About Us

Sarah (she/her) earned her Master of Social Work from the University of New England. She welcomes children, adolescents, and adults of all gender expressions as clients, with a particular interest in supporting girls and women to feel capable, confident, successful, however she defines success for herself.

With a background in improvisational comedy and theater, Sarah blends creative expression and humor into her sessions, believing it’s crucial for therapy to feel enjoyable. She enjoys fostering a curious, playful, and warm environment for clients; she thrives on genuine connection, carving peace from the messiness of human experiences, and uniquely crafting care to each client’s personality and interests.

More specifically, Sarah approaches care with a focus on evidence-based modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness therapy, motivational interviewing, and solution focused therapy, as well as elements of play therapy for her younger clients. Her particular areas of experience include ADHD, anxiety, depression, life transitions, and self-esteem.

Outside of therapy, Sarah enjoys supporting live theater, serenading her dog Rupert with pop songs. She’s thrilled that you’re here.

Nicolas is a compassionate LCPC-C with a strong educational foundation, having earned his undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Rhode Island and a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Southern Maine. He brings valuable experience working with children in school settings as a Behavioral Health Professional, and with young adults during his counseling internship at the University of Southern Maine Counseling Center.

In his practice, Nicolas draws principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), while using humor and warmth to build rapport. He views therapy as a collaborative effort, focusing on setting and achieving goals with clients to help them live the life they envision. Nicolas is committed to establishing a safe and non-judgmental space, offering unconditional positive regard to everyone, regardless of their identity, orientation, or background. Outside of his practice, Nicolas enjoys hiking on trails around Southern Maine, exploring new culinary experiences and settling in for a quiet night of video games.

Brad received his Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern Maine. He is a military veteran who approaches individual and couples therapy from an integrative perspective, with the goal of helping clients gain insight and make behavioral changes. Brad brings a wealth of evidence-based therapeutic skills that include Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectic-Behavioral Therapy (DBT) methods to help clients understand themselves, learn healthy coping strategies, and change behaviors. He helps clients examine and address patterns in thoughts and behaviors with the goal of improved functioning and living healthier, deeper, and more satisfying lives.

Kiley received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina and her Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree from Adams State University. Kiley has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in private practice and community settings. She practices with clients to create a collaborative and safe environment where the client is the expert in their healing. She practices with a mindfulness-based approach and incorporates elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Polyvagal Theory, and EMDR. Areas of interest and experience include: life transitions, anxiety, trauma, LGBTQIA+ related concerns, disordered eating, perinatal wellness, and body image concerns.

Molly received her Bachelor of Arts in Peace and Justice Studies from Tufts University and her Masters of Social Work from Columbia School of Social Work in New York. Her intention as the therapist is to create an environment that is open, engaging, non-judgmental, and focused on highlighting each individual’s inherent strengths to foster growth. Molly believes that we are all experts in our own stories and prioritizes collaborating with clients to identify their individual intentions, while offering support, guidance, and a safe space to process anything that comes up along the way. Her practice draws from a variety of therapeutic modalities including psychodynamic therapy, narrative therapy, somatic therapy, and Dialectical-Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Molly has clinical experience working with individuals and couples navigating anxiety, addiction, grief and loss, transitions, ADHD, and relationships.

Julie attended the University of New England for her undergraduate degree with a concentration in wellness, public health, and community service. She received her masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adams State University in Colorado with a dedication to understanding addictions and generational trauma in today’s challenging world. Julie was instantly drawn to the holistic vision of self-care, safety, balance, and creative healing found at the Art of Awareness Wellness Center. As a Master Naturalist with an extensive love and background in art, yoga, and horticultural therapy, she is committed to helping clients of all ages find their unique path to stress-reduction, health, and healing. Julie is a Nationally Certified Counselor with experience in Psychological First Aid (PFA) and Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). Utilizing Person-Centered, evidence-based treatment modalities, Julie integrates elements of Dialectic-Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Solution Focused Therapy through Narrative Therapy and Mindfulness approaches for children, adolescents, and adults.

