About Us

Guidance for Growing is a dream come true for us — quite literally!

When we met in 2001, we spent many hours bonding over late night conversations about a future in which we would work together, blending our passions for healthy living and helping people.  Coming from experience in both the bodywork and mental health fields, we knew that many traditional wellness practices were missing an important connection between physical body and emotional well-being.  It was inherently clear to us, that our lifestyle choices of food and movement clearly effect our emotional presence.

We were frustrated and confused about people being treated for depression, anxiety and stress without consideration or conversation regarding the role of diet and exercise in their lives.  Likewise, how could people with near-constant weight struggles not be asked about the state of their relationships, careers and overall happiness?

Thus, a dream was born:  an integrative wellness practice that looks at every aspect of a person, then focuses on his or her strengths in order to strengthen those areas in need.

To make this dream a reality, we cultivated our individual passions over the next several years.  Jason, already in the substance abuse and mental health field, continued his training and education to become a Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC), Certified Criminal Justice Professional, and Personal Trainer.  Mikaela, with a background in massage therapy and bodywork, directed her studies on nutrition and counseling to become a Certified Health Counselor (CHC).  Together, we were able to create a collective powerhouse, and Guidance for Growing was born.

Our skills and areas of expertise compliment each other fully, and we’re beyond thrilled to have won all of our visions:  creating an integrative wellness practice that advocates healthy living and allows us to help people.  Life is good!

We look forward to the continued evolution of Guidance for Growing, as we offer our community innovative, progressive, comprehensive services that allow individuals to live the lives they’ve always dreamed of.

We look forward to meeting and working with you!

In wellness,
Jason & Mikaela

PS:  That’s us, up there on the left!