Meet the Expressive Therapies Staff

Jennifer joined the Expressive Therapies team in January 2018. She is a graduate of Southern Methodist University with degrees in Music Therapy and English with Creative Writing. Jennifer enjoys working with a variety of clients, including: autism, developmental disabilities, hospice, Alzheimer's/dementia, Parkinson's, cancer, anxiety, and homelessness. She is passionate about both music and writing as creative, therapeutic outlets and loves being a part of the Expressive Therapies team!

"Music and language are so unique in their ability to creatively explore and express our individual thoughts and experiences. I love seeing how both outlets provide such incredible means for self-expression, processing, and growth for so many people."

Joanna graduated in 2018 from Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, where she earned a degree in Music Therapy, with a minor in Dance. Prior to joining the Expressive Therapies team in January 2019, JoAnna worked with children and adults of all ages and abilities throughout her coursework, including those with autism, Alzheimer's/dementia, and various developmental disabilities. She also completed an internship at a children’s hospital in Dallas, Texas, where she got to experience the medical side of music therapy. JoAnna is so excited to be in Wisconsin as part of the Expressive Therapies team!

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“Two of my biggest passions in life are music and helping others. I’m so thankful to be in a field where I  get to pursue them both. There is something so special about making music that is also making a difference in someone else’s life.” 

Angie, a board-certified music therapist, neurologic music therapist and AMTA internship supervisor, joined the Expressive Therapies team in December of 2019.  She graduated from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in vocal music before continuing to Western Michigan University to complete the music therapy equivalency program.  She completed her internship through Music Therapy Services of Central Wisconsin, where she offered services to adults and children in Pediatric, NICU, Palliative, Oncology, and Neurorehabilitation units of Marshfield Medical Center. Throughout her coursework, Angie has had experience working with many different populations, including adults with Dementia, adults and children with developmental disabilities, and children with Apraxia of Speech. She is currently finishing her graduate work in music therapy and will be receiving her master’s degree of music therapy in June 2020.

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“Music is an incredible therapeutic tool because it is a part of everyone’s lives and can have such deep meaning so people. It is so powerful, it can change neuropathways in the brain! I feel such joy when I see a client reach a goal, they never thought possible, sing when they are unable to speak, or express themselves in a new way through music. Music has always been a huge part of my life and sharing it in a way that helps someone achieve their greatest potential is incredible!.”

Shawna joined Expressive Therapies in December of 2024 as the Art Therapy Supervisor.  She graduated from Mount Mary University in Milwaukee with a Master’s degree in art therapy in 2013 and became a registered art therapist in 2015.  Throughout her career, Shawna has treated a wide range of ages and diagnoses in a variety of settings, including residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient and outpatient.   She has a particular passion for eating disorders, earning her certification as an eating disorder specialist from the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals in 2016.  Shawna truly believes in the healing qualities of art and its unique ability to unlock one’s inner wisdom that sometimes gets “stuck” in traditional talk therapy.  Through her person-centered approach, she provides a safe, supportive space for her clients to explore inner themes with their art and gain insights that lead them to make empowering changes in their lives.

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“You can choose courage, or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both.”  ~Brene Brown.”

Kim joined Expressive Therapies in June 2020. Kim has earned her Master’s degree in Art Therapy, with an emphasis in Counseling from Mount Mary University in 2020 and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Expressive and Therapeutic Arts from Marian University in 2017. Kim has worked with a variety of clients including individuals who struggle with mental health issues and drug abuse, children with disabilities, developmental and physical disabilities, skilled nursing, Alzheimer's, dementia and hospice care. Kim believes that creating art can be used to safely address challenges or topics in our lives. She strives to use arts in various forms to build strong therapeutic relationships with individuals to find a way to express themselves.

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“I believe in the creative arts process to help individuals safely address challenges or topics in their lives.

I have witnessed – through creative arts – individuals were able to feel empowered through art making,

gain confidence in themselves and able to express their own beliefs.”

Alyssa is a board-certified music therapist who joined Expressive Therapies in April 2021. Alyssa graduated from University of Evansville in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in music therapy and a minor in psychology.  Alyssa has experience working with groups and individuals in various settings and populations including pediatrics, inpatient mental health, schools, and geriatrics. 

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"" Music acts like a magic key to which the most tightly closed heart opens" ~ Maria von Trapp

Sandra joined our team in July 2021. Sandra achieved her Master’s degree in Art Therapy, with an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Mount Mary University in 2021 and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Expressive and Therapeutic Arts in 2018 at Marian University. Sandra is passionate about helping individuals progress and find a better quality of life. She believes in the power of art and creating experiences to promote self-expression and build coping skills within each person’s unique situation. Sandra specializes in fiber, two and three-dimensional art, as well as meditation and movement therapy. Sandra has worked with adults and children, with varied mental health diagnosis, autism, alcohol and drug addiction, and trauma survivors, in groups and individually. 

