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Meet our team
Brenda Vance, LPC, NCC | she/her
Clinician
Brenda values honesty, authenticity, love, humor, and adventure in her relationships. She believes that each being is limitless and has authorship of their own lives. "We humans are animals and need nature, play, and exploration to thrive." Brenda has a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Brenda specializes in trauma treatment and behavioral change. She is also an ACE certified Personal Trainer and a Certified Health and Nutrition coach. She utilizes eclectic/integrative counseling to fit the exact needs of the individual seeking treatment. Brenda loves being in nature, traveling, music/concerts, working out, and helping others.
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Izaiah Webb | he/him
Clinical Intern
Izaiah, MS, CMPC mindfully embodies the process of continuous learning and growth, and is passionate about helping his clients do the same. He leverages mindfulness techniques and focuses on his clients' strengths and values to guide them towards personal development and achievement. Izaiah's approach is rooted in his belief in the power of self-awareness and intentional living. When not working with clients, Izaiah finds solace and inspiration in nature. He enjoys sitting by a crackling campfire, relaxing near serene lakes, or soaking up the sun while practicing meditation or yoga. These activities not only rejuvenate him but also inform his holistic approach to mental wellness. As an avid sports enthusiast, Izaiah brings a unique perspective to his practice, combining his love for physical activity with his expertise in mental performance. This blend of personal passion and professional knowledge allows him to connect deeply with clients, especially those in the athletic and performance fields.
Yanfei Mao, LPC, NCC | she/her
Clinical Intern
Yanfei values authenticity in her relationships. To her, therapy is like two fellow travelers on a journey. As a counselor, she is passionate about working with individuals of diverse cultural backgrounds. She supports clients toward their counseling goals by understanding their values, identities, and strengths. She completed a master’s degree in counseling from Johns Hopkins University. Currently, she is a doctoral student in counselor education and supervision at Northern Illinois University. For the past several years, she has had the most experience working with adults and student populations in college, outpatient, and community mental health settings, addressing various concerns, including depression, anxiety, grief, and trauma-related problems. Yanfei adopts an integrative approach but is highly influenced by existential, cognitive-behavioral, and relational-cultural theories. She enjoys reading, hiking, and cooking in her spare time.
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Cristian Caraballo
Marriage and Family Therapy Intern
Cristian is originally from Venezuela, and a native Spanish speaker. He is also a graduate student at NIU in the marriage and family therapy program. He is passionate about working with the youth individually or with their family in therapy. He believes that the environment can be used as a healing tool and learning experience. Cristian believes that having healthy connections with family and friends/peers can spark meaningful and positive changes in people, in particular the youth. In his free time, Cristian enjoys listening to music and he enjoys trying new activities and foods whenever possible and most importantly playing with his rescue husky Loki.
Chloe Green | she/her
Front Office Lead
Meet Chloe Green, the Front Office Lead at Adventure Works! Originally from Rockford, Chloe ventured to the Dekalb area to study at Northern Illinois University, where she graduated with her Master’s in History in 2023. When not at work, Chloe enjoys reading, hiking, video games, and creative writing. Above all, she cherishes the joy of spending quality time with close friends and family, including her two rescued cats.
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Shannon Kaecker, MSW, LCSW | she/her
Education and Training
Shannon believes in the power of relationships for healing, and that all individuals have the capacity for growth. Her work demonstrates her values of curiosity, playfulness, and authenticity. Shannon is also a licensed clinical social worker and certified clinical adventure therapist. Outside of the office, Shannon enjoys crocheting, learning Latin slowly, and hiking.
Beth Hanson | she/her
Forest Bathing Facilitator
Beth brings her experience in marketing, event planning and office administration to Adventure Works. Because of her love for outdoor adventures and youth, she has long admired the mission of Adventure Works and is thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of their team. Having grown up on a family farm in rural Shabbona, she believes there is no better place to have one's spirit renewed than to be outdoors enjoying the beauty and magic of nature. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, kayaking, hiking, biking, walking, dancing, gardening, museums, theater, concerts, festivals, art and all plants. Her bucket list includes visiting all of our great national parks.
Lynette Spencer, LCSW, CCAT | she/her
Founder, Interim Executive Director
Lynette values authenticity and kindness in her relationships, and has an investment in the human experience with the belief that each person she encounters is the expert on their own life. She has a master's degree in social work. She is a licensed clinical social worker and a certified clinical adventure therapist. Her favorite pastimes are hiking and watercolor painting.
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