VIDEO COMING SOON
MATT'S STORY
Our founder and director, Heather Freeman, was motivated to start this program after watching her own loved ones struggle.
Meet Heather's brother-in-law, Matt. In 2018 he left us in a car accident on his way to bring others into a recovery center, but his life was full. His smile and laugh contagious. Matt was larger than life. He never did anything halfway and never knew a stranger. Matt had a charisma that was unmatched, but he also struggled with addiction during periods of his life. Being 13 years younger, seeing him as a big brother, Heather saw the impact it had on his life and relationships. When she was a teenager, there were a lot of "what if" questions she asked herself as he struggled.
What if someone had been able to see his need for help before it escalated to addiction? What if he had found help sooner? What type of man could he have been without these struggles. These questions motivated her through her middle school, high school, and grad school career, leading her to seek out a position working with high-risk clients as a licensed professional counselor.
Matt found sobriety and was an avid fighter to help bring others to find the freedom he had found. Matt's story may have ignited the fire that would become Awaken360, but the countless stories of struggling and hurting people since then have stoked the flames that keep the team at Awaken going strong.
Heather Freeman, M.A., LPC, CSTS, CCTP
Founder & Executive Director, Counselor
Accepting Medicaid, Healthy Blue, United Healthcare Community Plan, Home State Health, Commercial Insurances, Children's Treatment Services, and Self Pay.
Heather began her work with at-risk youth and their families at a residential treatment center where she worked for almost ten years treating clients with trauma and abuse backgrounds, self mutilating behaviors, depression, suicide, anxiety, aggression, hallucinations (audio and visual) and parent-child interactions. She coordinated with military personnel (NCIS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation on sex trafficking cases, specialized in safety and reintegration assessments for sexual maladaptive behaviors and predatory behavior clients, facilitated anger management groups and de-escalation interventions training for direct-care staff, as well as implement a self-developed cognitive behavior therapy intervention. She holds a Master or Arts in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor or Science in Clinical Psychology and Child and Family Development. She is a Certified Shame-Informed Treatment Specialist (CSTS), a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and is a Missouri Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Her passion of helping people unlock their God-given gifts to find and seek the purpose interwoven in their lives began when she was just 12 years old witnessing the struggles of loved ones who battled life-controlling adversities with minimal community resources. It was then that she dedicated her life to meeting the needs of her neighbors so that together as a community we can restore hope and empower families.
She is also the author of Waging War: A Christian’s Cognitive Behavioral Health Workbook, the program workbook for Awaken360; the word of God forming the basis of a cognitive behavioral approach to victory in your life and over darkness made available to all. She is also the co-author of 13 Reasons to Live, a book about the choice of life or death in a suicidal mind.
Angelica Downey, LMSW
EMDR certified
Counselor
Accepting Medicaid, Healthy Blue, United Healthcare Community Plan, Home State Health, Self Pay, and offers sliding scale fees.
I am deeply committed to supporting individuals in processing and healing from past trauma. I understand the profound impact that unresolved wounds can have on one's emotional well-being, relationships, and overall success. Utilizing evidence-based practices, I walk alongside my clients to help guide them toward healing, empowerment, and reclaiming a sense of control over their lives.
I am an EMDR-trained therapist who also utilizes the following: client-centered, solution-focused, somatic integration processing, cognitive behavioral therapy, Theraplay-based principles, and internal family systems. I believe in a holistic approach that focuses on meeting you where you are and empowering you in your healing.
I bring my whole self to each session, aiming to create a space where you can be your authentic self too. I tailor my therapeutic interventions to meet the unique needs and goals of each individual. I believe in the power of collaboration and creating a trusting therapeutic relationship where authenticity and realness is not only welcome but encouraged.
Neva (Lisa) Milakovich, MS, LPC, NCC,
Counselor
Does anxiety, depression, or trauma feel so big that you can't see over the top of it right now? Are you feeling stressed-out, overwhelmed, or struggling to breakthrough the things that are holding you back from being your true authentic self? Are you not even sure that you know who you are anymore? In this fast-paced world it's easy to feel left behind. You're not alone. Are you ready to begin a journey of self-discovery and healing? I am here and ready to walk beside you on your journey. I can help you reconnect with who you are or transform into who you'd like to be. Taking the first step is hard, but you're worth it.
I am experienced in substance use, self-esteem, depression, anxiety, trauma, etc. I use eclectic modalities including CBT, DBT, MI, and EMDR to facilitate whatever kind of healing you need, including healing from past trauma and heavy hearts. No judgment here, only acceptance and empathy. I want you to feel safe and know that you can share about anything.
I look forward to working with adults of all populations, especially women, LGTBQIA, and those who follow alternative spiritual paths. I know that living in this part of the country and being different isn't easy. I will accept you for who you are and meet you where you're at.
"Just because no one else can heal you or do your inner work for you, doesn't mean you can, should, or need to do it alone."-Lisa Olivera