Meet Us
The Louisville Family Center was founded in March of 2017 with the intention of creating a space for families and individuals to connect more deeply with themselves and each other. We enjoy being a part of downtown Louisville, as it allows us to connect with the community in various ways.
Christy Lochary and Michele Beach are the founders of the Louisville Family Center. We began working together in 2008 as teachers, which was the start of a collaboration and friendship that has supported us through many important stages in our lives. See below for more information about each therapist.
I have been working with children and families since 2008, first as an educator at an independent school and currently as a child therapist after earning my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Regis University in Colorado. I am deeply committed to helping children and their families enhance their self-awareness and strengthen their connections with one another.
While I support children from diverse backgrounds, my specialty is working with neurodivergent children and their families. This includes children who identify as ADHD, Autistic, PDA, or Gifted, as well as those who are neurocomplex in other ways, such as being twice-exceptional (2E) or having learning differences like dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia.
I provide child therapy and parent support, while also offering therapy for neurodivergent individuals to explore their identities, recover from burnout, and strengthen their relationships with themselves and others.
As a neurodiversity-affirming therapist, I use evidence-based, relationship-centered play therapy modalities tailored to each child’s unique strengths and needs. I also support parents in deepening their understanding—not just of their child, but of neurodivergence as a whole—helping them navigate school, family dynamics, and daily life with greater confidence and connection.
My passion for supporting neurodivergent children and their families is deeply personal. After my own child was diagnosed with ADHD and multiple learning differences, I recognized similar struggles in myself. This led to my own ADHD diagnosis, further shaping my understanding and approach to working with neurodivergent families.
This journey—both as a parent and as a professional—has been invaluable, enriching my work and deepening my commitment to helping neurodivergent children and their families thrive.
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Certified Synergetic Play Therapist, a Level 1 Trained Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist, and a Clinical Supervisor at the Louisville Family Center. Committed to ongoing growth, I continually expand my knowledge by engaging with current research and the lived experiences of the neurodivergent community.
CLIENT LOVE 
When I became a mother, many years ago, I had no idea I was beginning a journey to the center of myself. I had always excelled in school, graduating in 2000 from Stanford University with a Bachelors in Computer Science. I had no doubt I could study all of the books, remember some tips from my babysitting days and ace parenting with flying colors. And yet I found myself at times sitting there on the floor crying right alongside my two-year-old, not able to understand what I was doing “wrong.” I found myself blaming him and shaming myself.
Shortly thereafter I went back to school, because I wanted to learn more about children and emotions. I got my Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from CU Denver in 2007. The following August, I co-founded The Patchwork School, which began as a small preschool in my basement with just ten children. We moved the school to Louisville where we quickly found we had many parents seeking something similar for their young children and themselves, a learning environment that nurtures the whole child. Supporting parents, staff and students these past eighteen years, I have been fortunate to work with hundreds of families here in Louisville. I have also researched Social Emotional Learning on my own and through workshops and conferences in New York, Portland, Finland, Puerto Rico, Vancouver, and here in Colorado.
At the Louisville Family Center, I have been practicing since 2017, and am currently a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), with a Master’s Degree in Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling from Naropa University. I am also a Clinical Supervisor for Candidate Therapists here at LFC. My approach to therapy includes conflict transformation through Non-Violent Communication, mindfulness and present-focused techniques, motivational interviewing to promote solutions, body awareness, inner parts work, family systems dynamics, and most of all is person-centered. My intention is to meet you right where you are in each and every session.
My areas of interest and experience lie particularly with counseling adults, couples and families with neurodivergence (including ADHD, Autism, and giftedness), adoption, co-parent counseling, conflict communication, divorce, career shifts and other transitions, as well as trauma and grief.
As for myself, my oldest son is now twenty years old, I have two additional children (one adopted) and another two step-children, and I no longer believe there is a “right” way to parent. However I do know that with support it is possible to reconnect to the joy of parenting and the precious experience of being a family. When not in the office, I particularly enjoy gardening, travelling, cooking, reading and hanging out with my family and our little black cat.
CLIENT LOVE
As a counselor and mom, what I know is that at our core, we all yearn to be known, to be seen, and to be understood. Having the freedom and space to authentically be ourselves, with our flaws is important for kids so that as they mature into the world, they are able to leave the nest with less fear and struggle. Parents who create safe, nurturing homes for their kids raise kids with the resilience to overcome life’s challenges. Is it easy? Not
always, but it does begin at home and with you.
