Welcome to the Art of living counseling center
The Art of Living Counseling Center is a group of clinicians focused on creating therapeutic environments where clients are invited deeper into their personal story for purposes of healing and empowerment.
We believe life is best understood as an Art Form rather than a series of accomplishments. Consequently, we focus on the craft of becoming a better human. We call this craft; The Art of Living. We use the dynamic metaphor of Story to help guide and organize the therapeutic process for individuals, couples and families.
Using this narrative approach, clients come to understand that they were given powerful stories that shaped and guided their development as a person. And that ultimately they get to choose what narratives to keep and which ones they want to edit or discard. The better you know your story, the more you can step into the fullness of who you are becoming.
Art of living Providers
Cyndi Mesmer, LCPC
Co-Owner & Clinical Director
About Cyndi
“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves…Live the questions now. Perhaps you will gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.”
– Rainer Maria Rilke
Cyndi Mesmer, LCPC identifies as a white cisgender, able-bodied, straight woman. She is the clinical director and co-owns, with her husband Steve, The Art of living Counseling Center in Crystal Lake, IL. She worked as a teacher, supervisor and trainer at The Allender Center in Seattle WA. Cyndi has worked in all levels of care for mental health.
She has about 30 years of experience working with individuals, families and groups. She primarily works with clients working through trauma, both past and present. She sees the world through the lens of story and invites others to engage their stories in a way that brings more freedom and life, both personal and communal. She is a seeker of racial justice and advocate for other oppressed groups believing that there should be equal rights and flourishing for all humans.
Cyndi's Fee Structure
- Initial Appt. $220/session
- Individual $170/session
- Family/Marital $190/session
- Group $80 ($40 per hour) per 2 hr session
- Consultation $225/session
Cyndi's Zoom Link
Steve Mesmer, Lcpc
Co-Owner & Therapist
About Steve
“Therapy only works when we have a genuine desire to know ourselves as we are, not as we would like to be.”
– Bryan Fuller
Steve received his Masters in Counseling Psychology from Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL in 1995. He is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and has 22 years of experience in outpatient settings working with adolescents and adults. In 2004, Steve, with is wife Cyndi, founded The Art of Living Counseling Center. Steve completed his advanced certification in Trauma and Abuse from the Allender Center in Seattle, WA. and has extensive experience helping individuals dealing with childhood trauma and abuse.
One of Steve’s areas of expertise and passion is using counseling and teaching to help couples transform their fragile and conflictual relationship into one that is rugged and alive; a relationship that can handle the stress of careers, children, the unexpected, the daily grind, and the difference between sexes. Just like any worthwhile endeavor, marriage can be fantastic or burdensome. Together, though coaching and therapy we can stack the odds in favor of fantastic results.
Steve also has extensive experience and training in men’s issues, anxiety disorders, OCD, divorce recovery, and spiritual formation. Besides running and operating The Art of Living Counseling Center, Steve, along with his wife Cyndi, also have the privilege and challenge of parenting 5 wonderful children.
Steve's Fee Structure
- Initial Appt. $220/session
- Individual $170/session
- Family/Marital $190/session
- Group $80 ($40 per hour) per 2 hr session
- Consultation $225/session
sandra woznicki, Lcpc
Therapist
About Sandra
“Your heart needs to be broken – and broken open – at least once to discover what your heart means and to have a heart for others.”
– Richard Rohr
Sandy Woznicki is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and is Nationally Board Certified. She received her Master’s Degree from National Louis University in Human Services/ Counseling in 2001. She has been in private practice since 2005. Sandy loves working at The Art of Living, where she experiences a loving community of professional colleagues.
Sandy believes in the resilience of the human heart and our capacity as people to overcome the obstacles that life brings. She sees her work as partnering with her clients and their natural resilience to help expand those abilities and help them love themselves and others more generously. She knows first hand that life is, at times, difficult and painful but that these experiences also leave room for restoration and personal growth. She loves working with her clients in these moments to help them experience new levels of freedom and insight about themselves and their relationships. Sandy’s approach is deeply kind, accepting and honest. This approach creates the right therapeutic environment to allow her clients grow in awareness and experience more of their authentic self.
