our team

"As long as you have breath, you have options" - Imani Cohen

Progress in life is a process. To move forward, sometimes you have to look back to see how much progress you have made, but you must also look ahead to see how much more progress remains. This process doesn't come without bumps and bruises. It can produce feelings of anxiety, anger, or depression, and sometimes we may lose loved ones or damage relationships while on our journey.

No matter where you are on your journey, I am here to help you process those traumatic experiences, those sleepless nights that keep you up, and the moments that prevent you from being present.

Progress awaits you with open arms. Trust and give yourself grace along the way. Therapy can be scary. Perhaps this isn't your first time attending therapy. Or maybe, therapy is not common in your community and you never even considered it.

We all deserve the feeling of being present, inspired, and happy. I'm here to guide you along your journey to help you reach that. Together we will get to the root of your challenges to help you find clarity and embrace your authentic self.I will provide a person-centered approach that meets you where you are and allows you a space where you will have grace to process, cry, and laugh, as you come back home to yourself.

De'Erik is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Social Work at Johnson C. Smith University and earned his Masters in Social Work at Winthrop University. He utilizes a person-centered approach which involves placing emphasis on strength building, self awareness, accountability, and authenticity. He has over 8 years of experience working with individuals across all ages. His experience in the Mental Health field includes individual, group and family counseling. He provides support with Stress Management, Depression, Cultural Specific issues, and Anxiety. He offers both in person and Tele-Health services to fit the needs of each client.

I chose a career in mental health because I understand that humans are hardwired for connection but life can sometimes leave us feeling disconnected. I chose to go into clinical social work to help people through suffering, to help people reconnect with themselves and the people that matter most to them, and to help people make the positive changes they need to live the life that is most fulfilling for them. I am most passionate about helping people make connections about their past experiences/upbringing to increase their self-awareness and cultivate self-compassion for the struggles they are facing in the present moment. Giving people a place to process whatever they need to process, without any fear of judgment, where they feel understood, accepted, valued, and safe. Empowering people to take action to get their wants and needs met in their relationships (romantic, platonic, and familial). I strive to empower and support all patients to make the changes necessary for them to meet their goals through the cultivation of understanding, awareness, and self-compassion. I will meet people where they are, go as fast or as slow as they need to go and focus on the topics/issues they prioritize. I structure therapy sessions to meet the unique needs and preferences of each client because there is no one-size-fits-all. The quality of the therapeutic relationship is of the utmost importance to me, so I check in with my patients on a regular basis to invite feedback and encourage open communication.

"The most important thing we can do for the healing of the world is to hear inside ourselves" - Thich Nhat Hanh

Therapy is a transformative journey. It is one in which we begin to take off the masks that we are afraid of living without but know we cannot live within. Together, we will gently remove old and new masks, allowing for the opportunity to get to know our truest, inner selves. From witnessing how personal challenges - past and present - can impact individuals in distinct ways, I have grown increasingly passionate about helping individuals to reconnect with life through self-discovery. I use a person-centered, trauma informed approach that recognizes and respects you, in all of your glorious uniqueness. I believe you are the expert in your lived experiences and I work to create a space where you can share your journey, challenges, and hopes for the future.

With over five years of experience working with youth experiencing foster care, I have a special interest in helping children (and families) navigate the various emotions that arise due to the circumstances they are faced with. I help children understand and express their emotions constructively through play, their most effective language. With adolescents, I focus on establishing trust and connection while addressing challenging behaviors and developing valuable skills within, such as self regulation and self compassion. When working with adults, I focus on wellness and stability, while guiding you through your healing journey and equipping you with resources and tools to use both inside and outside of sessions. I draw heavily from CBT, responsive parenting, attachment theory, and other trauma-informed practices to meet your specific needs and desires. I also enjoy incorporating mindfulness, meditation, and body focused practices to connect the mind, body, and spirit, into sessions.

Madalyn Twist, MSW, LCSW-A graduated from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte with her Master's of Social Work degree. She received her Bachelor's of Social Work degree from The University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Madalyn specializes in working with children and adolescent's experiencing foster care as well as youth and adult adoptees. She has experience with a variety of mental health diagnoses and the impacts of trauma within both children and adults. Madalyn has a special interest in Internal Family Systems Model. She is passionate about creating a safe and affirming space for LGBTQIA+ populations.

"Perhaps one did not want to be loved so much as to be understood." - George Orwell

There are times for all of us when we feel helpless or powerless over our situation. I'm here for those moments to walk alongside you - not in front, behind, or to the side. I believe the therapeutic relationship is based on compassion and empathy. True empathy is when someone seeks to understand you and meet you where you are. My goal is to help people figure out how to use their strengths to thrive in their existing environment. Our thoughts, feelings, and actions all affect each other. If we can find the strengths in our narratives, we can redefine the way we tell our stories.