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“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.." Albert Einstein

Kelsey completed her course work in May, 2020 from Queens University of Charlotte. She is completing her music therapy degree at Expressive Therapies as a music therapy intern. Kelsey had the opportunity to work with a variety of clients in individual and group settings while completing her course work. She enjoys working with individuals of all ages with autism, developmental disabilities, Intellectual disabilities, various mental health diagnoses, Alzheimer’s/ Dementia, and cancer patients. Kelsey is looking forward to learning more from the staff and clients at Expressive Therapies.

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“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything” -Plato

Lauren is an Art Therapist who joined Expressive Therapies in August 2022. Lauren graduated from Edgewood College with her Bachelor of Science in Art Therapy. Soon thereafter, she would attend Mount Mary to pursue, and obtain, her Master of Science in Art Therapy with an emphasis on mental health counseling. As an Art Therapist, she utilizes her creativity to support you throughout treatment in a unique way. Specifically, she uses art as a tool to help with introspection as well as expression. Using Art as a vessel for therapy can allow us to become vulnerable and open to change or new ideas. Innately empathetic, Lauren will not only support your inner artist but will help you find a balance within your life. Creativity, safety, support and empowerment are goals she strives to obtain during every session. She has experience working with people from 4 to 91 years of age who live with anxiety, depression, bipolar 1 & 2, substance abuse, severe medical illness, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, dementia, PTSD and trauma. She believes that everyone deserves to be heard, recognized and is worthy of empathy. s.

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“Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we’re all in this together.”- Brene Brown

Jamie joined our team as a mental health counselor in May 2023. She received her bachelor's degree in social work from Olivet Nazarene University in January 2019 and her master's degree in social work at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in May 2023. In March 2024, Jamie completed 30 hours of training in Trauma-Informed Creative Arts Therapy. Jamie has experience working with various ages and abilities. She believes in a strengths-based and person-centered approach to mental health care.

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“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt

Kayla joined our team as a board-certified music therapist after completing her internship here at Expressive Therapies. She is a graduate of The College of Wooster with a bachelor’s degree in music therapy. During her education and internship, she had the opportunities of working with people of all ages and abilities. Kayla is passionate about the power of music and is looking forward to continuing her career as a part of the Expressive Therapies team.

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"“Music can be a profound step in the exploration of self, in the conscious act of honest reflection that goes by many

names -- mindfulness, meditation, self-discovery, self-empowerment, and enlightenment.” ~ Amy Camie

David joined Expressive Therapies at the start of June 2023. He graduated with a Master's of Science in Art Therapy with an emphasis in Counseling from Mount Mary University. As a bilingual dual licensed Hispanic therapist, David's goal is to reach the local Hispanic community to provide Spanish based art therapy counseling. He incorporates an individual's culture and values into the therapeutic space as a way of expression, growth, and wellbeing. 

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“Art can permeate the very deepest part of us, where no words exist.” ~ Eileen Miller

Sabra completed her BA in psychology with a music minor in 2018 at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis where she returned to in 2019 for a second bachelor’s degree in music therapy. After living in central Indiana her whole life, she moved to Oshkosh to complete her internship and degree program. She is excited to meet and work with so many new people and hopes that she can make a difference in the community.

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"Therapists must convey to the patient that their paramount task is to build a relationship

together that will itself become the agent of change.” ~ Irvin D. Yalom

Sydni Joined Expressive Therapies in June of 2024. She graduated in 2017 from University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point where she earned her BA in Instrumental and General Music Education and a minor in Psychology. While teaching, she went on to earn her Music Therapy Equivalency in 2021 from Saint-Mary-of-the-Wood College in Terre Haute, IN. Prior to joining Expressive Therapies, Sydni worked in Michigan as a hospice music therapist but is thrilled to be back in Wisconsin to be closer to her family. She has experience working with a wide variety of clients including people with: Parkinson’s, Bipolar, Dementia/Alzheimers, Autism, developmental disabilities, cancer, hospice and palliative care, anxiety, and depression. Sydni is very excited to be a part of the Expressive Therapies team!

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"“Art is how we decorate space. Music is how we decorate time” – Jean Michael Basquiat

Ray is an Art Therapist who joined Expressive Therapies in June 2024 after graduating from Edgewood College in Madison, WI, with a Master of Science in Art Therapy. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Art Therapy in 2019. Ray is specifically interested in contemplative art therapy, believing that art can tap into our instinctual ability to self-regulate and self-actualize through a strong connection between the mind and the body. However, she understands that all clients have specific needs, which requires her to base every therapeutic approach on the needs of her clients. Ray integrates art into every therapeutic approach, realizing that art, music, and movement were our original communication styles well before literacy was invented. Using this expressive approach allows for the whole person to be involved in the therapy session, mind, body, and soul, as they are all interconnected and influenced by one another.

