Judy Thompson

Marriage & Family Therapist, #41343

Executive Director / Clinical Supervisor

BIO INFORMATION:

I have been a “people lover” all of my life. Building relationships and helping people in their struggles is what motivates me. My personal history is one of much heartache and loss, yet my attitude stays focused on living and loving the life God has given me.

Being the Founder and Director of The Growing Place (TGP)Counseling Center was a completion of a life-long dream. Over the almost 20 years of leading TGP, hundreds of people have experienced safety, hope, and healing.

I have also had the opportunity to lead, train, and encourage the next generation of professional faith-based therapists. I am proud and honored to be used by God in the healing profession of psychotherapy.

Joanne Nitchman

Marriage & Family Therapist, #111720

BIO INFORMATION:

Hi. I’m Joanne Nitchman, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I have a heart for people. I have had my share of trials in life and I believe in the value of counseling. God called me into counseling to help others through life’s hurts and struggles.

Through the use of my strengths of empathy and understanding, I believe I can help people change the negative thoughts they have by helping them focus on truth.

I enjoy working with individuals, couples, and families to help them have the best relationship possible. I have found that the attachment we form as infants has an impact on our relationships into adulthood.

Are you having trouble in your relationships? Sometimes all it takes is someone to listen, to care, to walk beside you in order to overcome those challenges.

Assistant Executive Director

Katie Cook

Marriage & Family Therapist, #125011

BIO INFORMATION:

Katie holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Hope International University. Prior to working as a counselor, Katie was in the international non-profit field, traveling and living around the world, granting her a deep perspective and diverse worldview. During her time in Nepal working with girls rescued out of sex-trafficking, the Lord called Katie to pursue her masters in counseling.

Katie’s desire as a therapist is to partner with clients, helping them find healing and restoring hope in their life. Katie combines her educational training, experience, and skills, with compassion and a warm, non-judgmental presence.

Katie is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and is trained in EMDR, a powerful and effective therapy that helps process trauma. If you’ve ever found yourself “stuck” on past events, not able to release the bitterness inside, EMDR might be for you.

Tommy Mattera

Assoc. Marriage & Family Therapist # 118412

BIO INFORMATION:

Hey! My name is Tommy Mattera and I am currently finishing graduate school at California State University in Chico, after which I will be an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist.

I get excited when people grow into the person they were meant to be. I love being a part of that process and offer genuine care, authenticity, and the wisdom I've cultivated during my own journey. I will root for you and always be in your corner.

During my downtime, you can find me mountain biking, weightlifting, or cozied up reading a good book ... it just depends on the day.

Jenna Rhein

Assoc. Marriage & Family Therapist # 105669

BIO INFORMATION:

Jenna Rhein is an Assistant Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master of Arts Degree from Northcentral University.

Jenna’s therapeutic style is eclectic using a solution-focused perspective with a holistic approach that looks at how the mind, body, and spirit are interconnected.

Jenna is passionate about creating an open, warm, and empowering environment for her clients to be honest without judgment. Jenna believes in creating a partnership with her clients that is strength-based and client-centered.

Services include individual, couples, family, or group sessions across the lifespan. Jenna is also running a teen program called OASIS during the summer to discuss life skills, boundaries, healthy relationships, and coping skills.

Jenna believes that together, we can work on addressing the root problem to any past or current difficulty and build meaningful social connections today.

Holly Nielsen

Assoc. Marriage & Family Therapist, #1 24750
Assoc. Professional Clinical Counselor # 9408

BIO INFORMATION:

I employ a mindfulness-based eclectic approach to facilitate insight, awareness, and self-efficacy for my clients of all ages; from youths to older adults.

I have experience working with clients dealing with depression, anxiety, grief, trauma and PTSD, communication issues in couples and families, and substance use, among others.

Alison Hart

Marriage & Family Therapist Trainee

BIO INFORMATION:

Hello there! My name is Alison Hart. I am an MFT Trainee finishing my Master's program at Western Seminary. I have always had a calling to help others and after raising two children with my husband of over 20 years, I decided to pursue counseling to do so.

I have a desire to walk alongside individuals, couples, and families through a multitude of life's challenges and transitions. I believe in building a strong therapeutic relationship where the client feels safe and supported and I use a strength-based integrative approach to counseling to foster positive change. I have also recently completed my phase one training for Brainspotting.

When not counseling you will find me in the great outdoors with those I love.