Dayla is a compassionate and dedicated therapist committed to creating a supportive space where clients feel heard and understood. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Women and Gender Studies from the University of Southern Maine and went on to complete a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Capella University. With a trauma-informed, person-centered approach, she integrates cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), psychodynamic techniques, and rational-emotive strategies. She also weaves in elements of somatic therapy, polyvagal theory, and mindfulness to foster holistic well-being.

Dayla works with individuals facing a range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, grief, relationship struggles, trauma, life transitions, and LGBTQIA+ concerns. She tailors her counseling style to meet the unique needs of teens, adults, and couples, offering a warm and interactive environment that encourages growth, healing, and self-discovery. Her goal is to empower each client to build a more balanced, fulfilling life.

Joan received her Bachelor of Arts degree in social work from the University of Southern Maine, and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of New England. Additionally, she studied concepts of spirituality and forgiveness, and self-forgiveness to assist in the healing process at the Chaplaincy Institute of Maine (ChIME).  Her approach is strengths-based, relational, and trauma sensitive. She draws from several therapeutic modalities including: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical-Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), motivational interviewing, and mindfulness.  She is also a Level II trained EMDR therapist. Joan specializes in helping people heal from loss, addiction, and trauma as well as navigating life transitions—from selecting educational paths to retirement planning.  Joan has experience working with teenagers through adults, both male and female, in community and residential/institutional settings.

Abi(she/her) received her Masters of Social Work degree from the University of New England along with a certificate in Applied Arts and Social Justice. She believes that everyone has the capacity to grow and heal when provided with adequate support and connection. Abi’s practice draws from a variety of therapeutic modalities with a focus on Narrative Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Somatic awareness, and mindfulness and motivational enhancement techniques. Her approach to treatment is relational and client driven with an awareness of the ecosystems that affect each individual’s own path to healing and recovery. Abi practices with a trauma sensitive, culturally humble, and strength based approach. Relational cultural, feminist and humanistic theory inform her approach. She has over 10 years of experience working with youth from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Abi’s experience as a group facilitator, supervisor and therapist comes from her work with Intensive Out-Patient groups for both youth and adults, restorative justice work at Youth Led Justice, Seeds of Peace, the Art Affect, and Young Women Empowered. Abi enjoys working with individuals, families, and groups of all ages and backgrounds. She is a supervisor at the Art of Awareness and completed 30 hours of foundational supervision training. 

Cassie brings a thoughtful and compassionate approach to her work as a counselor. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Maine at Farmington and her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Southern Maine. Her clinical experience includes work in hospital settings, group practices, and assisted living facilities, where she has supported individuals across a wide range of needs and life stages.Cassie’s approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and thoughtfully integrates Internal Family Systems (IFS), allowing clients to explore both patterns of thoughts and behaviors and the deeper parts of themselves that shape their internal experience. She views therapy as a collaborative and compassionate process, one where clients are the experts on their own lives. Together, Cassie works with clients to create space for understanding thoughts, emotions, and internal systems, while building practical tools to support meaningful and lasting change. She also draws from mindfulness, somatic practices, and motivational interviewing to tailor each session to the individual. Cassie is committed to providing culturally responsive, ethical, and empathetic care, and she values ongoing growth in both her personal and professional development. Her work is rooted in the belief that healing happens through connection, curiosity, and self-understanding

Samantha earned her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville Tennessee. She is Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor-Conditional (LCPC-c) and a Certified Grief & Trauma counselor as well as a Certified Geriatric Counselor.

Samantha has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in private practice. She practices from Relational Cultural Theory (RCT), Child Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), and Direct Play Therapy (DPT) and incorporates holistic approaches into her counseling practice. She works with individuals navigating life transitions, grief and loss, anxiety, and depression. Samantha works with each individual to tailor her practice to match every client’s specific needs.

Molly earned a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Southern Maine and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor-Conditional (LCPC-c) and has experience working with adolescents and adults in both school and community settings using a client-centered, collaborative approach.

Molly holds a deep respect for client autonomy and works to create an open, supportive, and non-judgmental environment that meets clients where they are and adapts to their changing needs. She uses a trauma-informed, strengths-based, integrative approach that is informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as well as somatic, narrative, and relational practices.

