Executive Director

Zoe Jack, LCSW-C, MBA has been a professional in the intersecting field of nature, mental health and education for over a decade. Zoe is a licensed clinical social worker and Maryland board approved supervisor. She received her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Maryland and her Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana. Zoe is Co-creator of the Nature Informed Therapy Training and Certification Program, the first nature-based training program approved for CEUs for social workers through the Association for Social Work Boards. Zoe is the author of "Social Work Outside: Evidence Based, Micro and Macro Perspectives" and believes in advocacy efforts that increase incorporation of nature into a social worker’s professional practice.

Therapist, Clinical Supervisor

Matthew is a licensed psychotherapist with a master’s degree in mental health counseling from William James College. He has practiced psychotherapy for over ten years at multiple substance abuse treatment centers, colleges, and private practice venues.

Matthew works with clients dealing with depression, anxiety, relationship, identity, and the challenges of navigating oneself through life. His approach is existential-cognitive-linguistic, which is a fancy way of saying that he uses exploration of ideas, thoughts, and words to help clients gain greater clarity and satisfaction in life.

Before his current work, Matthew was a public school health educator and religious school philosophy teacher. He received a master’s degree in theological studies at Harvard Divinity School and bachelor’s degrees in philosophy at Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Therapist

A Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Katie earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Professional Counseling at Loyola University Maryland. Prior to pursuing her path toward licensure, she enjoyed a career in the performing and visual arts, which meandered slowly toward and within the wellness field before finding a home in mental health counseling. Katie’s eclectic experience has led her to feel passionate about providing and holding space for adults dealing with transition, upheaval, change, loss, grief, stress, anxiety, and depression, especially as these elements pertain to relationships, family, divorce, roles, career, identity, burnout, performance, injury, or illness.

Therapist

Timothy Ayd, LGPC believes that there is no growth without challenge and has embodied that belief by spending the past several years furthering his education in the field of psychology. He received his Master of Science in Clinical and Professional Counseling from Loyola University Maryland, where he received a lifetime achievement award from Loyola’s Department of Recreation and Wellness. Timothy spent several years gaining experience in providing psychotherapy, most notably by helping Native Americans in Baltimore City. Born and raised in Maryland, his previous outdoor experiences have fueled his passion for joining CMHC and he enjoys bringing his passion for the outdoors into his sessions.

Timothy is an avid Lord of the Rings fan and his favorite quote from the series in many ways represents his approach to therapy and to life: “So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”

Therapist

Transform your relationship with anxiety in as little as 3 months with Jasmine, who specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Exposure & Response Prevention (CBT-ERP). This evidence-based approach helps 60-90% of participants reclaim their lives. Jasmine also offers Trauma-Focused CBT for ages 5-18, supporting youth and caregivers in healing from trauma together.
Clients praise Jasmine’s ability to bring clarity and hope, helping them work through grief, fear, and shame. For those with a Christ-centered faith, Jasmine incorporates spiritual growth into therapy. With a passion for nature, she integrates outdoor interventions into her sessions, often held on CMHC’s serene covered porch.
Originally from New Haven, Jasmine has called Baltimore home for 10 years and is eager to guide you toward wellness!

Therapist

Patty brings a wealth of life experience to her practice, having come to the field of therapy later in life. As a mother of three grown children and with a 20-year career in the business world, she understands the complexities of life’s ups and downs. Her personal and professional journey has instilled in her a deep appreciation for the healing power of nature, which she often incorporates into her work with clients. Patty earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland School of Social Work and is passionate about helping individuals across all stages of life.

Founder, Clinical Supervisor

A Licensed Professional Counselor, Heidi specializes in the treatment of stress, anxiety, and grief related mental health challenges. Over 15 years experience in the counseling field and a Ph.D. graduate from Loyola University Maryland.

Therapist, Clinical Supervisor

Tee (she/her/hers) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Nature Informed Therapist, and Maryland Board Approved Supervisor. She has over a decade of experience working with children, teens, families, and individuals in multiple settings. Tee believes in the human need for connection with self, others, and the earth, and collaborates with clients to manage individual and systemic barriers to these connections. Tee brings warmth, curiosity, and authenticity to the therapeutic relationship. She believes therapy can support individuals, partners, and families in responding and adapting to stressors in an authentic manner that builds resilience.

Therapist

Renee helps clients address mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, grief/loss, trauma and difficulty adjusting to change. She works individually and in small groups with solution-focused, strength-based and person-centered holistic approaches. Renee offers genuine warmth and curiosity about experiences for deeper reflection and processing. Art therapy helps people understand themselves in ways that cannot be shown with words. Renee offers patient and empathic support when working through trauma with safety in mind. Art making with diverse materials also supports long-term self-care and health.

Therapist

Providing her clients with a space and partner to safely explore their experiences is at the forefront of every session with Ally. After earning her Master’s degree in mental health counseling from the University of Texas at El Paso, Ally moved to Maryland to pursue her passion for nature-informed therapy. She now aids folks in strengthening their relationship with nature around the seasons, and thus with themselves. A belief in our interconnectedness and that innately spiritual bond is the bedrock for healing in her work. Through a holistic approach, she assists individuals in deepening their self-connection by empowering them with knowledge, curiosity, sensory awareness, and compassion. She is also a registered yoga teacher, providing a foundation in movement and mindfulness. In her down time, Ally can be found enjoying the outdoors, doing yoga, or curled up with a good book and one (or several) of her cats.

