Meet Our Therapists
Our therapists integrate the concept of “The Middle Way” into services that honor the power of the intellectual mind — yet simultaneously awaken ways of knowing that go beyond intellect and information to help you enhance your healing process, peace of mind, and enjoyment of life.
Matthew Word
Associate Therapist
Accepting New Clients
he/him
Matthew Word, LMSW, CHT, is a highly skilled and compassionate psychotherapist specializing in working with adults, teens, and couples. With a unique blend of trauma-based psychotherapy, Depth Hypnosis, and Shamanic Counseling, Matthew offers a comprehensive approach to mental health and well-being. His practice is deeply rooted in understanding and nurturing each client’s unique journey, ensuring that the therapeutic process is guided by their interests and needs.
In his practice, Matthew combines his extensive wisdom, experience, and training to collaborate effectively with clients in achieving their personal goals. He honors every client’s autonomy, individuality, and humanity, creating a safe and respectful therapeutic environment.
Matthew is proficient in various therapeutic techniques, including Depth Hypnosis, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and the Gottman Method. His training in the Gottman Method, renowned for its effectiveness in couples therapy, enhances his ability to support relationships and improve communication and intimacy among couples.
His therapeutic approach is particularly beneficial for individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, and addictive behaviors, as well as those seeking support in emotional regulation. Matthew’s expertise in EMDR enables him to help clients reprocess difficult experiences and trauma, fostering healing and personal growth.
At Middle Way Healing, Matthew’s overarching goal is to assist people in finding joy, personal growth and stability. He is dedicated to helping his clients reprocess challenging experiences, achieve a sense of well-being, and ultimately become their best selves.
Eve Udesky
Associate Therapist
Accepting New Clients
she/her
Eve Udesky, LMSW, is a psychotherapist focused on work with adolescents, adults and older adults. She is a people champion and enjoys helping individuals navigate difficult times and make impactful changes in their lives. Eve believes that each individual can develop a kinder and more compassionate relationship with themselves, and she enjoys being a part of that process.
Eve’s therapeutic approach is person-centered, trauma-informed, and based in psychodynamic, compassion-focused therapy (CFT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approaches. Eve also employs a mindfulness perspective which can deepen approaches to healing.
For couples work, Eve employs Gottman Method Couples Therapy, which encourages couples to build from existing relationship strengths and learn practical communication tools to successfully process disputes and unresolved issues. This highly effective therapy technique can help couples move towards closeness and fulfillment.
Eve will meet you where you are with warmth, openness and non-judgement, whether you are navigating a crisis or simply want to live a more fulfilling life. The goals of her practice are to help you:
• Heal from relational trauma
• Navigate difficult life transitions
• Deepen self-awareness and self-compassion
• Live a more satisfying and self-actualized life
• Celebrate change and growth
Nino Winterbottom
Associate Therapist
Accepting New Clients
they/them
Nino Winterbottom, MHC-LP, works with teens, adults, and couples. They act as an ally and accomplice, aiding clients in shedding the old stories that hold them back and embracing their full potential. Nino’s approach combines psychodynamic and narrative therapy with creative arts, mindfulness, somatic approaches, and DBT skills. Individual sessions may consist of talking, drawing, guided meditation, and/or skills education. Couples sessions follow the Gottman Method, a highly researched intervention that enhances existing strengths while teaching new communication strategies. Nino’s training in EMDR allows them to help clients reprocess difficult experiences and past traumas. They believe that therapy is just another word for the wisdom humans have always held – we hurt and are healed in relationship to others. When not at Middle Way, they provide therapy at a local high school and co-facilitate an LGBTQ+ community meditation group.
“I have had to learn to invite my broken heart to dine with me at the table. It is meaningless to run now. My broken heart is not a judgment or a crime. It is a detailed record of how I have tried to meet the violence of the world with as much openness as possible.”
“‘You can when you mean to,’ said Maurice gently. ‘You can do anything once you know what it is.’”
Laura Kent
Associate Therapist
Accepting New Clients
Laura Kent, LMSW, is a psychotherapist focusing on work with teens, adults, and couples. She enjoys connecting with clients and co-creating a relationship built on trust and authenticity. She uses this therapeutic alliance to foster exploration, change, and growth. Laura specializes in anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and trauma.
Laura cultivates a safe therapeutic space that is collaborative, warm, and nonjudgemental. Her practice is centered around the power of connection and exploration leading to growth and understanding. Laura’s approach is relational, trauma-informed, psychodynamic, and draws on principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Laura uses Gottman Method Couples Therapy to help couples work from existing strengths to improve communication, manage conflict more effectively, and strengthen friendship and intimacy in the relationship.
Laura understands the power of therapy to radically transform people’s lives, especially around relationship to self and others. She believes in the importance of deepening our self-understanding and listening to the cues our bodies are communicating to us. By learning to recognize these cues, we can avoid unnecessary stress and strengthen the connection we have with ourselves. The goals of her practice are to help clients gain insight, improve relationships, and promote long-term healing.
Sofia de Guzman
Therapist
Accepting New Clients
she/her
Sofia is a licensed and board certified Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT, ATR-BC) who works with children, adolescents, and adults. She combines trauma-informed talk therapy with mindfulness practices and art therapy techniques to help clients develop insight into their emotions, relationships, and to build a stronger sense of self. She will collaborate with you, the client, to create a supportive and compassionate therapeutic environment that suits your needs and goals. Sofia has experience working with clients on issues related to life transitions, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, identity, and creativity. For those who are open to exploring this avenue, art therapy can be a tool to tap into feelings that are difficult to convey verbally, as well as to reduce stress. There is no expectation of any background or skill in art making.
