Meet the Team

Finding the right therapist is an important part of your therapy journey.

At Journey Forth MHC, our therapists bring different experiences, specialties, and therapeutic approaches while sharing a commitment to compassionate, collaborative care.

We believe the therapeutic relationship is one of the most important parts of meaningful change. We encourage you to explore our team and find the therapist who feels like the right fit for you.

Jackie Butts, LMHC-D, CASAC

Trauma Therapist | EMDR Certified Therapist

About Jackie

Jackie is an EMDR-certified trauma therapist who believes healing begins with feeling safe, respected, and truly heard. She works collaboratively with clients to understand their experiences, develop new coping strategies, and move toward meaningful change.

Jackie specializes in working with adults who are navigating trauma, dissociation, self-esteem challenges, and substance use concerns. She provides LGBTQIA+-affirming care and welcomes clients from diverse backgrounds.

Jackie Works With

Adults
Trauma survivors
Individuals experiencing dissociation
Individuals working through substance use concerns
Clients exploring identity, self-worth, and personal growth

Areas of Focus

Trauma
Dissociative disorders
Self-esteem
Substance use recovery

Therapeutic Approaches

EMDR
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Progressive Counting
Trauma-informed therapy
Collaborative, client-centered approaches

What You Can Expect When Working With Jackie

Working with Jackie means having a therapist who values safety, trust, and collaboration. She understands that beginning therapy—especially when working through trauma, dissociation, or difficult life experiences—can feel overwhelming, and she works to create a space where clients feel respected and supported.

Jackie believes the therapeutic relationship is one of the most important parts of meaningful change. She approaches therapy with curiosity and compassion, taking time to understand each client's experiences, strengths, and goals.

When working with Jackie, clients can expect:

A non-judgmental space where they can feel heard and understood
A collaborative approach that respects their pace and comfort level
Support in understanding patterns, emotions, and experiences
Trauma-informed care focused on safety and empowerment
Practical tools and strategies to support healing and growth

Jackie recognizes that every person's journey is different. Therapy is not about forcing change, it is about creating the support, understanding, and skills needed to help clients move forward in a way that feels meaningful to them.

A Little About Jackie

Outside of therapy, Jackie enjoys spending time with her partner, son, and their many pets. She enjoys SCUBA diving, exploring new experiences, and spending time with family.

Education & Credentials

Licensed Mental Health Counselor
CASAC
DBT Certified
EMDR Certified Therapist
Certified EMDR Consultant-in-Training (CIT)

Meagan Licata, LMHC

Body-Positive & LGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapist

About Meagan

Meagan is a compassionate, body-positive therapist who believes therapy should be a space where people feel accepted, understood, and supported without judgment.

She approaches therapy with curiosity and collaboration, helping clients better understand themselves, build confidence, and create meaningful change. Meagan recognizes that each person's experiences are unique and works to create a safe environment where clients can explore their challenges while also recognizing their strengths.

Meagan provides LGBTQIA+-affirming care and welcomes clients from diverse backgrounds and experiences. She is passionate about helping individuals develop a healthier relationship with themselves, their emotions, and their personal stories.

Meagan Works With

Adults
Individuals navigating anxiety and depression
People experiencing self-esteem challenges
Individuals exploring body image concerns
Clients recovering from difficult or unhealthy relationships
Individuals navigating ADHD-related challenges
LGBTQIA+ clients seeking affirming support

Areas of Focus

Self-esteem and personal growth
Body image concerns and body dysmorphia
Healthy at Every Size® (HAES®)-informed therapy
ADHD support
Anxiety and depression
OCD
Trauma
Grief and loss
Recovery from abusive relationships

Therapeutic Approaches

Meagan uses an integrative approach tailored to each client's individual needs.

Her therapeutic approaches include:

Healthy at Every Size® (HAES®)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Feminist therapy approaches
Person-centered, collaborative therapy

Meagan believes therapy is a partnership and works with clients to explore patterns, build coping skills, and create lasting change.

What You Can Expect When Working With Meagan

Working with Meagan means having a therapist who will meet you with compassion, openness, and respect.

She strives to create a space where clients can:

Explore their experiences without shame
Develop greater self-understanding
Build confidence and self-worth
Learn healthier ways to cope with challenges
Create a more compassionate relationship with themselves

A Little About Meagan

Outside of therapy, Meagan enjoys spending time at home with her husband and their two cats, Luke and Leia.