When I work with families (sometimes just the kids, sometimes as a family. sometimes just the parents) I model in session a safe, warm, nurturing, and fun space for children to be themselves. From that place, they can safely discover who they are. I love helping kids learn about their feelings, their thoughts, and moods, to develop empathy and conflict resolution skills, which leads to a greater understanding of themselves and others.
In my sessions I use what’s called an “eclectic approach”, meaning I take the best of what works from different philosophies and put them together to meet the specific needs of the child/family. Often, this includes play therapy, family systems, strengths-based therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and mindfulness.
I received my Master’s and Doctorate degrees in clinical psychology from the Adler
University in Chicago with a focus on child, adolescent, and family therapy.
Personally, I understand the ups and downs of parenthood having raised 3 children with
my husband. With 4 grandkids as well, parenting has been a part of my life for more than
40 years.
I have always loved a good story. From JRR Tolkein’s Lord of the Ring’s to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, I was always fascinated by people (and hobbits) and how their situations inspire love, hurt, pride, jealousy, connectedness, and loneliness. Those stories made me a compassionate listener: always searching for deeper meaning.
As a young adult, I funneled that knowledge into acting. I wanted to embody the characters I was so passionate about. After getting a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater from Winthrop University in South Carolina, and studying acting for several years post degree, I came to realize that the life of an actor didn’t fit my other life goals. I wanted to be a present and engaged partner and parent. I wanted to put down roots.
That is when I turned to psychology. In graduate school at San Francisco State University I turned those good listening skills and a passion for human stories into a profession. I completed a Master’s of Science degree in Clinical Psychology. I trained with the Infant-Parent Program at San Francisco General Hospital and earned a certificate in Infant Mental Health.
After completing my degree I started working for San Mateo County’s Pre-3 Program where I continued to support young children and new moms. My youngest client was 6 months old and struggling with a sleep disorder. My mom clients struggled with the complexities of parenting as a teen, having insecure housing, insecure family structures, and struggles with substance use disorders. I also worked for the Youth to Adult Commitee program and supported young adults between 18 and 22 who were struggling with mental health challenges, including “graduating” foster care, hospitalization for suicidal thoughts or attempts, failure to finish HS, and difficulty transitioning into work environments.
In 2019, I transitioned to a private, non-profit organization called One Life Counseling Center. There I saw a broad array of clients from little kids to elderly adults. I discovered a talent and a passion for working with adolescents and their parents. I expanded my knowledge of neurodivergence, gender and sexual identity differences, and diverse family constellations including divorced parents, step-parents, multigenerational households, and same gender parent families.
In 2023 my family, now with 2 older kids, moved to Louisville to pursue closer ties with family and to buy our own home. With the Louisville Family Center I continue to support families struggling with neurodivergence, generational differences, challenges related to shifting family dynamics including divorce, separation, loss, remarriage and step-parenting. I continue to be passionate about the stories my client’s share with me and I am excited to support them as they create the lives they want to live.
Hi there! I am Judith (she/her). As a systemically trained therapist, I work with adolescents, individuals, couples, and families. I believe in the power of relationship, both in connection and in healing, and am dedicated to supporting relationships of all kinds — romantic, familial, and friendships — in deepening and healing side by side. I have a specific interest in supporting individuals and couples in navigating their journeys related to fertility and perinatal mental health, as well. As a mother, this season of life is of particular closeness and it is a privilege to offer support during this pivotal time.
I am keen to learn about your experience, informed by your personal and sociocultural context, to move toward your desired place of growth and new insight. As we explore your story together, I will bring compassion, curiosity, and respect, and encourage a laugh or two along the way.
I am a product of therapy. A client since the age of seven, the therapeutic connection is a relationship I treasure. As a child, I remember feeling uniquely noticed and heard in this space. I quickly realized how fortunate I was to have access to therapy and how meaningful it would be to provide the same security and support I was given.
I hold a Master’s degree in Couple and Family Therapy from Antioch University New England with a certificate in trauma-based care. I am trained in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) and incorporate an attachment-based perspective in my work. I am most at peace in the kitchen and love the balance of art and science that cooking and baking provides. In my spare time, you can find me traveling, exploring alongside my sweet little family, and trying my aspirational hand at gardening.
Hello. I am Kim (she/her). I am passionate about creativity, play, and imagination, and how, through the expressive arts, they inform identity and promote healing in a non-defensive manner for all ages and stages of development. The expressive arts have helped me process my own challenges and I am excited to share how this modality can help others.
As the mother of two neuro-divergent children, whom are now young adults, and one that has battled chronic illness, I have witnessed and appreciate the gifts and challenges that being neuro-divergent can produce. I have celebrated the victories and lost sleep over the challenges.
