A Network of Therapists Built for K-12

Sarah Schaffer, MA, LCPC, Clinical Director 

Sarah is a licensed clinical professional counselor with over 12 years of clinical experience working with diverse client populations in outpatient settings. She is passionate about increasing access to mental health services and knows firsthand the positive impact that early support can have on people's lives. Prior to becoming a psychotherapist, Sarah worked in sales and business operations across educational technology and nonprofit organizations.

As Clinical Director of Gaggle Therapy, she provides clinical oversight and support to ensure high-quality, evidence-based, and compliant delivery of services.

Portia Kresse, LCMHC
Therapist

Portia is a licensed clinical mental health counselor. She is licensed in NC, SC, and PA, and a Certified Clinical Telemental Health Provider. She has experience working in psychiatric treatment facilities and outpatient clinics, with a focus on kids and teens facing depression, anxiety, adjustment challenges, and trauma. She believes everyone deserves love, respect, and acceptance simply for who they are. The best part of her work is being trusted to create a supportive environment for someone facing a challenging time — and seeing them become the best version of themselves.

Outside of work, Portia enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and seeking out new experiences.

Sarah Allen, LCPC
Therapist

Sarah is a licensed clinical professional counselor specializing in working with children and teens. Her approach is person-centered and strengths-based, drawing on solution-focused and cognitive behavioral techniques. She believes each client is the expert in their own life — her role is to create a safe space to explore what isn't working and why, build on what is, and learn new coping skills together.

Sarah specializes in supporting youth struggling with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, adverse life experiences, learning disabilities, and attentional challenges. She is committed to providing a kind, judgment-free space where clients leave each session feeling lighter and more connected with themselves.

Maya Richardson, LPC 
Therapist

 Maya is a licensed professional counselor originally from Lexington, Kentucky. She earned her Bachelor's Degree from Alabama A&M University and her Master's Degree in School Counseling (K–12) along with an Education Specialist Degree in Counseling from Hampton University. She is passionate about helping others — drawing from both personal experience and extensive work with youth, families, school staff, and community members. Her areas of focus include anxiety, depression, sense of belonging, individual counseling, couples therapy, and family therapy. She utilizes evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. 

Outside of work, Maya enjoys shopping, traveling, meeting new people, and spending quality time with family and friends.

 Amy Thomas, LCSW
Therapist

Amy is a licensed clinical social worker with 25 years of experience helping individuals navigate their emotional landscapes. Her approach is client-centered — she believes in building resilience and self-awareness while collaborating with students on their personal goals.

She specializes in supporting students dealing with anxiety, grief, and peer relationships, while helping younger clients manage a range of feelings and emotions. Amy finds joy in guiding students toward their best selves and celebrating their progress along the way.

When she's not in her therapy space, Amy can be found enjoying time with her two German Shepherd mixes, Gus and Max. She's always up for a good laugh and believes that embracing happiness is just as important as tackling the tough stuff.

Clifford Kuster, LPC
Therapist

Cliff is a licensed professional counselor and veteran of the United States Air Force. He has worked with clients ranging from children as young as five to adults as old as 85, including formerly homeless veterans and adolescent sex trafficking victims.

He sees therapy as the art of mutual discovery — working together to create self-improvement and lasting change. One of his core beliefs is that the goal is to become a little healthier today than yesterday, and he approaches every session as a journey of self-discovery.

Outside of work, Cliff loves reading fiction and trying out new recipes.

Lynette Rohan, LMSW 
Therapist

Lynette is a compassionate, experienced therapist who provides a supportive space tailored to each client's unique needs. She works with children, teens, and adults facing anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, relationship issues, and school or work challenges.

Using evidence-based approaches, Lynette helps clients build on their strengths to create meaningful, lasting change. She understands that starting therapy can feel daunting and strives to make the process warm, welcoming, and empowering.

Emily Pearlstein, LMHC 
Therapist

Emily is a licensed mental health counselor and has extensive experience working across outpatient mental health clinics, adolescent group homes, and emergency response social services. She has a passion for working with children and adolescents, and her postgraduate training includes parent-child interaction therapy.

Her therapeutic approach is tailored to meet the unique needs of each client and draws on play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), strengths-based therapy, and mindfulness training. Emily also believes in the power of humor as a therapeutic tool — using it to help clients feel at ease while exploring their feelings and developing the skills to navigate life's challenges.

In her spare time, Emily enjoys yoga and diving into a good fiction book, and she continuously seeks inspiration and balance both personally and professionally.

Iara Sant'Anna, RMHCI 
Therapist

Iara is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern dedicated to supporting children, adolescents, and families through life's emotional challenges and transitions. She believes therapy should be a safe, nurturing space where young people feel seen, heard, and empowered to grow. Her areas of focus include anxiety, emotional regulation, self-esteem, family changes, school-related stress, trauma, and social difficulties — with a goal of helping clients build resilience, confidence, and healthy coping skills.

Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, Iara grew up inspired by her father, a police psychologist, and developed an early fascination with human behavior, emotions, and healing. Nearly twenty years ago, she moved to the United States, became fluent in English and Spanish, and immersed herself in diverse cultures and communities. As a parent of two children, she deeply understands the joys and complexities of raising kids — and the importance of emotional support during critical stages of development.

Her therapeutic approach is client-centered, collaborative, and developmentally sensitive. She integrates cognitive-behavioral strategies, mindfulness, play-based techniques, and insight-oriented approaches to meet each client where they are. She also values partnering with parents and caregivers to strengthen family communication and connection.

Nicholle Terry, LCSW 
Therapist

Nicholle is a licensed clinical social worker based in Florida. Originally from Texas, she earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from The University of Texas at El Paso and her Master's degree in Social Work from Arizona State University. She is passionate about working with children and adolescents — helping them navigate life stressors, build healthy coping skills, and improve self-esteem. Nicholle frequently utilizes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and other evidence-based modalities to help clients reduce anxiety, increase emotional awareness, and feel more empowered. She is dedicated to creating a supportive environment where young people feel heard, understood, and encouraged to grow. 

Outside of work, Nicholle enjoys spending time with her family, working out, and listening to live music.

Hillary West, LCSW 
Therapist

Hillary is a licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, young adults, and families across school, outpatient, and behavioral health settings. She earned her Master of Social Work from Columbia University, specializing in health, mental health, and disabilities. Her areas of specialization include social-emotional learning, family engagement, crisis intervention, behavioral support, and individual and group counseling. Hillary is passionate about helping clients build resilience, strengthen coping skills, and feel supported both at school and at home.

In her free time, Hillary enjoys spending time with her family at the Jersey Shore, exercising, and volunteering at her children's school.

Kristi Willis, LPC
Therapist

Kristi is a licensed professional counselor and South Carolina native with experience serving students across the state through telehealth. She specializes in working with children, teens, and families and believes deeply in meeting clients where they are — offering the flexibility and scheduling freedom that fits the realities of student and family life. She looks forward to every client she works with and believes there is always a right time to begin or continue the healing, processing, and growing process.

Kristi enjoys small-town life in the rural Lowcountry of South Carolina with her daughters, and their family loves boating, camping, and music festivals.

Joseph King, LCSW 
Therapist

Joseph is a licensed clinical social worker with over a decade of experience navigating complex child welfare and mental health systems. A veteran of the child protective system, he brings extensive experience in crisis intervention and high-stakes advocacy. He completed his clinical training at Pine Grove, specializing in addiction and personality disorders, and has spent the last several years dedicated to supporting teenagers with intellectual and developmental disabilities as they transition into employment or higher education. Joseph is passionate about providing students with the specialized support they need to thrive — both in and out of the classroom.