Ashley started her own private practice in 2019 with the intention of providing holistic health resources to our community,  establishing Optimal Healing, LLC in January 2022. In addition to being our owner, Ashley is also a therapist and consultant who specializes in trauma and treatment of children and adolescents. Ashley works primarily with children, teens and family systems drawing from multiple treatment modalities including, CBT, DBT, and psychodynamic therapies. She has been working as a clinician since 2009 and has been in the field of social work since 2002. She completed her Undergraduate degrees at BCC and MCLA and her Masters degree for social work at Smith College. As a therapist, it is Ashley’s goal to connect her clients to their environment and the greater community around them, as well as to provide holistic care to her patients in any way possible by working with the natural support systems of each client. Ashley has two post graduate degrees, one in Advanced Clinical Social Work Supervision from Smith College School for Social Work and a second in Advanced Practice with Children & Adolescents from Springfield College.   As the owner of Optimal Healing, it is Ashley’s goal to meet the mental health needs of our community by connecting people where they are, to access to quality mental health care, resources for physical and spiritual wellness, and most of all creating a community of like minded individuals learning to be the best version of themselves.

Danielle's journey with Reiki began in 2006. She developed a life-threatening illness and was unaware that during her months of hospitalization, she was being sent Reiki by a woman she had never met, who would later become her mentor. Not long after her first in-person healing session she felt Danielle’s purpose was to become a Reiki healer. Danielle was certified for Usui level I Reiki in 2006, level II in 2007, and her Reiki Master and Karuna Reiki Master level certification in 2018. Danielle's dedication toward healing and spiritual awakening is a lifestyle for her. "I am highly empathic. This means I feel the emotions and energies that are stored in other people's bodies. I like to incorporate crystals and pendulums to assist in Chakra balancing and healing. I am devoted to sharing this ancient and sacred healing art through personal sessions and teaching in hopes of promoting mental and physical health and conscious living on our beautiful planet." Danielle is a devoted wife and mother. In her spare time you can find her meditating, reading, practicing yoga, enjoying nature and spending time with family.

Shannon brings a rich, interdisciplinary background to her work as a Social Worker and Consultant. She holds undergraduate degrees from Berkshire Community College and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in Environmental Science, Elementary Education, and Fine and Performing Arts (2001, 2005). She also holds a Massachusetts Teaching License and is certified as a Children’s Yoga and Meditative Movement Teacher and a MindUp Facilitator. Her integrative training includes certification as a Traditional Folk Herbalist through Blazing Star Herbal School (2012), a Sound Healing Facilitator through the Portal to Ascension Academy (2020), and a Sylvotherapy Practitioner through Naturalistico (2025). In 2021, Shannon was initiated as a Munay-Ki Shamanic Practitioner through the Four Winds Society. Shannon weaves these diverse modalities into a compassionate, holistic practice grounded in a biopsychosocial-spiritual framework. She works with both children and adults, incorporating art, movement, mindfulness, and nature-based practices to support healing, resilience, and personal growth. She is currently an MSW Intern through the University of West Florida and serves as the Director of Spiritual Development and Community Engagement. Outside of her professional work, Shannon is a devoted mother of two, an artist, avid hiker, wild forager, book lover, concert-goer, and social justice advocate. She also enjoys facilitating meaningful ceremonial and communal gatherings.

Kara McCabe Cross is a social worker and yoga teacher who has spent over fifteen years in educational, community health, and private practice settings. She uses a creative, compassionate, and collaborative approach to help adolescents and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. Drawing from attachment-based, mindfulness, and parts work approaches, she helps clients process past experiences, deepen self-understanding, and clearly communicate their feelings and needs. She believes therapy is a wonderful space to build resilience and uncover our innate capacity to heal and grow.    She became a Registered Yoga Teacher in 2015 and earned her Master of Social Work from the University of New England in 2016. She believes that understanding and deepening our mind-body connection is essential to self-awareness and self-compassion. She enjoys being outside as much as possible in her free time with her family and friends.