My parental journey introduced me to arts education, leading me to work with children and adolescents since 2009 in association with a public charter school located in southern CA. I developed my arts education program around the principles of art therapy, helping learners, including neuro-divergent learners, develop social and emotional skills and understanding, with an emphasis on identity development. My passion for working with teens struggling to understand their own identity and their place in their communities as they transition into early adulthood led me to pursue a Master of Arts Degree in clinical mental health counseling with a concentration in transpersonal counseling psychology and art therapy from Naropa University. During the last 18-months of my education at Naropa, I worked with children, adolescents, and adults of all ages working through transitional issues related to grief and loss, chronic illness, and trauma. I am currently working toward my full licensure as an LPCC and ATR-P.
My therapeutic approach is eclectic, depending on each individual’s needs, and I always lead with a person-centered and heart-centered approach. I believe each of us, given the proper conditions including a safe environment, unconditional positive regard, and empathy, possess innate growth tendencies. Understanding who we are and what feeds our soul promotes healing and well-being.
Beyond my work at Louisville Family Center, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I feed my soul by traveling with my husband and experiencing the world beyond our bubble, taking in other cultures and ways of being. I also spend as much time on the water as I can racing my sailboat across the country, a sport and passion my father introduced me to as a young child off the east coast of New England.
I spent 2015-2023 studying transpersonal art therapy at Naropa University, completing both my bachelor’s and master’s there. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC), utilizing the theoretical modalities of Art Therapy and Synergetic Play Therapy in my work.
Growing up I was always identified as an artist and caregiver, so when I became aware of art therapy as a career I felt inspired by and aligned with it. The transpersonal aspect of my education at Naropa is mainly what drew me to it because I hold the belief that all life is interconnected, therefore clinicians benefit from witnessing clients’ wisdom emerge just as much as clients benefit from witnessing themselves.
Art is an immensely powerful way for people to witness their own brilliance, even and especially for people who do not think they are “good” at art. Facilitating art processes for clients and myself is something I hold carefully as a privilege.
During my internship for school I got to practice combining a synergetic play therapy approach with art therapy while working with children and was amazed at what I saw each week. Through art and play, preconscious wisdom speaks volumes in symbols and metaphors, transforming reality to feel more resonant and manageable. It is an honor to watch children grapple with major traumas in the safety of a playroom, making meaning of their experiences and connecting with themselves in ways often beyond words.
Outside of work I enjoy learning about Traditional Chinese Medicine, creating personal art, bird watching, hiking, watching movies, and eating good food with loved ones.
I am grateful to be a part of the Louisville Family Center team. I bring enthusiasm and care to my work as a therapist. I have an eclectic approach in my therapy practice incorporating Gestalt therapy, EMDR, Synergetic Play Therapy, art, somatic practices, neuroscience and a Jungian lens among other modalities that I am learning and exploring. I specialize in working with anxiety, depression and challenging life transitions. I am currently offering online therapy to adults, adolescents and children.
I greatly value creating a space where clients can be their authentic selves and to support them as they grow and integrate. My focus in therapy is based on how effectively I can attune to the client and support their process and of regulation and development
I am from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and I have had the joy of living in many different parts of the country. After completing my Bachelor’s degree in Journalism at Texas Christian University, I explored writing and studied music for many years. My academic pursuits led me to the University of the Cumberlands, where I completed my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I have a background in music composition, journalism, creative arts, psychology and psychotherapy. I enjoy traveling, writing songs, cooking, reading, time in nature and spending time with my family.
Hi, I’m Sam (she/her).
My journey to becoming a therapist has been quite an adventure! I began with a Bachelor’s in Psychology, then packed my bags and moved abroad, immersing myself in yoga and meditation. It was during this time that I explored the profound connection between mind, body, and spirit. Upon returning, I felt inspired to deepen my knowledge and pursued a Master’s in Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling at Naropa University.
I found my way to the Louisville Family Center, where I completed my practicum and internship, and I am currently working as a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC). It was here that I discovered my passion for a relationship centered approach that respects and honors each individual’s uniqueness. While I typically take an eclectic approach and draw from a diverse range of therapeutic techniques, my work is primarily influenced by the principles of Synergetic Play Therapy and Internal Family Systems.
I have a strong interest in supporting individuals across the spectrum of neurodiversity. I specialize in helping those navigating challenges such as intense emotions, anxiety, life transitions, high sensitivity, grief, and the intricacies of parenting. My goal is to blend different therapeutic approaches to create a space that fosters healing, growth, and connection. I aim to support children, caregivers, and adults in navigating the complexities of life, ensuring that everyone feels heard, understood, and valued.
