Meet the Team
The Therapists
Owner and Therapist
Abby Rainey
​As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker certified in play therapy, trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and EMDR, I have years of experience supporting my clients as they build self-esteem, develop resiliency, learn to regulate their emotions more effectively, and creatively solve their unique problems. As one of few Registered Play Therapists in the region, I also specialize in working with youth. As a parent, seeing your child experience stress, trauma, or conflict can be overwhelming and exhausting.
I’m here to help you and your child develop communication skills, work through problems more efficiently, and express emotions in healthy ways. I believe in meeting each client where they are at and developing a therapy plan that works best for you! Your unique goals are my main priority, and I have extensive experience working through trauma, anxiety, depression, life transitions, and other mental health concerns with adults, teens, and children. You don’t have to go through this alone.
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Abby is licensed in Michigan and Alabama.
Therapist
Arianah Rankin
I am a compassionate and dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience working with children, teens, and adults. With training in EMDR, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Play Therapy, I am committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for young clients to heal, grow, and thrive.
Informed by an understanding of the unique challenges faced by children and teens, I provide a client-centered approach to meaningful growth. By integrating evidence-based methods like TF-CBT, I help young clients process traumatic experiences, regulate emotions, and develop healthy coping strategies. Play Therapy techniques are used to engage children in a way that resonates with their developmental stage, fostering expression and communication through play! Whether addressing trauma, anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns, I am here to help you tailor therapy to your specific and unique needs.
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Therapist
Monique McMillan
With over 20 years of experience in the mental health field, I have had the honor of working within various
settings, with people of all ages, and in collaboration with others dedicated to building a healthier
community. I hold a firm belief that our community is only as prosperous and well as our individual
members. I have found that the support provided in a therapeutic setting- built on empathy, trust, and
respect- can have a life-long impact on those that participate.
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The majority of my career has been within the school system, helping to support all students with
scholastic success, building social skills, navigating executive dysfunction, building self- confidence, and
gaining problem solving skills. I work from a somatic framework, helping clients develop a better understanding of the brain-body connection, increasing their awareness of the physiological changes that accompany emotions, and how to care for themselves in difficult moments. I utilize cognitive behavior therapy, brain-based psychoeducation, and patient centered problem-solving strategies that clients can generalize into their daily lives. Taking time to care for ourselves in therapy provides a ripple effect of wellbeing into our families, our community, and our greater world as a whole.
Therapist
Tony Liddell
I am an LLMSW that is passionate about helping children and families find hope and healing through life’s challenges. I work with kids and parents who are navigating trauma, behavioral struggles, or big emotional transitions. My goal is to create a safe, comfortable space where children can feel seen and understood, and where parents feel supported and confident in strengthening their connection at home.
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In my work, I use a mix of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), and play therapy techniques to meet each family’s unique needs. I’m bilingual in English and Spanish, which allows me to connect with families from diverse backgrounds and create a warm, welcoming environment. I’m deeply committed to helping families build resilience, restore trust, and grow stronger together, one step at a time.
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Therapist
Rachel Gillespie
I am an LLMSW dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and compassionate space where children and teens can heal, grow, and feel understood. I am currently pursuing certification in play therapy and am passionate about using developmentally appropriate and relationship-centered approaches to support young clients and their families.
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I have experience working with individuals in crisis as well as children navigating grief and loss. I am committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care tailored to each child’s unique needs while also supporting and empowering parents throughout the therapeutic process. My goal is to help children and adolescents build resilience, process difficult emotions, and feel safe being themselves.
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MSW Intern
Leigha Johnson
I am a Master of Social Work (MSW) intern from Saginaw Valley State University with several years of experience working with children and adolescents in a variety of settings. Throughout my work, I have developed a strong passion for supporting children as they navigate emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges. I believe that every child deserves to feel safe, understood, and valued, and I am committed to creating a space where that can happen.
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My approach to therapy is warm, patient, and relationship-focused. I understand that children often express themselves in ways that go beyond words, which is why play is central to my work with adolescents. I am here to support you and your child through this process and strive to meet each child where they are developmentally, tailoring sessions to their individual needs and strengths.
MSW Intern - Starting in September
Karasyn Kraska
My name is Karasyn Kraska. I am currently a Master of Social Work student at Saginaw Valley State University. I spent over three years working at a daycare, which truly showed me how much I enjoy working with and supporting children as they grow, learn, and build confidence. I am looking forward to learning more about play therapy during my practicum placement with Common Spring Therapy Group. I believe it will be a valuable experience that will support my goals and interests as a future social worker!
Meet the Team
The Admin Staff
Office Manager
Sue Kackmeister
With more than seven years of experience in the mental health field, Sue is passionate about being the first point of contact for individuals and families seeking counseling. She enjoys helping make the process of getting connected to care as welcoming and seamless as possible. Outside of the office, she loves spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren.