COUNSELING
Integrating culture into traditional therapy
Our Unique Approach
Applies a culture-first approach to trauma informed care
Heals with a holistic treatment plan
Builds personal resiliency
Empowers people to be experts in their own lives
Meet Our Therapists
Kinsey Pierre, LCSW
Clinical Supervisor
She/Her/Hers
I currently work with individuals ages 5+ and couples. In therapy, I focus on each individual person’s strengths, needs and preferences. No two people are the same; I enjoy being creative in tailoring my approach to help clients meet their goals. I enjoy using various treatment techniques; most commonly you will find me using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), person-centered, and solution focused approaches. I am trained in Brainspotting, a treatment modality effective in treating trauma, and am currently pursuing national certification in Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). I have received additional specialized training in the treatment of substance use disorders and enjoy treating dual diagnosis disorders.
I enjoy working with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, trauma, substance abuse, grief, relationship issues, anger management, immigration/cultural adjustment, pregnancy/prenatal and postpartum concerns, and stress. I have 10 years of experience in non-profit leadership, behavioral health therapy, and case management for various populations.
McKenna Garvey, LCSW
Clinical Therapist
She/Her/Hers
I primarily work with clients ages 12+. My counseling is strengths-based and culturally informed, while utilizing an eclectic approach, meaning I draw from multiple psychotherapies, including cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapy.
My education is rooted in Psychology, Spanish, and Social Work. I have broad cultural experiences having lived in 24 countries and studied in South Africa and Spain. My professional experiences include psychotherapy, brainspotting, AODA treatment, refugee resettlement and reunification, crisis work, and child bereavement in a variety of settings.
I run the Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) program at the agency, which offers intensive emotional restructuring for clients with significant emotional dysregulation. I have a special interest in working with borderline personality disorder and complex trauma.
Other roles for me include assisting in managing satellite programs where therapists serve in alternative community settings, running the internship program for training therapists, and providing continuing education trainings to healthcare providers.
I am a LGBTQIA+ safe therapist with experience providing services for transgender individuals seeking transition, support, and resources.
Isaac Kabacinski, APSW
Clinical Therapist
He/Him/His
My undergraduate and graduate studies consist of criminal justice, psychology, and social work. I work with clients ages 5+ and adults with a wide range of challenges. I incorporate a variety of therapeutic approaches for my interventions including strengths-based, person-centered, and solution focused and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I believe in taking a nonjudgmental approach that creates a safe space when collaborating with my clients to develop their own individualized treatment plan that best suits their needs.
I have experience working with children and youth at an intensive outpatient day treatment program, summer camp, private practice, and in-home settings. I specialize in working with the LGBTQ+ community from my experiences as an intern at the UWGB Pride Center, Director of the LGBT+ Center in Marinette, and therapist. I was a P.B. Poorman Award recipient in 2019 for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People and enjoy being a part of the transitioning process for transgender individuals.
Trisha Picard, LCSW
Clinical Therapist
She/Her/Hers
My counseling approach is grounded in the belief that all people possess the potential for growth and the ability to recover from adversity. I currently work with individuals age 15 and older, and have specialized training in grief support, working with caregivers, and working with aging populations. I most commonly utilize cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness approaches through a person-centered and strength-based lens. I am also trained in brainspotting, a powerful technique that combines brain-based and talk therapies. My ten years of experience in nonprofit, residential, outpatient, and community settings have allowed me to work with a variety of complex issues ranging from depression, anxiety, substance abuse, trauma/PTSD, domestic violence, grief and loss, dementia, and family conflict.
As your therapist I want you to feel empowered, understood, and supported, but also challenged to move forward toward your goals. I enjoy collaborating and walking with clients as they gain insight, build new skills, and learn to manage life’s stressors.
Chloe Anderson Kemp, LCSW
Clinical Therapist
She/Her/Hers
I work with individuals 5+ and adults from any backgrounds with an array of challenges. I describe my practice style as person-centered, anti-oppression, solution-focused, strength-based, and trauma informed. You will often find me using psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or play therapy techniques in session. I am also trained in Brainspotting 1 and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
I am someone who treats clients like the experts that they are of themselves. Through my training and background, I have a special focus in LGBTQIA+ individuals and children. My goal in supporting youth and their families is to provide psychoeducation while encouraging caregivers and supports to create the opportunity for validation, open dialogue, and autonomy.