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"You are a function of what the whole universe is doing in the same way that a wave

is a function of what the whole ocean is doing." ~ Alan Watts

Morgan joined Expressive Therapies in September 2023 as a counseling intern and transitioned into her role as a Mental Health Counselor after graduating with her Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay, emphasizing in clinical mental health. During her journey, Morgan developed a profound passion for supporting individuals dealing with grief and loss, as well as supporting clients in fostering healthy relationships with themselves, their bodies, others, food, and nature. Her dedication to her clients' well-being and her holistic, person-centered approach to therapy ensure that each individual receives personalized support tailored to their unique needs.

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Most human suffering is related to love and loss, and the job of therapists is to help people acknowledge, experience, and bear the reality of life, with all its pleasures and heartbreaks.  -Elvin Semrad."

Megan started as a music therapy intern in September 2024, after finishing her coursework at Wartburg College, in Waverly, Iowa. Megan has experience working and conducting sessions with individuals of all ages and abilities. During her school practicum she enjoyed working with toddlers, an elementary school special education class, an individual in stroke recovery, and teens in mental health. Megan is most excited to build therapeutic relationships with her clients, collaborate with other therapy modalities, and be a part of changing others’ lives through music.

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"""The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between.”- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.”

Gretchen joined Expressive Therapies as an Art Therapy Intern in May 2024. She is pursuing a MA degree in art therapy with an emphasis on clinical mental health counseling from Edgewood college with an expected graduation date of spring 2025. She earned her bachelor’s degree in art with a minor in psychology from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Gretchen enjoys using art therapeutically to improve cognitive growth and development, build self-esteem and self-awareness, discover personal insights, and enhance social skills. She is especially drawn to our connection with the natural world and loves to infuse nature into therapy and artmaking whenever applicable and possible. Through a combination of art-making and verbal communication, Gretchen helps support individuals in finding ways to express themselves.

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"""“When words are not enough, make art!”

Melissa has been overseeing all administrative functions as Office Administrator with Expressive Therapies since April of 2018 and has now transitioned into the role of Billing Team Lead. Along with her bachelor’s in accounting, she brings over 20 years of customer care experience, an ability to achieve thoroughness and accuracy when accomplishing tasks, and a personal passion for art and music. Melissa is also a yoga teacher and reiki master; you can find her sharing her gifts at yoga studios in the Fox Valley and Green Bay areas.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, adult children, and close friends.  Some of her favorite activities are walking her 2 dogs, going to yoga classes, live music events, traveling locally and afar, exploring local restaurants and shops, and spending time at home with her family.

“When you live with an open heart, unexpected, joyful things happen.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

Laurie joined Expressive Therapies in 2021. She is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh with a bachelor's degree in Applied Math. With 25 years' experience working in a variety of roles providing customer support and leadership, she enjoys helping people. Laurie is married and has two cats. In addition to a passion for quilting, she enjoys gardening, camping, sailing, and spending time with family and friends.

""Leave the road, take the trails". ~ Pythagoras

Jo (Joanne) joined Expressive Therapies in May 2016 as the Billing Supervisor.  She has many years of experience working in the mental health field along with billing within the outpatient, inpatient, and day treatment areas.   Jo loves the mission of Expressive Therapies and the benefits it brings to so many people through the creative arts.

""Appreciate where you are in your journey, even if it’s not where you want to be. Your destination is still ahead."

Julie joined us in September 2022 as Human Resource Generalist and transitioned to the role of Director of Operations/HR.  She has over 20 years of experience as a leader as well as human resource support.  Julie is passionate about helping others succeed and our team grow, as well as Expressive Therapies’ mission.  Julie enjoys spending time outside work with her family and friends.

I am thankful to work in an atmosphere where you never have to “leave your heart at home”

and your work is your passion. ~Julie

Kandace joined Expressive Therapies in March 2023 as Intake Specialist. She is currently pursuing her associate degree in early childhood education and has previously worked in therapy for children with Autism. Kandace is passionate about music, helping make a positive change in people’s lives and is also passionate about her foster dogs she helps find loving homes for!

“Music is the strongest form of magic.” – Marilyn Manson

Kendal joined Expressive Therapies in July 2023 as a receptionist.  Along with a passion for music, Kendal loves baking, photography and spending time with her dog, and family. She loves traveling to new destinations and her bucket list includes Hawaii, Italy, and Ireland.

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"You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." – Winnie the Pooh

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Brittany has been with Expressive Therapies since June 2024. Brittany is a motivated self-starter with more than 15 years of experience in customer service.  Brittany and her husband have 3 fur babies, 1 cat and 2 dogs. In her spare time, she loves to practice self care by reading, listening to music, and spending time with her family. Brittany is happy to be part of the team.

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"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day

you may look back and realize they were the big things. - Robert Brault

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