Therapist

The question, "Who are you?" was the spark that initially lit my path on my journey of healing and service. Over the past decade, I’ve come to understand that the challenges we face are natural responses to our environments, past experiences, and even ancestral legacies. In working together, my goal is to co-create a safe and supportive environment where you can unpack those challenges, embrace your unique gifts, and reorient toward living your fullest expression life.
I earned my master’s degree in applied psychology from the University of Baltimore, with concentration in counseling. I’ve worked in both private practice and clinical mental health settings, supporting individuals from many walks of life. In addition to my formal training, I’ve personally experienced the transformative power of therapy through my participation in several different individual and couple’s therapies, workshops, and retreats. I draw from this lived experience to foster a compassionate, non-judgmental environment for my clients.
Prior to becoming a counselor, I served five years in the Army and spent more than 20 years in small business operations, including commercial real estate and hospitality management. These experiences give me a unique perspective on the challenges of living a values-oriented life across domains. Outside of my work, I’m a husband, father of two, and an outdoor enthusiast. I love hiking, climbing, woodworking, and cooking — all of which help me stay grounded and connected to life’s simple joys. I look forward to supporting you in rediscovering and navigating back to your path of wellbeing.

Therapist

Shelly brings a rich background as both a mental health clinician and a former teacher of young children, offering a unique blend of insight, creativity, and care. Her experience in education deepens her understanding of development, emotional regulation, and the power of play and movement in healing. She holds certifications in the Havening Techniques for trauma resolution and the Feldenkrais Method of somatic education. Shelly’s work is also shaped by her connection to nature, which she weaves into therapy to support nervous system regulation and creative expression.

Therapist, Clinical Supervisor

Gina has spent her career guiding others as an advisor, counselor, and teacher. She holds an M.A. in Counseling Psychology as well as an M.A. in Applied Healing Arts—an uncommon combination that enriches her clinical approach with both depth and intuitive understanding. As a certified nature-informed therapist, Gina weaves the wisdom of the natural world intoher work and invites others to re-discover or build upon their own connection. Grounded in a trauma-informed lens, she approaches each person with
openness and deep respect, honoring the richness of different traditions, backgrounds, and lived experiences.

Therapist

Anna Stewart, LCSW-C, earned her master’s degree in social work at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. With over seven years of experience in the mental health field, Anna has provided therapy services to a diverse range of individuals in both community and outpatient settings throughout the Baltimore area. Anna is excited to bring her clinical expertise and passion for the natural world in providing nature informed therapy with CMHC.

Anna has a deep understanding of the challenges that many face, particularly those struggling with depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, ADHD, trauma, and personality disorders. The goal of her work is to create a supportive and compassionate environment where clients feel heard, validated, and empowered on their journey toward healing and personal growth. From the first session, Anna will work with you to identify and honor what is important to you. Early sessions will be used to explore current challenges you would like to focus on and establish your goals for treatment. Values and strengths which are important to you as an individual will be incorporated into the therapeutic work that is created together. Anna takes a collaborative approach, considering herself as a facilitator and you as the expert of your own experiences.

Anna primarily provides individual therapy to adults and older teens, with a particular focus on LGBTQIA+ client care. Anna has training in using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Anxiety Treatment (CCATP), Nature Informed Therapy (NIT) and trauma-informed therapies (TF-CBT). 

Therapist

Ryan takes a "big picture" approach to helping others, acting as a companion to clients as they find and traverse their life journeys. He emphasizes aspects of identity such as ethnicity, gender, sexuality, spirituality, and ability, and how they impact us individually and systemically. Experiencing how powerful stillness and nature can be for psychological healing, Ryan deeply values each person’s untapped potential. He wants to help you figure out who you are, who you want to be, and how you see yourself fitting into the world.

Therapist

Audra is an LGPC (Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor) and earned her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University. She has additional training in nature-informed and trauma-informed therapy and is dedicated to providing affirming and collaborative care. Before pursuing a career in counseling, she trained as an actor—a path that broadened her mind to the nuanced, beautiful, and often complex nature of what it means to be human. Her experience in the arts has cultivated a deep sense of empathy and an appreciation for the complexity of people’s inner worlds. This foundation continues to shape her work as a therapist, where she offers warmth, curiosity, compassion, and a bit of humor to each therapeutic relationship.

When she isn’t in the office, she enjoys being in nature, whether it is hiking, standup paddleboarding, camping, or rock climbing. She also enjoys jigsaw puzzles, embroidery, and reading. She is also passionate about sound healing and can be found facilitating soundbaths around town, including at CMHC!

Therapist

Olivia (she/they) is a Licensed Graduate Professional Art Therapist with a Master’s in Art Therapy from Notre Dame of Maryland University. She is deeply passionate about finding interconnectedness and meaning through the creative process, each other, and the earth we belong to. She has worked in group practice, intensive outpatient, and inpatient settings. She has experience supporting people with a wide range of diagnoses, including mood disorders, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, personality disorders, schizoaffective disorders and more. Her current focus is adolescents (13+) and adults, with an emphasis on the LGBTQ+ community.

Therapist

Taylor Byrd, LGPC, is a born and raised Marylander who brings warmth, curiosity and support to each session. Taylor believes in the transformative power of therapy and connection. With a deep love of nature and psychology, Taylor hopes to create a safe and supportive environment for clients, encouraging exploration of thoughts and feelings. Her approach is tailored to meet each individual’s unique needs with empathetic listening and insightful guidance to empower clients to navigate their challenges, and foster resilience and growth. Taylor received her master’s degree in counseling psychology from Towson University. When she’s not in a session, Taylor loves to bake, take walks and hikes, and make crafts!