Mental health experts
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Our own licensed mental health professionals, including counselors, therapists, psychologists, and board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, work to ensure that our articles are clinically or medically accurate and truly helpful to our readers.
The majority of our content is written and reviewed by experts who have specific expertise in the area of concern such as depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, medication management, relationships, self-improvement, and more.
Our experts provide the most factual and up-to-date information. In addition, they offer truly helpful tips that are uniquely valuable.
Our editorial team works with our experts to present this content in the most helpful way possible for our readers. The end product is a factual, trustworthy, and valuable resource that will help our readers live better.
Meet the team
Get to know some of our experts here at Thriveworks
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Kate Hanselman, PMHNP-BC
Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Kate Hanselman is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). She specializes in family conflict, transgender issues, grief, sexual orientation issues, trauma, PTSD, anxiety, behavioral issues, and women's issues.
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Emily Simonian, M.A., LMFT
Head of Clinical Learning
Emily Simonian is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who has direct training and experience working with family and relationship issues, as well as working with individuals. She also specializes in treating stress/anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, as well as self-esteem issues and general self-improvement goals.
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Theresa Lupcho, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Theresa Lupcho is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a passion for providing the utmost quality of services to individuals and couples struggling with relationship issues, depression, anxiety, abuse, ADHD, stress, family conflict, life transitions, grief, and more.
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Alexandra Cromer, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Alexandra “Alex” Cromer is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has 4 years of experience partnering with adults, families, adolescents, and couples seeking help with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and trauma-related disorders.
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Christine Ridley, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Christine Ridley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in adolescent and adult anxiety, depression, mood and thought disorders, addictive behaviors, and co-dependency issues.
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Laura Harris, LCMHC
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Laura Harris is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC). She specializes in anger, anxiety, depression, stress management, coping strategies development, and problem-solving skills.
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Heidi Faust, LCSW
Chief Clinical Officer
Heidi is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Pennsylvania and Virginia and a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in New York. She specializes in depression, mood disorders, anxiety, grief, impulse control disorders, complex trauma, sexual abuse, and more. Heidi currently serves as Thriveworks' Chief Clinical Officer.
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Tamiqua Jackson, PMHNP
Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Tamiqua Jackson is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) in the states of North Carolina and Tennessee. Tamiqua has over 8 years of experience in advanced practice. She enjoys working with patients who may be experiencing depression, anxiety, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), stress, sleep disorders, and other mental health issues that may affect everyday life. Tamiqua is compassionate and serves as a patient advocate.
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Evan Csir, LPC
Evan Csir is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 9 years of experience. He is passionate about working with people, especially autistic individuals and is experienced in helping clients with depression, anxiety, and ADHD issues.
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George Ramos, PMHNP-BC
Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
George Ramos is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). He specializes in coping skills, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and bipolar disorder.
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Elizabeth Fiser, PMHNP
Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Elizabeth Fiser is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) who specializes in a range of areas including alcohol use, addiction, anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, women's issues, and more.
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Courtney Saunders, LCSW
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Courtney Saunders is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) who specializes in relationships, marriage, ADHD, depression, mood disorders, LGBTQIA+ issues, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT).
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Scott Gordon, M.D., Chief Medical Officer
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Scott Gordon is Thriveworks' Chief Medical Officer. He ensures that the mental health services provided are both safe and effective. In addition, Dr. Gordon provides strong, inspiring medical leadership to the health care professionals at Thriveworks and oversees daily operations.
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Zubair Haq
Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Zubair Haq ("Z”) is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PHMNP) who has been in the field of nursing for over 10 years with teens, adults, and seniors. He specializes in depression, anxiety, life counseling, stress management, and ADHD.
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Caitlin Opland, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Caitlin Opland is a compassionate and empathetic Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 8 years of experience dedicated to helping individuals overcome mental health challenges. Specializing in anxiety, depression, substance use, grief, stress, and work/life balance, Caitlin believes in creating a safe and supportive environment where clients feel respected, valued, and understood.
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Armeshia Lawrence, FPMHNP-BC
Armeshia Lawrence is a Board-Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She provides a wide range of services to adults, children, adolescents, and their families including diagnosing mental health conditions, conducting therapy, and prescribing medications for patients with mental health conditions or substance abuse problems.