Molly has experience supporting clients with anxiety and depression, clients who are navigating personal or professional changes (including grief and loss), clients who are looking to improve their relationships, and/or clients who are facing issues related to identity development. In addition, Molly has worked extensively with adolescents and young adults, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and high-performing students and athletes. Her goal is to help clients remove barriers and find new pathways to the life they want to live.

Ida received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of New England. Since 1992, she has worked as a psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, consultant, and workshop presenter. Her therapeutic approach is relationship-centered, emphasizing the development of sustainable self-care and emotional resilience.

Over the course of her career, Ida has gained extensive experience across mental health agencies, hospitals, partial hospitalization programs, and private practice. She is a Level II trained EMDR trauma therapist, a Certified Yoga Nidra Teacher, and a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher.

In 2007, Ida founded Art of Awareness, an integrative mental health and wellness center. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys sculpting with clay and gardening.

Lexi attended the University of Southern Maine where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Holistic Health. In 2023, Lexi graduated with her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Southern New Hampshire University . Lexi is also a National Certified Counselor.

Lexi strives to create a genuine space for clients where they can show up authentically. Primary areas of clinical speciality include trauma/complex trauma, Autism and ADHD, OCD, anxiety, and depression. Lexi also enjoys working with individuals on boundaries, confidence, self-awareness, interpersonal relationships, life transitions, emotional regulation/nervous system responses, and goal setting. As a therapist, Lexi believes in the power of a therapeutic relationship that encourages safety, understanding, and acceptance. She takes a collaborative approach with her clients, supporting them to gain greater insight into themselves to build resilience and improve quality of life.

Lexi’s work as a therapist is rooted in humanistic, relational and strength-based approaches. Clients are the experts of their experiences and the therapeutic relationship plays an important role in treatment. Lexi often takes an eclectic approach to therapy, forgoing structure in favor of flexibility to offer elements of various modalities based on client need or interest. Commonly used modalities include psychotherapy, CBT, ACT, DBT, MI, somatic psychology, and solution-focused therapy.

Joelle holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern Maine and brings a wealth of clinical experience working with both teens and adults. With a deep belief in the power of the therapeutic relationship, Joelle views it as the cornerstone of effective therapy, focusing on creating a safe and connective space for healing.  She believes in the inherent wisdom of each client’s body and nervous system, viewing them as central to the healing process. She is dedicated to helping clients explore and harness their own resilience and well-being.

Joelle’s therapeutic approach is profoundly client-centered and strengths-based, rooted in trauma-informed care and guided by Polyvagal Theory, IFS, mindfulness, and somatic awareness. Her practice is enriched by her training in EMDR, which enhances her ability to support clients through trauma with sensitivity and expertise.  Her approach to therapy is informed by relational, feminist, and humanistic theories, reflecting her commitment to cultural humility and strength-based practices.

In addition to her clinical work, Joelle is an integral member of our client services team, overseeing the intake process for all incoming clients.

Tommy received his Master of Social Work from the University of Southern Maine and has been practicing in the field of clinical social work for nearly 10 years. Tommy’s clinical practice is client focused, strengths-based, relational, creative and individualized. Tommy has experience working in private practice, residential, community based care and clinical case management. Tommy specializes in treating PTSD, complex trauma, LGBTQIA+ related concerns, life transitions and identity work. Tommy utilizes the following modalities in clinical practice: Polyvagal Theory, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Ego State Therapy and is a trained EMDR therapist. Tommy is a seasoned performing artist and incorporates elements of psychodrama into his clinical practice. This practice is best highlighted in his 2014 TEDxDirigo talk, Drama Therapy Changed My Impressions of Homelessness. Tommy has held several leadership roles within the nonprofit sector, and has served as a director/producer in the performance world throughout Greater Portland. Tommy has offered clinical consultation for three years. As a leader, Tommy is compassionate and collaborative. Tommy offers clinical supervision to staff, group facilitation, community outreach and program development.