Olivia Conway
Associate Therapist
Accepting New Clients
she/her
Olivia Conway received her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the Family Institute at Northwestern University. She believes that there’s no “one size fits all” approach to therapy and draws from a range of theories (primarily Psychodynamic) to tailor her approach, using techniques that are best suited to supporting the needs of each client. Olivia practices through a trauma-informed lens and is trained in the use of EMDR.
Olivia strives to create an environment that welcomes all aspects of the human experience. She considers how intersecting identities impact how we encounter the world around us and acknowledges how those identities are ever present, even in the counseling space. She is sex-positive and strives to be affirming of all sexualities, gender-identities, and relationship structures.
In treatment, Olivia emphasizes the importance of collaboration. You will work together to find practical ways to manage your day to day symptoms, ultimately freeing up the emotional space to move towards a deeper examination of what troubles you. She believes that clients come to therapy in possession of everything they need to heal and considers it a privilege to walk with them as they come to understand that themselves.
Ben Thompson
Clinical Intern
Accepting New Clients
(he/him)
Ben Thompson is a masters candidate at Touro University working towards a clinical degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Ben has an intrinsic understanding of the radical benefits of therapy. He sees relationships as fundamental to our wellbeing and strives to create a welcoming and supportive space for families, couples, and individuals to explore their thoughts, behaviors and emotions.
While staying empathetic and understanding of each person’s unique perspectives, Ben will utilize integrative techniques and a trauma-informed perspective to empower his clients to nurture their goals, honor their belief systems, and work towards a path of true self discovery. Couples sessions follow the Gottman Method, a highly researched intervention that enhances existing strengths while teaching new communication strategies.
Central to Ben’s philosophy is the belief in everyone’s capacity for change. He encourages taking that initial step towards transformation, offering guidance and support throughout the process.
Michaela Murray
Clinical Intern
Accepting New Clients
(she/her)
Michaela is a Master’s candidate at Northwestern University working towards her degree in Mental Health Counseling. Her work is grounded in an appreciation for human complexity and connection. When it comes to modifying patterns that no longer serve, Michaela believes there is a time and place for both practical techniques and an exploration of one’s past experiences. Whether navigating life’s transitions, one’s identity, or relationships, she works to provide an accepting environment, free from judgment. The decision to come to therapy is a courageous step, and Michaela will welcome you warmly.
Faith C. Whinfield
Clinical Intern
she/her
Faith is a Master’s candidate at Wurzweiler School of Social Work. With extensive experience as a Case Manager, she is passionate about empowering individuals and communities to recognize their strengths and lead lives of dignity. Faith approaches each client as a whole person, acknowledging that both their internal experiences and external circumstances shape their lives.
In her practice, she employs a variety of interventions, including Psychodynamic Theory, Motivational Interviewing, and Crisis Intervention strategies. Faith’s therapeutic style is rooted in empathy and collaboration, working in partnership with her clients to foster trust and create a safe space for healing.
As a clinician working from a trauma-informed perspective, Faith embraces the Iceberg Theory to guide her work. This theory suggests that, like an iceberg, a person’s outward behaviors and emotions (the visible tip) are often influenced by deeper, unseen factors such as unconscious thoughts, past trauma, or unmet emotional needs (the submerged part of the iceberg). By exploring these hidden layers, she helps clients gain insight into how underlying beliefs and experiences impact their present struggles. Faith’s goal is to empower her clients to understand these deeper forces, supporting them as they work toward greater self-awareness and overall wellness on their therapeutic journey.
Tara Rullo
Owner, Clinical Director
Waitlist Only
she/her
Tara Rullo, LCSW, believes that every person has the ability to heal, grow, and experience wellness and joy. She has over twenty years of experience in the mental health field and is the founder of Middle Way Healing. Tara’s therapy approach is based in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and incorporates a blend of mindfulness, practical skills, and cognitive restructuring. Tara is also registered Kundalini yoga teacher and offers yoga-informed somatic therapy which can include work with the breath, body awareness, and some movement. For couples work, Tara employs Gottman Method Couples Therapy, which encourages couples to build from existing relationship strengths and learn practical communication tools to successfully process disputes and unresolved issues. This highly effective therapy technique can help couples move towards closeness and fulfillment. Tara also employs therapy practices which bring forth a deeper connection to intuition and the wisdom of the body such as Focusing, Emotional Freedom Technique, and Mindfulness Meditation. Additionally, she offers treatment through EMDR for those seeking relief from past unresolved trauma. Tara’s therapeutic style is warm and welcoming. She strives to understand your experience and worldview without judgement. Tara will listen deeply and help to create a therapy environment that allows newness and evolution.
The goals of her practice are to help you:
• Deepen self-awareness and self-knowing
• Increase connection with yourself and others
• Heal from painful experiences and memories
• Live a more integrated and satisfying life
Contact: tara@middlewayhealing.com
Jen Ottman
Practice Coordinator
she/her
Jen Ottman is our practice coordinator and assists clients with scheduling, billing, insurance questions, and any other assistance they may need along the way. She is currently pursuing her masters degree in clinical psychology, driven by her passion for the transformative impact of the therapeutic journey.
Contact: admin@middlewayhealing.com