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Our Founder Michelle Rene Hammer, MS, LCPC, Pastoral Counselor & Psychotherapist, is a #1 International Best-Selling Author,  Global Motivational Speaker, WinWinWomen Network Host of BREAKTHROUGH Today w/ Michelle Rene' and  NOW Gatherings Founder. During her time in college, Michelle was nominated and joined several honor societies including Psy-Chi, the National Honor Society for Psychology students and Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society while completing a 2 year internship at Lighthouse Youth and Family Services graduating Magna Cum Laude.

Michelle then founded a mental health outreach program in Baltimore City for adults with chronic mental health concerns including an Intensive Outpatient After Care Drop In Center. Subsequently, she established a number of community based mental health case management/psychiatric rehabilitation programs from the ground floor up for children, adolescents, transitional age youth, and adults in Anne Arundel County serving the Baltimore Metropolitan Area while simultaneously ensuring continued expansion of her clinical skills in a variety of outpatient counseling settings.

Forever having the goal of her own private practice,  Michelle then created Turning Leaf Counseling & Consultation, Inc. Turning Leaf's mission is to help every person who walks through the door unlock and realize their fullest potential by "nurturing the balance of mind, body and spirit". Services include Pastoral & Substance Abuse Counseling, Psychotherapy for Children, Adults, Couples, Families & Groups, Life Coaching, Clinical Supervision, Peer & Business Consultation, Critical Incident Debriefings, Crisis Intervention Services, Motivational & Educational Speaking Engagements, Workshops, Seminars, & Trainings.

 

Michelle recently designed and implemented a BREAKTHROUGH Clini-Coaching  programs here @ Turning Leaf to help Codependent Christian women stuck in hurtful, even toxic patterns BREAKTHROUGH to healthier, happier connections freeing them for JOY-FILLED relationships and ABUNDANT lives

 

While Michelle has provided countless clinical hours spanning several decades serving just about every problem imaginable, she finds individuals with trauma, anxiety and relationship issues, couples and families struggling from many different concerns, and persons seeking spiritual support especially drawn to her.  

 

Michelle credits her former personal and professional experiences in a variety of management levels and health settings to her current commitment to mental health in all forms and she credits her husband & children's support for her current success. Above all else, Michelle realizes all she is, has and will ever be is because of God who is her everything

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Dawn Chamberlain, Psy.D., LCPC has a doctorate in Psychology and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Maryland. She has provided services to children, adolescents and adults primarily in outpatient mental health settings. She has provided individual, couples, family and group therapy to diverse groups of clients throughout her career.

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She has used a variety of clinical approaches, including Client-centered, existential and mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Her main areas of expertise are helping others deal with grief/loss, depression, anxiety, life transitions and trauma. Her approach emphasizes helping clients to identify and utilize their strengths to overcome present difficulties. She approaches the therapeutic process as a collaboration between therapist and client, and she aims to help clients become their highest versions of themselves.

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She received her Doctorate (Psy.D.) from The California University for Professional Studies, a Masters in Counseling from The George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has a special interest in integrating spirituality into the therapeutic process when the client is seeking this approach.

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Are you suffering with grief, anxiety or depression? For 15 years, Linda has helped adults and children struggling with grief,loss, anxiety, depression, relationship issues and personal growth. Losses from death, break-ups, trauma, illness, unemployment, and even moving can create feelings of grief, stress, depression and anxiety.

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While these feelings are normal, they are painful and disruptive. "Counseling will teach you that healing is possible!" says Linda. You and your children, can feel better, find joy and peace, find meaning in your loss and possibly create something positive from it.

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As a pastoral counselor, Linda's philosophy is healing the whole self; mind, body and soul. Healing from a loss is not just emotional, it's a spiritual healing as well.  She became a grief counselor because of her experience losing her husband  tragically at a very young age.  She has dedicated her career to helping others get through their darkest days and be a guiding presence so that they can survive this too. She has extensive experience working with children and adolescents as well struggling with grief, anxiety and depression.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sara Thomas, LCPC has a Masters in Professional Counseling and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Maryland. She has provided outpatient mental health services to adults for the past 5 years. She has provided primarily individual services to diverse clients in the community psychiatry setting with a wide range of diagnoses and experiences. Sara approaches the therapeutic process as a collaboration between therapist and client, with a focus on trust and openness to create change.

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She received her Masters in Counseling from Westminster Seminary in Pennsylvania, a Masters in Professional Counseling from Liberty University in Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Presbyterian College in South Carolina. Sara desires to help people incorporate practical therapeutic interventions into their life to reach their goals as well as integrating spirituality into this process to consider the role this plays in our mental and emotional health.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wendy Dorsey is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Maryland
who offers mental health counseling for a variety of issues including
depression, anxiety, trauma-based symptoms, dual diagnoses (addictions),
and other mental disorders. She serves children, families, and adults and
incorporates a trauma-focused approach, group counseling, expressive arts,
and ACT and DBT techniques.

 

Wendy has been working with underserved populations for several
decades, most recently as Mental Health Therapist at Bon Secours/Grace
Medical Center in west Baltimore for the last 14 years. There she developed
an Expressive Arts Group process, including poetry, art, journaling, music
and movement. Prior to this, she directed an early childhood center for
homeless children and families and founded an arts program for inner city
children in D.C.

She has a Masters Degree in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University.
She believes that counseling must include the physical, environmental and
spiritual aspects of a person as well as the mental and emotional realms. Wendyis currently studying psychodrama and expanding her knowledge ofthe expressive arts.

 

Wendy believe's spirituality is an important part of wellness and has a trauma-informed perspective that uses theexpressive arts with an empowerment focus. She affirms patients on their own active, creative journey towards healing and wholeness. Wendy aims to walk beside patients offering a listening ear and tips, as well as challenging questions and reflections. She looks forward to traveling on this creative journey with you!

 

 

 

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As an ordained Presbyterian (USA) minister, therapist, and lifelong student of human psychology, and as an individual who struggled herself in the past, Laura brings 22 years of professional experience and much commitment to her clients.  Her therapeutic approach is based in her regard for each person as created in God’s own image, her faith in God's desire for everyone to experience the fullness of life, and her understanding, shaped by Bowen Family Systems theory, of the extent to which we are shaped by our families of origin, even if we have not known or are cut off from them.

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Laura treats a range of issues and disorders, but focuses on helping clients work through trauma; providing support to those in recovery; and walking alongside those struggling with self-esteem, grief and/or spiritual issues. She works with teens and adults including individuals and families, and strives to honor all cultures and faiths.