Meet the Team

Hello, I’m Dr. Nick Howard. I have the privilege of leading this stellar group of professionals.

The Finish Well Group exists because of a deep sense of calling. That calling centers around a passion to help people heal, grow, and ultimately flourish, particularly those who are leaders in the Body of Christ.

This calling has taken me unexpected places, through ups and downs along the way, and yet the longing to help people flourish and finish well has only deepened.

I can personally vouch for each member of the team featured below. Each of them has a life-giving relationship with God and cares deeply about helping those they serve. They all have a strong experience base and skill set. Further, they have also been trained and supervised by me, to ensure that the therapy, coaching or training they provide is at a high level.

If you work with us, our steadfast commitment is to to come alongside you in a way that will help you live a richer, more meaningful life.

If you would like to get to know us better before you work with us, or if you would like to receive our insights about healing, growing and flourishing, you are invited to sign up for our monthly (or so) blog devoted to those ends. As a bonus, you’ll also get “The Top 7 Things to Embrace to Move from Scrambling to Flourishing” by signing up, to aid you on your journey to flourishing and finishing well.

Blessings to you.

Nick

DR. NICK HOWARD

I feel called to help people heal and grow. I especially enjoy supporting and strengthening Christian leaders. The sweet spot for me at work is when a person has an insight or takes a step that leads them to new, life-giving territory as a person and perhaps even as a leader. To aid in the above, I provide therapy, coaching, training and speaking that centers on helping people flourish and fulfill their callings.

JAMIE HOWARD

I feel called to come alongside people grappling with issues relating to loss, self-esteem, depression, anxiety, cultural adjustment, marital and parenting issues, and spiritual growth. I specialize in working with women and adolescent girls, and draw on a variety of clinical approaches, integrating psychodynamic theory with client-centered therapy.

IRENE LIEM, Psy.D.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Illinois. I graduated from the Psy.D. program at Wheaton College in 2023, and earned my Master’s Degree in mental health counseling at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) in IL.

CARA SOTO, M.A., Therapy Intern, Coach

Serving alongside my husband in ministry for over 22 years, I have developed a real passion for serving women, especially women in ministry. I deeply believe in creating a safe and confidential space for people struggling with tough things that can come our way in life, such as loss, anxiety, or depression.

MARGARET KASSEL, M.A., Therapy Intern

It is my passion to provide an authentic and open space for my clients to flourish. I am devoted to providing insight and reflection to the therapeutic space in order to build a more full and abundant life. I specifically find meaning working with young adults struggling with meaning and purpose, as well as couples and older adults seeking counseling. In addition, I have previous experience providing therapy in a school setting to children, adolescents, and college students on the Autism Spectrum. My current research work focuses on parental support and adolescent hope.

JIM BOYLE, Coach

My love of coaching came as a natural out-growth of my work with teams and leaders. Serving as a CEO and senior executive in healthcare over the span of 40 years, I have always enjoyed supporting and developing the leaders I was privileged to work with.

STEPHANI SUWANSKI, Administrative Specialist

I am the organizer, and detail-oriented member of the Finish Well Group team. I actually enjoy keeping things in order and finding new efficient ways to manage things behind the scenes. I focus mainly on the billing and insurance aspects of the group, but I am always willing to help in any way I can.

CARMA HAYENGA, Director of Client Relations

I love helping people and creating effective systems. I am glad to be on the front end of helping new clients get set up and connected with a therapist that can help them to heal and to grow, and help move them from overwhelmed to flourishing. To everything there is a season and I find myself in a new season! I am glad that this season enables me to fill the role of Director of Client Relations.