Salee Reese, LCSW, has been a psychotherapist in Fort Wayne, Indiana, for 35 years. She provides therapeutic services to people struggling with a broad assortment of life challenges, such as depression, relationship difficulties, parenting or family issues. Some are in the wake of losing a loved one, while others are poised at a crossroads and faced with a tough decision. No matter what the issue, her approach includes cognitivebehavioral, solution-focused, and mindfulness-based therapies. After earning a bachelor's degree in social work at theUniversity of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana, she received a master's degree in clinical social work from theUniversity of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky. In 2007 she wrote and illustrated When the Cage Dies, theBird Lives, a book aimed at giving solace to those dealing with the grief and fears associated with life endings.Between 2007 and 2011, Salee wrote a weekly column, Life Changes, for The Journal Gazette of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Her column then transitioned online, where she offers the same insight and guidance for dealing with life's many challenges ... and cages. Her work can be found at www.saleereese.com.Salee believes we're born as free spirits. Yet, as she's seen in her own life and in those of countless clients, free spirits often become shackled and even obscured. One of the most common cages she has encountered throughout her career has been unwarranted, toxic guilt that's continuously reinforced by a critical, demeaning inner voice, which she calls an Inner Bully. Helping her clients defeat their Inner Bully and rediscover their True Selves quickly became her passion. Personal evolution and freedom are at the heart of her work, which involves liberating people from their psychological cages. This is true whether she's running workshops, working with groups, or with individuals. As one client attests: "Salee sees that their soul is held captive. So no matter what they come to her for, she sees that their soul isn't free. What Salee does is reach in with her hand and say with acompassion-filled voice, 'Come out."'
