Our Team

Michael Ciaccio

Michael Ciaccio
MS, LPC, SATP
EMDR Certified (EMDRIA)

Director/Clinical Therapist
816-287-0337
[email protected]

 

Welcome to the Center!  My calling as a therapist has been an adventure over the years and quite fulfilling.  Each story is so unique and it's an honor to walk with clients willing to intentionally 'dive' into their inner life, problems and relationship dynamics.  Addressing and healing the three prongs of sexual brokenness, trauma and attachment wounds has become a passion of mine.

I engage this by working with college age, young adults and middle aged men and women by addressing the wholeness of the human person: spiritual, emotional, intellectual and biological. I help  individuals working through trauma, anxiety, unwanted sexual behavior, sexual addiction and drug and alcohol problems.  I also find that deeper roots to these problems often lie in family of origin issues, which I address through an attachment lens.

In 2014, I became certified through the Sexual Addiction Treatment Provider Program and am now the program coordinator.  This SATP certification has given me the education to effectively treat men and women struggling with a range of sexual problems such as pornography addiction (a term often misunderstood), fantasy life and unwanted sexual behaviors.  Including practical tools, attachment theory and trauma based interventions, this specialization has helped many break free from the bonds of sexual behavior problems to find real freedom and meaning in their life.

My goal is to create a safe space to process, heal and walk with you.  Relationship is a foundation to the human psyche and heart. If this aspect of life has been hurt or traumatized, I want to help you renew trust, hope and connection.  I believe the Lord is in the midst of your story as well.  Whether you are frustrated with Him or longing for His compassion, I hope to meet you there.  Prayer and inner healing techniques can be a part of treatment to encounter God through the struggle you might be enduring.  Feel free to ask me to include this in your therapy.

Having grown up in Omaha, NE, I went to Catholic schools through High School and then graduated from the University of Kansas with a BA in Marketing and a Minor in French.

Through the St. Lawrence Center at KU, I felt a calling to the priesthood, which led to some time with the Apostles of the Interior Life in Rome, Italy and St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, IL - just outside of Chicago. 

I then discerned my true calling to counseling and pursued my profession as a therapist at Divine Mercy University (www.divinemercy.edu) -- a Catholic Graduate School which integrates theology, philosophy and psychology. 

I moved to Kansas City, MO, and finished graduate school at Avila University.  I provided counseling services at 'Ozanam' between 2010 and 2013. As a residential therapist and the substance abuse therapist, I counseled teenagers and families.  

I married my wife in 2010 and we have 7 kids, 2 sets of twins!  When I have down time, I enjoy playing with my kids, watching the Kansas Jayhawks and coaching basketball.

Masters of Science in Counseling Psychology - Divine Mercy University (www.divinemercy.edu); Avila University

EMDR Trained (https://www.emdria.org/)

Sexual Addiction Treatment Provider - Mid American Nazarene University

Substance Abuse Treatment Provider - Matrix Institute

Trauma Informed Treatment

I treat the Following 

College age, young adult and middle aged men and women struggling with anxiety, sexual brokenness/addiction issues, and trauma.  

I use the following methods 

EMDR, Emotion Focused Therapy,   Inner Healing Techniques, Prayer, Internal Family Systems,  Existential Therapy, Expressive Therapeutics: Art  

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Cathy Durando MA, PLPC

Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor

816-237-0036
[email protected]

Schedule an Appointment

Cathy's Supervisor
Michael Ciaccio MS, LPC, SATP
License #2011033840

“I have come that they might have life and have it abundantly.” -John 10:10

I would be honored to be a part of the Lord’s work of healing in your life. I have become convinced that we are made for freedom, and that life inevitably brings the challenges and sorrows that keep us from freedom. It is our work as human beings to seek that freedom and to help one another to find it. My role as counselor will always be to listen, support and challenge you to find that freedom.

Counseling is rarely an easy process: finding and healing the wounds that life brings can be uncomfortable. But I firmly believe that healing is possible and the life that we live on the way to heaven is full of purpose and discovery. The tools we need to break the chains that bind us and heal the wounds that cripple us are available to us. Together, with the power of the Holy Spirit, we can break the ties that bind you and find the freedom God made you for.

