Executive Director / Counselor – MS, LMHC, SUDP, DVIC, EMDR certified, IFS level 1 trained 

Kelly began at Belair Clinic in late 2011 as an intern and assumed the role of executive director in 2021 changing the name to Clarity Mental Health & Recovery to better reflect the agency’s values and approach to mental wellbeing.  Kelly earned an ATA degree at Skagit Valley College in Chemical Dependency Counseling and went on to earn a BA at Western Washington University in Human Services. in 2022, Kelly graduated with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. This advanced training allows Kelly to diagnose and treat more complex co-occurring disorders. Kelly is highly skilled in group therapy and brings enthusiasm, fun and humor into his approach with both the intensive outpatient and mindfulness training program. His interest in Buddhist psychology has shaped his theoretical approach to counseling, with expressed interests in mindfulness based therapies including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention. Kelly is an EMDR certified therapist and consultant in training, as well as level 1 IFS trained with the IFS institute. Kelly is also highly skilled at Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and 12-step treatment models. Kelly’s dog, Shadow, is also a normal visitor to the office, providing emotional support and friendly greetings to his clients.

Kelly has maintained his personal sobriety since February of 2011 and has been a regular participant in local support groups. He also founded a local Refuge Recovery meeting in 2015, which uses a Buddhist framework for recovery. This is an international organization, and he currently works with his own Buddhist recovery mentor.

DVIT supervisor: Laurie Ellett LICSW, SUDP, DVIT supv. – Helping Professionals Wellness Center

EMDR supervisor: Kristin Kelly LPPC-S, LICDC, CTTS – Imagine Recovery Counseling

Consulting Program Director – Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Portman is a private practice psychologist with specialties in treating people struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship, and addiction challenges. He has directed inpatient and outpatient, freestanding and hospital-based, addiction treatment programs. He has a long history of teaching courses and seminars in assessment and management of co-occurring disorders, clinical supervision, and ethics in clinical practice. He is the author of The New Template for Recovery: How to Quit Drinking and Build a Better Life.

Psy.D. Clinical Psychologist – EMDR certified 

Dr. Laura Andrews came out of retirement to join the Clarity team in 2021. Dr. Andrews is extensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and integrates DBT, Mindfulness practices and Solution Focused Therapy. In 2022 Dr. Andrews was certified in EMDR to help clients that struggle with difficult memories and emotions. Laura was born and raised in Honolulu, HI and has been married since 1990. She and her husband raised two children, four dogs, and three cats. When the kids decided to stay on the mainland after college, the parents decided it was time for a new and exciting adventure and moved to Bellingham in 2018. Before starting at Clarity, Dr. Andrews earned a doctorate degree in psychology from Argosy University and worked in private practice in Hawaii. Dr. Andrews is a welcome member to the team bringing years of experience and enthusiasm for mental health and recovery.

Laura brings with her over 35 years of recovery and is an active member in support groups around Whatcom County.

Laura is on sabbatical for 2026 and will not be taking new clients. She remains on staff for supervision and consultation.

Counselor – PhD, LPC, NCC, LMHC

Brenda is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with more than two decades of experience supporting individuals through anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, identity development, and periods of significant personal change. She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling and Human Services from the University of Idaho and has an extensive background in independent living, vocational rehabilitation, case management, and community mental health. Her clinical approach blends practical, evidence‑based tools with deeper narrative and trauma‑informed exploration, drawing from CBT, DBT, ACT, narrative therapy, and existential frameworks. Brenda is known for creating a warm, collaborative, and grounded therapeutic environment where clients can examine their stories, clarify their values, and build meaningful, sustainable change. She believes there is no “wrong way” to heal and works alongside clients to cultivate resilience, insight, and a life that feels authentic and aligned with who they want to be. Brenda provides both individual and family services and serves the families attending our PHP program.