My hope and belief is that therapy should be fun! I aim to show up as a genuine and authentic version of myself and often utilize humor to build trust. I enjoy working with people in all stages of their therapeutic journey. I feel confident that we will be able to build a working relationship to address your therapeutic goals.

Zach Saint, LCSW-A, LCAS-A, specializes in trauma, substance use/addiction, anxiety, and depression. He has experience with a wide range of concerns from working in the psychiatric environment to working in opioid treatment. He enjoys working with adults, adolescents, and couples. Zach currently offers both in-person and telehealth sessions.

Tackling all that may be thrown your way can be incredibly difficult, especially if you take on the challenge alone. My goal is to support and hold space for you on that journey. If you are experiencing anxiety, grief, or life transitions, I will stand beside you as we work to process the impact of those stressors on your day to day life. I am here to provide encouragement and space to verbalize your frustrations while offering helpful coping skills, increased insight, and empathy.

I am especially passionate about working with women who are struggling to protect and maintain their mental health. There are times where we feel silenced or bothersome for advocating for ourselves. One of my objectives is to walk with you as you find your voice and embrace your strengths.{" "}

I operate from a person-centered lens which allows the client to lead sessions at a pace that makes sense for them. We may be a strong fit if you are in need of someone to process or explore parts of your identity with. Asking for help is a brave step in and of itself!{" "}

Hannah Wagers, MA, LCMHCA, graduated from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte with her Master's degree in Counseling. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte as well. She has experience working with teens, young adults, and adults.

Relationships are foundational to our experience. Connection, intimacy, authenticity, and feelings of safety are all tied into the relationships formed with ourselves, loved ones, our communities, and even the natural world. These interactions, or lack thereof, shape our stories, and affirm the kind of narratives we tell ourselves about the world around us. As a relational therapist, I recognize that you and I are entering a relationship of our own. It is my goal to nurture a working alliance that is honest, trusting, and collaborative. One in which you will have a safe holding space as we explore the difficulties and vulnerabilities that brought you to therapy.

If relationships are the chapters within our stories, identity is the color and context that fills the pages. Our intersecting roles and identities are interwoven together to create the unique values, beliefs, customs, and systems of being. Growing up as the oldest child to Caribbean immigrants, I appreciate how these sometimes conflicting parts of self have informed my experience. I also know first hand that stigma and lack of access to mental health services are still pervasive. I firmly believe that my work as a therapist extends beyond the individual sitting in the therapy room but to the systems they are a part of as a whole. I welcome all conversations about how your experiences have impacted your journey.

Kira Rowane, M.Ed, LCMHCA graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a Masters of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Kira works with older adolescents, adults and first-time-in-therapy clients. She is trained in a variety of trauma-informed techniques including TF-CBT, sandtray therapy, trauma-informed yoga therapy and is also under training and supervision to become a licensed sex therapist. She specializes in racial and cultural identity, complex trauma, and life transitions.

“It is the client who knows what hurts, what directions to go, what problems are crucial, what experiences have been deeply buried.” -Carl Rogers

There are times where we don't know where our life is going. We feel stuck, and are struggling with life transitions, anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. We know something is wrong but aren't equipped with the tools needed in order to feel like ourselves again. This is where I can help in your walk through those uncomfortable emotions and into self-growth and healing.

I work with clients who are experiencing anxiety, depression, difficulty adjusting to life transitions, and traumatic evets. I utilize a person-centered approach in which the client sets the focus and direction of each session. I feel that one of the most important parts of therapy is the relationship between client and therapist in forming good rapport. Each client needs to feel both validated and supported in order to open up about what they're experiencing. Throughout the therapeutic process, my goal is to be warm, empathetic, and informed.

Amy Travis, MSW, LCSW graduated from Radford University's Master of Social Work program located in southwest Virginia. Amy has extensive experience working as a clinician in the school-based setting, as well as intensive in-home setting. She has experience with adults and adolescents. She has experience working with a wide range of mental health diagnoses and diverse populations and specializes in trauma.

Growing up a queer kid in a rural area shaped the person I am today. In my adulthood, I became aware of the power of my own resilience, and the protective factors that enabled me to get to where I am today. I want to help other people who have been through difficult experiences discover the power of their own resilience as well.

We might be a good fit if you're struggling with personal relationships or feeling alone in your journey. You may be stuck in a painful past or struggling with sorting out who you are. You might be searching for a different perspective or someone to validate your experience. I believe in the power of building up your resiliency toolbox and finding light at the end of the tunnel together. Each life stage and relationship offers different rewards and challenges that I enjoy working with. Navigating those life stages can be more complex for those struggling with identity and social ostracization. The LGBTQIA+ community is the most near and dear to my heart.

