Meet Our Team!
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Meet Our Team! 〰️
Kim Waters
Family Nurse Practitioner and Founder of Hope Healthcare PC
It is hard for some to have a positive self-image in today’s world. There is pressure all over to look a certain way. Having had an eating disorder myself, I understand the struggle that my patients have. I am also able to play a crucial role in managing mental health issues. While working on my recovery I found hope and serenity; and that is what I hope to share with those I help.
I am a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. I received my Bachelor of Science from Union College and my Master of Science in Nursing from Creighton University. I have 10 years’ experience working as a psychiatric provider. It is my goal to increase awareness, education, and prevention strategies across the region. My level of compassion with my patients is very high as we share something sensitive. With my personal experience, compassion and expertise, I believe my patients will feel right at home.
I am married to my amazing husband Dan, and I have the most wonderful 20-year-old daughter. I love to fish, spend time outside with nature, and spend quality family time together. I cherish the patients I work with, and they are just as big a part of my journey as I am of theirs.
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
-Emerson-
Leslie Seybold
Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner
I am a Licensed Independent Mental Health Counselor as well as a Nationally Certified Counselor. I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD. I went on to earn my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
My approach to counseling stems from the belief that you are the expert on your own life and I will work with you to find insight and create meaning that will impact the quality of your life. My goal is not to judge but is instead to create a safe space where we can explore areas of difficulty together. I have a special place in my heart for helping those struggling with an eating disorder. Eating disorders are often kept secret by those who are struggling. Over time, this secret builds and slowly consumes the person. Our culture and society have twisted our relationship with food, while skewing our perception of body image, for both men and women. I recognize and understand how difficult seeking help for an eating disorder can be. I strive to provide a safe setting to work towards establishing realistic and healthy eating patterns and body image while gaining insight into the underlying thoughts and emotions.
I have a particular interest in working with adolescent athletes who may be struggling with unhealthy expectations related to body image and eating patterns. Growing up as a competitive athlete myself, I experienced firsthand how athletes are often told and taught, from a young age how to manipulate their bodies to perform a certain way. As a result, young athletes often internalize an unattainable body image and develop unhealthy eating patterns which can last far beyond their athletic years.
Erin Sullivan
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Licensed Medical Nutrition Therapist
Eating disorders have no bias on who they affect, they come in all shapes and sizes with a story to tell. I am here to help you write your own story apart from your eating disorder. As one of HOPE Healthcare’s Registered Dietitians, I take a completely personalized approach knowing no eating disorder is the same and no person is alike. My ultimate hope for each person is to help people create a positive relationship with food, one where food is no longer the enemy, it is just food.
I am a Kansas State University graduate where I received my bachelor’s degree in dietetics and completed a 1 year-long internship which exposed me to multiple nutrition experiences. But more importantly it was there where I experienced multiple friends feeling lost and misunderstood in their fight against their eating disorder, it was there I was shown the overwhelming need for professionals in this area.
An eating disorder’s strongest weapon is that it can go unnoticed and silenced for years as it day by day, gains more control over someone’s life. Bringing light to dark places we understand is a vulnerable, raw, and brave step. Here at HOPE we are here to walk by your side in this journey. You are not alone.
Jillian Miles
Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner
Jillian is passionate about working with diverse individuals, couples, and families in an inclusive and affirming manner. Jillian has a special interest in providing trauma-informed therapy services to people who have been impacted by race-based traumatic stress and historical trauma. Jillian enjoys working to strengthen intimate relationships and families, and is especially interested in supporting multigenerational families. She also enjoys using an affirming perspective with LGBTQ+ individuals and families who have both spirituality and sexual identity concerns.
Through her professional experience Jillian has developed expertise working with youth, adolescents, and adults experiencing depression, anxiety, mood regulation, and/or trauma concerns. She has also worked at Lincoln Regional Center, where she gained valuable experience working with people experiencing severe and persistent mental illness.
Before realizing that her professional calling was to serve as a therapist, Jillian worked in a variety of healthcare settings, including insurance, medical billing, and pharmaceutical sectors. Since earning her M.A. in Professional Counseling from Crown College in St. Bonifacius, Minnesota, Jillian has gained additional training and experience in biopsychosocial assessment, collaborative treatment planning, crisis intervention, Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), as well as the Circle of Security and Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) training programs.
Jillian describes her therapeutic approach in the following manner: I believe it is essential for clients to feel truly seen and heard in therapy. I strive to instill hope during the therapeutic process, as hopefulness is a powerful motivator for change. Using a narrative approach in therapy, empower clients to examine their “stories," or the significant life events that have shaped their identities. When we look deeply at our stories and consider our thoughts in relation to them, the possibilities for re-writing our current and future stories become clearer. Through this trauma-informed and multiculturally sensitive healing process, clients are free to become the most complete version of themselves and can contribute their individual uniqueness to the world.
Cassie Benak
Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner
Meet Cassie, a highly skilled and empathetic therapist with a passion for helping individuals navigate through life's challenges. With a warm and caring demeanor, Cassie creates a safe and compassionate space for clients to explore their emotions, fostering healing and growth. With extensive experience in various areas, Cassie is well-equipped to support individuals facing grief, eating disorders, and acute mental health issues. Having worked extensively in the school system, Cassie has a unique understanding of the complexities faced by both adults and children, providing valuable insights and support tailored to each client's specific needs. She holds two master's degrees, one from Bellevue University and the other from Buena Vista University, specializing in school counseling and clinical counseling. This diverse educational background enables her to draw from a wide range of therapeutic techniques and approaches to ensure clients receive personalized and effective care.