Counselor – PsyD, LMHC

Brittany joined the Clarity MHR team in 2022, bringing with her more than 13 years of education and experience in settings that range from inpatient facilities, outpatient care and working with juveniles in the criminal justice system. Brittany graduated with a PsyD in Clinical Forensic Psychology in 2012 and added training in Substance Use Disorders in 2021. Brittany utilizes a collection of different therapeutic modalities, believing in the need for unique therapies to fit each unique individual. She believes in breaking down barriers of social inequality which can create anxiety, depression, and trauma. Brittany believes that therapy is the creation of a healthy relationship that demonstrates appropriate boundaries wherein we learn to communicate with each other about who we are as people. She strives to create a safe and nonjudgmental space where people can work to be their most amazing and authentic selves. Brittany works to model healthy boundaries, appropriate self-disclosure, and continued self-evaluation to help clients understand the need for ongoing growth as an imperfect human. The goal is to transition the skill development, skill strengthening, psychoeducation, and communication that we do together into your everyday life. Her main theoretical orientations are cognitive behavioral therapies, solution focused therapies, and choice theory.

Counselor – MS, LMHC, CMHS

Connie Guy is a licensed mental health counselor dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges with compassion and clarity. With over a decade of clinical experience, she provides a supportive, client-centered environment where people of all ages can feel heard, understood, and empowered.

Connie specializes in treating anxiety, depression, and trauma, and has extensive experience working with clients facing relationship difficulties, grief, life transitions, and stress-related concerns. Her approach is rooted in evidence-based practices, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and EMDR, allowing her to tailor treatment to each client’s unique needs and goals.

Known for her warm and collaborative style, Connie is committed to creating a safe space where healing and personal growth can take place. Whether working with children, teens, or adults, she strives to help clients build resilience, develop practical coping skills, and move toward a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Connie offers both in-person and telehealth sessions, making therapy accessible and flexible for those she serves in the Ferndale, Washington community and beyond.

Counselor – MS, LMHCA

Crystal earned her master’s degree from Walden University. She is EMDR trained by EMDRIA and holds a Level 1 certification from the Internal Family Systems (IFS) Institute. Crystal also offers listening therapy with the Safe and Sound Protocol.
Crystal primarily works with complex trauma, reactivity in relationships, and attachment issues.
She has years of experience in community-based diversity groups and has been working in clinical mental health as a therapist, harm reduction specialist, supervisor and mentor for over 2 years. 
She is well versed in trauma care and is passionate about empowering people of all identities to create peaceful and fulfilling relationships, families and lives through compassionate and trauma-informed care.
Crystal works with teens (13+) and adults, couples and families and  is contracted with a wide variety of insurance providers.

Supervisor: Connie Guy LMHC, CMHS

Counselor – MSW, LICSWA

Hilary joined Clarity Counseling in January 2026. She holds a Master’s in Social Work from Boise State University and a Bachelor’s in Sociology, with a minor in Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies, from Western Washington University. Her practice is strengths-based and grounded in the belief that every individual has the capacity for growth and change. She works collaboratively and empowers clients to recognize their ability to heal and realize their potential for happiness and fulfillment. Hilary is passionate about supporting LGBTQIA+ clients and strives to create an inclusive, affirming environment where all identities feel respected and understood. Outside of work, Hilary enjoys RPG gaming, watching films, practicing yoga, and spending quality time with family

Supervisor: Laurie Ellett LICSW, SUDP, DVIT and Brittany Lawlyer LMHC

Counselor – MSW, LICSWA

Rebecca joined Clarity Counseling in March 2026. She holds a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Georgia. Rebecca’s goal is to provide a safe and compassionate space to process your experiences, cope with distressing emotions, and promote healing in whatever way feels best for you. Rebecca utilizes a strengths-based and trauma- informed approach, which focuses on clients’ assets rather than their deficits, pathologies, or problems. Her compassionate curiosity & intentional presence helps redirect her client’s values, goals, and life experiences to the forefront of their treatment. Rebecca values a collaborative relationship with her clients to assist them in their own self-exploration, insight, and skill building utilizing agency & self-compassion. 

Supervisor: Laurie Ellett LICSW, SUDP, DVIT-S and Brittany Lawler LMHC

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner – DNP, PMHNP

Gurpal joined the team in 2022 to provide medication management.  Gurpal is from Surrey BC and went to Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma WA for his graduate training. Prior to working as a psychiatric nurse pracitioner, Gurpal worked in emergency and high acuity medical settings but was drawn to psychiatry for the more personal connection that he can have with clients. Gurpal likes to practice collaboratively with clients, as equal partners. In his free time, he enjoys hiking around the beautiful pacific northwest and playing volleyball with his friends.

