Meet our Members: Gretchen's Journey as the Founder of Grow, Encourage, Empower

Meet Gretchen, the visionary behind Grow, Encourage, Empower (GEE) – a mental wellness group therapy practice devoted to nurturing the holistic well-being of adolescents, Gen Z, and Millennials.

Gretchen's journey with Growth, Encourage, Empower is one fueled by passion, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to serving those in need. As the driving force behind the practice, her role extends far beyond mere ownership. She is also the curator of unique wellness experiences and the matchmaker connecting individuals with the perfect therapist. Along with traditional therapy, Gretchen also provides parent coaching to help parents navigate the teen developmental years.

From the outset, Gretchen's vision for GEE has been clear: to create a space where individuals can embark on a journey of self-discovery. Through opportunities of both in-person and online sessions spanning the state of North Carolina, GEE serves a broad and diverse group.

Gretchen's decision to make downtown Cary the home of GEE was no accident. It was a deliberate choice rooted in her love for this community and its spirit of growth.

GEE has been located in Cary since 2017.

Prior to being at Cary Founded, Gretchen had an office at Gather Goods Co., also known as Gather-Studios, which is a space for creative artisan work, conveniently located near downtown Cary park.

Here, Gretchen found a home for her vision – a place where small businesses thrive and there is no limit for growth: Cary Founded.

Gretchen is also responsible for curating unique wellness experiences so that she is able to provide holistic opportunities that serve the whole person. Gretchen leads a Community Yoga Series here at Cary Founded every other Saturday at 10 am. Come join her in this amazing opportunity to reset for the weekend and practice mindfulness. You can also listen to Gretchen’s podcast about mental health and wellness on the GEE website or read Gretchen’s book “I’m a Mom of a Teen Girl, Help!”

Away from the hustle and bustle of GEE, you'll often find Gretchen tending to her plants, both inside and out, and visiting local gardens. A fun fact about Gretchen is that she is originally from New Jersey but has lived in Cary since 2010 and has seen downtown Cary go through immense change.

Thank you for your contribution to the Cary Founded community, Gretchen!