Our Therapy Team

Katie Heinzen, affectionately known as Katie (and never Kathryn!), is a dedicated therapist with a Master’s in Art Therapy and 17 years of experience. She is certified in Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) and the 7 Essential Ingredients for Trauma-Informed Care (7ei). Katie’s professional journey includes roles such as medical social worker at a critical access hospital, program director for a senior IOP program, and therapist at an inpatient hospital for children and adolescents. Since 2018, she has been a vital part of The Production Farm team.

Outside of work, Katie is an avid runner—marathons are her specialty—and enjoys lifting weights, swimming, and playing soccer and basketball. A lover of the outdoors, she also spends her free time gardening, canning, and vacationing with her family. Katie values honesty, hard work, and loyalty, and she approaches life with a mantra to “finish and not die,” a guiding principle that fuels her athletic and personal resilience.

She shares her home with 10 cats, including one who unexpectedly arrived pregnant on Christmas Eve during an ice storm, and 13 chickens. Katie’s favorite pastimes include reading Jeffery Deaver novels, the Harry Potter series, and autobiographies of athletes. With a passion for travel, she cherishes adventures to places like Alaska, Hawaii, Italy, and Crested Butte, Colorado. Her tenacity, loyalty, and impressive marathon PR of 3:08:21 are testaments to her unstoppable spirit.

Ellen Cary is a dedicated mental health professional with a Master of Science in Education from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, specializing in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. As an LPC-IT, Ellen has gained valuable experience as a Professional Counseling Intern at The Production Farm and as a School Counseling Intern in various schools, including New Holstein Elementary, Kiel Middle School, and Horicon High School.

Ellen’s adaptable, compassionate, and trustworthy nature shines through in her approach to counseling. Outside of her work, she enjoys unwinding with activities like gardening, nature walks, and arts and crafts. A lover of classic country music and Hallmark movies, Ellen also finds comfort in spending time with her cats, two of whom she nursed back to health as kittens after a fall from a tree.

Her favorite affirmation, “Always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals,” by Michelle Obama, reflects her open-minded and passionate outlook on life. Whether cuddling with her cats, enjoying Italian food and popcorn, or watching her favorite shows like Criminal Minds or NCIS, Ellen embraces balance and self-care in her daily life.

Samantha "Sam" Chapa is a dedicated therapist with a Master’s in Social Work and certifications as an APSW and SAC-IT. A 10.5-year veteran of active-duty military service, Sam brings unique perspectives and resilience to her practice. As a Dharma Moon Mindfulness Instructor, she combines therapeutic techniques with mindfulness to support her clients. Outside of her work, Sam enjoys reading, drawing, and exploring spiritual concepts, often finding inspiration in Buddhist philosophy and the works of Pema Chödrön. She shares her home with Mazzy, her thriving three-legged dog, and is proud of her ability to connect with others through her talents in tarot reading and spiritual guidance. Sam values patience, non-judgment, and believes there’s always a way forward.

Brielle Vanderfin brings a rich background in education and community engagement to The Production Farm. With a BA in English Literature and a minor in Communications, she is currently pursuing a Master’s in Professional Counseling with an emphasis in Clinical College Counseling. Brielle’s journey through four universities reflects her adaptability and determination, earning honors such as membership in Tau Sigma and Chi Sigma Iota.

Before joining The Production Farm, Brielle gained valuable experience in Career Services and the Pride Center at UWGB, where she led Safe Ally Trainings for schools, museums, and local organizations, and created wellness programs for staff. Her passion for helping others continues to grow as she works toward her counseling degree.

In her free time, Brielle enjoys crocheting, reading, hiking, kayaking, and exploring her love for fantasy and sci-fi books. She also shares her life with Luke, her affectionate golden retriever, whose quirky personality adds joy to her days. Guided by the affirmation, “Give ‘it’ the space it needs, and then let it go,” Brielle values creativity, authenticity, and finding opportunities to connect with others.

Isabelle "Izzie" Schamburek is a compassionate and dedicated social worker pursuing her Master’s degree in Social Work at UW-Milwaukee, after graduating Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Science in Social Work. Her passion for meaningful connections and self-care drives her work in creating supportive environments for others.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Izzie enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, watching movies, and playing games. An avid music fan, her playlists range from rock and pop to country and alternative. She’s also a book lover, with favorites like The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury and The Green Mile by Stephen King.

At home, Izzie shares her life with three cats—Chester, Lola, and Yui—all of whom she rescued, and a dog named Diamond. A memorable moment includes Lola jumping into her mom’s arms from a tree during her rescue.

Guided by the affirmation, “What you don’t know, you don’t know,” Izzie embraces the importance of understanding and learning in building connections with others. If given the choice, she’d pick teleportation as her superpower—because who wouldn’t want to skip the wait and just poof into their destination!

Samantha “Sami” Grathen is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling intern at The Production Farm and a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, where she is earning her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. With a strong foundation in Art Therapy (BS, University of Wisconsin-Superior), Sami brings creativity and compassion to her work, helping individuals explore healing through personalized, strengths-based approaches.

Sami has a passion for working with children and teens (K-12) and is dedicated to learning and growing as a clinician to discover what works best for each person. Her values of creativity, courage, and determination guide her professional journey and her connection with clients.

Outside of her work, Sami enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, listening to music (especially ’80s rock and Elvis Presley), and expressing her artistic talents through painting, drawing, and custom creative projects. Her lived experiences, artistic skills, and enthusiasm for growth make her an invaluable addition to our team as she continues to develop her expertise.

Autumn Bruggink is a dedicated mental health professional currently completing her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling, after earning a Bachelor’s in Psychology. A Certified Recovery Coach since 2018, Autumn has consistently excelled academically, maintaining placement on the Dean’s and President’s lists throughout her graduate studies.

Autumn values trust, family, and respect, and she brings these principles into her work and personal life. Outside of her studies, she enjoys watching documentaries, crocheting, reading psychological thrillers, and practicing calligraphy. She shares her life with a bustling animal family, including two indoor cats, Vulcan and Whiskey; four outdoor cats, Chip, Dale, Jellybean, and Pumpkin; and 30 chickens.

A lover of travel, Autumn recently returned from her honeymoon in Thailand, where she had the unforgettable experience of playing with elephants. Her travels have also taken her to Mexico, where she got engaged, and various destinations across the U.S. Guided by her favorite affirmation, “What talents are you proud of?” she finds joy in staying organized and grounded while pursuing her goals. If given a superpower, teleportation would be her choice—perfect for her adventurous spirit and busy schedule!