Meet The Team

Michelle has worked in the field of Mental Health, Substance Use, and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities for over 20 years. She followed her dreams of creating an innovative counseling practice focused on superior patient care with access to extraordinary clinicians. Following this vision, Breathe Wellness Counseling was established in 2019. Michelle is a National Certified Counselor and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in the state of NC. She has been a Reiki practitioner under the lineage of Gail Allen (Panacea Healing Arts and Wellness Center Salisbury, NC) since 2019. She specializes in dual diagnosis (MH/IDD) with a special interest in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, LGBTQ, and stress management. Michelle's practice theory is a combination of Mindfulness, Third-Wave Cognitive Behavioral Theories, and Energy Healing, she is also EMDR trained. Michelle prides herself in being a disruptor in health care and pushing against the status quo. She is a proud member of Charlotte Transgender Healthcare Group. Michelle has presented at multiple conferences in NC, as well as being a keynote speaker for the NC TIDE Conference in 2022. She is currently a Doctor of Behavior Health Candidate at Cummings Graduate Institute with a concentration in the Integration of Behavioral Health and Primary Care.  

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Rachel has been in the mental health field over 20 years and has gained experience in a number of environments, including: private practice, behavioral health agency, intensive in home therapy, and school based therapy.  Rachel has worked closely with individuals with developmental disabilities, victims of domestic violence & sexual assault, as well as children within the foster system that have been abused & neglected. Rachel is a National Certified Counselor and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in the state of NC. She is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), is a certified Mindfulness educator, and is an accredited Triple P Positive Parenting educator.

Rachel currently works with children, adolescents, and adults who are experiencing PTSD, anxiety, depression, ADHD, neurodivergence, and other mental health and life concerns.  Rachel provides a compassionate, safe, and supportive environment, while taking a trauma informed, client-centered approach to therapy, to help clients begin to better understand themselves and the world around them.  Rachel offers support and direction for her clients from the perspective of someone who has been successful in their own journey of trauma and recovery.  This allows her the unique ability to bring a greater level of awareness and insight into the therapeutic relationship.

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Terry believes life is not meant to journey alone. After 27 years as a therapist and 30 years working in the field of mental health, she shares that she has come to realize that compassion, understanding, guidance and acceptance are the keys to a successful therapeutic relationship.  Whatever you may be currently experiencing, Terry will seek to support, serve and guide you on your own unique path. She utilizes a variety of techniques/modalities (one of the benefits of longevity!). Her approach is holistic in nature utilizing mindfulness and somatics in psychotherapy along with other best- practice techniques. The Japanese art form, 'Kintsugi', is a process where broken pieces of pottery are put back together with gold. Terry loves this metaphor for our life's journey. By learning from our mistakes, our challenges, our times of perceived 'brokenness', we can continually recreate ourselves into our own personal best and reach for our Greatest Good. It would be her honor to accompany you on your journey.

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Lori works with a variety of clientele, with a range of all races and ethnic backgrounds. She is certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Mental Health First Aid USA, Darkness to Light Stewards of Children, Telehealth Certification for Mental Health Professionals and is a National Certified Counselor. Lori has a passion for working with adolescents and young adults. She uses a variety of techniques and modalities to include: DBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), group work, couples’ therapy, individual therapy, skills coaching, expressive art therapy, bariatric skills coaching and testing, grief and loss and music therapy. Her goal is help clients live their best lives by being the best version of themselves. 

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Billy is Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in NC and a National Certified Counselor.  He has experience working in agency and private practice settings working with clients from various backgrounds.  Clientele includes children ages 10-17 years of age and Adults 18 years and older. He is supportive and inclusive and enjoys working with members of the LGBT community. Billy supports clients dealing such issues as Life transitions, Grief/Loss, Anxiety, Depression, LGBT struggles, and relationships problems. He takes an eclectic approach in that he draws from Person-Centered Rogerian Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR).

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Lauren is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Resiliency Educator. She has worked with children and adolescents from birth to age 18, as well as their caregivers. Prior to joining Breathe Wellness Counseling, she worked with children in Caldwell County’s alternative school and day treatment programs, and enjoys building positive, trusting relationships with those that others may have labeled as “difficult.” She has experience addressing such concerns as anxiety, anger, disruptive behavior, and adjustment after trauma or major life events.

Lauren also has professional interest in foster care/adoption and maternal mental health.  Using a strengths-based, trauma-informed lens, Lauren is ready to walk alongside your family as you face life’s stressors. Lauren knows that everyone has a story, and everyone has the ability to grow. Child sessions will be positive and playful, incorporating movement, music, and creative expression while helping kids regulate emotions and learn new skills.

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Elizabeth has worked with children and families as an educator, behavior specialist and advocate for students with disabilities, primarily those with both cognitive and mental health concerns.  She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, then went on to obtain a Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Charleston.  After over 20 years as an educator, Elizabeth decided to move forward in her helping career by acquiring a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lenoir Rhyne University, and is now a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate and National Certified Counselor.  Elizabeth holds certifications in various trauma-informed and deescalation programs. Elizabeth believes in the mind-body-spirit connection, and uses therapeutic techniques and counseling interventions that promote a whole-person approach to wellness.

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Heather has worked in the mental health field since 2012.  Heather is dually licensed as a Professional School Counselor and as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.  Before joining Breathe Wellness, she worked as a Professional School Counselor in Caldwell County Schools. She is a National Certified Counselor and a member of the American School Counseling Association and American Counseling Association.   She is a Certified Resiliency Educator and Certified Autism Specialist. Heather enjoys working with children, adolescents, and families on issues of depression, anxiety, behavioral concerns, ADHD, parenting, adjustments/transitions, and other mental health concerns. She is trained in Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Youth Mental Health First Aid. Heather’s goal as a therapist is to provide a safe environment that fosters growth, exploration, and healing. 

 

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I'm Carrie and I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have been working with children and their families for over thirty years.  I received my Bachelor of Psychology and my Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC. I received advanced clinical training in Child & Family Psychotherapy from Yale University's Yale Child Study Center as a recipient of the National Institute of Mental Health's Clinical Social Work Fellowship. Most important to me, though, is that I am proud to be a native North Carolinian. I am a wife, a daughter, a sister, the mother of five wonderful children and a doting grandmother of three-all fabulously unique little people.  

While family can be the source of tremendous joy, nothing is more difficult than when your kiddo is struggling.  I bet you have heard the old saying, "Parenting doesn't come with an instruction manual," right?  Nowadays, it seems like there is "parenting advice" around every corner-on the news, books galore, podcasts, you name it- all leaving us more confused and more baffled than ever before. The truth of the matter is this: There has never been a child just like yours and there has never been a family just like yours.  That's where I can help!  I will get to know your child and your family intimately.  With you, in partnership, I will help uncover and identify your child's special talents, skills and capabilities. Then, we will work together to build upon those special abilities to address all that is triggering and driving difficulties, stress and causing roadblocks.  Then, we will put your very own plan in place to help your child thrive and succeed moving forward.  One last thing to know about me-I believe in the magic of childhood and the "magic power" is YOU-your full, present attention and your ability to "communicate" in the language of childhood-PLAY. So, let's get started finding your joy in parenting, promoting the best in your child and have fun doing it together.

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