Staff
Marilu Thomas
Executive Director
Marilu is a clinician and ordained minister. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, she graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Journalism and received a dual degree Masters of Divinity/Masters in Social Work for Luther Seminary/Augsburg College in 2009. As a minister, spiritual director, and social worker, Marilu has a deep affinity for those who doubt and struggle with accepting God’s grace. Having worked in a variety of settings with people of all backgrounds, she brings an abiding sense of community to her work as well as a listening ear. A dedicated member of 12 Step groups, Rev. Thomas is also a Mindfulness Self-Compassion practitioner, leads Christian Mindfulness Retreats and Marriage/Relationship workshops.
Madeline Finch
Madeline studied psychology at the University of Virginia, and she got her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Eastern Mennonite University in 2019. She served as a trauma therapist at Ready Kids from 2018-2022, working with children, teens, and caregivers who were struggling in the aftermath of a traumatic experience. Madeline’s clinical work specializes in trauma, which to her means focusing on experiences and relationships that have caused people to sustain a negative belief about themselves. She believes that the driving force of therapy is often uprooting those negative beliefs in order to get people unstuck. In order to accomplish this, Madeline relies heavily on the power of the mind-body connection as well as the strength of the therapeutic relationship itself.
Palmer Castrodale
Palmer went to the University of Virginia for both her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She has a Masters in School Counseling and spent five years working as a public school counselor at the primary level. There she gave lessons on socio-emotional skills, career education, and academic support. She also saw students in small groups and as individuals. Palmer has fifteen years' experience working with middle and high school-aged children from all backgrounds as part of a non-profit enrichment program. She is making the shift to clinical work because she believes in the value of the therapeutic relationship. She wants to help young people identify and manage their feelings in order to feel secure in their daily lives.