
OUR MISSION
Our goal is to create a collaborative of passionate healthcare professionals with the intent to create a healing culture through integrity, respect, and transparency.
OUR PRACTITIONERS
How We Can Help You
We are here for you.
Independent Professionals who
truly care about you and your journey.

LIMHP, LADC
Beth Bernthaler
Beth has over 25 years experience in the mental health and behavioral health fields. She is licensed as a mental health therapist and is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor. She has worked at various levels of care, from outpatient therapy to residential treatment. She has worked with people who experience depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, substance use, suicidality, self-harming, self-esteem, and those working through life situations.

PMHNP-BC, Co-Founder, Director of Clinical Operations
Kristi Bose
Kristi is one of the founding partners of Verve Collaborative Health. She is experienced in many areas, including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, ADHD, and peripartum concerns.
Kristi’s passion is functional medicine/psychiatry and strives to provide care to the entire person, collaborating with a variety of providers to offer the best service and to help you find the best version of yourself.

LICSW, LISW, CHt
Natalie Bussing
Trauma-informed and specialized therapist. Certified in Clinical Hypnosis. Trained in CBT, PCIT, TF-CBT, and EMDR. Special training in past-life regression therapy. The primary focus of her practice is ages 8 to adult. She also has experience working with LBGTQIA+ providing Gender affirming care.

MSN, APRN, FNP/PMHNP-BC
Margaret Chipendo
Margaret is passionate about caring for patients with severe mental illnesses across the lifespan (from ages 5 to 80), anxiety disorders, depression, ADHD, personality disorders, and substance use disorders. Her primary role is medication management and helping patients live healthy lives knowing that they can live with mental illness, not in mental illness.
“I think it’s really important to take the stigma away from mental health…My brain and my heart are really important to me. I don’t know why I would not seek help to have those things be as healthy as my teeth.”
-Kerry Washington from the Huffington Post.

MA, PLMHP
Kathleen Gauthier
Our deepest longing is to be known, explored, discovered, and touched. But often we live alone and thirsty in the wilderness. Relationships with families, friends, co-workers, and our community may be filled with trauma, anxiety, betrayal, pain, or ongoing stress. We may be in a state of brokenness, completely shut down, filled with anger, wrestling with grief, or stuck in a meaningless life. Strategies that once managed life may be working against the relief hoped for. Efforts to protect ourselves keep relationships from being authentic and close. As a result, there is a deep thirst in our soul that nothing seems to satisfy.

LIMHP, LCSW
Meghan Herek
“The best way out is always through” – Robert Frost.
Meghan hopes to support you through hard times, change, and consistent struggles. She a strong, direct approach that is wrapped with compassion and empathy, and humor! She doesn’t believe that shame is effective in helping us grow or gain insight. Although Meghan will be straightforward, it's her hope that you will not feel ashamed or punished. You might think you are “beyond help”. But the truth is, we all DESERVE therapy. It’s a gift. It’s never too late to begin.

LIMHP, LCSW
Kristina Jensen
Kristina has a masters of social work from university of Nebraska and have many years' experiences in the field. Kristina has worked in in-patient and out- patient setting, helping people managing symptoms of depression, anxiety and other mental health.
Much of Kristina's experience has been working with people who are recovering from domestic violence, and narcissistic abuse. Kristina works with individuals in a client-centered, trauma focused approach to help people explore their inner workings to help create the life they are envisioning. Kristina is trained in EMDR, and can help process past or present trauma to assist in healing and remove barriers that keeps you stuck.

LIMHP, LCSW
Jennifer M. Kelly
Loving ourselves through the process of owning our story is the bravest thing we will ever do. - Brene Brown Jen is here to help you navigate the changes and challenges of life through guidance, education, motivation, unconditional support and empathy. She believes in the strength, goodness, capability and resilience of those who seek therapy. Jen’s approach in therapy is to work from a client-centered, strength based and mind/body/spirit perspective. Jen received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from University of Nebraska at Omaha. She is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner specializing in the areas of trauma, grief, life transitions, LGBTQ+ issues, anxiety, depression, relationships and personal growth.

PLMHP
Riley Mitas
Riley is a Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (PLMHP) who graduated with her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She has experience working with those struggling with depression, anxiety, life transitions, grief and loss, and stress.
She believes that all people are capable of over coming the difficulties of life and provides a safe and non-judgmental space for people to work through these difficulties. Problem solving and compassion are some of Riley’s specialties. Her practice utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy.

MS, PLMHP
Sara Murphy
As a therapist, Sara believes that every person has their own unique perspectives and experiences. With that, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Sara believes that everyone could benefit from someone lending a hand to help conquer the human experience. Sara has experience working with adolescents/teens and families, individuals recovering from substance abuse or with past complex trauma.

MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Cari Ott
“You are a human being; you are not a diagnosis” Cari believes that each person deserves to find a provider who will truly listen to their story in order to achieve the best treatment and recovery possible. If you are looking for a holistic provider who will listen to your story and consider your entire symptom profile, Cari may be the perfect fit for you. Together, we can develop a treatment plan to improve your mental health and wellness.

MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Rojay Passley
Rojay Passley is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and currently holds a Master of Science in Nursing degree. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of the West Indies School of Nursing, in Jamaica. He has experience caring with patients on Medical Unit, Critical Care Unit, Progressive Care Unit, Cardiac Cath Lab, and Mental Health.

LIMHP, LCSW
Emily Rokon
Whether you have been in therapy before, or it’s your first time, it takes courage to reach out and share your story. Emily's goal as a therapist is to provide a compassionate, caring and safe space for individuals, couples and families to develop positive and healthy changes to improve overall wellness. Having someone to talk to is a powerful tool and you deserve a space to share your thoughts. She's not afraid to face hard things with clients. Emily can hold hope for you even if you are having difficulty accessing that hope for yourself!

LIMHP, CMSW
Paige Seier
Taking the first step to start therapy can be overwhelming. Paige strives to help her clients feel
understood and comfortable by creating a therapy environment where clients can feel
empowered to make positive changes in their personal lives. Paige believes that healing is
possible, even after the most difficult experiences. The important thing for her clients to know
is that they do not have to do it alone.

DNP, APRN
R. Dawn Slominski
(Rebecca) Dawn Slominski is a nurse practitioner with a doctorate degree specializing in behavioral/mental health treatment. She has more than 3 years of experience as a nurse practitioner, 25+ years in the nursing field. Dawn believes in providing individualized treatment plans based on the unique circumstances of each client. She does this by treating each individual with respect, kindness, and compassion. Dawn believes people have innate healing abilities, clients are people not illnesses, recovery involves addressing causes not just symptoms, and healing takes a collaborative approach. She seeks to empower individuals and families through intervention, treatment, education, support, and advocacy. In doing this an individual’s balance and quality of life can be improved.

DNP, APRN-NP, PMHNP-BC
Melissa Smith
Melissa has a variety of nursing and life experience that she brings to her role as Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She worked as an adult oncology nurse for 5 years and appreciates the unique experiences she had while working with patients with chronic illnesses and near death.
Melissa has spent the last 10 years working with teenagers as a school nurse and has won state and regional awards for her nursing care of adolescents. She earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Creighton University.
She also earned two bachelors degrees in nursing and in health science, with an emphasis in community health. Her doctoral work focused on adolescent anxiety and the importance of adolescent mental health. Melissa finds joy in being with her family, the outdoors, visiting the beach and mountains, playing the piano, and crafting.

PMHNP
Peter Tudor
Peter is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), he graduated with a Master’s in the Science of Nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and has been honing his skills and refining his approach ever since. Prior to becoming a PMHNP, Peter was an inpatient psychiatric nurse for 5 years. Peter’s expertise is providing psychiatric treatment to adult populations (between 19 and 70).

MSc, PLMHP
Anya Universe
Anya loves helping people find themselves and the life that they want to live. She believes that
everyone has the power within themselves to change, grow, and improve—if they just have a safe space to do so. That's why she works collaboratively with her clients (and their families) to create a trusting environment where we can nurture personal growth together.

PLMHP
Megan VanBenCoten
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.” -Brene Brown
As a therapist, Megan believes everyone deserves the chance to improve our mental health and develop into the best version of ourselves. Life challenges everyone with physical and mental obstacles, but she will help you break those down and overcome them as we enter this therapeutic journey together.
APRN-CNP PMHNP-BC
Marisha VanVleet
Marisha enjoys helping people...period. She is credentialed for all ages from very young to the elderly and has worked with all ages. For patients that do need medication, she uses a conservative approach and monitors them closely until stable. Her medication management patients do get some therapy in their follow-up sessions because this assists her in evaluating the effectiveness of the medication. If she is not able to help a patient, she'll try to find someone else who is a better fit for them. She believes in a community approach for patients, it does take us all working together!

APRN, PMHNP-BC
Jackie Wayman
You are the architect of your own life. Jackie partners with you to ensure you have a solid foundation to build on.
With nearly a decade in healthcare, Jackie has dedicated her career to helping people feel their best. She is a firm believer that mental health is a complex balance of physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. She empowers you to start today on a new journey, regardless of where you are beginning. Jackie enjoys getting to know people and prioritizes their values, preferences, and needs in creating a comprehensive care plan.

DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, Co-Founder
Julie Zulkosky
Julie grew up primarily in the Pacific Northwest and moved to Omaha to attend Creighton University and because of numerous opportunities, she now calls Omaha home. Professionally, Julie has worked in acute care for over a decade. Those years have helped her shape her definition of holistic care and the impact it can have on physical and mental patient outcomes. Academically, she is a proud graduate of Creighton University where she received her bachelor’s, master's, and doctorate degrees. That training helped to reinforce her holistic approach by translating evidence-based practice and alternative medicine into plans of care that can maximize patient outcomes.