Sandy values integrating various therapeutic approaches based on current research to addresses the total well-being of the individual (emotional, physical, psychological, and spiritual). Her specialized training includes Trauma-based therapy, Attachment Issues, and Narrative work. She works with individuals, couples, and groups.
Sandy is also a certified EMDR trained therapist. This therapeutic technique helps the brain better process experiences of trauma. Sandy uses this approach to address both past and recent, single incidents; such as accidents, medical issues, and sudden loss. EMDR also has been effective in addressing mood issues such as anxiety and depression.
For more information on EMDR, you can go to www.emdria.org
When not in the office, Sandy enjoys deep play with family and friends. She also loves to read, garden, and travel.
Sandy's Fee Structure
Client Paperwork
Please download, complete and return the documents below to Sandy prior to your first appointment.
Document links:
melissa karner, lcpc
Therapist
About Melissa
“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we’ll ever do”
-Brene Brown
Melissa is a Licensed Professional Counselor and is Nationally Board Certified. Melissa received her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from National Louis University in 2015. She is a member of the NBCC.
Melissa has worked in various settings in her career including churches, nonprofits and private practice. Melissa has gained extensive experience working with families of children and adolescents over the past 10 years. Before she was in private practice, Melissa also worked as a Case Manager for At-risk single moms and their children. Since joining Art of Living Counseling Center, she has gained additional training in group counseling, family therapy, narrative therapy, trauma and addictions and specializes in child abuse and trauma.
Through her warm, empathic and interactive approach to counseling, Melissa helps clients who are struggling with anxiety, depression, past trauma, and complex family issues. Melissa knows that family life means complications and Melissa welcomes the opportunity to help individuals and families navigate the inevitable challenges that all families face. She believes her role as a therapist is to help her clients address the obstacles that get in the way of living a life that is more genuine, fulfilling and intentional. Melissa enjoys working with individuals, couples and families and also leads several adolescent workshops at the Art of Living.
When not in the office, Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband Craig, and their two beautiful and spirited girls that keep them full of joy and on their toes. The girls are daily reminders of how rewarding and challenging parenting can be!
Melissa's Fee Structure
Briana Kuhl, MSW
Therapist
About Briana
“Self-compassion tells us that it’s ok to err and to be human. That it actually is okay to experience what we experience without contorting ourselves. We are deserving of compassion by virtue of being human.” – Kristin Neff
Briana is passionate about helping clients build fulfilling lives that embrace their unique paths toward healing, freedom, and hope. Her clinical specialization is working with adolescents and adults, focused on emerging adulthood, identity-based oppression, and self exploration through a trauma-informed approach. Briana focuses on providing personalized care that focuses on partnering with each person to reach their individual goals. Briana seeks to offer a welcoming environment that prioritizes self-compassion and whole-person focused counseling.
Briana has experience working with individuals who have experienced trauma, depression, anxiety, addiction, ADHD, grief, interpersonal distress, mood disorders, child-parent relationships, and work issues. Her previous experience includes working in crisis response, group and individual counseling, substance abuse treatment, and case management for families and individuals.
Briana has her Master’s in Social Work, with a specialization in mental health from Loyola University Chicago. In her free time, Briana enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, and collecting house plants.
Briana's Fee Structure
Grace Brindle
Executive Assistant
About Grace
Grace is from the Northwoods of Michigan, on the original land of the Anishinaabe. Grace comes to Art of Living with a wealth of experiences, wisdom, and skill. She is a born leader and also has the unique ability to break down complicated tasks into achievable goals with efficiency and artistry. She is also a digital artist, wordsmith and poet. Grace is trained in Trauma Focused Narrative Story Work and The Wisdom of the Enneagram. Grace is an invaluable member of The Art of Living team and is tasked with a number of administrative and creative endeavors at Art of Living. She has a background in supporting several for-profit and non-profit organizations, including administrative support, grant writing and social media engagement.
In Grace’s free time, she enjoys exploring the many wonders of the U.P. through hikes, biking and camping with her husband and children. And whenever she can, she pursues her love of words through various writing and poetry projects.
Important Announcements!
New Level 1 Groups
New Level 1 Groups are now being offered. No prior experience or training is needed.
Therapist
The Art of Living Counseling Center is looking to add to our amazing team of clinicians.
services
Workshops
Family Counseling
Marital Counseling
Group Therapy
Individual Counseling
EMDR
Speaking
Family Consulting
Professional Consulting & Supervision
Business Relational Consulting
Professional Training
Retreats
“It’s not the load that breaks you down. It’s the way that you carry it.“
~ C.S. Lewis
We love this quote because it asks us to redirect our focus from the circumstances we find ourselves in: marital struggle, family crisis, parenting issue, loss, addiction, spiritual crisis, and instead pay attention to HOW we are engaging our circumstances. The truth is, life is hard and none of us escapes life’s troubles. At The Art of Living Counseling Center we want to help you pay attention to the How’s: how you carry your burdens, how you are engaging your circumstances, and how you are currently interacting with the burdens life throws your way. Looking at the why is also important and necessary work; however, it really is in looking at the How that we begin to see a way through our circumstances and create movement for ourselves in the midst of a life burden. So, HOW, are you navigating your relationship struggles? HOW, are you engaging a loss? HOW are you relating to that difficult situation? If your answer is “not well” or you are having trouble identifiying HOW, you are engaging your current circumstances, consider giving us a call so we can work together to identify and shift how you carry the burdens of life.
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.“
~ Soren Kierkegaard
At The Art of Living Counseling Center we believe this quote conveys an important truth about therapy: We must look back at the forces that shaped us into who we are, so we can make more informed and liberated choices about how to live today. How we show up and engage with our families, significant relationships and careers is strongly influenced by our past experiences. Consequently, we must take the time to thoughtfully and skillfully look back to understand and to heal.
At The Art of Living Counseling Center, we honor both your past experiences and your current life circumstances to create an individualized course of action to address your long term emotional and relational health. We help people understand their past so they can live more informed and intentional lives today.
What Our Clients Are Saying
“One year ago I was in a sweat driving to my very first therapy appointment with Sandy, wishing I hadn’t made it in the first place, all the while knowing it was time and I was finally ready. As I drove, I had one resolve: I would give it my all and be 100% honest, holding nothing back.
Today marks twelve months of being in therapy for complex PTSD and I am proud of myself for sticking to my word. I’ve given it my all. I’ve been vulnerable. And I’m healing, I can feel it. I don’t know how long it will take, but I’m committed now. I won’t stop until I know in my gut that I’m ready to officially move forward.
If you are in the midst of a similar journey, you are not crazy and you are not alone. There are so very many of us. If you aren’t quite ready yet, it’s ok. You’ll
know if & when it’s your time 🤍 You are so worthy of healing and care. Here’s to another year of growth and freedom to each and every one of us!”
– Lauren
“Over the years, I’ve spent so much time in search of safety. A safe person. A safe life. A safe space in which to hide all my imperfections, my messiness and the wounds and traumas I felt responsible for and kept secret for decades. But I was wrong. What I needed was so much more than safety. For while it was the safe people and space of Art of Living Counseling that allowed me to see and name my wounds and traumas for the first time, it is within the many Brave Spaces they tirelessly curate with love, wisdom, insight and kindness through counseling sessions and Story Workshops, where healing began for my wounded places as I learned to receive and offer real and authentic care.
Healing that brings forth freedom and a hope for more. The Art of Living Counseling Center Is my Brave Space.”
– Deb
“The counselors at Art of Living are world-class, speaking into the stories and lives of others the way I’ve never experienced before. Very transformative and healing.”
– Kathyrn
“After escaping an 11 year abusive relationship, I was frightened and so determined never to seek help.. until after many failed attempts to just ‘make do’, a friend pointed me to the Art of Living Counseling Center. Meeting with Cyndi has been made easy and afforded me hope, as she demonstrates incredible patience and kindness through listening and an insightfulness that does not avoid the difficult questions and experiences that messy lives bring.”
– Anonymous
“In my work with Cyndi, I have gained the capacity to trust people again and take greater risks in life in general, which has been priceless. Her presence in the dark parts of my story has enabled me to be hopeful and desirous for life in ways my trauma had inhibited me before.”
– Frank