I offer a unique clinical and lived experience with a wide variety of complex issues and populations. My clinical instinct operates through a systemic lens. I come from a background working with families to address tough issues related to juvenile justice and DSS involvement. I enjoy helping people find relief and a better way forward. I also enjoy going deep and helping people make sense of their root traumas that may be holding them back. I enjoy practical application and skill-building through CBT and DBT modalities. Much of my experience has been assisting people with finding and practicing communication and coping skills to strengthen their relationships with family, friends, and themselves. I am passionate about helping families and couples have difficult, but necessary conversations. I often challenge my clients to consider circumstances from different angles and guide them out of their comfort zones.

Tatim Lace, MSW, LCSW-A graduated from Marywood University in Scranton, PA with a BA in communications and from Appalachian State University with a Masters of Social Work degree and a dual focus in community and clinical social work. He is experienced in training others on best practices for working with the LGBTQIA+ community across different settings. Tatim is trained in Family Centered Treatment (FCT) and Functional Family Therapy (FFT).

“There is no greater work human hands can do than to hold a child with a fierce tenderness that says in a way words never can: 'you are loved', 'you are safe', 'you can trust'.” -Parker Palmer

Every child deserves to be a child - to feel safe, loved, and to experience the world through a lens filled with wonder, joy and curiosity. When trauma occurs, it can affect every fiber of a child's being, causing chaos and disruption to their childhood. It can often feel impossible to know where to begin to start the healing process. That is why I am here - to help your child untangle and process the jumbled and complicated emotions that trauma can cause. Through processing with your child, we will explore emotions and experiences that will help them heal, increase their sense of safety and security, and learn skills to help them cope with intense moments of emotions.

I use a child-centered approach, meaning I meet each child where they are with empathy and understanding, taking into account every factor playing a role in their life. In the playroom, your child gets to be fully, authentically them - without judgement and taking the lead. In play therapy, we use the language that all children are fluent in - play. Finding words to fully express how trauma has affected an individual is difficult for anyone, especially a child who might not yet have the vocabulary to process their experiences.The playroom is a place for the child to experience control over the situations and emotions in their life that produce chaos and unease, all the while feeling in their element, surrounded by toys, games, and books familiar to them.

Your child and family's stories are precious and deserve to be held with the utmost respect. To be entrusted to walk alongside you and your child as they navigate their past stories, their current stories, and their future stories is the greatest honor.

Madalyn Kostur, MSW, LCSWA graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Master of Social Work and a graduate certificate in Play Therapy. She specializes in working with children and adolescents ages 3 and up. She is trained in multiple approaches of play therapy, including Child-Centered Play Therapy, Child-Parent Relationship Training, Expressive Arts Therapy, and Sand Tray Therapy. She is also trained in EMDR and TF-CBT. She specializes in working with children and families who have had DSS involvement as well as adoptees and has extensive experience working with different child welfare programs, including Youth and Family Services, Guardian ad Litem programs, and non-profit organizations.

Motherhood (and fatherhood!) looks different on everyone. My passion for maternal mental health sparked after having my daughter and I was able to fully appreciate the challenges and range of emotions that surface within parenthood from a lived experience. I then sought to specialize in Perinatal Mental Health to shift my focus from counseling children to counseling parents. When most people hear about Perinatal Mental Health, they often think of postpartum depression- but Perinatal Mental Health encompasses so much more than that! I work with women in all stages of parenthood including infertility, grief, and loss. I am here to help you navigate challenges and emotions that may arise in pregnancy, birth, and parenthood- including helping you explore bonding with your baby, navigating those terrible twos, parenting threenagers, and staying true to yourself as a parent through the child and adolescent years.

Becoming a parent often changes your identity, but it should never feel like you've lost yourself. Each stage brings new challenges and new things to enjoy and it seems as soon as you adjust to one stage, a new one is just around the corner! Those of us parenting without clear role models of the kind of parent we want to be face additional challenges and can benefit greatly from support to make their parenting goals and vision a reality. I am here to partner with you to maintain your sense of self, your mental health, and provide support as we navigate it together.

As well as providing support to parents, I want to continue my work providing care to children and adolescents. During my five years of experience working as a school social worker, I have experience providing children with support identifying and naming their emotions, positive coping skills, working through depression, self harm, and suicidality, and providing crisis support. I enjoy working with children going through family transitions, parent separation, and social anxiety.