Allison Benz-Rossan

Marriage & Family Therapist , #119226

BIO INFORMATION:

Hi I'm Allison, I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and have been a therapist for over 15 years.

My treatment speciality areas are;
Anxiety
Depression
ADD/ADHD
Couples Therapy
Parenting Issues
Behavioral issues in children, adolescents and teenages
Substance Abuse Issues
Grief and Loss

I have an integrative approach to therapy and use a combination of person-centered, cognitive-behavioral, solution focused, and motivational approaches.

My basic belief is that as long as there is Hope anything is possible. I strive to help my clients find the Hope in their lives and make that Shift toward healing to reach their full potential.
I believe God called me to work for Him and be a support for you. I would be honored to walk along with you on your journey for a time.

Lillian Bentley

Marriage & Family Therapist , #119162

BIO INFORMATION:

If you are struggling to cope with trauma or childhood wounding that interferes with your life, I can help. My name is Lilli, I am trauma informed and extensively trained to help you manage anxiety, depression, panic, emotional triggers, PTSD and more. I will work with you to meet life’s challenges in resiliency and strength. At times the healing process is not easy, but it is worth the effort. I walk this journey with you, you are not alone.

My heart is to help people to overcome the effects of distressing life events that intrude on relationships, goals, and happiness. I am honored to be fully present with people to create a sacred and safe place for healing. The most beautiful part of my work is to witness the emotional freedom that emerges when clients are able to move forward from a painful experience.

The education I received at Western Seminary emphasized Christian faith as a vital source of strength for emotional healing. Often existential questions of meaning and purpose arise in sessions. I am comfortable in exploring these questions with you. I respect diverse beliefs and world views.

I delight in my sweet grandchildren, my little bird sanctuary, gardening, art, music, and history. I consider myself a life-long learner.

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”
~ Henry David Thoreau

I see adults of all ages.

Bert Thompson

Master Life Coach / Biblical Counselor

BIO INFORMATION:

Bert is a no-nonsense kind of guy. His experience as E-9 (Sargent Major), Child Development Butte College Instructor, Biblical Counselor, Certified Master Life Coach, and over three decades in ministry has equipped Bert to serve a broad population of clients at The Growing Place. Although Bert specializes in Leadership Coaching and Executive & Organizational Coaching with adults, he extends the same motivation for personal growth to teens.

Bert’s desire is to help each person he serves discover their God-given role in life – becoming mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy, and dedicating their gifts back to the Lord, family, church, and the community. Bert is intrigued with the unique qualities of each person and has the ability to recognize and cultivate the potential in others. He notices even small signs of improvement, delighting in each step forward.

Bert believes that as individuals grow, everyone benefits: “Healthy people make healthy families; healthy families make healthy churches; healthy churches make healthy communities; healthy communities make healthy people.

Connie Nicolaus

Master Life Coach / Biblical Counselor

BIO INFORMATION:

For the past 20 years Connie has had a heart to serve and minister to individuals on their life’s journeys. She enjoys encouraging, coaching and counseling others as they experience the events of their lives. Connie is very passionate about people being able to find hope in some of life’s most difficult places.

Her training began at Tandem House Counseling Center in 1992 with a course in Biblical Lay Counseling. Her first clients were women from a drug treatment transition house which inspired her to seek additional training.

Connie graduated from Butte Community College in 2005 with an Associate of Science in Drug and Alcohol Studies. She was the Director of Sabbath House, a homeless shelter for women and children, from 2006 – 2010. Her experiences there continued to develop her skills for counseling and ministering to women.

Along her own journey Connie discovered how much she likes working with parents. She received training in Colorado as a Facilitator for Becoming a Love & Logic Parent and has had fun teaching and training parents over the years.

Christi Calkins

Certified Bereavement Facilitator / Life Coach

BIO INFORMATION:

For the past 20+ years, Christie has helped people with Grief & Loss. She is now the Facilitator of our Grief and Loss groups that meet on Wednesdays and Thursdays. She has ministered help and healing to many people over the recent difficult times we have all experienced.

Christi also has extensive experience in Social Services and Church Ministry. She specializes in senior care, grief, and loss.

"My goal is to assist in clarifying the Next Steps in your journey by providing support and encouragement."

Favorite Life Verse: "Be still and know that I am God." - Psalms 46:10

Wednesdays - Forming, Thursdays - Open!