I earned a Master of Social Work with an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health degree from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay in 2019. In addition to outpatient work, I have experience in intensive in-home systemic therapy for children and their families, in-home therapy for children on the Autism Spectrum, in-home respite care for children with different abilities, and group work with LGBTQIA+ youth.
In addition to my work at Us 2, I enjoy camping, watching movies, cooking, trying local cuisine, and spending time with friends/family.
Pakou Thao, MSW, APSW
Clinical Therapist
She/Her/Hers
I am a first-generation Hmong American and bilingual in Hmong and English. My professional experience started when I volunteered as a Hmong interpreter at the Madison Headstart Program for children and parents during my undergraduate studies. I worked in several administrative support roles in higher education for six years until I found my passion for helping others to navigate resources and with diversity, equity and inclusion. This has led me to the path of pursuing a Master of Social Work in a clinical setting and to continue serving diverse populations in the community.
My approach is meeting clients where they are at and empowering clients to be experts in their own lives. I would say my therapy style is integrative, using evidence-based techniques and different therapeutic methods best suited for the person's needs. Some of these include cognitive-based therapy (CBT), solutions-based therapy (SBT), strengths-based, mindfulness techniques, and am trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), while applying a cultural lens to all approaches and methods. I've worked with multiple maters involving anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, self-esteem, and behavioral and anger management, from ages 5+. I am also a part of the HOPE counseling program at Neenah Joint School District to provide clinical mental health therapy to elementary level children in a school setting.
On my free time, I like to watch movies and series on Netflix, bake bread, play tennis, and spend time with family.
Leah Amboise, MSW, APSW
Clinical Therapist
She/Her/Hers
Leah is a biracial, bilingual advanced practice social worker committed to treating individuals, couples, and families. Her clinical interests lie in treating anxiety, depression, generational and complex trauma as well as working with Black mental health, immigrants and refugees, and marginalized populations.
Leah is passionate about working with people of all ages from diverse backgrounds, and is focused on providing culturally comprehensive, trauma-informed, and strengths based care. Her multicultural personal and professional experiences have helped her better understand and connect with diverse clientele. Leah shares a unique perspective from personal experiences of being adopted, growing up as a biracial woman, and learning what cultural identity means to each individual person.
Leah has a bachelors degree in Youth Studies from the University of Minnesota, and Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. She has traveled to many different countries, and has also lived and raised her family abroad.
Jenni McKay, LPC-IT
Clinical Therapist
She/Her/Hers
I earned my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2019 and as a Licensed Professional Counseling- In Training, I am currently working towards 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience required to obtain full licensure. I currently serve adults and adolescents age 12 and older from any background with a variety of challenges. I approach counseling from a trauma-informed, person-centered, strengths-based lens. I commonly utilize Cognitive- Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and narrative therapy techniques to empower my clients and bolster their resilience.
I have experience providing brief intervention, risk assessment and coaching services for students in a variety of educational settings including University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Madison Area Technical College. I also have experience working with the LGBTQIA+ community, providing holistic support services and advocacy within the college setting. I am a Safe Zone training facilitator, and currently facilitate monthly workshops for students, faculty and staff at Madison Area Technical College.
In my free time, you can typically find me outdoors either hiking, camping or birding with my husband and two dogs. I also enjoy drawing, painting, ceramics, yoga, and spending time with my family on my parent's 5th generation farm.
Pa Dra Lee, LPC-IT
Clinical Therapist
She/Her/Hers
I am a recent graduate from UW- Stout, earning my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I am currently working toward my full licensure to be a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I believe that every individual is unique and can find many different avenues to meeting their goals, which is why I take an eclectic approach to therapy. I often utilizing person-centered, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, feminist theory, trauma-informed care, and creative modalities. When I meet with my clients, I strive to create a plan that revolves around them and who they are or want to be.