Cathy has been married to her best friend, Dino, for 25 years. Together they have 10 children and Cathy has spent the last 25 years primarily as a mother and teacher. She received her BA in English Literature from San Francisco State University and, while serving in the Peace Corps after graduation, discovered a call to helping others through professional counseling. She returned from abroad and earned an MA in Counseling from Franciscan University of Steubenville. She has since served the Church in several positions focused on marriage preparation and parent development, including most recently participating in the development and implementation of the Thrive marriage preparation program for the Diocese of Kansas City- St. Joseph.

Through the years, she has found herself persistently called to help and support those suffering around her and has discovered that God’s call in her life will always include listening and accompaniment. She and her husband moved to the KC area in 2011 and now run a small hobby farm where they nurture their children, a couple hogs, a few cows and some free range chickens.

Credentials

Counselor in Training in the State of Missouri
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature - San Francisco State University
Master of Arts in Counseling with a concentration in Christian Counseling - Franciscan University of Steubenville

Treatment Populations

Adults
Couples
Depression
Anxiety
Eating Disorders

Modalities

Attachment Theory
Spiritual Integration
Affirmation Therapy
Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Trauma Informed Theory

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Andrew M. Forbeck MA,
LPC, SATP

Licensed Professional Counselor EMDR Trained

816-237-8753
[email protected]

Schedule an Appointment

 

My belief is to see my clients and myself as fellow travelers; it abolishes the distinctions between those who are hurting and those who heal. In my time as a counselor, I’ve come to realize the connection, both relationally and spiritually experienced in the counseling space, reveals this simple but yet complex truth, that no counselor nor any person is immune from life’s tragedies. My purpose is to meet my clients exactly where they are and to enter into their unique stories.

I strive to create and facilitate a space where my clients feel safe to express the inexpressible and to allow God the space to speak truth and life into your inmost being. God longs to address not just the trust that we possess but the trust we have lost along our journey. I hold firm to the belief that God is the ultimate healer, restorer, and redeemer of your story, and I play a small portion in the grand narrative of your healing journey. Incorporating faith into my practice is extremely important to me and it is a part of who I am. To utilize exceptional levels of faith with what each client embraces in session is a portion of what I hope to offer you. I believe we have been hardwired and created to be in relationships and communion with one another, and for those who have been hurt in or through a relationship, I want to offer a space of comfort, a space where you can feel safe, and where hope can be found, rebuilt, and cultivated in your relationships again. I hope you leave our sessions together feeling deeply seen, heard, and understood.

Andrew graduated with an undergraduate degree in Family Life and Counseling with an emphasis in Counseling from Nebraska Christian College. He received his Master’s degree in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling with an emphasis in Spiritual Integration from MidAmerica Nazarene University. Andrew is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor and is under supervision with Michael Ciaccio MS, LCP, SATP (License #2011033840). Andrew is also involved in the American Counseling Association and the international honors society Chi Sigma Iota. Andrew is currently attending MidAmerica Nazarene University to become certified as a Sexual Addictions Treatment Provider (SATP), which equips him with the knowledge and tools to effectively treat men and women suffering from an addiction to pornography and/or sex and other unwanted sexual behaviors.

Andrew works with those who have experienced trauma, depression, anxiety, and grief. Andrew has a passion for working with adults navigating transitions and identity formation, individuals struggling with sexual brokenness, pornography/sexual addiction, anxiety/depression, and grief. In addition, Andrew works closely with those who want to work on inner child wounds and strive to incorporate spirituality into their lives.

In their free time, Andrew and his wife Whitney love watching and attending sports venues, especially football and baseball. In addition, Andrew loves exploring the outdoors, hiking, and camping. Andrew and his wife are in a season of preparation to adopt their first child.

