Team

​Craig graduated from Pratt Institute with an MPS in Art Therapy and Creativity Development. He is an art therapy educator and creativity consultant and has served on the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education. He is a Board-Certified Art Therapist and a Licensed Professional Counselor. Craig's experience includes using an Adlerian perspective in undergraduate and graduate teaching and supervising. His practice focuses on group, individual, and community art therapy in behavioral health and rehabilitation. Craig has presented at art therapy and Adlerian conferences and published on encouraging youth creativity, using mask-making in treatment and Adlerian art therapy

Ev started with the Adler Graduate School in 1991 as the accountant. Promoted in 2018 to Admissions Director of Student Services, she soon became Director of Alumni Relations. Ev retired in June or 2024 after 34 years of service. Prior to the Adler Graduate School, Ev was a Special Ed teacher and worked in the corporate world for several years as owner of four Hallmark Stores. Ev earned he BA in Psychology and Special Education at Marymount College. While she was at the Adler Graduate School, she earned her MA with a concentration in Management Consulting and Organizational Leadership and graduated in 2010. She is fervent about Horizontal versus Vertical leadership and applies the concept in her daily workings.

Esther earned her BA in Cultural Anthropology and Sociology from Mills College- Northeastern University in Oakland, California. She has worked for 11 years as a Program Manager in corporate relocation creating programs to meet the needs of corporations and their stakeholders. Her focus is on career counseling with a certification from Gallup Clifton StrengthsFinder as a coach in applying one's strengths toward self and careers. She gained her MA in Counseling and Psychotherapy focused on Management Consulting and Organizational Leadership at Adler Graduate School in 2016. She worked as an Employment Specialist through the Department of Employment and Economic Development as a career workshop facilitator and one on one coach. Adlerian psychology has been a passion of Esther's, since it speaks to the heart of each and every person's need to belong, feel safe, and significant, along with valuing the strengths of an individual.

Amanda Thompson is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of experience in the field. She earned her graduate degree from the Adler Graduate School in 2002 and completed her undergraduate studies at Augsburg University in 1999. Amanda currently practices at Franklin Family Services, where she works with individuals, couples, and families dealing with mood disorders, family conflict, parenting challenges, marital issues, and trauma. She is a Certified Trauma Therapist and has specialized training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). She is inspired by the commonsense teachings of Alfred Adler, especially the belief that true well-being comes from the Social Interest of connection and belonging.

Susan was a Co-founder of the Adler Graduate School (AGS), and has been a marriage and family therapist for 50 years. In her professional career, she was Director of the Anaheim Counseling Center, Dean of Students at AGS, as well as a core faculty Member. She received the Dreikurs award and a lifetime achievement award from both AGS and the North American Society of Individual Psychology. She has published five ADHD manuals and pamphlets. A passionate promoter of Adler's work, Susan has been a keynote speaker at local, national, and international conferences, and is one of the three founders of Adler Community in Action.

Portia graduated from Purdue University with a B.A. in Journalism, and an M.A. in Philosophy. She earned her second M.A. in 2012 from the Adler Graduate School where she was also an instructor. Portia worked in capital electronic test equipment sales and was president of Engineering Products Associates, Inc., which covered the Midwest. After experiencing poorly understood chaos and the resulting stagnation in major corporations, she became intensely passionate about how the Adlerian principle of Transformation can inspire the difference between failure and success. She also employed this same principle with her students during the twenty years she taught college.

John founded Phoenix Process Consultants in 1984, which specializes in Marriage and Family Therapy, Divorcing Families, Recovery and Care, and Organizational Development. He received an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Adler University, an MA in Reformation History from the University of Minnesota, and his B.S. in History and Physical Education from Wisconsin State University. John taught at the Adler Graduate School for over 15 years. He is a passionate Adlerian, and applies Adlerian principles and ideas to help individuals, couples, and organizations use their Adler identified human assets to live a more fulfilling and enjoyable Normal life.

Heather Thurmes founded Sperova, PLLC, and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, as well as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She is an Adlerian-trained psychotherapist who uses a collaborative, strengths-based approach to help individuals, couples, and families heal and thrive. She earned her MA at the Adler Graduate School, and her BA in Psychology from Gustavus Adolphus. Grounded in Adlerian Psychology, she believes that people are driven by the universal need for belonging and purpose, and that symptoms often arise when we feel discouraged or disconnected. Heather supports clients in uncovering their unique patterns, rewriting unhelpful narratives, and building the confidence to create positive change.

With warmth, humor, and transparency, she empowers clients to understand their choices, develop healthier relationships, and move toward a more authentic and fulfilled life.