Healing begins with a desire to change. Michael Smith is not only a Psychotherapist, Trainer, and a Consultant, he is an Agent of Change. He can help you with your journey to be the best you can be, knowing that holistic health always begins with the mind. As a Masters level clinician with an LICSW, Michael specializes in trauma response and treatment. His twenty-six years in child welfare and protective services has educated him about the impact of trauma on people of all ages. This experience has given him unique and strength-based approaches to his work, be it with trauma, exposure to intimate partner violence, or addiction. Proudly, he has also shared his wealth of knowledge as an Adjunct Professor at two separate colleges. Knowing that learning can happen in a multitude of ways, Michael uses creative opportunities to facilitate change for the positive in his clients. With a passion for sports, games, nature, and experiential learning, Michael uses these experiences in his practice to facilitate change for the positive in his clients. As the father of two daughters, he cultivates his parenting experiences as a means to assist others struggling with parenthood. As a former School Adjustment Counselor, Michael has a comprehensive understanding of the challenges that our young people face in this world and particularly enjoys helping that population establish their way in this world to give them the optimal chance for success in the future. When Michael is not plying his craft of individual and family psychotherapy, he does a daily crossword puzzle, plays golf as often as he can, enjoys social opportunities with colleagues and friends, serves as a volunteer with the Boy Scouts, and spends time with his adult daughters, Molly and Maggie, and his grandson, George.

Kaylea Patterson is a social worker who began working as a therapist in 2023. She attended Emmanuel College for her undergrad and received her Masters from Springfield College. She has over ten years experience in human services and social work, working with children and families as they navigate various challenges and learn to find their voice. Her experience includes collaboration with community resources and providers to create a team approach that best suits clients in their process. Kaylea utilizes play and art within sessions to foster positivity and growth while giving clients ways to express themselves. She also enjoys working with adolescents and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma and other life stressors. Kaylea spends her free time with family and friends or curled up with a good book.

Erica is a clinical social worker who has been with Optimal Healing since its incarnation.  She works primarily with adults across a wide spectrum of problems, including depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties and trauma. She has a great deal of experience and interest in helping people come to terms with chronic illness, both physical and emotional, and enjoys helping clients understand their feelings and motivations, so that they can make constructive and effective choices. Her approach to therapy is conversational (rather than structured), and she introduces the use of mindfulness meditation and relaxation techniques with many of her clients. She firmly believes that people can continue to change, learn and grow throughout their lifespan, and that the more deeply we each understand and accept ourselves the more content and giving we can be. As a therapist it is her job to facilitate that growth and change. Erica graduated from Goddard College in 1966, with a BA in Psychology, and received her MA from Simonds School for Social Work  in 1969. Since that time she worked in a variety of medical, educational and mental health organizations doing psychotherapy, and for the past 11 years as an independent clinician In her personal life Erica enjoys reading, swimming, and good conversation over a meal shared with friends.

Donna Rempell is a therapist who has been working with Optimal Healing since October of 2021. She attended Skidmore College for her undergraduate Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and the University of Connecticut for her Master's Degree in Social Work. She has been working with children, adolescents, families and adults for over 20 years. She specializes in parent-child relationships and has  training in play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy to help folks manage their thoughts and feelings, and mediation/conflict resolution. Donna has experience in various settings, including Early Intervention programs for families with children birth to three, Head Start, and Community Mental Health Centers. Outside of her professional life, Donna enjoys taking walks, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.

Rachel Hanson is a social worker with extensive experience working with adults, young adults, their families, and child protective services. She has been working with this population for over 12 years, understanding development, challenges, and nuances and navigating life into the complicated world of adulthood.  She has worked in the Berkshires for seven years and is passionate about helping those in need, and advocating for the underprivileged, overlooked, and socially challenged. Rachel was born and raised across the pond in London, England. She attended Middlesex University in London and completed her Bachelor's degree in Youth Justice. In 2018 she completed her Master of Social Work at Springfield College and obtained her Massachusetts LICSW in 2025. Rachel also has a background in Arts and Theatre and likes to bring aspects of these skills to a light, vibrant, and trusting therapeutic environment. Rachel strives to support her clients toward positive change with a strength-based approach. Her drive and passion for helping others allow her to genuinely enjoy being a Social Worker. She believes her role as a therapist is to be the translator towards understanding ‘self’ for better balance and quality of life.  Outside her professional life, Rachel enjoys cooking, spending time with family and friends, watching anime, movies, and cuddling on the sofa with her dog Loki.

Keith Jones is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who joined Optimal Healing in 2022. He earned his undergraduate degree from Champlain College and his Master of Social Work from the Springfield College School of Social Work. Keith has been in the field of social work since 2009 and has been providing clinical services since 2013. He is a strong advocate for the well-being of children and adolescents, as well as individuals in recovery, and believes that people are best able to thrive when they have access to the right support and resources within their environment. Keith’s clinical approach incorporates a variety of evidence-based therapeutic modalities, with a strong emphasis on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing. In his personal life, Keith enjoys spending time with family (two and four-legged ), friends, and being outdoors.

