Dr. Sarah Griess, Licensed Psychologist

I believe that all people have the ability to heal, learn, and grow. My work as a licensed psychologist allows me put that belief into practice by walking alongside individuals as they courageously enter their unique therapeutic journey.

I approach therapy from a perspective that considers how our experiences and relationships have constructed the reality in which we live and how we perceive the world. Understanding each person’s identities, beliefs, and background are critical to customizing treatment to each person’s unique needs. I believe the relationship between therapist and client is a key component to the success of therapy and I work with each person to establish a safe, non-judgmental, and supportive environment where individuals can have the opportunity to feel both challenged and supported so they can fully explore the depths of who they are from a compassionate and empathetic perspective that increases understanding and opens up the process of change.

I have my certificate in Biblical Studies and enjoy working with individuals who want a Christian faith perspective incorporated into their treatment, and/or who are wrestling with Christian faith based questions and identities. I find that anchoring to the Healer brings about the truest form of healing. I also work with clients of other faith backgrounds, including those who do not adhere to any faith based or religious perspective, or who simply do not want this incorporated into their therapy.  

 As a clinician, I work with several different presenting concerns, however specialize in working with individuals who have had traumatic experiences. I speclialize in working with individuals who have had traumatic experiences, and I am certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR allows a person to work through trauma by facilitating the brain’s natural healing methods, allowing survivors the opportunity to have comprehensive healing in thoughts, images, beliefs, emotions and addressing triggers. For more information on EMDR, visit www.emdria.org.

I earned my Master’s Degree in Counseling at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, my Doctorate of Psychology at the University of Northern Colorado, and my Certificate in Biblical Studies on-line at Belhaven University. In addition to counseling, I provide presentations and workshops to organizations across the state, on a variety of topics, as well as providing evaluations for immigrant individuals seeking naturalization.

In my personal life, I am also a wife and mother. I love Jesus and enjoy the outdoors. Having lived in Colorado for almost a decade, sunshine and hiking are my favorite form of self-care. I also enjoy reading reading, and engaging with friends and family. I have loved living in Grand Island and am proud to be part of our diverse and beautiful community.

Sarah Spellbrink, M.S., Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP)

I believe all people have a desire to grow and develop into who they were created to be and I am privileged as a mental health professional to walk alongside individuals, couples and families as they pursue health, healing and purpose in life.

I am a licensed independent mental health practitioner and work with individuals, couples, families and groups. I engage in counseling with children, adolescents, and adults struggling with a variety of concerns including the effects of trauma, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, relationship issues, grief/loss, parenting, and family/marital conflict.  I also have a special interest in helping all members of the adoption triad, adoptees, adoptive parents and birth parents. I specialize in helping people who have been impacted by trauma to process the thoughts and feelings related to their past experiences and develop a positive sense of self, meaningful relationships in the present, and hope for their future.  I define trauma as any experience that has had lasting negative impact on a person. So much of the anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, body image issues, substance abuse, etc. that clients struggle with are related to unresolved thoughts and emotions connected to past experiences.

I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from UNL in 2003 and in 2006 received my Master’s Degree in Counseling from UNK.  I utilize an integrative approach within my work with clients, which means I tailor my approach to each individual client’s needs, preferences, and counseling goals as opposed to only utilizing one approach.  I am trained in various therapeutic modalities including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Sidebar, there are a LOT of acronyms in the world of psychology!!  

As someone who specializes in working with trauma survivors, I frequently engage clients in a type of therapy called EMDR, which helps clients resolve emotions, negative beliefs about themselves and behavioral patterns related to past trauma, allowing them to come to a deeper sense of who they are, including confidence in their strengths and gifts as well as acceptance of their imperfections.  EMDR is the best tool I’ve found for helping people resolve their past and truly move forward into a new chapter of life. For more information about EMDR go to emdria.org.

In my personal life, I’m a wife, a mother, a reader, a sports fan and a huge fan of movie series (Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Avengers, The Chronicles of Narnia, this list could go on and on…I’m a nerd at heart!)  I love Jesus and greatly enjoy working with clients from a Christian perspective if that fits for the person, particularly helping those struggling with accepting God’s love for them and who desire to have a deeper, more intimate relationship with God.  I regularly engage in Bible study, sing on the worship team at my local church and help with Sunday school.

Amanda Dubas, MSW, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)

I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and have been in private practice since 2017. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with minors in Gerontology and Child, Youth, and Family Studies, and I went on to pursue my Master of Social Work and Master of Arts in Gerontology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. I graduated with my Gerontology degree in December 2016 and my Social Work degree in August 2017. I am also certified in Mental Health First Aid.

My clinical interests include working with the older adult population, anxiety disorders, and grief. I also have experience working with a wide range of age groups and diagnoses. I believe in and use a collaborative therapeutic process, in which treatment is determined by each individual's needs, and evidenced-based practices to assist clients with focusing on and meeting their goals. With my social work background, my focus is on my client as a whole, including other aspects of life outside of mental health, as I believe all of these aspects are interconnected and can impact the healing process.

 In my personal life, I am a wife, mom to a one year old son, and a dog-mom to a fur child/Japanese chin Louis. I am a lover of books, animals, fashion, baking, writing, and food (cooking, tasting, and consuming it!). I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends as much as possible, travelling, and watching various TV shows. I was born and raised in Omaha and moved to this area in 2016. It was a change I never expected, however, it is one that I've embraced and am very grateful for.

Kristin Chamness, M.S., Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP)

Hey, I am Kristin Chamness. I am so glad you decided to reach out and seek support. The first call can be the hardest. I am an Independent Mental Health Practitioner, and I am also on the state provider list for substance abuse services, so I can offer substance abuse evaluations and court ordered substance abuse services. I have been a therapist since 2006. I graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and then received my masters in Community Counseling in 2006. I have worked in a variety of settings since that time. I enjoy working with all ages and populations. I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). EMDR is an amazing therapy technique to work through past and current traumas or a number of other issues you may be experiencing. DBT focuses on mindfulness and learning to regulate and balance emotions, and CBT addresses thinking errors and ways they affect us. There is not a one size fits all approach  with counseling and my goal is to meet people where they are at then together we work towards your goals. I like to bring a fun approach to counseling and at times we will be laughing and there may be some tears, and hopefully some new perspectives gained when we work together. 

A little about me. I am a wife, mom, and have some pretty special animals in my life. I enjoy watching more TV than I “should,” notice the quotations, I don’t believe in making ourselves feel guilty for something we enjoy. You will hear this message from me often in session. I enjoy a good book, some of my favorites are the Harry Potter Series, Kristin Hannah, and anything by Brene Brown or whatever the local librarian suggests. I love being outdoors and something I do for myself often is long walks with my dogs. Traveling is one of my favorite things to do as well. I just love to see and experience new places and experiences. I hope that if you are still reading this that our paths will cross and that I can be of service to you and help you live your best life.