Outside of the counseling room, you’ll often find me in nature—whether trail running, skiing, practicing yoga, in the garden, making sourdough, or adventuring with my pup, Sunny!
When you walk through my door, I welcome you into my tribe — a space that honors both the challenges and strengths you carry. As a neurodiverse therapist, my lived experience is an essential part of how I relate, understand, and practice — with creativity, adaptability, and deep curiosity. My approach is eclectic, strengths-based, and rooted in humanistic, client-centered values. I believe each person brings a unique rhythm and story, and I strive to meet them with empathy, playfulness, and attunement.
My therapeutic lens blends systemic and holistic understandings of human development with the belief that exploring our personal history can fuel insight, healing, and transformation. I conceptualize growth through a “glow and grow” mentality, recognizing what’s already shining while nurturing the parts that are still forming. I believe it takes a village to foster healthy growth and connection, and I am honored to be a part of it.
I specialize in working with children, adolescents, families, neurodivergent individuals, and young men navigating identity, relationships, and life transitions. Whether we’re engaging in creative play, expressive movement and art, board games, or sitting with big emotions, I aim to support clients in reconnecting with themselves through relational and embodied insight. My presence in the room is grounded yet flexible, inviting non-linear thinking and out-of-the-box problem solving.
Before becoming a therapist, I spent over a decade working in education, summer camps, early childhood programs, and “mannying.” These roles taught me how connection, humor, and play can open doors to resilience and self-awareness, especially for kids and families. Those experiences still inform the way I show up in the therapy space today. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Illinois and my Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Regis University.
I was raised in Upstate New York, the suburbs of Chicago, and the Northwoods of Wisconsin, places that nurtured my love for nature, community, and exploration. I believe the outdoors and embodied movement can offer powerful opportunities for learning and healing, and I often integrate these elements into therapy when possible.
In my “wiggle room,” I find joy in camping, skiing, live music, long walks, and board games. I love any chance to engage in movement, creativity, and storytelling, whether inside or out. I believe healing happens in connection, with others and with ourselves, and I invite you to bring your full self into this space. I’ll meet you with openness, collaboration, and care as we explore what growth and change might look like for you.
Hello! My name is Kelly (she/her). I am passionate about experiences of connection—connection with ourselves, with others, with our communities, with the natural world, and with the nature that we each hold within. Growing up in Western Illinois, being outside provided a formative avenue of connection in my early life. I loved exploring nearby ravines with neighborhood kids; playing kick-the-can, capture-the-flag, and games of our own creation with friends; backyard gardening with my family; and swimming, tubing, and stargazing at a nearby lake.
In 2018, I completed my Bachelor of Arts degree in Neuroscience and Behavior at the
University of Notre Dame. After moving to Boulder, and with the support of a life-changing therapist, I started implementing a bottom-up, or experience-guided, approach to discerning my career path. I realized that providing an accepting and compassionate presence, supporting others through their struggles and in their goals, and fostering connection are among my greatest gifts. Thus, I discovered my calling toward the field of counseling.
I have also graduated from Naropa University with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with a concentration in Transpersonal Wilderness Therapy. In my free time, I enjoy getting outside (through hiking, running, mindful walks, skiing, mountain adventures, and sometimes just being); spending time with friends and family; creative outlets such as cooking, writing, and art/crafts; and building new skills at a climbing gym.
I work with children, teens, and adults facing challenges such as life transitions, overwhelm, anxiety, depression, loss and complicated grief, relationship difficulties, and the impacts of trauma. I draw upon interpersonal neurobiology, mindfulness and somatic awareness, other evidence-based modalities, Gestalt theory, and nature-based techniques, also drawing upon Synergetic Play Therapy. Sessions with teens and adults are more talk-oriented but include experiential components, as well. I believe that, at our core, we are beings of connection and that we each possess a natural inclination to grow, develop, and heal.
Hi, I’m Graham (he/him), and I’m on the journey of being a mental health counselor, driven by a passion for helping others navigate life’s challenges and fostering growth and healing. Originally hailing from Kentucky, I grew up exploring two primary areas of interest, the great outdoors and music. After earning my Bachelor of Arts in Music Technology from Bellarmine University, I started working in outdoor education and recreation. This work eventually led me to getting a Master of Science in Experiential Education from Minnesota State University and upon graduation I delved into the world of traditional education, where I’ve had the privilege of working with students from diverse backgrounds.