Abby is a licensed clinical social worker and trauma-informed yoga teacher specializing in substance use recovery and complex trauma treatment. She started her work as both a yoga teacher and clinician at the same time and quickly noticed that her work in sessions and on the mat both felt in the greatest alignment when she wove the two practices together. Abby believes in a bottom up approach to therapy; that when we are at war with our minds the safest refuge is learning to be in the body again. Abby’s work with others is not just about symptom relief—it’s about reclaiming wholeness and authenticity , reconnecting with the body, and weaving self compassion and choice back into life. With a foundation in both evidence-based psychotherapy and somatic practices, Abby offers an integrative approach that honors the wisdom of the body and the resilience of the human spirit. Her work is rooted in a trauma-responsive lens, drawing from modalities such as Internal Family Systems (IFS), CBT, solution focused therapy, mindfulness-based relapse prevention, and somatic therapies. Abby incorporates gentle, accessible yoga and breathwork to help regulate the nervous system, rebuild trust in the body, and support long-term recovery. Abby understands the courage it takes to do this work. Whether you’re navigating early recovery, managing the impact of trauma, or learning how to feel safe in your body again, she offers a nonjudgmental, supportive space where all parts of you are welcome. Her mission is to walk alongside you as you reclaim agency, deepen self-understanding, and move toward a life that feels grounded, empowered, and meaningful. In Abby’s free time you can find her taking gentle walks with her son, partner, and old English Bulldog Leo, attending a local community event, or making a meal with loved ones. Family, friendship, movement, spirituality, connection, and community are the values that drive and sustain her in both her personal life and in her therapeutic practice.

Megan Heath is a consultant and social worker who has been working as a therapist with Optimal Healing since April of 2022. She attended UMass Amherst for her undergrad and received her Masters from Westfield State University. Within her practice, Megan often integrates creativity into the therapeutic space, typically in the form of art and writing. She also enjoys being in nature and believes that connecting with the Earth and our surroundings is an integral aspect of connecting with ourselves and the therapeutic process. Megan specializes in working with individuals with disabilities, particularly ASD, as well as those struggling with anxiety and depression. She has over ten years of experience in human services and social work, working with students and adults with a wide range of differing abilities at organizations like BARC, the Brien Center, and Adlib Independent Living. She is passionate about giving individuals and families access to helpful resources offered at Optimal Healing and within the community. In addition to offering individual therapeutic services, Megan has also led various groups within Optimal Healing and local school districts and is the current facilitator of the Arts in Recovery for Youth(AIRY) group at OH.

Hadley is a clinical mental health counseling intern, where she supports her therapy clients through a holistic approach that emphasizes the connection between mind and body. She is in her final year of earning a Master’s degree at Sacred Heart University and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Education from Mount Holyoke College. With over 20 years of experience working with children and more than a decade as a teacher in elementary and preschool classrooms, Hadley has cultivated a deep understanding of the developmental and emotional needs of young people. She brings this expertise into her counseling practice, fostering safe and nurturing spaces for clients of all ages to explore challenges and build resilience. Hadley’s counseling philosophy is informed by a commitment to social justice, decolonial practices, and the integration of somatic modalities, such as mindfulness and body-based therapies, to promote healing. Her professional values are shaped by her teaching background, where she developed a strong foundation in facilitating identity work, navigating conversations about race and culture, and empowering individuals to embrace their authentic selves. Hadley enjoys spending her free time with her family and loves backcountry skiing, mountain biking, and practicing aerial hoop.

Amanda McCall is a social worker who has experience working with anxiety, depression, chronic illness, and relational trauma. She also has over 20 years of experience working in the field of healing arts. Her experience as a healing arts practitioner informs her therapeutic approach as a social worker by having an understanding of the whole person; body, mind, and spirit. She has come to understand that when we are disconnected from ourselves, it is difficult to be connected to others in a way that feels fulfilling. This feeling of separateness can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. She is oriented toward somatic and attachment based interventions and holds the perspective that many symptoms are the result of trauma from adverse childhood experiences. She has advanced training in Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) and Somatic Psychotherapy. She graduated from the University at Albany in 2019 with a Master of Social Work and has worked in community mental health settings with adults, adolescents, and children as a crisis clinician and as an outpatient clinician. In her personal time she enjoys being out in nature, doing yoga, and spending time with family and friends.

