Our Story

Why Illuminate Exists

A message from Natalie, Founder of Illuminate Play Therapy & Counseling & Clinical Director of the Illuminate Counseling Collective

Illuminate was created from a belief that healing happens in relationship, safety, and understanding.

Throughout my work with children, adults, couples, families, and clinicians, I have seen how trauma, stress, and emotional overwhelm shape behavior, relationships, and self-worth. I have also witnessed the incredible resilience that emerges when people feel truly seen, supported, and safe.

Illuminate began as a vision to create a space where children could heal through play, adults, couples, and families could find hope and connection, and therapists could grow into confident, grounded clinicians.

A Heart for Children & Families

Children speak through play. They communicate their fears, hopes, pain, and joy through movement, imagination, and connection. Play therapy allows children to express what they often cannot put into words. 

My work is rooted in helping children feel emotionally safe, understood, and empowered. Whether a child is navigating trauma, anxiety, ADHD, emotional dysregulation, or life transitions, my goal is to create a space where healing unfolds naturally through connection and trust.

Families are an essential part of this journey. I believe deeply in equipping parents with tools, understanding, and support so healing continues far beyond the therapy room.

A Passion for Trauma-Informed Care

Trauma does not simply live in memory - it lives in the body, nervous system, and relationships.

My clinical focus centers on helping clients gently process trauma and restore emotional regulation through evidence-based approaches such as EMDR, TF-CBT, Brainspotting, Somatic therapy, and attachment-based therapy. Healing is not about forcing change; it is about creating safety, stability, and space for growth.

Every client's journey is honored, and every step forward is meaningful. 

A Calling to Supervision & Clinical Leadership

As my work expanded, I felt a deep calling to support other clinicians in their professional growth.

Supervision is not just about meeting requirements - it is about cultivating confidence, clinical depth, ethical care, and sustainable practice. I am passionate about mentoring therapists as they develop their skills, voice, and professional identity.

This calling led to the creation of the Illuminate Counseling Collective - a carefully built team of therapists who share a commitment to trauma-informed care, clinical excellence, and compassionate connection.

Each therapist in the Collective is thoughtfully selected, trained, and supported within the Illuminate model, ensuring every client receives high-quality, heart-centered care. 

Our Vision

Illuminate exists to bring light, hope, and healing to children, adults, couples, families, and clinicians.

Our vision is to create a community where:

• Children feel safe to express and heal
• Adults, Couples & Families feel supported and empowered
• Therapists feel confident, connected, and inspired

Healing happens in relationship. Growth happens in safety. Transformation happens when people are truly seen.

Whether you are a parent seeking support for your child, or an individual or family navigating a difficult season, or a clinician looking for mentorship and growth, I am honored to walk alongside you.

Welcome to Illuminate

-Natalie