Credentials, Training, and Qualifications

Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Missouri
Bachelor of Arts in Family Life and Counseling - Nebraska Christian College
Master of Arts in Counseling - Mid America Nazarene University

Treatment populations and methods

I treat the Following: Individuals, specifically middle aged and young adults. Trauma/Abuse, Depressive Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Grief, Couples and Relationship Conflict

I use the following methods: Attachment Theory, Internal Family Systems Theory, Inner Healing Techniques, Psychodynamic Theory, Prayer

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Carla Ciaccio

Admin Assistant/Practice Manager
816-287-0337
[email protected]

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Anna Jett MS, LMFT

Clinical Therapist
EMDR Trained
816-427-1683
[email protected]

Schedule an Appointment

Authenticity has always been important to me. To be able to be comfortable with who we are and share that confidently with the world is significant. When we are unable to do this it can impact the way we feel about ourselves, our relationships and how we engage in our everyday lives. God made us for a reason. I believe that he has a purpose for each and everyone of us and sometimes things happen that make us question his intentions.

Together my clients and I work on rebuilding a sense of self-confidence with who they are as an individual. We work on identifying values that are important to them and find ways to incorporate those values into their daily lives. We look for ways to grow mentally and spiritually. We work on healing from broken relationships and learn how to cultivate healthy relationships. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to help clients create the life God has intended for them. Working on these things is never easy and it was never meant to be, but I believe together we can help you to become more assured in who you are and how you share your unique gifts with the world around you.

Anna is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Missouri. She has always been drawn to help and is devoted to assisting others in finding solutions to the challenges they face. She feels blessed to have grown up in the suburbs of Kansas City, where she enjoyed ample opportunities for growth, volunteering, and education.

She received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Rockhurst University. While there, Anna volunteered at the Gillis Center, an emergency shelter for adolescents. At Gillis, Anna spent her time supporting children who lost their homes. This experience sparked an interest in helping families re-establish connections, create safe environments, and build stability within the home. She followed her calling to assist families and obtained her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Friends University.

In 2017, Anna continued to pursue her passion for working with families, choosing to intern at Safehome, a domestic violence shelter. She worked to provide a supportive atmosphere where individuals and families could learn about the cycle of violence, rebuild self-confidence, and develop healthier lives without abuse.

In 2018, Anna started working at the Lilac Center. There she worked with individuals, couples, and families to process trauma and find solutions to current problems. She has experience in assisting others through emotional difficulties (including depression, anxiety, anger management, trauma, and PTSD); behavioral issues (including impulsivity, social withdrawal, and lack of interest); and relationship problems (including codependency, domestic abuse, family conflict, infidelity, parenting, and self-esteem). Anna partners with clients and helps them develop personal plans to work through their unique challenges.

In August 2022, Anna and her husband welcomed their first child into the world. Anna and her husband enjoy going to church and cheering on their local sports teams in their spare time.

Credentials, Training, Qualifications
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Missouri
MS in Family Therapy from Friends University
Trained in EMDR Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy and Emotion-Focused Therapy


Treatment Populations
Emotional difficulties
Anxiety
Anger management
Depression
Trauma, and PTSD
Impulsivity
Social withdrawal
Codependency
Domestic abuse
Family conflict
Infidelity
Parenting
Self-esteem
Spiritual conflict


Methods
EMDR
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)

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Anna Heschmeyer MS, PLMFT

Clinical Therapist
EMDR Trained
913-624-1309
[email protected]

Anna is Currently Not Taking New Clients.

Schedule an Appointment

Anna's supervisor name and credentials:
Elizabeth Miranda MS, LCMFT
Missouri #2008018147

You are welcome here! I am honored to accompany clients in the work of becoming more truly who they are made to be. This work often happens through the healing of relational wounds, addiction, trauma, anxiety, and false negative beliefs. As a Christian, I view human persons as made in the image of the triune God particularly in their relationality, and human wholeness as the freedom of the person to reflect that image of God without the haze of emotional and psychological wounds. As a marriage and family therapist, I am especially focused on helping others to clear relational pain and trauma for more joyful, free, and satisfying relationships with others. I work with individuals, couples, and family systems from this perspective.

In this work, I try to help clients focus on identifying and clearing the stubborn or unaddressed core relational wounds which often lie beneath problematic behaviors. My attachment-focused style is attuned to the story and needs of each individual client.

My greatest hope for my clients is that, through therapy, they will experience hope and joy in a new and concrete way that translates to lasting positive change in their daily life, relationships, and decision-making. I firmly believe that Jesus is the divine physician and that my role is to be an instrument of his healing for my clients. Wherever clients are open to or want spiritual interventions in their therapy, I believe that inviting God directly into the process is a powerful mode of healing change.

