Business Details
22 Years
experience
Narrative Therapy for Trauma & Relationship Healing in Crystal Lake
Art Of Living is a collective of experienced clinicians dedicated to creating therapeutic environments where clients explore their personal narratives for healing and empowerment. Founded in 2004 by Cyndi and Steve Mesmer, our practice integrates narrative therapy to help individuals, couples, and families understand how their life stories shape their identity and relationships. With over 50 combined years of clinical experience, including specialized trauma certification from the Allender Center, we employ a story-based framework to address complex PTSD, childhood trauma, anxiety, and relational conflicts.Our 12-week Story Workshops provide structured group settings for deep personal exploration, while our individualized approach prioritizes self-compassion and holistic healing. Recognized for our commitment to racial justice and community flourishing, we maintain rigorous professional standards through ongoing training and consultation with leading trauma experts.
Services
Narrative Therapy
Trauma Recovery
Relationship Counseling
Story Workshops
EMDR Therapy
Group Therapy
Christian Counseling
Mental Health Consultation
Professional Training
Retreat Programs
Details
- Year established: 2004
Highlights and features
- 30+ years combined clinical experience with trauma certification from the Allender Center
- Specialized narrative therapy approach for trauma recovery and relationship healing
- Structured 12-week Story Workshops with proven therapeutic outcomes
- Client-centered focus on self-compassion and holistic personal growth
- Proven success in treating complex PTSD and intergenerational trauma patterns
What people say
World-class counselors
Transformative and healing
Safe haven for trauma recovery
Life-changing story workshops
Proven therapeutic outcomes
Services
Narrative Therapy
Our narrative therapy approach helps clients explore personal stories shaping their identity and relationships. Through guided exploration of life narratives, clients identify harmful patterns and reframe their experiences to achieve emotional healing and personal growth. This evidence-based method proves particularly effective for trauma recovery and relational conflicts.
Story Workshops
12-week structured group programs combine teaching and story engagement for deep personal exploration. Participants safely share experiences while learning narrative techniques to understand their development. Limited to 8 members per group, these workshops emphasize peer support and professional guidance for processing complex trauma and relational patterns.
Trauma Recovery
Specialized trauma treatment addresses childhood abuse, complex PTSD, and intergenerational trauma patterns. Our clinicians use narrative frameworks combined with EMDR therapy to help clients process traumatic memories and develop healthier coping mechanisms. This approach fosters lasting healing through understanding trauma's impact on personal narratives.
Relationship Counseling
Couples therapy focuses on transforming relational dynamics through narrative exploration. We help partners understand how their individual stories influence relationship patterns, teaching communication skills to build stronger connections. This approach addresses pre-marital concerns, marital conflicts, and recovery from relationship trauma.
Professional Consultation
Advanced consultation services for mental health professionals include narrative therapy training and trauma-focused group facilitation. Our experienced clinicians provide guidance on implementing story-based approaches in clinical practice, with ongoing support through monthly coaching sessions and comprehensive training materials.
People
Cyndi Mesmer
Clinical Director & Co-Owner
With 30 years of clinical experience, Cyndi Mesmer specializes in trauma therapy and narrative counseling. As co-founder of Art Of Living, she combines her expertise from the Allender Center with a commitment to racial justice and community healing.
Steve Mesmer
Therapist & Co-Owner
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with 22 years of experience in trauma treatment and relationship therapy. Steve co-founded the center in 2004 and specializes in helping couples transform their relationships through narrative-based approaches.
Briana Kuhl
Therapist
Briana Kuhl focuses on adolescent and adult mental health with expertise in trauma-informed care. Her practice emphasizes self-compassion and personalized treatment plans for clients dealing with anxiety, depression, and identity-based oppression.
Questions
What therapeutic approaches do you specialize in?
We specialize in narrative therapy and trauma-focused approaches, including EMDR. Our clinicians use story-based frameworks to help clients understand their personal development and achieve emotional healing.
Do you offer group therapy sessions?
Yes, we offer 12-week Story Workshops that combine teaching and group story engagement. These structured programs help participants explore their narratives in a supportive environment with professional guidance.
How do you handle insurance and payments?
We provide session fees upfront and offer flexible payment options. For insurance details, please contact individual therapists directly to discuss accepted plans and payment arrangements.
What mental health issues do you treat?
Our clinicians treat trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and identity-based oppression. We specialize in complex PTSD, childhood abuse recovery, and intergenerational trauma patterns using narrative therapy approaches.
Are virtual therapy options available?
Yes, we offer virtual therapy sessions through secure Zoom connections. Both individual appointments and group workshops are available in virtual formats for clients who prefer remote access.
