Illuminate Mental Health, LLC

05/22/2026

We know, we know. These are the types of messages that get therapists made fun of on Instagram, but it is true! We swear! How you think about stress matters. Retraining your brain to view stress responses as helpful, or as your body being courageous can help reduce the negative physical side-effects of stress. When you experience stress, Oxytocin is released and tries to motivate you to reach out to lean into people who care about you. It also relaxes your blood vessels AND helps your heart heal from any stress induced damage.

Reach out today if you need help reframing your stress response into your superpower.

05/20/2026

Ever wonder what happens to your nervous system when it is exposure to chronic stress or extreme stress over time? This video is one of the many resources we use to help educate clients who visit our office:
https://youtu.be/ZdIQRxwT1I0?si=5R056xWhSvvsCdcb
If you need help regulating your nervous system, visit our website today and complete our new client request form. We have providers taking new clients as early as next week!

20K likes, 569 comments. "Trauma and the Nervous System: A Polyvagal Perspective"

05/14/2026

We could give you at least 100 more reasons why therapy is an important tool for everyone to have access to, but for now we'll offer these 5. Exercising and caring for you brain is just as important as exercising and caring for your body. Make a commitment to prioritize your wellbeing today!

05/07/2026

We have one last surprise... please say a big welcome back to our former intern Shelby Hall. Shelby took a short break after completing her degree and earned her LPC. She will be returning in June on a part time basis, we are thrilled to have her back!

Shelby enjoys working with children, adolescents and adults using an integrative, client-centered approach. She often incorporates cognitive-behavioral strategies to help challenge negative thought patterns while drawing from multiple therapeutic approaches based on each client's needs. She is passionate about working with individuals managing anxiety, depression, ADHD, and OCD, as well as concerns related to self-esteem, identity, narcissistic or emotionally invalidating relationships, and the impact of social media across the lifespan. Her goal is to create a supportive, structured space where clients feel heard, understood and empowered to build confidence in who they are.

To schedule with Shelby Hall, LPC, fill out our new client request form here:
www.illuminatewooster.com

04/27/2026

When it comes to coping skills, journaling is a high achiever. Taking the time to write down thoughts and feelings allows for both insight and relief. While creating the habit can take time, it is a powerful and worthwhile skill! 📖 🖊️

04/23/2026

Don’t forget the small habits that yield big results! Maintenance of mental health is ongoing, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

04/16/2026

Abby Fischer, MSW, LISW-s is the other half of the inspiration behind Illuminate. After a lengthy career in public mental health, Abby recognized her passion for providing mental health education to her community, viewing education as a means of prevention. Abby currently provides trainings to businesses, schools, and churches relating to trauma, psychoeducation and more.

Abby graduated with her Masters of Social Work from the University of Akron in 2014. She has spent her career providing mental health therapy to individuals between 5 and 65. Abby has received extensive trauma training over her career and utilizes this information in partnership with evidenced based treatment methods to provide best practice to clients. Abby has worked in outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment and school-based community mental health care. Abby is an EMDR provider and is trained to provide trauma first aid interventions such as CRT and ATIP.

In her free time you can find Abby out hiking with her huskies, at the gym or playing soccer.

Abby is currently accepting clients ages 6 and up with limited availability Monday- Thursday. Abby currently has a wait list for evening EMDR clients but has some open appointments afternoons throughout the week. To schedule with Abby, complete the new client request form on our website, www.illuminatewooster.com.

04/13/2026

This week's first feature is Angela Workman, MSW, LISW-s. Angela is half of the vision behind the development and growth of Illuminate Mental Health.

Angela earned her Masters of Social Work from The University of Akron in 2011. She has experience providing outpatient therapy to children, teens, adults, and families. Angela integrates evidence-based approaches including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR Level 1 trained) to support healing at both cognitive and body-based levels. Her clinical interests include trauma, particularly in the context of attachment and development, as well as parenting and adoption support. Angela’s approach prioritizes collaborative, meaningful relationships and is grounded in an understanding of the nervous system.

In her free time Angela enjoys reading and writing. She also enjoys spending time with her children, husband and dogs.

Angela currently offers telehealth services only and is not currently accepting new clients.

04/09/2026

Illuminate started accepting masters level social work and clinical counseling interns in 2024. Since then we've had the opportunity to host a handful of outstanding professionals. We appreciate being a small stepping stone towards their career goals!

Susan Shaffer, SWT, is one of our current interns and has been with us since fall of 2025. Susan recently passed her clinical exam and will graduate from Ohio State with her MSW in the spring. Susan has demonstrated a thirst for knowledge throughout her internship and enjoys working with clients to assist them in connecting to community resources. Susan is passionate about providing psychoeducation relating to how social media impacts individuals. She enjoys working with children, teens and adults and is interested in a variety of different areas.

In her free time you can find Susan being active with her family or reading a good book!

We look forward to seeing how Susan's career and skillsets continue to expand after her graduation!

04/06/2026

This week we start off by featuring our newest clinician, Bethany Proudfoot, DSW, LSW, LNHA. Bethany is a licensed social worker with over 12 years of experience in clinical practice, healthcare leadership, and trauma-informed care. She holds a Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Louisville, completed in 2025, and offers a compassionate, client-centered approach grounded in evidence-based therapy and respect for each person’s lived experience.

Bethany works with older adults and individuals navigating chronic illness, anxiety, and depression, as well as grief, life transitions, and caregiver stress. Her clinical approach integrates trauma-informed care, cognitive-behavioral strategies, strengths-based practice, and mindfulness practices, using a holistic person-in-environment perspective. With a background in healthcare leadership, Bethany brings a strong understanding of burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and the challenges faced by caregivers and helping professionals. She creates a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental therapy space where clients can build sustainable coping skills, healthier boundaries, and greater self-compassion.

In her free time Bethany enjoys spending time with her family and taking adventures!

To schedule with Bethany visit our website: www.illuminatewooster.com and complete our new client form. Bethany is currently supervised by Angela Workman, MSW, LISW-s. Bethany is available for evening clients during the week.

04/03/2026

Our next featured clinician is Kaylen Ackerman, MSW, LSW.

Kaylen earned her Master of Social Work from The Ohio State University in 2025. Kaylen started her social work career as an intern at Illuminate. Kaylen's positive connection with her clients and her passion for problem solving made her a permanent fixture at Illuminate post graduation.

Kaylen's clinical interests focus on relationships, including parent-child dynamics and couples work. She is passionate about helping individuals and families strengthen meaningful connections. Kaylen has participated in extensive trauma education and enjoys applying her knowledge to help clients prepare essential grounding and mindfulness skills prior to their transition to EMDR therapy with a trained practitioner

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and hiking with her dog.

Kaylen is currenting accepting adolescents and adult client Monday through Friday. She is currently supervised by Abby Fischer, MSW, LISW-s.