Nurse / Counselor / Clinical Supervisor – RN-BC, PMHN, CARN, BCN, SUDP, MHP

Mr. Whipple is a Board-Certified Registered Nurse through the ANCC in the field of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, as well as a Certified Addiction Registered Nurse through the International Nurses Society on Addiction. Mr. Whipple has nearly three decades of healthcare experience in a variety of disciplines, both chronic and acute. From 2017 to 2020, Max held a position at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital as an Adolescent Psychiatric Nurse in their acute care Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit. He is currently splitting his time between the local crisis center in Bellingham where he works as a psych nurse, and here at Clarity Mental Health and Recovery. Max assists in identifying his Client’s dysfunctional thoughts and destructive patterns of behavior while modifying self-concepts, increasing personal awareness and emotional growth, and improving communication skills. Additionally, Mr. Whipple serves as a board member for the Washington State Association of Independent Outpatient Providers as a legislative liaison. In 2016, Mr. Whipple became a Board-Certified Neurofeedback Provider (BCN) with the goal of using neurofeedback to retrain the brain to be calmer, forget or manage painful memories, and thus help addicts resist cravings for drugs or alcohol.

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, 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 2024 and will not be taking new clients. She remains on staff for supervision and consultation. 

Ph.D Clinical Psychologist, SUDPT

Dr. Poe joined the Clarity team in 2024, bringing with her more than 10 years of education, research, and clinical experience in substance use disorders. Originally from the Blue Ridge Mountains in rural Appalachia, Dr. Poe was deeply impacted by her community’s experience with poverty, generational trauma, and substance use. Driven by this, Dr. Poe pursued clinical psychology, first completing her undergraduate studies locally at Virginia Tech and then earning her PhD at Saint Louis University. Following, she completed her clinical internship at the San Diego VA Medical Center and her clinical residency at the Houston Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. Dr. Poe’s approach to treatment is largely trauma informed, and she prioritizes authenticity, humor, and warmth in the therapy room, given her upbringing in a small, close-knit town. Dr. Poe specializes in interventions for substance use, anxiety, depression, trauma, schizophrenia, bipolar, and emotion regulation, including Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, CBT for Tobacco Cessation, and Exposure and Response Prevention. Dr. Poe has expertise in treating adults from various intersecting backgrounds and cultural experiences, including college students, Veterans, unhoused or previously incarcerated individuals, and rural populations. When she isn’t hiking up mountains, gardening, or picking out the next book to read, Dr. Poe enjoys connecting to her community, especially in communal efforts to heal some of the chronic isolation, fear, and emotional pain so many of us experience daily.

Counselor – PsyD, LMHC, SUDPT

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, LMHCA, SUDP

Tracee has been certified by the State of Washington as a Substance Use Disorder Professional since 2017. She worked as a Substance Use Professional in an outpatient facility for seven years before advancing her scope of practice to include Mental Health counseling by earning a Master’s in clinical mental health counseling from Walden University. Tracee have spent the last several years providing services at a local school to help ensure the mental wellbeing and success of students. Her specialty is working with teenagers, young adults, and parents of teens struggling with ADHD, depression, anxiety, social and emotional obstacles, self-harm, and substance use issues. Tracee believes that providing a safe, trustworthy, non-judgmental space is essential for a person to explore their emotions and patterns of thoughts, beliefs, relationships, and behaviors that may be impacting the quality of life. Meeting mental health wellness goals should be a collaborative process. Tracee uses a goal-oriented therapy philosophy and uses evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy and Emotion- Focused Therapy. Tracee believes the therapeutic relationship is at the heart of success.

Supervisor: T. Christopher Portman PhD

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

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.

Doctor of Naturopathy – Mental Health Certified 

Dr. Sullivan joined the Clarity team in 2024 to bring along her passion of helping clients find mental wellbeing. Dr. Sullivan received her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM) in Portland, Oregon. She has completed additional training in advanced gynecology/women’s health and cardiology. Previously, she practiced at an integrative mental health care clinic in Portland where she worked closely with a team of naturopathic physicians, psychiatric nurse practitioners, counselors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, and other health care providers to create unique and well-rounded treatment plans for patients. She is also a certified provider of Holistic Pelvic Care™, a package of physical and energetic tools used to help realign the pelvic floor musculature to promote healing in the pelvic region.

A lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest, Dr. Sullivan heads outside every chance she can with her daughter, husband, puppy, and friends. When she’s not running through Boulevard Park, biking Galbraith, or snowboarding Baker, Dr. Sullivan can often be found in her yard with garden tools in hand. As a self-proclaimed super-nerd, Dr. Sullivan can often be found buried deep within medical journals or curled up with a good novel and cup of tea.

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 near future. Max is focusing on strengthening his understanding of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing modalities 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, LMHCA, SUDP, DVIC

Counselor – BA, SUDPT

Counselor – MA, LMHCA, SUDPT

Bailey joined the Clarity team as a student counselor in 2021. She completed a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Antioch University Seattle with a focused study of substance use and trauma. With a person-centered and collaborative approach, Bailey primarily draws from existential psychology, narrative therapy, mindfulness, attachment theory, and developing research on the nervous system to support you in your story of recovery. Her priority in counseling is to provide a relationship of safety and unconditional positive regard, with nuanced conversations that understand substance use and recovery within broader contexts of culture, stressors, and unique life experiences. Also central to Bailey’s approach is supporting you in finding meaningful communities and lifestyles, setting a path of recovery that extends beyond the counseling relationship.

Supervisor: Leah Batty-Hibbs Ph.D, LMHC

Counselor – AAS, SUDPT

Emily joined the Clarity team in 2022 after graduating from Skagit Valley College with an AAS in Substance Use Counseling. She plans on growing into the field by pursuing further higher education in mental health education and is currently seeking a Certified Peer Counselor credential to further her support services. With a focus on building her professional skills in Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Self Compassion Therapy, Emily provides a well rounded set of support tools for her clients. She has been focused on the field of recovery in part due to her own experience with counseling and brings a personal understanding on how the therapeutic process can feel from both sides of the relationship.

Supervisor: Max Whipple PMHN, SUDP, MHP 

Counselor Intern – BA, SUDPT  – Simmons University

Bella is an online MSW student at Simmons University School of Social Work. She joined Clarity at the beginning of 2023 as an intern, and is obtaining a Mental Health Certificate through her school program. She is no stranger to the complex struggles that come with poor mental health and substance use, and is developing the skillset to address these challenges through various theoretical frameworks. She integrates Acceptance and Commitment therapy, Feminist theory, Motivational Interviewing, Systems theory, and Mindfulness into her practice and is a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Bella connects with her clients through genuine compassion and humor— what she sees as two important qualities of a harmonious relationship.

Supervisor: Laurie Ellett LICSW, SUDP, DVIC – Helping Professional Wellness Center

Counselor Intern – BA, SUDPT – Simmons University

Megan is a Masters of Social Work Student at Simmons University’s online social work program. She joined the Clarity team in the Spring of 2023. 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

Patient Care Coordinator

Katie, a Bellingham local, joined the Clarity team in 2022 to help run the day to day operations as patient care coordinator. She has a friendly demeanor and is the first point of contact for clients reaching out to connect with our services. She has been a stay-at-home mom for the past fifteen years and after her sons grew a bit older, she returned to college part-time and has nearly completed a two year transfer degree. Katie has volunteered at her sons’ schools for many years, as well as volunteered for the Volunteer Center of Whatcom County. In her spare time, Katie enjoys taking her kids camping, hiking on the wonderful trails all around the Pacific Northwest, and simply spending time with her two sons at home or out and around Bellingham.