About Us

At Roots and Rays, the foundation of healing begins with a deep exploration of our roots—acknowledging where we started. These roots represent the resiliency of our ancestors and their stories, and also the deep, sometimes ancient wounds we carry. They remind us of our history and the experiences that have shaped us.

From this foundation, a small seedling breaks through the surface, reaching toward the light. Rays of sunlight symbolize hope and the bright illumination that offers respite from the darkness beneath the soil. These rays call to us, an invitation to strive, to expand, and to rise above our challenges.

Together, roots and rays embody the journey of healing—a harmonious interplay of grounding and growth, shadow and light. At Roots and Rays, we honor both the depths of our past and the promise of our future, creating a nurturing space for transformation and flourishing.

Our Mission

At Roots and Rays, our mission is to serve as compassionate guides on your journey through life's winding pathways. We understand that each person's path is unique, filled with both challenges and opportunities for growth. Our goal is to support you in navigating this journey, drawing upon our diverse experiences and innovative, creative methods to foster therapeutic alliances that empower you.

We believe that the therapeutic relationship is a sacred space where trust and understanding thrive. Through our collaborative approach, we aim to create an environment that encourages open exploration, allowing you to delve into your experiences, emotions, and aspirations. By combining various therapeutic modalities, we tailor our approach to meet your individual needs, facilitating an authentic process of healing and transformation.

Our commitment extends beyond just providing therapy; we seek to inspire and motivate you to reach your fullest potential. We envision a world where individuals not only survive but truly flourish—where healing is a dynamic journey that enhances your well-being and enriches your life.

As you embark on this transformative journey, we are here to walk alongside you, offering support, insight, and encouragement. Together, we can uncover the strengths that lie within you, nurture your growth, and celebrate the unique beauty of your path. Your flourishing is at the heart of our mission, and we are dedicated to helping you thrive in every aspect of your life.

Meet Our Therapists

Annie Novotny

LCPC, ATR-BC, EMDR- Trained (She, Her, Hers)

Annie Novotny is the founder of Roots and Rays, a transformative therapeutic practice dedicated to collaborative healing. With a deep commitment to supporting sexual assault survivors and individuals navigating the aftermath of trauma, Annie views art therapy as a powerful medium for self-expression and healing. She believes wholeheartedly in the profound power of creative expression, recognizing its vital role in fostering health and well-being.

Annie creates a safe yet brave space where clients can explore their emotions and experiences freely. This ethos of compassion and support is deeply ingrained in her approach and shared by the practitioners at Roots and Rays, ensuring comprehensive and personalized care for every client.

Trained in various therapeutic modalities, Annie incorporates Expressive Art Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Somatic therapy into her practice, enhanced by mindfulness and meditative techniques. She utilizes a variety of tools, including art-making as a means of expression and a creative space for problem-solving. By collaborating with participants, Annie helps them develop creative solutions and positive coping behaviors to address a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship dynamics, self-esteem issues, stress, PTSD symptoms, vicarious trauma, and negative coping behaviors.

Annie has extensive experience working with survivors of sexual violence, individuals affected by domestic violence, combat veterans, and others dealing with complex trauma. Her dedication to guiding individuals on their journeys toward healing and personal growth is evident in her compassionate approach, offering the tools and resources necessary for lasting transformation.

If you are highly motivated to engage in the deep work of healing, Annie invites you to collaborate towards nurturing the seeds of healing, allowing them to blossom into a life filled with hope, empowerment, and joy. If you are in need of support at this time, Annie looks forward to connecting with you on this meaningful journey.

Book a free consultation or reach out directly to Annie at annie@rootsandrayscounseling.com.

Trissa Dodson

LCPC, LMHC, ATR, EMDR-Trained (She, Her, Hers)

Trissa Dodson encourages you to be reflective about your experiences, supports you as you explore and develop new skills, and compassionately challenges you to help you find meaning, clarity, and empowerment in your life. 

She values a holistic and trauma-informed approach in her therapy sessions. She incorporates therapeutic techniques such as art therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), creative arts therapy, somatic and mindfulness practices, and comprehensive principles of sex therapy.

Trissa believes that our unique characteristics and experiences are our strengths. You are the expert of your own experiences, and Trissa will support you to utilize your current strengths to develop even more skills. She asks questions from a place of curiosity to encourage you to be reflective and honest about your experiences and needs. By tapping into your inner wisdom, Trissa will help you build resilience and find meaningful resolutions. 

The healing process can be challenging, scary, and emotionally messy–regardless of whether we are confronting our deepest traumas, pursuing personal clarity, or simply adding to our coping skills toolbox. That's why we will make room for both the hard stuff and the joyful, humorous parts of life! Trissa looks to actively co-create the therapy space to hold all of these moments together in ways that best support your healing journey.

Book a free consultation or reach out directly to Trissa at Trissa@rootsandrayscounseling.com.

Corbly Brockman

MAATC, ATR-P, EMDR-Trained, Pre Licensed Counselor (He / Him / His) 

Corbly Brockman is a mental health worker and interdisciplinary artist dedicated to empowering individuals on their therapeutic journeys to foster a supportive and healing environment. Corbly approaches their work through their experience as a Queer identifying individual which continuously shapes their understanding of the complexities of human experience.

Rooted in trauma work, they have extensive experience supporting survivors of sexual violence and is passionate about collaborating with them on their healing journeys. Corbly creates a supportive environment that emphasizes the needs of the LGBTQIA2S+ community and provides gender care for TGNC+ individuals which centers a depathologizing approach.

Corbly's integrative methods include creative practices, therapeutic interventions, social justice frameworks, and arts-based activism. They embody, incorporate, and center acknowledgment, processing, empowerment, agency, voice, and a broad understanding of power structures. Promoting a sense of knowing and understanding that we all live in politicized intersectional bodies, Corbly emphasizes the importance of incorporating liberatory frameworks to raise the collective vibration and move toward an embodied sense of freedom by operating from a social justice and anti-oppressive lens. Corbly centers healing justice in their clinical work, believing deeply in the transformative power of creative exploration as a pathway to healing and liberation.

Utilizing the healing properties of creative expression, Corbly fosters an environment where individuals can explore their emotions and experiences through artistic practice. They view healing as a holistic journey through integrative methods, encouraging clients to reconnect with their inner selves and discover their resilience. Through a variety of methods tailored to the individual—including trauma-based interventions, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Somatic Work—Corbly facilitates deep healing and transformation in the wake of trauma and harm.

You matter, and your feelings are valid—you are not alone. If you are in need of support or have any questions, please feel free to reach out. Corbly looks forward to connecting with you and partnering on your healing journey.

Book a free consultation or reach out directly to Corbly  at Corbly@rootsandrayscounseling.com.

“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things,
but their inward significance.”

— Aristotle