Writer & Photographer / Christina Cochran
For Katie Simpson, life — much like the roads of Brown County she loves to drive — has been full of twists, turns, and unexpected opportunities. When her previous group practice shifted its model away from employing staff, Simpson faced a choice: refer her clients elsewhere or start something new.
“I had clients who were making real progress,” she says. “It didn’t feel right to send them away.”
That decision became the beginning of Winding Roads Counseling, a practice built on compassion, connection and the belief that healing is possible at every stage of life. The name itself reflects the journey of self-discovery.
“Life can go in many directions,” Simpson says. “I wanted the name to symbolize how life’s path is never straight — and that beauty can be found in every turn, just like the winding roads and trees of Brown County in the fall.”
A Growing Practice with Heart
What began as a small private practice has grown into a thriving community of care. Winding Roads Counseling now includes three locations — serving Franklin, Greenwood, Lafayette and beyond — with more than 35 clinicians dedicated to helping individuals and families.
The team provides a broad range of services, including individual therapy for clients ages four and up, family and couples counseling, group therapy, and nutrition counseling.
This integrative approach allows clients to receive well-rounded care that considers both emotional and physical well-being.
Simpson emphasizes that what makes Winding Roads unique isn’t just its services, but its philosophy.
“We believe every person has the power to change their situation for the better,” she explains. “Our job as therapists is to collaborate with our clients — to help them develop healthy coping skills, gain insight, and find meaning and purpose in their lives. Therapy creates hope that things can get better.”
Meeting the Community Where They Are
From anxiety and depression to trauma and grief, Winding Roads Counseling serves clients navigating a variety of challenges. The practice also specializes in LGBTQIA+ issues, trauma, personality and mood disorders, and behavioral and marital struggles. Each provider uses a range of evidence-based treatment modalities to meet clients where they are and support them on their individual healing journeys.
The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.
“People are thankful for the services we’ve provided,” Simpson shares. “We’ve also partnered with local schools and doctor’s offices to ensure that those who need help can find it.”
These partnerships have allowed Winding Roads to extend its reach and strengthen its mission of bringing accessible, high-quality mental health care to local families.
Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health
For Simpson, advocacy and education are just as important as therapy itself.
“It’s crucial that the stigma around getting mental health treatment continues to decline,” she says. “Mental health is just like any other medical issue that needs intervention. People need to know there are resources to help and that it’s okay to reach out.”
This philosophy drives the practice’s outreach and involvement in the community. By encouraging open conversations about mental health, Winding Roads Counseling helps normalize seeking therapy—making it an act of strength rather than shame.
Finding Purpose in Helping Others
When asked what she finds most rewarding about her work, Simpson doesn’t hesitate.
“Seeing progress — whether it’s in my own clients or in the clients our agency serves — is what keeps me going,” she says. “When I became a therapist, I just wanted to help people. That’s still my goal, even as an owner. It’s just expanded now to helping as many people as possible.”
It’s that genuine compassion and commitment that sets the tone for the entire practice. Clients describe Winding Roads as a safe, welcoming environment where they feel heard, validated, and supported through every stage of their healing process.
Looking Ahead: A Legacy of Compassion
As Winding Roads Counseling continues to grow, Simpson has big dreams for the future.
“My hope is that Winding Roads becomes a household name — one the community recognizes as knowledgeable and trusted in treating mental health issues,” she says. “I want to leave a legacy in our state as a place where people feel heard, validated, and cared for. A place where compassion meets expertise.”
Whether it’s helping a child manage anxiety, guiding a couple through a rough patch, or supporting an individual through grief, Winding Roads Counseling is more than a practice — it’s a reminder that no matter how winding the road, healing is always within reach.