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Whitney McSparran, LPCC
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Whitney McSparran is an experienced Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in working with young adults, adults, women, and LGBTQIA+ folks coping with depression, anxiety, grief and loss, relationship issues, educational challenges, occupational problems, gender and sexuality-related issues, and the stress of everyday life.
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Dr. Khadija Tuitt, PMHNP-BC
Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Khadija Tuitt is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over 15 years of nursing experience in both acute inpatient and community outpatient psychiatric nursing. Khadija specializes in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating individuals across the lifespan who suffer from a host of mental health issues including depression, anxiety and panic disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar and mood disorders, psychotic disorders, and co-occurring substance use disorders.
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Margaret Keig, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Margaret Keig is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 15 years of experience collaborating with adults, teens, couples, and families seeking help with depression, anxiety, life transitions, trauma, addictions, grief and loss, relationship issues, sexuality, and spirituality. Margaret has many years of experience with LGBTQ+ communities, including work in HIV/AIDS and gender identity.
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Amanda Buff, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Amanda Buff is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and National Certified Counselor (LMHC-NCC) with nearly 14 years of clinical experience helping people in search of therapeutic support and guidance as they work through life's obstacles. She specializes in helping clients who are faced with depression, codependency, anger, low self-esteem, addiction, anxiety, stress, relationship issues, and more.
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Victoria Baca Villagomez, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Victoria Baca is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with 8 years of experience working in a wide variety of settings with a focus on individual counseling. Her specialties include anxiety, depression, substance abuse, trauma, domestic violence, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and immigration/acculturation problems.
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Kathy Pendlay, LCMHC-A
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate
Kathy thoroughly enjoys working with adults, young adults, and children. Her focus is on addressing trauma, low self-esteem, college-related issues, women's issues, chronic health concerns, depression, and life transitional difficulties. Kathy prioritizes mutual connection and respect in a therapeutic relationship.
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Shannon Sauls, LCMHC
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Shannon Sauls is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor with 5 years of experience working with adults seeking support to overcome trauma, anxiety, life transitions, grief, parental challenges, anger, self-esteem issues, codependency, and other challenges. Shannon takes a collaborative and holistic approach to helping others overcome challenges because she believes they are the experts in their lives.
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Kimberly Plourde, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Kimberly Plourde is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the states of Maine and Virginia with many years of experience in the fields of mental health and child welfare. Kimberly has a desire to help people find the strength and joy that can come through healing the wounds from past events. Kimberly enjoys working with individuals, couples, and families.
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Sam Cowart, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Sam Cowart is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 15 years of experience helping adult clients who are suffering from panic attacks, anxiety, depression, adjustment-related issues, anger, OCD, trauma, PTSD, and more.
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David Harman, PsyD
Psychologist
Dr. David Harman is a Licensed Psychologist who has extensive experience assisting people to overcome difficulties such as depression, relationship issues, parenting concerns, and trauma. In all cases, Dr. Harman seeks to help individuals develop a more positive and creative outlook on their lives. He has 32 years of experience in the field.
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Molly Alvord, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Molly Alvord is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Pennsylvania and Maryland with over 17 years of experience. Working in a variety of settings, Molly has had the pleasure of helping people of all ages and backgrounds by providing individual, couples, family, and group therapy. Her specialties include anxiety, stress, depression, and relationship issues.
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Philip Grimes, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Dr. Grimes is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has 16 years of experience. He has practiced in a variety of settings, including inpatient psychiatric, addictions, and community mental health. He specializes in the treatment of anger, anxiety disorders, depression, grief/loss, OCD, post-traumatic stress disorder, and co-occurring substance use disorders.
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Tiffany Stewart, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Dr. Tiffany Stewart is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) in the state of South Carolina. She specializes in anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
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Nicole Volpa
Licensed Associate Counselor
Nicole Volpa is a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) in the state of New Jersey. She specializes in anxiety, depression, coping skills, grief, and relationships.
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Maddy Brener, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Maddy Brener is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in San Diego, California with 10+ years of experience in the mental health field. She has worked with a diverse range of children, teens, adults, and seniors with a wide variety of diagnoses ranging from generalized anxiety and major depression to chronic paranoid schizophrenia and personality disorders.
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J.R. Johnson, LCPC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
J.R. Johnson is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 10 years of experience. He specializes in assisting youth and young adults, but can also assist adults of all ages that have suffered from behavioral issues, trouble with the law, depression, PTSD, family conflict, and more.