Devan holds a Masters of Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in athletics from Springfield College. She received her undergraduate degree from Clark University in 2022. Devan has experience helping individuals with trauma, anxiety, depression, and other challenges through life's many stressors. She has also worked with athletes who have performance-related challenges, from motivation to performance anxiety to confidence. She believes that therapy should be completely holistic, incorporating the different aspects of mind, body, and spirit. Her counseling philosophy is that the client determines where they want their life to go, and the counselor is the guide for the client's life journey, along for the twists and the ups and the downs. In her free time she enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Simeon is a native of Berkshire County. He works with adults, couples, families, adolescents, and does group work. Simeon helps clients with anxiety, depression, substance abuse, trauma, OCD, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, ADHD, and spectrum related challenges. Simeon’s collaborative approach focuses on his clients’ strengths. He trusts that the answers come from within his clients and that his role is to help draw out the answers. Simeon’s training is in existential psychology, mindfulness based practices, Acceptance and Change Therapy (ACT), cognitive and dialectical behavioral approaches (CBT, DBT), Positive Psychology, Family Systems and others. Having four young children, he brings lots of knowledge about parenting, families, and managing life's complexities. In his spare time, Simeon enjoys spending time with his family, gardening, being outdoors, and playing drums.

Devon is a dedicated yoga educator whose teaching blends intentional self-discovery with measurable understanding of the body. With over 10 years of full-time professional teaching experience and more than a dozen specialized certifications, Devan creates classes that empower students to truly learn about themselves—so they walk away with tools that serve them for years to come. Her classes attract a rich array of students, all united by curiosity and a desire for authentic growth. Devan’s approach is both versatile and purposeful. Whether guiding students through mindfulness, mobility, strength building, or playful advanced movement like handstands, every element of her teaching is rooted in intention and function. To deepen her understanding of human movement and anatomy, Devan completed an ACE Personal Trainer Certification in 2019. As a result, anatomy and physiology are frequently woven into her classes to support safer, more embodied practice and long-term wellness. Devan invites each student to explore a simple but essential question in every class: “What would be nourishing for you today?”

Lisa is employed as an athletic trainer with Southern Vermont Healthcare. She arrives at Optimal Healing with a unique background involving decades of experience in both an athletic and clinical setting. Her background in dance invoked a passion on how to train bodies- while preventing injuries through the improvement of proper function and movement. Most notably, she was able to apply this knowledge as an athletic trainer at Williams College for 20 years. Her past instruction experience includes the teaching of weight conditioning, step aerobics, slide aerobics, pilates and aerial yoga. In addition to being a certified strength and conditioning specialist, Lisa earned her Bachelors Degree from Northeastern in both athletic training and cardiovascular health and exercise. She then traveled out to the Midwest, earning her Masters Degree in Athletic Training from Indiana State University. Lastly, she holds certifications as a functional movement specialist and as an APPI Pilates method instructor.

Borey is thrilled to join the team at Optimal Healing as one of their massage therapists. A proud graduate of Mildred-Elley and a licensed massage therapist, Borey has successfully passed the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), meeting the highest standards of professional practice. Committed to providing safe, effective, and personalized care, Borey is dedicated to supporting clients on their healing and wellness journeys. Borey’s passion for holistic wellness began with a profound interest in long-term health and well-being, inspired by personal experiences and a deep desire to help others. Believing in the unique ability of massage to promote healing and balance in the body, Borey specializes in a range of techniques, including Swedish and Deep Tissue massage. Additionally, Borey incorporates myofascial release and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation for clients who need these modalities. Always eager to expand her skill set, Borey plans to pursue further training to offer a more comprehensive and tailored approach to each client's wellness needs. Outside of her professional life, Borey is an avid Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai practitioner and outdoor enthusiast. She enjoys incorporating elements of mindfulness into her hobbies and practice. Borey also likes providing pro bono massage therapy sessions to individuals who may have never experienced massage therapy before and may not be familiar with its benefits. Believing that true wellness should be accessible to everyone, regardless of background, physical condition, or economic status, Borey's goal as a massage therapist is to create a personalized experience for each client, using her skills to help clients get closer to their healing and wellness goals. Prioritizing comfort, privacy, and overall well-being, Borey is excited to contribute to the welcoming and supportive environment at Optimal Healing and to be a part of each client's healing journey.

Kiril is a Master of Psychology graduate from a Eukranian University with extensive experience supporting adolescents, adults, and individuals in substance use recovery. He specializes in social adaptation, emotional well-being, and personal development, using an engaging and creative approach to therapy. Passionate about community support and connection, Kiril helps clients develop self-awareness and confidence as they work toward healing and growth. As Kiril gets acclimated to a US University, he will begin his clinical work. In the meantime Kiril supports the front of the house operations!