Anna Heschmeyer is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Missouri and Kansas. Anna grew up in Southern California and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Thomas Aquinas College and a Master of Science degree from Fuller Theological Seminary.

While Anna felt an early pull toward working with others in a therapeutic context, her path took her on some other turns first. After college, she worked for Catholic Answers in San Diego, then worked in parish ministry in the Washington, D.C. area for several years. After this, she moved to Phoenix, where she worked as a high school guidance counselor while pursuing her master’s degree in marriage
and family therapy.

Anna came to Kansas City in 2018, when she married her husband, Joe. They now have a wonderful toddler who keeps her and her husband quite entertained. Anna moved to the Center for Healing after several years at a private marriage and family therapy group practice.

Anna has pursued training in EMDR therapy, an empirically validated model used in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, and other mental health issues, as well as extensive training in Emotionally Focused Therapy, one of the most effective therapies for treating couples and attachment issues.

Being able to witness the capacity of the human person to find meaning and hope in life through often daunting circumstances is one of Anna’s greatest joys as a therapist.

Credentials, Training, Qualifications

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Missouri and Kansas

MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary

Basic Certification in EMDR Therapy

Emotionally Focused Therapy (externship, ongoing supervision)

Treatment Populations

Trauma and PTSD
Relationship Issues
Depression
Anxiety
Addiction
Family Conflict
Grief
Spiritual Issues

Methods

Attachment-based
EMDR
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)

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Chris Ellman
MSW, LCSW, SATP, CSAT

Clinical Therapist
EMDR Trained
913-568-8415
[email protected]

Schedule an Appointment

It is an honor to accompany others in the painful and messy work of healing. I walk alongside those who have experienced trauma, anxiety, depression, and relational abuse. I also work with those battling sexual brokenness including pornography/sex addiction and unwanted sexual behaviors. 

In 2018, I became certified as a Sexual Addictions Treatment Provider. Becoming a SATP has equipped me with the knowledge and tools to effectively treat men and women who are suffering with an addiction to pornography and/or sex and other unwanted sexual behaviors.

In 2020, I became a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist through International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals. Earning the CSAT has broadened and expanded my knowledge and skillset to better serve those entrenched in addiction. I have found that the roots of addictive behavior often lurk in family of origin wounds and relational trauma. 

I strive to give my clients a space where they feel safe to speak the unspeakable. We are hardwired and created for connection and relationship. For those who have been hurt in the context of relationship, I want to offer a comforting and safe place for them to regain hope and rebuild trust. I believe that God is the ultimate healer and am happy to pray with my clients if they are open to it.

Chris and his wife, Carrie, have four children. He's proud to have called Kansas City his home since 2001. He and his family attend Our Lady of the Presentation and are also members of the Heart of the Redeemer Covenant Community. 

After earning a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Truman State University, he attended the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare and was awarded a Master's Degree in Social Work in 2003. Since then, he has worked for a hospice organization, a large hospital, and even spent a number of years as a Financial Advisor. 

Chris considers it an honor to be invited into his clients' stories. Ever since he was young, he's had a desire to engage others on a deep emotional level. He marvels at the strength and resilience of his clients and he has borne witness to what happens when his clients commit to doing the difficult and messy work of healing. It is rewarding for him to encounter his clients where they are and ultimately showing them the tools they need that will lead to integration and peace. 

Chris is committed to life-long learning so he can offer those he serves the best care and support possible. 

In his free time he enjoys spending time with his wife and children and reading anything by G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien. He's also an avid reptile enthusiast, a Star Wars fan, and enjoys going to concerts, and playing the drums.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Truman State University

Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas-School of Social Welfare 

Sexual Addictions Treatment Provider - SATP Institute

Certified Sex Addiction Therapist - International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals

EMDR Trained

 

Treatment populations and methods

I work with the following: Individuals, Couples, Families, and those who are suffering with the following: Trauma, Abuse, Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, and Addictions

I use the following methods: Attachment Theory, Polyvagal Theory, Emotion Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Inner Healing Work