REVIEW DESIGN
Ember and Sage Therapy CollectivePatient portalRequest an appointment

Our Team

Find the therapist who best suits your needs.

Catherine Vertalka

LPC, CAADC, ACS

Founder · Therapist · Supervisor

I believe healing begins in spaces where people feel seen, safe, and genuinely supported. Like embers that continue to glow beneath the surface, every person carries an inner resilience and capacity for growth. My approach is rooted in warmth, trust, and thoughtful connection, creating a space where healing can unfold naturally and lasting change can take shape. It is an honor to walk alongside individuals as they reconnect with themselves, navigate life’s challenges, and cultivate deeper wellness and renewal. I work primarily with adults 18+.

Catherine holds a Masters of Arts in Counseling from Michigan State University, and a bachelor of Applied Arts in Family Studies from Central Michigan University. She has over 15 years of experience in mental health and addiction treatment with specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

Areas of expertise

Addiction & Substance Use · Anxiety · Codependency · Depression · Grief & Loss · Life Transitions · Relationship Issues · Stress/Burn Out · Self Esteem · Trauma

Morgan Chambers

LMSW · Therapist

I believe that therapy should feel safe, supportive, and enlightening. Whether you are well into your healing journey or are anxiously beginning, my approach is to walk alongside you and go at your pace. I believe that each and every person has the potential for growth when given the tools they need and a nonjudgemental space to process, and it is a passion of mine to witness and support that journey. I have a passion for working with teens (13+), young adults, and adults.

Morgan graduated from Saginaw Valley State University in 2022 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, followed by her Master’s degree in Social Work in 2023. Her experience includes work at an agency serving the social emotional needs of individuals with disabilities, from infancy up, as well as work within the school system. Working in schools has allowed her to provide individual counseling, create behavior plans, run social emotional groups, and more.

Morgan then worked for two years as a trauma informed counselor for grades 9 to 12, providing crisis counseling, facilitating educational groups for anxiety and depression, and supporting teens and their families in various ways. In June of 2025, she began her journey as a full time, outpatient therapist. Aside from college education and independent research, Morgan has taken additional trainings focused on Stress and Anxiety Management, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Suicide Prevention, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy techniques.

Areas of expertise

Anxiety · ADHD · Depression · Emotional Regulation · Grief · Life Transitions · Relationship Issues · Self Esteem · Trauma/PTSD

A first step, at your pace

Get started with Ember and Sage, today.

Request an appointment

In East Lansing. Online throughout Michigan.