Sara Vivoda (formerly a Probasco) is a licensed Occupational Therapist with over 7 years experience, specializing in treating the whole child through sensory, motor, play, and emotional techniques.

Sara graduated from Rockhurst University with her Master’s in Occupational Therapy and has since been working in the Chicago area. Sara has a unique set of clinical experiences in a variety of settings including a therapeutic preschool, pediatric outpatient clinic, rehabilitation hospitals, and a mental health community based program. In her 7 years of clinical work, Sara has had the pleasure of working with pediatrics, adolescents, and adults. Sara developed and implemented a new occupational therapy program in a school setting providing group and individual therapy to drive student’s successful participation in play, social interactions, and emotional development.

Sara has extensive training in sensory modulation and regulation interventions. She is passionate about treating the whole child by addressing the foundational skills required to support healthy development through play, engagement, and mind-body connections. She works to achieve measurable change for her clients and their family by connecting physical movement and sensory integration to influence a child’s emotional well-being.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking with her husband, and socializing with friends and family. She discovered yoga over 10 years ago with her sister and has never looked back. She understands the importance and power of connecting our breath with our movement to cultivate change within ourselves. This practice can be observed not only in her personal life but in her interactions with children and their family. By creating body and sensory awareness, we provide the chance for children to take on emotional obstacles with more clarity and confidence. Sara is excited to provide insight into the physical and sensory influence of child development through consulting and collaborating with the staff and families of New Strong.

Whitney Wilson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has over five years’ experience helping adolescents, adults, and families begin their healing journey through art, play, and communication. She has a passion for helping clients find healing after experiencing trauma or toxic stress, and to begin to blossom when they see themselves as complete, whole, and safe. She believes that connecting with clients is the most powerful tool we can use to facilitate healing, and that all people have the capacity to thrive when given the right tools.

Whitney has extensive experience working in schools with adolescents, as well as providing attachment-focused parent education for parents of infants and young toddlers. She has training in play therapy and other expressive therapies, as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She also has experience working with clients with a wide range of problems, from trauma-driven reactions to severe and persistent mental illness. She believes that all clients, regardless of their age or past, possess the innate ability to bloom where they are planted.

Amy Kariotis is a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor under the supervision of Leah Probasco-Burns (co-founder of New Strong KC). Amy received her undergraduate degree at Drake University and her master’s degree in Counseling (with a mental health emphasis) at MidAmerica Nazarene University. Amy is a National Board-Certified Counselor and a Chi Sigma Iota member. Amy’s internship hours were filled assisting young adults with life transitions and navigating their self-discovery. Amy also worked with trauma, anxiety, personality disorders, interpersonal women’s group and changing family systems. Amy uses an eclectic approach to best serve clients and meet at their current functioning. She provides a safe and supportive environment giving each client the opportunity and space to build a healthy and unobstructed perspective.

Amy also specializes in helping families navigate the world of developmental disabilities with almost 15 years’ experience of direct, case management and state services.

In Amy’s free time, you can find her jogging the streets of Kansas City with her daughter. Amy also loves traveling the world with her husband, modeling for local organizations and thrifting.

Kira Harkins is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a mother, and a practitioner of acupressure. She received her undergraduate and graduate degree from the University of Kansas and has worked with a variety of agencies, including domestic violence, foster care, and 7 years in Community Mental Health with adults. In 2010, she was trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and co-facilitated DBT skills groups, DBT training, and trauma-informed care training to county employees. After becoming a mother, she was trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and was amazed by the personal and professional changes EMDR brought. In 2020, she completed EMDR Certification with specific consultation and advanced training in EMDR for perinatal mental health. Kira has started training in NueroAffective Relational Model (NARM). NARM offers a framework for healing wounds related to developmental, attachment, and relational trauma. She is certified in perinatal mental health and receives ongoing consultation for comprehensive DBT, Perinatal, and NARM.

Kira believes that all people have the capacity to grow, heal, and cultivate connection. She works specifically with transitions, PTSD, grief, depression, anxiety, and Perinatal Mood Disorders, perinatal trauma, burnout, and vicarious trauma. She believes wholeheartedly in supporting our community with creating sustainable and resilient lives.

When Kira is not learning, you will find her traveling, reading, visiting art museums, and going on walks with her family.

Rachel Bichara is a Provisionally Licensed Counselor in both Missouri and Kansas. She graduated from MidAmerica Nazarene University and has been doing private practice ever since. Rachel also has experience in higher levels of care specializing in eating disorder treatment and anxiety.

Rachel approaches therapy with a refreshing and modern touch, curated to fit each client’s needs and desires. Curated Life Therapy is her practice name, and she is passionate about helping people get “unstuck” from patterns in life that no longer serve them. Rachel uses CBT and DBT often, but describes herself as eclectic and client focused.

Aside from work, Rachel enjoys pampering her rescue pitbull, diving into home renovations with her husband, or having friends over for dinner.

Kris Probasco is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Kansas City Infertility Resource Counselor. With over 40 years of experience in private adoption, donor conceptions, embryo adoption, and surrogacy. Supporting more than 3,000 families, Kris is a valuable independent resource to help families answer questions and provide guidance throughout the process. Many of Kris’s former clients have acknowledged the benefit of making these difficult decisions with an experienced therapist to make a confident decision when building their families. Kris’s work has been recognized internationally and across the states as well in infertility literature.

When Kris is not spending time with her clients or keynote speaking, you can find her cheering on her SIX grandson’s and catching up on the latest Law and Order. Kris resides in Hyde Park with her husband and enjoys the midtown life!