Counseling and Mental Health Practice
Our Therapists
Our practice prides itself in seeking a diverse group of therapists to provide clients the best possible experience. Our goal is to evaluate each client’s unique needs and match the individual with a therapist whose background and expertise can compliment these.
Amber Johnson, M.S., LMSW
Amber is a licensed master level social worker with a desire to help those struggling with anxiety, depression, OCD, family conflict, parenting, postpartum, school issues and self-esteem. Amber specializes in helping children, adolescents, new moms, and those who are looking to increase confidence levels and find their assertive selves.
As a young person, Amber found herself to be the one friends and family choose to confide in and seek assurance from. Ambers experiences range from working on the Pediatric Psychiatric unit of Johns Hopkins Hospital to being a stay at home mom for five years. So whether you are a new or seasoned parent, Amber can relate.
Amber’s approach to clinical work is gentle, humorous when appropriate, and she isn’t afraid to ask difficult questions when necessary. She uses play therapy, narrative therapy, solution focused, and interpersonal therapy. One of her main goals is to help her clients tune in to themselves and empower them to do important self work. If you’re looking to make strides in life, Amber can help.
Amber is available for both in-person and virtual tele-health appointments.
Warren Herman, M.S., LGPC
Making sense of the mind has been a central interest for Warren over many years. His journey of growth and healing has led him through different phases, yielding his Master’s degree, and his work in a community mental health center. He has worked with adults and children in different capacities across the lifespan, providing support to families as an activities professional in a nursing home, completing training in school counseling and doing volunteer work with children.
Warrens warm sense of humor and empathy allow clients to feel at ease and quickly build trust. His multifaceted approach to counseling helps clients build a full range of coping skills while exploring the different motives that drive their actions. He favors an approach that balances deep listening with practical learning, allowing time to practice skills in and out of session. Furthermore, he can help interested clients to integrate their faith into treatment, and can use creative and artistic interventions to support healing.
Outside of a clinical role, Warren’s interests include faith-based activities, playing flutes from around the world, taking photographs, enjoying nature, writing, speaking, and creating art.
Warren is available for both in-person and virtual tele-health appointments.
Laura A. Smith, M.S., LGPC
Laura comes to our practice from a variety of settings. She received her bachelor’s degree from York College. Her career then began in education as a teacher where she discovered her passion for helping people. She worked with all ages while employed in the school system, and was involved in a number of community programs. Laura then went on to receive her master’s degree in School Counseling from McDaniel College, and later completed all requirements to be a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor. Outside of the clinical world Laura can be found with her family, traveling, hiking, reading, or doing yoga.
Laura employs a number of therapeutic styles to assist her clients in learning strategies and skills that can help them in their daily lives. Her focus is specific to each client and includes cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused therapy, mindfulness techniques, and play therapy.
Laura is available for both in-person and virtual tele-health appointments.
Mackenzie Comanda, M.S., LMSW
Mackenzie is a licensed master social worker (LMSW) and provides mental health therapy for people of all ages. She works with clients on an individual basis to meet their specific needs.
Mackenzie believes that personal development is a lifelong process- whether someone is struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma or an unexpected loss, she feels the ability to cope is vital to the healing process. Her goal is to maximize client’s inherent potential by improving coping skills, communication, problem solving, and self-confidence. She considers the therapeutic process a tool that can lead to tremendous transformation.
Mackenzie desires to create a safe place where clients can discover and talk through difficult emotions to improve overall sense of well-being. She finds incredible fulfillment in guiding clients through difficult times and being in a position to make a contribution in their lives. Outside of the office, Mackenzie enjoys all sports, playing basketball, tennis, camping and dancing.
“Success as a therapist is not found in doing something for the client, but rather in being someone for the client” – Ili Rivera Walter
Mackenzie is currently full and not accepting clients at this time
Ashley Grim, LGPC, CPT
Ashley comes to the practice from an array of helping professions, primarily, as a personal trainer and strength coach. Ashley uses her understanding of wellness to approach therapy holistically with an emphasis on how our mental health impacts our bodies and vice versa. A Maryland native, Ashley received her master’s degree from Ohio University and has worked in the realms of mental health and fitness in numerous states. She is a certified personal trainer amongst holding other fitness related certifications.
In addition to health and fitness, Ashley has experience working in both the community mental health and school settings as a therapist in Pennsylvania, treating clients varying in ages from 5 to 65 years old. Although each client’s treatment is unique, the common thread that weaves through Ashley’s counseling approach is treating the whole person. Primarily operating from a humanistic framework, some of the therapeutic modalities Ashley uses with clients includes trauma informed cognitive behavior therapy, solution focused therapy, and mindfulness based practices. Ashley has experience treating anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, and addiction disorders.
When not counseling others or at the gym, Ashley enjoys horseback riding, hiking, making art, and spending time with her kitten, Juniper.
Ashley is available for both in-person and virtual tele-health appointments.
Kristen Chestnutt, Graduate Counseling Intern
Kristen is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at McDaniel College and is expected to graduate in October 2024.
As an intern, Kristen is looking forward to gaining professional experience as a counselor for all ages, from children through adulthood. She is drawn to humanistic, person-centered therapy but believes in using an eclectic, integrative approach that is tailored to each client’s unique needs and wellness goals. Kristen provides an empathic therapeutic experience where clients can come as they are, find genuine support, and leave prepared with the tools to face future challenges head on. She can also help interested clients incorporate their faith into their counseling experience.
A former military spouse, Kristen spent a decade as a stay-at-home mother of three before returning to school to pursue her passion of helping others. Outside of the office, she can most often be found watching her children play sports, reading historical fiction, and attempting to master new allergy-friendly recipes in the kitchen.
Kristen works with children, teens and adults.
Ashton Burnham MSW, LMSW
Ashton entered this field with a desire to help others. She values the importance of the therapeutic relationship, and her style focuses on strengthening the trust and bond between therapist and client. She believes that therapy is a collaborative process, working to empower her clients and build upon their own unique strengths. Through the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, and Play Therapy, Ashton guides clients to increase self-awareness and gain new perspectives in their lives. Ashton is skilled in treating those suffering from anxiety, depression, school related issues, ODD, adjustment disorders as well as family issues/conflict.
Ashton works with children, teens, young adults and families.
Contact us to find
your path to wellness
15 E Main Street, Suite 114
Westminster, MD 21157
443-377-1865