Grand Rapids Team

Lisa Boomers, LLPC

Lisa is a Limited Licensed Professional Counselor. She earned her Master of Arts Degree from Western Michigan University and her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Grand Valley State University. She is currently working toward becoming a Certified Advanced Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CAADC). She has professional experience working with people of various ages, from adolescents to geriatrics.

She is proficient in helping clients work through a wide range of issues, such as substance abuse, mental illness, and sexual offenses. Her main approach to therapy is solution-focused, but she incorporates techniques from multiple other theoretical orientations.

Lisa believes the past is something to be examined and learned from, but it should not prevent a person from moving forward. By working collaboratively with clients, Lisa focuses on helping them understand how they got where they are and how they can get where they want to go. She assists clients in utilizing mindfulness, coping skills, and cognitive restructuring to help them become the best version of themselves.

Lisa was born and raised in West Michigan. In her time away from the office, she enjoys spending time with her two dogs, making memories with family and friends, and reading.

**Lisa sees clients in-person and via telehealth

Meaghan Dulin, LLPC

Meaghan Dulin is a Limited License Professional Counselor who grew up in southwest Virginia. She received her Master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology- with an emphasis in early childhood development- from Mary Baldwin College. She has been working in the counseling field for the past 15 years. She has a variety of experience- including Infant Mental Health, school-based counseling, community mental health, juvenile justice system, foster care system, Hospice and palliative care, child/adolescent residential treatment center, adult intensive outpatient/substance use treatment, SMART Recovery for youth, and equine-assisted therapy programs. As a result of her experience, Meaghan has the ability to effectively treat a wide range of issues including trauma, mood disorders (including perinatal mood disorders), anxiety and depression, additive behaviors, grief/loss/ambiguous loss, and attachment/relationship concerns.  Additionally, she has special interest in supporting healing regarding social justice issues- including systemic racism and inequity.

Meaghan believes that the greatest healing happens in the context of relationships- throughout the lifespan. When working with Meaghan, you can expect a safe and compassionate space for your mind, body, and soul. Her practice is informed largely by attachment theory and emotion-focused theory; additional evidence-based/evidence-informed practices that may be present in the counseling room include CBT (cognitive behavior therapy), Mindfulness, Infant-Parent Psychotherapy/Child-Parent Psychotherapy, and DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy).

Shannon Bruin, LMSW

Ayesha Syed, PMHNP, FNP

Ayesha is a licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP).

She has 15 years of experience working in the mental health and in the medical field.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree from GVSU and her PMHNP from the University of Cincinnati as well as an FNP from Walden University.

Her primary role at Thriveworks is to provide psychiatric medication management services to clients. She works under a supervising psychiatrist in providing evaluation, monitoring, and education and medication intervention.

Her treatment philosophy is to promote holistic care by providing empowering intervention for culturally diverse populations as well as to promote self-management of mental health across the lifespan of her patients. She enjoys seeing patients begin to live better lives as they play a proactive role in their mental health through a positive experience of care consisting of therapy, medication, and education. All of which empowers the individual toward continuous improvement in their functionality.

During her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, reading, watching movies as well as traveling.

Ayesha offers a self-pay rate of $200 for intakes and $100 for monthly/medication management follow ups.

** Ayesha offers online counseling

Brandon Mitchell, LMSW

Brandon is a Licensed Master Social Worker providing clinical services in the Grand Rapids community. He received his Master's and Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Grand Valley State University. He has worked with various age groups, including adolescent to geriatric, throughout his time with other clinical agencies and currently focuses on adolescents, adults and families. His professional background includes working with patients from all diverse backgrounds in outpatient healthcare facilities.

Brandon believes the first step to an authentic therapeutic relationship begins with respect, and then fosters into a trusting connection for clients to feel comfortable engaging and growing towards their goals. He is passionate about creating a non-judgmental environment founded on empathy and safety to assist clients in navigating difficult life stressors. He feels that each person has the ability to achieve a wholesome life with the tools and strengths they possess in themselves.

He will incorporate different educational and therapeutic skills to empower clients to lead the lives they have desired, including Motivational, Solution Focused, and Cognitive Behavioral therapy. Life can feel unmanageable with internal and external stressors, and Brandon believes our conflicts can improve with the learning of new skills to be in control.

As a member of the LGBTQ community, Brandon is passionate about working alongside clients who are struggling with situations particular to this identity. He believes allyship with all identities is essential to developing an affirming environment where positive social and mental health outcomes are possible.

In his spare time, Brandon enjoys reading, spending time with friends, traveling and hiking with his very loving dog, Charlie.

** Brandon offers online counseling

Danielle Drumm, LMSW

Danielle Drumm, LMSW is a Licensed Master Social Worker who has a passion for supporting and encouraging clients throughout the therapy process. Danielle strives to make therapy comfortable and fun using a variety of effective therapeutic techniques. Danielle received her Bachelor of Social Work from Grand Valley State University and her Master of Social Work from Michigan State University. Danielle has worked with many diverse populations and in various settings throughout her almost 10 years in the field. Danielle currently works with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families.

Danielle enjoys incorporating mindfulness and relaxation exercises during therapy sessions and loves helping clients bring healthy balance into their lives. Danielle practices from a holistic approach with a focus on treating the whole person and helping clients feel empowered to live their best life. Danielle enjoys helping clients recognize obstacles and discover ways to problem solve and move forward while letting go of judgement, guilt, and fear.

Lehanna Hardy, LMSW

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.

** Lehanna offers online counseling

Emily Warning, LMSW

Emily, Licensed Master Social Worker, 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.

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 thirty four 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 8 years ago and joined Thriveworks in March of 2016. She 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.

Deedee uses a variety of approaches in her counseling such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Systems Work, and Mindfulness.

**DeeDee offers online counseling

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.

Denise offers a self-pay rate of $200 for intakes and $100 for monthly/medication management follow ups

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.

** Austin offers online counseling

Rachel McClure-Varto, 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.

** Rachel offers online counseling

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.

**Rob offers online counseling

Kathryn “Katie” Warren, LLP

Katie is a Master’s Level Psychologist. She specializes in child and family challenges and enjoys working with the entire family unit.

Katie has experience in mental health, education, ADHD, ASD, substance use, trauma, legal issues, and family concerns and works with young children all the way to older adults.  She is also a certified Autism evaluator.

Her work focuses on cognitive, emotional and behavioral concerns utilizing mindfulness and cognitive behavioral approaches.

Katie is a Grand Rapids native who enjoys spending time with her family and participating in events around Grand Rapids.

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.