parents or caregivers. Emily has a passion for treating the whole person and has additional training in mindfulness, an attention practice that assists people with managing stress, anxiety, and depression.

Emily enjoys working with children, adolescents, young adults, couples and families. It is her belief that all stages of life come with unique challenges and counseling can equip people with the proper tools to face life’s difficulties with confidence.

Rob Conrad, LMSW

Rob Conrad, LMSW Licensed Master of Social Work, earned his Master’s of Social Work from the University of Michigan. Rob has experience working with children, teens, families, and adults. He spent 4 years working with individuals who experienced complex trauma and is certified in Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

He believes in meeting his clients where they are at and in the collaborative nature of therapy. Rob uses evidenced based practices to help his clients identify and achieve their goals. His approach is person centered. He wants his clients to feel empowered and ready to succeed. He also believes the power of self-compassion and feeling balanced in all areas of your life.

Rob enjoys spending his free time with his wife and bulldog. He loves cooking, hiking, traveling, and playing board games.

Anne Gruber, LCSW

Anne Gruber is a Licensed Master Social Worker who earned her degrees from Michigan State University and The University of Denver. Anne has worked extensively with individuals and families in various settings to overcome barriers and take steps towards positive life changes. She believes in meeting clients where they are and working together as a team to achieve goals specific to each person.

Anne is also a certified yoga teacher with a strong belief in the mind-body connection and enjoys mindfulness practices both in her personal life and with clients. She has worked with individuals and groups from a clinical and facilitator role.

Anne enjoys helping clients with self empowerment through creative feedback, problem solving, and various treatment modalities. Anne believes everyone has the ability to help themselves and is passionate about assisting in this process from a collaborative approach in a safe, supportive environment. Anne, is also trained in EMDR (Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) which is used to treat trauma, PTSD, and other conditions. She works hard to help find calm, balance and satisfaction within life. Anne loves staying active, spending time outdoors, and helping with personal growth as she believes this is essential for well being.

DeeDee DiTrapani, LMSW, ACSW

Diana "DeeDee" DiTrapani is a Licensed Master Social Worker. She received her Master's Degree from Wayne State University and has been working in the field for almost thirty years. Many of those years have been spent working with children and families in child welfare, foster care and adoption.

DeeDee transitioned from working in child welfare to counseling four years ago, and enjoys working with a range of people and situations such as couples, young adults seeking life skills direction, individuals suffering from anxiety and depression, school aged children and families. She believes in giving every client personal attention by being available between sessions by phone for support when needed.

She has resided in Western Michigan for 30 years, is married and has two adult daughters who are all avid boaters and enjoy the Great Lakes with all their beauty.

DeeDee believes all people have the ability to achieve their hopes and dreams when given life skills and encouragement, and helping to remove obstacles that hinder healthy growth and development.

Denise Skonieczny, PMHNP-BC

Denise is a fully Licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Grand Valley State University, her Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Grand Rapids Community College, her Master’s Degree in Nursing from the University of Phoenix and her post-master’s certificate as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from the University of Cincinnati. She has significant experience working in the mental health field.

Denise supports a collaborative relationship with clients including a person-centered plan for recovery. She believes that sometimes life throws us some curve balls and we need a little bit of help to return to our game. She believes that all people have their own individual strengths, resilience and the ability to recover despite life’s many challenges.

Denise’s primary role at Thriveworks is to provide medication management services and education to clients. She works under the supervision of a licensed Psychiatrist and is able to provide evaluations, medication treatment and monitoring. She sees clients over the age of 18 (adults).

Denise is compassionate about helping people and animals. She has four rescue dogs at home that she enjoys spending time with in her free time along with reading, gardening, and wood burning.

Sally Nulph, LPC

Sally is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with many years of training and experience in mental healthcare. Sally is focused on trauma-oriented therapies and utilizes the following treatment methods: dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), prolonged exposure, brief strategic family therapy, motivational interviewing, Parent Management Training Oregon model, seeking safety, mindfulness, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).  She believes that people of all ages respond to engaging interactive models that incorporate individual choice.

Sally has extensive experience working with couples, families, and many diverse types of clients. Her approach is person-centered and supported by evidence-based practices. She challenges people to apply concepts from therapy through role play and behavioral practice and is determined to make therapy meaningful by utilizing assessment tools so clients can see their progress and give feedback on how therapy is going.

