Rooted Hearts: Caring for people and helping them navigate life's challenges with compassion, understanding & support

Guest editorial by Rooted Hearts Counseling and Wellness Services

Rooted Hearts Counseling and Wellness Services is beginning an exciting new chapter in the Western New York community under the leadership of Katherine Patti-Saeli, LCSW, M.Ed. With more than 70 clinicians, three local offices, and telehealth services, Rooted Hearts provides compassionate, ethical, and evidence-based mental health care to individuals and families throughout the greater Buffalo area.

Formerly known as Shurmatz Counseling, the practice has been a part of the Erie County community for many years. While the name and ownership have changed, the heart of the practice remains the same: caring for people and helping them navigate life's challenges with compassion, understanding and support. Rooted Hearts is proud to continue that work while growing its vision for the future.

With a team of more than 70 clinicians, Rooted Hearts is able to offer care for people across many stages of life, including children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. Clinicians bring a wide range of experience and utilize therapy approaches including eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), internal family systems (IFS), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and trauma-informed care.

The practice's Centers of Excellence are one way Rooted Hearts connects people with clinicians who have specialized experience in areas such as women's mental health, depression, trauma, grief, anxiety and OCD, men's mental health, emerging adults, behavioral addictions, neurodiversity, couples and relationships, helping professionals, veterans, LGBTQIA+ care, children and families, and disordered eating. These are not separate physical locations, but specialized areas of clinical expertise within the practice designed to help individuals find care that is a good fit for their unique needs.

Rooted Hearts has offices in Amherst, Cheektowaga and West Seneca, along with telehealth options, making it possible for individuals and families to access support in a way that works for them.

Rooted Hearts is committed not only to caring for clients, but also to creating a workplace where clinicians can grow, thrive, and sustain meaningful careers. The practice is developing initiatives focused on clinician wellness, burnout prevention, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma, with the belief that supporting those who provide care ultimately strengthens the care clients receive.

“Same heart, stronger roots, greater impact” reflects the vision behind Rooted Hearts. The name represents the belief that feeling grounded, connected and supported provides a strong foundation for healing, growth and personal well-being.

Individuals interested in learning more about Rooted Hearts Counseling and Wellness Services can call 716-217-6112 or visit www.rootedheartswny.com to request an appointment. Rooted Hearts looks forward to continuing to be a place where individuals and families throughout Western New York can find compassionate support, understanding, and a path forward.