Psychiatric Registered Nurse – MSN, ARNP

Amandeep joined the Clarity team in 2026 as a Psychiatric Registered Nurse. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University and brings 23 years of nursing experience serving diverse and vulnerable populations. Her background includes corrections, crisis triage, and acute care, where she developed strong skills in supporting individuals with complex mental health needs.

In her role at Clarity, Amandeep provides nursing‑based psychiatric support, including mental health assessments within the RN scope, monitoring client symptoms, coordinating care, and collaborating with the clinical team to promote stabilization and well‑being. She is committed to compassionate, patient‑centered care and works closely with clients to support their overall mental health and recovery.

Counselor – SUDP, ACC

Max joined the team in April of 2018 while pursuing his Chemical Dependency credentialing at Skagit Valley College. Max graduated with honors in 2020 and is looking to pursue higher education in the future. As the son of Max Whipple Jr., he has a natural ability to help people, and connect in a healing and safe way to his clients. Max is very skilled at Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing modalities and uses these as primary tools in facilitating positive change for his clients. His understanding of human behavior is informed by years of self-reflection, personal-growth, and a boundless curiosity of the mind. He brings keen insight and observational skills borne out of learning to navigate and map his own cognitive impulses—skills that have proven pivotal in achieving and maintaining his own mental wellness. His enthusiasm and dedication to use what he’s learned to help others is a welcome addition. Max’s clients love his calm demeanor and nonjudgemental approach to counseling.

PHP Counselor –  SUDP, AAC, Peer Counselor

Chelsy started with Clarity April 2026 as a Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) and Certified Peer Support Specialist with over nine years of experience supporting individuals on their recovery journeys. She began her career as a Residential Treatment Specialist in a detox facility in Skagit County while earning her Associate of Applied Science in Human Services (General Emphasis), completed in 2024, and later obtained her certificate in Substance Use Disorder Counseling in Spring 2025. In 2018, she worked on a PACT team as a Peer Support Specialist and Chemical Dependency Specialist before transitioning within the same organization to an inpatient setting, where she has spent over seven years supporting individuals with severe mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders. After gaining extensive experience as a Substance Use Disorder Professional Trainee (SUDPT), she advanced to her current role as a licensed SUDP in July of last year. Chelsy brings a compassionate, empathetic, and person-centered approach to her work, with a deep commitment to helping individuals build resilience, discover purpose, and sustain meaningful recovery. She is now stepping into a role facilitating a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) for adults and adolescents, continuing her dedication to helping others build strong foundations for lasting recovery.

Counselor – SUDP

Counselor – SUDPT

Counselor –  SUDPT, AAC

John is embarking on a new chapter in his career at Clarity Mental Health and Recovery, where he is pursuing his certification as a Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) at Skagit Valley College. A Buddhist practitioner for nearly two decades, John has studied both the Tibetan and Zen traditions. He also completed a two-year cohort at Mindfulness Northwest, enhancing his ability to teach mindfulness both experientially and didactically.
With a rich background in business, John owned a Xerox sales agency for a decade—an experience that, while rewarding, led to severe burnout and subsequent struggles with addiction. Today, he brings a wealth of lived experience, resilience, and a passion for mental health and recovery to his role.
Outside of work, John enjoys cooking, art, music, and spending time with family, friends, and his dog, Trekker.

Supervisor: Max Whipple Jr. RN, PMHN, SUDP, MHP

Counselor – MA, LMHCA 

Shoshana started with Clarity in 2024 and is currently obtaining a graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Seattle University. She enjoys integrating aspects of Relational Theory, Humanistic Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, but also has a strong interest to learning more about and eventually integrating somatic therapies and EMDR. She seeks to empower and support her clients in a non-judgmental space while also tailoring to each individual’s unique needs. She is passionate about helping people understand their trauma, learning the appropriate tools, and using these in order to better approach life’s obstacles. Shoshana is also passionate about physical health and works as a trainer at a local gym.

Supervisor: Brittany Lawler Psy.D, LMHC

Counselor  – MA, LMHCA, SUDPT

Valerie joined Clarity in 2025. She is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling after graduating from Western Washington University with a BA in Psychology. Her developing therapeutic approach is grounded in Person-Centered Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, with a strong foundation in trauma-informed care. She is dedicated to creating a warm, welcoming environment where clients feel supported and understood. Valerie is passionate about helping people improve their lives, navigate challenges, and move toward growth and fulfillment.

Supervisor: Brittany Lawler Psy.D LMHC