Sally is an energetic therapist and believes that transparency in the therapeutic process is very important and that therapy is about removing barriers and exploring strengths while allowing clients the ability to find their own answers. When she isn’t doing therapy, Sally enjoys baking bread, riding bikes, walking her dogs, and writing.

Austin Gonzalez, LMSW

Austin Gonzalez, Licensed Master of Social Work, earned both her Bachelor and Master of Social Work degrees from Grand Valley State University. Austin has experience working with individuals of all ages, but currently focuses on working with adolescents, young adults, adults, couples and families.

She believes in empowering individuals to use their unique strengths to overcome whatever difficulties life may present. She uses a variety of therapeutic techniques that are person centered while providing a safe, non-judgemental space. Austin believes in the connection between physical and mental health and encourages clients to incorporate this important balance in their own lives.

Austin's passions include empowering others, running, cooking and the outdoors. She enjoys spending her free time with her family and rescue dog.

Margaret Rose, LMSW, CAADC, CCS

Margaret Rose has 30 plus years working with adults and couples and those suffering from a mental health condition, problematic addictive behaviors, and more.

As a therapist, she appreciates the courage it takes for people to seek counseling. She believes her job is to first understand that people bring their own expertise about themselves, including where they may start their change journey. Margaret then brings her expertise to the table and together they work as partners moving towards her client’s goal(s), finding self-acceptance, peace of mind, and seeing the joy in their life. She is also trained in EMDR (Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) which is used to treat trauma, PTSD, and other conditions

Margaret believes there is always hope in her work with others.

Margaret earned her Master’s in Social Work (LMSW) in 1994 at Grand Valley State University. She is a Certified Diplomat of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy since 2006, providing Cognitive Behavior Therapy and training. She is a member of the International Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) since 2007 and has been extensively trained as a counselor, coach, and trainer. She is a Certified Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CAADC), a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) for the Michigan Certification Board of Addiction Professionals (MCBAP), earned a Certificate in Core Supervisor with the Michigan National Association of Social Workers (NASW) since 2017, and an EMDR trained clinician since March 2018.

When she is not doing therapy, Margaret enjoys time with family and friends, exercise, and cooking.

Rachel McClure, LMSW, CAADC

Rachel has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Grand Valley State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Western Michigan University.   Rachel is a Certified Advanced Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CAADC) and is also trained in EMDR, a type of therapy used to treat PTSD, trauma and other mental health issues.  She has been working in mental health for eight years.

As a member of the LGBTQ community, Rachel is an advocate for LGBTQ individuals with an understanding of issues particular to them.

Rachel has experience working with adults and has a supportive, empathetic, and practical approach to therapy. She collaborates with clients to create customized care plan that will help them reach their goals and bring peace and healing to their lives.

Rachel also teaches her clients a variety of therapeutic techniques to help them cope with depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.

In her spare time, she enjoys running, singing in a community chorus, being outdoors, and spending time with her fiancé and their rescue cats.

Clare McCullough, LPC

Clare McCullough is a fully Licensed Professional Counselor, with a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Spring Arbor University. She has significant experience in providing Crisis Intervention; including crisis line work and immediate critical incident response for unexpected workplace events. Clare is also a Certified Supervisor for Limited Licensed Professional Counselors.

Clare believes in a collaborative counseling relationship with her clients. She brings authenticity, compassion, and empathy to the professional relationship with her clients. She believes all people deserve the right to pursue and achieve the best they are capable of in their lives. She strives to guide clients toward awareness, self love, and strength, in order to achieve the best in their lives. She believes people are resilient, and have the ability to heal and grow, regardless of their challenges in life, and present circumstances.

Audrey Litts, LMSW, - Owner of Thriveworks Grand Rapids

Audrey Litts earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Northern Michigan University and a Master of Social Work from Western Michigan University. She has experience working in both administrative and clinical roles as a social worker including non-profit management and school social work.

Audrey’s role at Thriveworks Counseling in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, is to ensure that her clients have a positive experience while supporting and uplifting her staff. She works hard to create an environment where clients feel comfortable and clinicians love to work.

Audrey believes strongly in the mission and vision of Thriveworks, and the importance it places on its valued clients and staff, and is very grateful to be part of the Thriveworks team.

Audrey and her husband have raised several children including younger siblings and foster children, and have two young biological children, along with a menagerie of animals on their country farm.