During my internship, I received experience working with youths ages 5-17, in several different settings. I was able to provide my services in outpatient day treatment programs, outpatient individual therapy, school-based therapy, family therapy, and telehealth. Before this, I worked at a center-based autism program, with children ages 4-15. I also had the privilege to serve the Eau Claire community through AmeriCorps during my undergraduate years at UW- Eau Claire, by teaming up with a headstart site, cooking and serving at a local food pantry and creating activities for public educational events.
Ashley Thao, MSW, APSW
Clinical Therapist
She/Her/Hers
I am a first-generation HMoob American woman who strives to empower and uplift marginalized individuals. I graduated with my Master’s in Social Work emphasizing in Clinical Mental Health. My goals are to support individuals on their journey to find their own healing as well as address barriers that marginalized individuals may face when it comes to mental health in the community and destigmatized what mental health means. I am excited to take this journey as a Clinical Therapist here at Us 2 Behavioral Health Care and see how I will develop new skillsets to better serve my clients.
On my free time, I enjoy adventuring with my daughter and binge-watching Netflix series.
Beth Specht, MSW, APSW
Clinical Therapist
She/Her/Hers
I primarily work with clients ages 12 and up who struggle with a variety of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, adjustment, grief, relationship issues, parenting concerns, self-esteem and life transitions.
My practice style is person-centered, and I believe the client is the expert in their own life. I often utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, and Solution Focused Therapy techniques to guide my practice.
I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh and a Master of Social Work with an emphasis on Mental Health from the University of Wisconsin- Green Bay.
I have experience working with both adults and children in a variety of clinical settings including inpatient psychiatric hospital, outpatient mental health clinic, Neonatal Intensive Care unit, and outpatient pediatric medical clinic.
I have a special interest in perinatal mood disorders, and greatly enjoy walking alongside mothers as they transition through the many stages of motherhood. I also enjoy helping families navigate chronic medical diagnoses, specifically Type I diabetes in the pediatric population.
In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking, and listening to podcasts.
Jessica Plascencia
MSW Intern
She/Her/Hers
I am a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, pursuing my master’s degree in Social Work with an emphasis in Clinical/Mental Health. I identify as Mexican-American and I am passionate about working with, and for, underrepresented populations, specifically undocumented, refugee, and asylum-seeking individuals. My future career goals relate to being an advocate and expanding resource access for these populations. I have experience working in legal, higher education, and non-profit organization settings. My goal during my time at Us2 Behavioral Healthcare is to empower and support the client’s that I work with and to deepen my understanding of different therapeutic and culturally competent approaches. I look forward to broadening my experience working with diverse individuals in a counseling setting.
My undergraduate degree is in Psychology, Spanish, and Social Justice from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. During my undergraduate career I had the opportunity to study abroad in Spain and I hope to study abroad again before finishing my graduate studies. Aside from traveling, I also enjoy spending time with my family, trying new restaurants, and I am an avid coffee drinker.
Melissa Laughlin Holtz
MSW Clinical Intern
She/Her/Hers
I’m a MSW student with University of Wisconsin-Green Bay completing my clinical fieldwork with Us 2 Behavioral Health Care. I have an array of experience working with youth, adults, and families, as well as individuals who are living with mental health conditions, physical, intellectual, cognitive, neurological, and developmental disorders.
I believe that your story, your pain, and your collection of struggles are unique to you. Which is why I value the importance of highlighting and exploring the unique strengths and resilience in those who I work with to help encourage hope, confidence, healing, and growth as we move together toward achieving your counseling and personal goals.
In my free time, you can find me reading, being active, enjoying the outdoors, listening to music/podcasts, watching movies, and spending time with friends, family, and my fur children.
Carrie Kraemer
MSW Intern
She/her/hers
I am a MSW student with University of Wisconsin Green Bay who is completing my specialized year of the program. I earned my undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. I have extensive experience working with adults living with mental health concerns. This includes working in various settings, including client homes, inpatient, and in other community settings. My approach is person centered and strengths based which includes meeting the individual where they are at. I believe that individuals who are in charge of their treatment are the most successful.
In my free time I like to read, binge watch Netflix, travel, and garden. I also love spending time with my family as well as our dogs.
Call to schedule an appointment
(920) 903-1060
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