However, it was my experiences as a first responder that truly shaped my understanding of resilience and mental health. Originally, a volunteer gig as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and firefighter turned into a full-time career on the front lines, providing care and support to those in need. From wildland firefighting in the forests of California to emergency medical response in the mountains of New Hampshire, I’ve witnessed firsthand the impact of trauma and the importance of holistic healing.
I now also hold a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Naropa University. This journey has allowed me to integrate my experiences in education and emergency services into a comprehensive approach to counseling, rooted in empathy, authenticity, and practical solutions.
As a counselor, I enjoy supporting individuals (younger and older), couples, and families facing a wide range of challenges. Whether it’s anxiety, depression, trauma, or life transitions, I’m here to offer a compassionate ear and guide you on your journey towards healing and growth. In sessions, I combine a focus on what’s present in the here and now, with a client-led and client-centered approach. I see counseling as an extension of my time as an educator, and therapy as a co-creative and collaborative experience.
Beyond my professional pursuits, I find solace and inspiration in spending time with my family and exploring the great outdoors, particularly through the eyes of my toddler. Whether I’m playing music, gardening, or biking around with my loved ones, I’m always seeking ways to connect with the world around me and support others on their path to well-being.
Hi there, I’m Gabby! I’m a therapist in training here at Louisville Family Center and a somatic counseling student at Naropa University. I specialize in working with children through a warm, playful, and body-centered approach. With a background in early childhood education and caregiving, I feel most at home supporting little ones as they grow, express, and make sense of their world.
I believe that children heal through relationship—when they feel safe, seen, and deeply understood. Emotional attunement is at the heart of my work. I listen not just with my ears, but with my whole body—tracking the nervous system, the tone of a sigh, or the story in a crayon drawing. I believe every behavior is a form of communication, and I meet each child with curiosity, care, and respect.
Movement is a core part of my lens. Whether it’s through play, breath, or sensory exploration, I follow the body’s lead to support regulation, connection, and emotional expression. I also hold a strong focus on relational repair—helping children feel more secure in themselves and in the relationships that matter most to them.
As a brown woman and first-generation graduate student, I hold a deep understanding of how culture, identity, and systemic experiences shape the way children move through the world. I’m committed to creating spaces where kids of color feel safe, celebrated, and truly free to be themselves.
And of course, we always make room for silliness, creativity, and a little bit of magic.
Hi, I’m Isabel. I’m a therapist in training, currently enrolled in Naropa University’s Body Psychotherapy Counseling Psychology MA program. I completed my practicum here at the Louisville Family Center, where I continue to support children, teens, parents, and individual adults
Before graduate school, I spent years working in outdoor education and childcare. I loved being with kids in playful, curious, and creative spaces—and also noticed how often big emotions would show up without much support for how to navigate them. That’s what drew me to this path. I wanted to create space for people to feel what they’re feeling, connect with their bodies, and find more ease. I was especially drawn to somatic work, nature-based healing, and a social justice lens, which ultimately led me to Naropa.
My approach is informed by Synergetic Play Therapy (SPT), as well as somatic modalities, creative expression, a multi-generational perspective, and parts work. I believe you are the expert on your own experience, and I view therapy as a collaborative process.
I’m originally from Santa Cruz, California, where my love of nature began with the ocean and the redwoods. You’ll often find me swimming in cold water, skiing, traveling, watching movies, or hanging out with my two cats, Russel and Remus.
Hi there! I’m Teagan (she/they), and as a somatic and systems-oriented therapist I work with children, adults, couples, and families to find new pathways for relating, healing, and embodying one’s full self. I believe that creativity and play are deeply therapeutic, and support my clients to move through life’s challenges with more freedom and ease.
My therapeutic approach is rooted in the body. I work from a somatic, trauma-informed, and social justice perspective, and I see therapy as a collaborative, improvisational process. I’m particularly passionate about supporting queer and trans youth, differently abled bodies, highly sensitive individuals, individuals and partners navigating non-monogamy and attachment, and anyone moving through anxiety, grief, or family transitions.
Before entering the field of mental health, I earned my undergraduate degree in the History of Science from Harvard in 2013, where I developed an interest in how systems—biological, cultural, relational—shape the human experience. Over the last ten years, I’ve worked across food systems and community development spaces, and I’m currently in the final year of my Master’s program at Naropa University, pursuing a degree in Somatic Counseling.
As a longtime dancer, I bring movement and deep listening into the room—trusting what’s alive in the body to guide the work. Outside the therapy space, you’ll often find me reading, cooking, swimming, gardening, sewing (with varying success), and dancing wherever music finds me.