As a crisis prevention intervention trainer and an instructor of restorative practices, Cassie demonstrates her dedication to empowering individuals to handle challenging situations with resilience and understanding. Clients can rely on Cassie's hardworking nature and commitment to continuous learning, as she stays abreast of the latest developments in the field to provide the best possible support.
Whether you're facing overwhelming grief, struggling with an eating disorder, or seeking guidance in acute mental health matters, she is here to walk alongside you on your journey towards healing and self-discovery. Approachable and attentive, Cassie believes in fostering a strong therapeutic alliance to help clients build trust and open channels of communication. If you're ready to embark on a path of growth and transformation, Cassie invites you to take the first step toward a brighter future. Together, you will work towards unlocking your inner strengths and resources, creating a foundation for lasting positive change in your life.
Holly Luedke
Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner
I believe the most effective and meaningful way to help people is by teaching and walking alongside them as they discover how to help themselves.We all have strengths, gifts, and inner wisdom—sometimes we just need a little help uncovering them. My goal is to create a safe, supportive, non-judgmental space where clients can talk about the hard stuff without fear of shame or dismissal. I use an eclectic, integrative therapy approach to tailor each client’s journey to their specific needs, drawing from a variety of evidence-based tools, insights, and perspectives.
As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and Body Image Resilience Specialist, I’m especially passionate about helping people heal their relationship with food, body, and self-worth. I offer guidance rooted in the principles of Intuitive Eating and body image healing, focusing on self-compassion, internal trust, and freedom from the damaging cycles of diet culture. Whether you’re struggling with disordered eating, body shame, perfectionism, or chronic self-criticism, I offer a space where all parts of your story are welcome—and where your value is never tied to your weight, appearance, or productivity.
I also provide a welcoming environment for clients who want to explore their faith, spiritual beliefs, or religious experiences—whether those have been sources of strength or pain. For those who desire, I can integrate biblical wisdom with solid psychological insight to help bring hope and healing. I’m honored to support individuals facing a wide range of concerns—life transitions, relationships, spiritual confusion or hurt, narcissistic dynamics, intimacy and sexuality questions, anxiety, depression, addiction, shame, and more.
In addition to being a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and Body Image Resilience Specialist, I’m also a FEMA Certified Crisis Intervention Specialist. I earned my undergraduate degree from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD, and my Master of Counseling degree from Crown College in St. Bonifacius, MN, where I am an instructor focusing on Counseling Skills and Marriage & Family Therapy. It’s a privilege to do this work—and I’m always humbled by the courage and growth I get to witness in the people I serve.
Grace Tegtmeier
Provisionally Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Provider
I received my bachelor’s degree in theology and a Director of Christian Education certificate from Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska. I earned my master’s degree in social work with a focus on trauma from Nebraska Wesleyan University.
I am married to my loving husband, Chris, and he and I are parents to three internationally adopted children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I am passionate about using my life experience as a mom and caregiver to help other families and individuals navigate issues relating to disability, caregiver burnout, belonging and loneliness, and navigating oppressive systems.
I have many years of professional and personal experience helping individuals with histories of severe trauma. Additionally, I have a special interest in working with individuals who identify as neurodiverse (ADHD or Autism). I am also well-equipped to help individuals navigate spiritual and religious issues, including, but not limited to, faith-related questions or doubts, or issues stemming from church hurt.
I strive to approach every client with unconditional positive regard, believing for them that they are valuable, worthy of love, and that healing and change are possible.
Lesley Garcia
Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner - Provisionally Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Lesley is a bilingual therapist who provides services in both English and Spanish, recognizing that healing happens most authentically when clients can express themselves in their native language. She understands that language is more than words—it's culture, identity, and the ability to be truly heard and understood. With a deep commitment to serving underserved and marginalized communities, Lesley works extensively with LGBTQ+ individuals and BIPOC clients who deserve affirming, culturally responsive care.
Lesley brings her whole self to therapy—humor, colorful language, and genuine presence included. She believes therapy doesn't have to be stuffy or overly formal to be transformative. In her sessions, you'll find a balance of safety and authenticity, where laughter and tears are equally welcome.
As a graduate of the Marriage and Family Therapy program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lesley has built her clinical expertise through extensive training in evidence-based trauma therapies, including Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET). She also has a strong background working with body image concerns, spiritual/religious trauma, transgenerational trauma, disordered eating, and eating disorders, approaching these challenges with compassion, curiosity, and an understanding of how they intersect with identity, culture, and trauma.
When working with children and adolescents, Lesley incorporates sand tray and play therapy, meeting young clients in developmentally appropriate ways that honor how they naturally communicate and process their experiences. Whether you're navigating trauma, identity, cultural stress, body image struggles, or life transitions, Lesley offers a therapeutic relationship grounded in respect, warmth, and the belief that you are the expert of your own story.
Mary Snitily
Billing Specialist
Lilian Young
Office Manager
Hello! I have been Hope’s office manager for about a year and a half now, and have loved being a part of this team. I am starting my Master’s in Counseling this fall to become a therapist!
At Hope, you will see me at the front desk checking in clients, answering the phone, and usually drinking a coffee! I also conduct our client’s first appointment with Hope Healthcare, the consultation! I help introduce clients to Hope and explain what we do! I also help Mary with insurance and billing questions from clients!
I have had a passion for mental health since a very young age, struggling with my own anxiety and depression. Since starting at Hope, I have learned so much about what it means to help others with eating disorders and their own mental health struggles. The dedication, support, and team effort it takes to help someone find recovery.