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.
 

Julia Lambert

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Licensed Medical Nutrition Therapist

I graduated in 2018 from Kansas State University with degrees in dietetics and kinesiology. I am now a Registered Dietitian and Licensed Medical Nutrition Therapist, and I am passionate about helping in the fight against eating disorders and harmful diet culture. For many years during high school and beginning of college, I battled an eating disorder and I can honestly say it was one of the most isolating and dark experiences of my life. By the grace of God, I finally overcame this struggle and healed my relationship with my body and food, and now I feel called to help others do the same.

A few years ago, I went and saw my wonderful family physician because I was struggling with anxiety. I couldn’t handle it alone anymore, and it was really starting to affect me day to day. I distinctly remember her putting her hand on my shoulder and saying “Julia, it doesn’t have to be this way. You are hurting and struggling, but you can get help and you don’t have to live like this.” Her words validated my need for help and have stuck with me ever since. If only this were the attitude and dialogue surrounding those struggling with their eating! Instead, we are permeated with messages of dieting, trying to shrink our bodies, and going to extreme measures all in the name of weight loss or “health”. I am here to tell you, obsessing or thinking about food all the time, controlling or being controlled by food, and being dissatisfied with how your body looks is not normal and you do not have to live like that. Eating disorders are a very hard thing to walk through alone, and it is okay to need help. I am here to help you heal your relationship with food and your body and find balance. Food is just food, and there are so many more enjoyable things in life to focus on than what you eat. Let’s work together to fight this battle!

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 their 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 they stay 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 best way to help people is to encourage and teach them how to help themselves. Each of us has gifts and strengths. Sometimes we need help uncovering or realizing how our strengths can head us to solutions. I strive to provide a non-judgmental, safe, confidential, and nurturing environment where clients can talk about tough stuff. Using an eclectic, integrative therapy approach, I create treatment plans to meet each client’s individual needs. Additionally, I offer a welcoming place for clients to talk about their faith and religious or spiritual beliefs and values. For those who prefer, I can combine the best of evidence-based psychology with biblical insight to achieve hope and healing. I possess unique insight into the issues and challenges that pastoral families and physician families experience, and am equipped to help people with all kinds of concerns and issues including but not limited to life changes; relationships; religious/spiritual growth, hurt, and confusion; narcissistic injury; food/eating/body issues; sexuality concerns/confusion; intimacy; anxiety; depression; shame; alcohol and other addictions (religion, exercise, shopping, pornography, busyness/doing, spending, others). I enjoy seeing individuals, couples, and families. Additionally, I am a FEMA Certified Crisis Intervention Specialist, a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, and a Body Image Healing & Resilience Specialist. I received my undergraduate degree from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD, and completed a Master of Counseling Degree at Crown College in St. Bonifacius, MN.