SHAWNA BURKHART, MSEd, NCC, LCPC, is a Life Coach and therapist with 9 years of experience. Shawna believes, “I must live my life authentically if I am to help others do the same. Nature is the best way I've found to give me that clear mirror for honoring who I am at my core, both spiritually and emotionally. The SPA Sisters program is a mindful, fun and life-changing tool in teaching women how to nurture their spirit and true selves.” Shawna grows herbs on her deck in the city, cans pickled beets with her grandma, and loves to hike anywhere, including the Alps and even Tasmania! Shawna considers it an honor to be present with other women as they grow within their spirit and self. “Women are pretty amazing!”
sburkhart@spasisters.org

DEBORAH MARQUI, LCSW, is a therapist with a private practice in St. Charles, Il. Her mission is to help others integrate body, mind and spirit into health and wholeness. A passionate gardener and cancer survivor, Deborah has felt called to open her home with perennial gardens and wooded paths to the public. It has been my experience,” she says, “that as we contemplate God’s activity in nature, the earth becomes our Teacher and Healer. The earth lessons we learn give us the tools to help sustain and nurture our true selves.   Healing Gardens at Stone Hill Farm offers a safe place to connect with the beauty and stillness of nature.
deb@dmarqui.com - www.healinggardensatstonehillfarm.com

NANCY ANDREWS, MA, LCPC, is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and says her connection with nature has inspired her work as a professional artist and Art Therapist, as well as, her own personal and spiritual growth. She shares her joy of life and nature with others in order to help create for each of us, a life equal to our heart's desire.  Nancy loves living her life creatively with love and passion whether in her gardens, her home or working on a new book with her daughter.
nancyandrewslcpc@yahoo.com

PRISCILLA BRINKMAN, LCSW, is a professionally trained grief and loss therapist at Intermission Therapies. She values the unique life story of each individual and finds meaning in walking the journey with others to view those experiences in a new way. Priscilla personally finds connecting with nature renews her spirit and sense of self. She looks forward to sharing stories of self discovery as women explore nature’s metaphors.
pbrinkman@spasisters.org

ROBBI LYNN DAIBER, PHD, is a Developmental Psychologist who enjoys facilitating Personal and Spiritual Growth in women seeking peace, integrity and wholeness. She brings the wisdom of her own spiritual journey and over 20 years as a therapist to her retreat facilitation.  Robbi says that SPA Sisters provides an amazing opportunity to integrate her three passions- nature, spirituality and women’s growth.
She is grateful for the opportunity to support women as they awaken more fully to who they are through nature.  Robbi finds healing and peace spending time overlooking a little lake in her backyard.
rdaiber@spasisters.org

GAIL CASTLE, MS, LPC is a therapist, as well as, a life-time admirer of the powerful pull of the world outside.  It is her great joy to share the SPA Sisters experience with other women and to help them discover nature’s great potential to open pathways to a new view of living life abundantly. Gail loves to walk her way through all four seasons, believing that simply going through the screen door to the world outside has powerful implications in her daily living.
gcastle@spasisters.org

DONNA SCOTT, MSW, LSW is a social worker and spiritual director.  She is co-coordinator of Christos Center for Spiritual Formation, training men and women in the Chicago area for the ministry of spiritual direction.  Christos’ purpose is to invite people to slow down and listen to God in the silence of your heart.  “When I was introduced to SPA Sisters, I was amazed at what a perfect fit this is for me. I love journeying with people who are asking the deeper questions of life and taking time to listen for the answers.  Nature is where I feel most connected to myself and God.  What a joy to share the journey with other women!”
dscott@spasisters.org

JANE STUMP, LICD-S, has worked as an addiction counselor for over 25 years.  Since 1994, she has worked in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Ohio.  She is now the Coordinator of Clinical services for an innovative center for juveniles.  “When I come home to my hilltop, I am surrounded by wilderness.  My first SPA Sisters experience showed me that nature has been the source of strength and inspiration that allows me to have something valuable to offer.”  Her desire to share the SPA Sisters experience comes out of her awareness that the program makes this available to every woman.
jstump@spasisters.org

ELIZABETH CLOSSON, MSW, LCSW retired after 25 years working in community mental health and in private practice.  Before that she was professionally involved with the United Methodist Church in pastoral care and teaching.  She has always been an “outdoor girl” and found joy, peace and answers by connecting with the natural world through hiking, camping, gardening and anything that involves water.  “It is marvelous just ‘being’ outside.  I have found that the SPA Sisters approach has helped me to center and learn about myself as no other approach has. I am eager and excited to share this approach with others.”
eclosson@spasisters.org

GWEN HAWLEY, MAEL, MSW, LCSW  has more than 17 years of experience as a therapist. Gwen's personal passion for the last 20 years has given her knowledge in the Health and Wellness and Personal Fitness fields, which she integrates into her life and work with others. Gwen Says, “Nature has always been a place of peace, wonderment, spiritual insight and comfort for me.  Women are powerful partially because we have the ability to give life and nurture and we have to remember to protect and nurture ourselves.”
ghawley@spasisters.org