Emily Lee, MSW, LCSWA, PMH-C graduated from Winthrop University with her Master's of Social Work degree. Emily received her Bachelor's of Social Work from Western Carolina University. Emily has several years of experience as a school social worker with grade school children. She is certified in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders through Postpartum Support International.

Often, people experience stress and anxiety if they believe they do not live up to others' expectations of them. It can feel extremely isolating if you think you are outside of the "normal". I believe that "normal" is subjective, and that there is no standard "normal". I enjoy working with clients who are wanting to embrace the parts of themselves that they've been conditioned to keep private.

I see strength in vulnerability. I think there is so much to be said for a person who is able to acknowledge the pain that they've been through. Without doing so, it can be difficult to learn, heal, and grow.

Certain events in our lives can alter the way we view ourselves, others, and the world around us. We all deserve peace. We all deserve to feel safe. We all deserve to feel whole. As humans, we were not made to carry our burdens alone. I am here to help you process your trauma as you rediscover yourself. I can teach you coping skills and offer support.

I offer a person-centered approach and incorporate skills of CBT, DBT, ACT, and other modalities into my practice. Additionally, I am able to perform EMDR, which is an evidence-based treatment that is recommended to treat trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns. I also have a therapy dog named Kay. She is the goodest girl/co-worker. She is an English golden retriever who can sit in on session upon request.

The intersection between trauma and identity cannot be denied. As a queer woman, I am also passionate about helping LGBTQ+ individuals navigate their traumatic life events. Additionally, I am passionate about helping those who have been impacted by image-based sexual abuse.

I am here to remind you that you are not what happened to you. I am here to help you recognize and hone in on your resilience and strength.

Kaitlyn Miller, LCSWA received her Masters of Social Work from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2023. She has completed CBT training for depression and suicide from the Beck Institute, and she received training in EMDR from an EMDRIA-approved organization. Kaitlyn's clinical focus has been with members of the LGBTQIA+ population and those who have experienced sexual abuse. Kaitlyn has worked as a Crisis Counselor for Crisis Text Line, and has extensive experience advocating for and working with victims of image-based sexual abuse (i.e revenge porn). She has served as a panelist, moderator, and reviewer of literature for cyber sexual abuse conferences/organizations.

Feeling uncomfortable is a signal that it is time for us to start our own process of change. Starting this path of working through difficult or emotional challenges sometimes requires deep vulnerability. Opening up and being vulnerable with someone else can be intimidating, but once practiced, it can also be liberating! You may have had things happen to you that were unfair and painful, causing conflict within yourself or with others. It is especially difficult when you feel alone without someone you can talk to, who will listen without judgment. When you feel overwhelmed and you are experiencing trials that are difficult to navigate, it is time to reach out for support.

I started my journey towards becoming a therapist because I know that life can be hard and sometimes it feels like a never-ending uphill battle. I am here to provide added support during this time, to give you the space to be vulnerable, heard, and to share tools that can be helpful to you. My goal is to help you feel empowered to seek growth, acceptance, and peace within yourself. Sometimes you just need someone to talk to, and other times you might need help learning new coping skills. I hope to be that trusted person you can share your thoughts and feelings with, as well as practice new skills to be implemented in your everyday life.

I look forward to being a part of your journey towards self-discovery and self-empowerment.

Kacey Scheuerman, MSW, LCSW-A graduated from University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Kacey is trained in EMDR and Sand Tray Therapy. She is experienced with working with adults and adolescents.

"I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become." - Carl Jung

Many people have had scary or terrible things happen to them; trauma isn't just what happens to you - it's how you experience it.

Maybe - as is the case with many others - you haven't told anyone. Maybe you have told people what happened and their response was confusing, hurtful, or dismissive. Maybe you feel like you just want it to be over or you should have gotten past it already. You might have reminders of what happened impacting your life through nightmares, flashbacks, or trying to avoid any mention or reminder of the events. You might feel numb. Maybe you are a parent and are completely lost on how to help your child recover.

I work with adolescents, adults, and families - helping individuals that are struggling not only with trauma, but with depression and anxiety as well.

During our first visit, we will talk about what is bothering you now and what you want help with. You do not have to tell a stranger everything at the first visit - we'll get there together.

Jessie Ogienko, MSW, LCSW graduated from Emory University with Honors in Psychology and from Hunter College at the City University of New York with a Masters of Social Work degree with a specialty in Clinical Practice and a special focus on Interdisciplinary Practice. She is trained in EMDR, is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), has graduated the accredited C.A.S.E. Training for Adoption Competency (TAC) certificate program, and is a Family Centered Treatment (FCT) therapist and trainer.

Jessie is currently offering consulting services, including Clinical Supervision for LCSW-A therapists pursuing full licensure, through Caladrius Consulting .