In her free time, she enjoys crafting, watching science fiction movies, singing, and cooking or baking. She believes creativity and connection are important parts of everyday life.

Education & Credentials

Meagan Licata, LMHC

Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York State

Rebecca Howson, LMHC

Compassionate, Collaborative Therapy for Life’s Challenges and Transitions

About Rebecca

Rebecca is an open and inclusive therapist who believes that a strong therapeutic relationship is the foundation for meaningful change. She approaches therapy with authenticity, compassion, and respect, creating a space where clients can feel heard, understood, and supported.

Rebecca works with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and loss, chronic mental health concerns, and major life transitions. She also has a special interest in supporting individuals navigating maternal mental health challenges, caregiver stress, and end-of-life experiences.

She believes therapy is a collaborative process. Together, Rebecca and her clients work to better understand challenges, build resilience, and develop strategies that support personal growth and emotional well-being.

Rebecca Works With

Adults
Individuals experiencing anxiety and depression
People navigating grief and loss
Individuals managing chronic mental health concerns
Parents experiencing maternal mental health challenges
Caregivers supporting loved ones
Individuals experiencing major life transitions

Areas of Focus

Anxiety
Depression
Grief and loss
Maternal mental health
Caregiver support
End-of-life care
Life transitions
Chronic mental health concerns
Building resilience and coping skills

Therapeutic Approaches

Rebecca uses a person-centered, collaborative approach that is tailored to each client's individual needs.

Her therapeutic approaches include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Solution-Focused Therapy
Holistic approaches
Person-centered therapy

Rebecca believes therapy should be a partnership where clients feel empowered to explore their experiences, develop new skills, and create meaningful change.

What You Can Expect When Working With Rebecca

Working with Rebecca means having a therapist who values authenticity, compassion, and connection. She understands that seeking therapy often comes during difficult or overwhelming seasons of life, and she strives to create a supportive environment where clients can feel comfortable being themselves.

Rebecca believes that feeling truly heard and understood is an important part of the healing process. She works collaboratively with clients to explore their experiences, recognize their strengths, and develop strategies that support resilience and growth.

When working with Rebecca, clients can expect:

A warm and accepting environment where they can be themselves
A collaborative approach that respects their individual goals
Support navigating difficult emotions and life transitions
Practical tools to manage challenges and build resilience
A therapeutic relationship built on trust, respect, and understanding

Rebecca recognizes that each person's journey is unique. Therapy is not about having all the answers—it is about creating space to explore, grow, and move forward with support.

A Little About Rebecca

Outside of therapy, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is a married mother of three who finds joy in the everyday moments of life.

She enjoys live music, gardening, hiking, and spending time in nature. Rebecca appreciates the unique beauty of each season in Western New York and believes that connection, balance, and meaningful experiences are important parts of life.

Education & Credentials

Rebecca Howson, LMHC

Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York State

Stephanie Eklind, LCSW

Affirming Support for Children, Teens, and Young Adults

About Stephanie

Stephanie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who provides compassionate, inclusive therapy for children, adolescents, and young adults. She believes that every person deserves a space where they feel understood, accepted, and supported as they navigate life's challenges.

Stephanie works with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, identity development, academic stress, and relationship challenges. She has a special focus on supporting LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults by creating an affirming environment where clients can explore who they are and build confidence in themselves.

Stephanie understands that each client brings their own experiences, strengths, and challenges into therapy. She takes a personalized approach, meeting clients where they are and working collaboratively to help them develop skills, increase self-awareness, and navigate change.

Stephanie Works With

Children
Adolescents
Adults
LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults
Individuals navigating identity development
Students experiencing academic stress
Individuals experiencing anxiety or depression
Young people navigating life transitions and relationship challenges

Areas of Focus

Child and teen therapy
Young adult therapy
Anxiety
Depression
Identity development
LGBTQIA+ affirming care
Academic stress
Life transitions
Relationship challenges
Emotional coping skills

Therapeutic Approaches

Stephanie uses an integrative approach that is tailored to each client's unique needs, personality, and stage of development.

Her therapeutic approaches include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Person-centered therapy
Solution-focused techniques
Trauma-informed approaches
Attachment-based frameworks
Mindfulness-based strategies
Play-based interventions

Stephanie believes therapy should feel collaborative and supportive. She works with clients to identify strengths, build coping skills, and develop tools they can use beyond the therapy setting.

