Providers
Kelly Frost
Executive Director / Counselor – MS, LMHC, SUDP, DVIC, EMDR certified, IFS 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, he has also trained in IFS with Dr. Schwartz; he utilizes these approaches in both mental health and addiction treatment. 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
Max Whipple
Dr. Chris Portman
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.
Dr. Laura Andrews
Psy.D. Clinical Psychologist, SUDPT – 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 2025 and will not be taking new clients. She remains on staff for supervision and consultation.
Brittany Lawler
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.
Hilary Heard Susnar
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: T. Christopher Portman PhD.
Rebecca Snyder
Counselor – 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
Gurpal Chahal
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.
Amandeep Benipal
Psychiatric nurse practitioner – ARNP
Jagpal Chahal
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner – ARNP
Jag joined the Clarity team in 2025 as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Before transitioning into psychiatry, Jag worked as an Emergency Room nurse for five years, where he gained extensive experience caring for patients in high-acuity and fast-paced environments. His time in the ER deepened his interest in mental health and inspired his move into psychiatry, where he values the opportunity to build lasting therapeutic relationships with clients. Jag’s approach emphasizes working side-by-side with clients to explore treatment options and find strategies that support their mental health. Outside of work, Jag enjoys spending time with his cat, Luna, and playing board games with his brothers and close friends.
Max D. Whipple III
Counselor – ATA, SUDP
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.
Supervisor: Kelly Frost MS, LMHC, SUDP, DVIC
John Novotny
Counselor – Student Skagit Valley College
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: Kelly Frost MS, LMHC, SUDP, DVIC
Denise Manly
Counselor – SUDP
Megan Warnock
Counselor – MSW, LICSWA, SUDPT – EMDR trained
Megan joined the Clarity team in the Spring of 2023 as a student intern and graduated with a Masters in Social work in the summer of 2024. Megan believes in holding space with compassion and curiosity, working collaboratively with her clients to help them find the best solutions for their mental health or substance use concerns and needs. Megan values learning and continues to build her skills and knowledge to help serve her client’s individual needs. She works through many theoretical approaches, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Ecological theory, Intersectionality, Systems theory, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness practices. She believes the therapist/client relationship can be a healing alliance and aims to build a safe environment for all her clients.
Supervisor: Laurie Ellett LICSW, SUDP, DVIC – Helping Professional Wellness Center
Shoshana Schrenk
Counselor – MA, LMHCA SUDPT
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
Valerie Klages
Counselor intern – SUDPT, AAC
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
Dianna Hildebrand
Office Assistant
Dianna was hired in 2023 to help with a busy growing business. A resident of Oak Harbor and long time friend of our Executive Director, Dianna works remotly and helps with a litany of tasks including payment collection, updating insurnace information, and handling incoming and outgoing records; including all HIPAA compliant email correspondence. Dianna is highly organized and task oriented. She is an active member of the recovery community and enjoys outdoor activities, crafts, cooking and spending time with her dog Ruger.
Katlyn Brady
Patient Care Coordinator
Katy was brought onto the Clarity team in late 2025 to start off 2026 with a motivation to serve the community and help those in need. She began in education but moved onto getting an associates in health and human services to better serve the community. She goes about her day accepting phone calls, texts, answering patient questions, checking in those in-office patients, and working with providers to keep the practice flowing smoothly. You can find her in office listening to music while she works, as it’s one of her joys, and be sure to give her any solid music recommendations! When not at work, Katy enjoys going to new places in the area for window shopping, quick bites, and simple adventures of exploration as well as travelling when it’s possible to other cities and states.