What You Can Expect When Working With Stephanie

Working with Stephanie means having a therapist who values connection, authenticity, and creating a space where clients feel safe being themselves.

Stephanie understands that children, teens, and young adults often face unique challenges as they navigate emotions, relationships, identity, and changing expectations. She focuses on building trust and creating a therapeutic relationship where clients feel respected and heard.

When working with Stephanie, clients can expect:

A welcoming and affirming environment
Support that respects their individuality and experiences
A collaborative approach that includes their goals and strengths
Practical tools for managing emotions and challenges
Encouragement to build confidence and self-understanding

Stephanie believes that therapy is not about changing who someone is—it is about helping each person better understand themselves, recognize their strengths, and feel empowered moving forward.

A Little About Stephanie

Outside of therapy, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her dachshund-mix dogs, Davina and Daphne.

She enjoys discovering new movies, visiting local bookstores, and adding to her ever-growing reading list. She values creativity, curiosity, and the small moments that bring joy to everyday life.

Education & Credentials

Stephanie Eklind, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Katherine (Katie) Junevic, LMSW,

C-SSWS

Supporting Growth, Empowering Every Ability, Specialized Support for Every Unique Journey

About Katie

Katie is a Licensed Master Social Worker who is dedicated to supporting children, adolescents, and adults with diverse developmental, educational, and therapeutic needs. With a strong focus on special education, she provides individualized, evidence-based care that empowers each person to build skills, increase independence, and reach their fullest potential.

Katie works with children, adolescents, and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and loss, family stressors, school-related concerns, and major life transitions. She also has specialized experience helping families navigate the special education process and understand how educational needs can impact other areas of life.

Katie believes therapy is a collaborative, client-centered process. She works closely with individuals, families, educators, and interdisciplinary teams to develop practical strategies that promote growth across home, school, work, and community settings. Through personalized support and advocacy, Katie is committed to fostering confidence, resilience, and lifelong success.

Katie Works With

Adults
Children
Adolescents
Families navigating relationship and family dynamics
Individuals experiencing anxiety and depression
Children and adolescents with developmental or educational needs
Families navigating the special education process
Adolescents and young adults experiencing life transitions and relationship challenges

Areas of Focus

Child and teen therapy
Young adult therapy
Adult therapy
Anxiety
Depression
Academic stress
School-related concerns
Family dynamics
Grief and loss
Special education support and advocacy
Mindfulness and coping skills
Building confidence and resilience

Therapeutic Approaches

Katie uses a collaborative, client-centered approach that is tailored to each client's individual strengths, goals, and needs.

Her therapeutic approaches include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Solution-Focused Therapy
Trauma-informed approaches
Mindfulness-based strategies
Holistic approaches
Play-based interventions
Narrative Therapy

Katie believes that meaningful change happens through partnership. By creating a supportive and collaborative therapeutic relationship, she helps clients build practical skills, strengthen resilience, and work toward lasting personal growth.

What You Can Expect When Working With Katie

Working with Katie means having a therapist who believes every individual deserves to feel supported, respected, and empowered throughout their journey. She understands that seeking therapy can feel overwhelming and strives to create a welcoming environment where clients of all ages feel safe to explore challenges and celebrate progress.

Katie values collaboration and works alongside clients, families, schools, and other professionals when appropriate to ensure care is individualized and meaningful. Whether someone is learning new coping skills, navigating educational challenges, or managing difficult emotions, Katie provides compassionate guidance every step of the way.

When working with Katie, clients can expect:

A warm, welcoming, and supportive environment
A safe space where they feel respected, heard, and understood
A therapeutic partnership built on trust, compassion, and collaboration
Individualized strategies that support emotional regulation and healthy coping
Guidance navigating school, family, and life challenges
Practical tools that encourage confidence, resilience, and personal growth

Katie believes every person's journey is unique. Therapy is an opportunity to build on strengths, overcome obstacles, and create meaningful change through support, understanding, and collaboration.

A Little About Katie

Outside of therapy, Katie enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is a proud mom to both human and furry boys and values the connection and joy they bring to her life.

She enjoys hiking, attending live music events, and streaming her favorite comfort shows. Katie believes in staying present, appreciating the moment at hand, and embracing life with purpose, balance, and gratitude.

Education & Credentials

Katherine (Katie) Junevic, LMSW, C-SSWS

Licensed Master Social Worker

Certified School Social Worker