Tabi Youngs, LCSWA
Therapist
Tabi Youngs is a Clinical Therapist with Queen City Counseling & Consulting, as well as certified MATCH-ADTC therapist focusing on multiple disorders. Tabi is a North Carolina native and received her Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina. Tabi’s background encompasses working with children, adolescents, and families in a multitude of settings including outpatient therapy, public schools, nonprofits, and child welfare.
Tabi practices from a person-centered, trauma-informed approach, and strengths-based approach when working with clients and families. She utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and MATCH-ADTC practices while implementing mindfulness. Tabi strives to provide a safe and empowering environment for her clients where they can feel heard and accepted. Lastly, in her free time, Tabi enjoys watching the Charlotte Hornets, spending time with her Maltese dog, Luna, and traveling.
Sarah Marion, LCSWA
Therapist
Sarah is a Clinical Therapist with Queen City Counseling & Consulting. Sarah is a compassionate Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate dedicated to fostering meaningful connections and providing unwavering support to her clients. Specializing in working with young adults and athletes, Sarah is committed to creating a warm and welcoming environment where individuals can confidently navigate life’s challenges.
Sarah received her Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a dual Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Education from The College of Wooster. Sarah’s background includes experience with individual and group therapy focusing on mindfulness-based therapies, trauma treatment, and sports performance. Her work involves crafting personalized treatment plans, offering comprehensive administrative support, and leading outreach initiatives to promote mental health support among people from various social identities. Within her work, Sarah utilizes modalities such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Interpersonal Processing Therapy, and Internal Family Systems to best support her clients.
Outside of her professional work, Sarah is a basketball coach and enjoys watching and attending all different sports events. Sarah often travels and takes her two cats, Weezy and Finn, on adventures with her.
With a blend of expertise, warmth, and genuine care, Sarah is dedicated to helping adolescents and young adults overcome obstacles, build resilience, and achieve their goals in a nurturing and empathetic therapeutic environment.
Molly Mazeine, LCMHCA
Therapist
Molly is a Clinical Therapist with Queen City Counseling & Consulting. After receiving her undergraduate degree in psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill, Molly graduated from UNC-Charlotte with her master’s in clinical mental health counseling. She has experience working with anxiety, depression, grief, self-harm, trauma, and suicidal thoughts in children, teens, and young adults. Molly provides counseling services to individuals and families ages 13 – 27.
In practice, Molly pulls from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Molly has also been trained in Attachment Based Family Therapy and Trauma Focused CBT. Above all, Molly is strengths-based and client-centered, and she prioritizes creating a space where individuals can be authentically themselves. She is passionate about making others feel respected, valued, and empowered. Molly’s favorite quote, which speaks to her view on the therapeutic process, is: “You’re doing the best you can with what you have.”
Outside of the office, Molly is an avid runner, reality TV show watcher, and coffee drinker. Most importantly, she is a dog mom to her black lab, Frank, who loves car rides, hikes, and anything squeaky.
Bridget Howard-Vanevenhoven, LCMHCA
Therapist
Bridget is a Clinical Therapist with Queen City Counseling & Consulting. Bridget received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Arizona in 2005 and a Juris Doctorate degree with a Certification in Family Law from DePaul University College of Law in 2008. Bridget started her professional career as an attorney, practicing in both the private practice and non-profit settings. Since 2019, Bridget has served on the North Carolina Board of Directors for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and currently serves as the Board President. Bridget’s involvement with AFSP includes supporting public policy, loss and healing, and education/training endeavors.
Bridget’s cumulative professional and philanthropic experiences ignited her passion for mental health and inspired her career change to counseling. Bridget received a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Wake Forest University in May of 2024. Bridget strives to facilitate change and foster hope within her clients by making them feel safe, accepted, and understood. Bridget’s experience involves a wide range of presenting issues, including anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. Bridget’s therapeutic approach is integrative, drawing from various theoretical orientations, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and mindfulness. Bridget has a particular interest in therapeutically working with parents to support a child’s individual success and improve the functioning of the family unit.
In her free time Bridget enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and German Shepherds and Pitbull. Additionally, she enjoys running, hiking, and traveling.
Austin Raines, LCMHCA
Therapist
Austin is a Clinical Therapist with Queen City Counseling & Consulting. Austin is a Charlotte native who loves exploring the city he grew up in. In his free time, Austin is typically watching movies, playing golf, listening to music, or intently focusing on the tv while his favorite teams are playing. Austin attended the University of Mississippi for his undergraduate degree and received his graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling from Liberty University.
Austin focuses on building a trusting rapport with his clients and working together to identify and highlight their strengths. Austin enjoys creating a space for his clients where they can feel heard, accepted, and authentic, while also being appropriately challenged. Austin strongly believes in the power of resiliency and that every individual can learn and grow through life’s various challenges. Austin pulls from aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to best fit each individual client’s unique needs. Austin’s specialties include working with individuals who are struggling with anxiety, depression, life transitions, emotion regulation, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. Austin works with families and individual clients age 13 to 27.
Emily Spangler, BA
Graduate Clinical Intern
Emily is a Master of Social Work graduate candidate currently completing her internship at Queen City Counseling. She will be shadowing individual and group therapy sessions, and eventually assisting or co-leading sessions. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Winthrop University, where she graduated in 2023. With a strong foundation in psychological principles and continuing education in clinical social work, she has a deep commitment to supporting young people. Emily is excited to contribute to both individual and group therapy at our practice.
Her academic journey and hands-on experience have fueled her passion for working with teens and young adults. Emily is focused on understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by her clients, and she is enthusiastic about learning from the experienced professionals at Queens City Counseling. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dog Ben, traveling and painting.
Emily is dedicated to creating a safe and empathetic environment where clients feel supported and empowered. She is committed to helping individuals navigate their personal growth and achieve their therapeutic goals. She will be accepting new clients and offering reduced rate session in the winter of 2024.
Brittany Collins, LCSW, LCAS
Intensive Outpatient Team Lead, Therapist
Brittany is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist with over a decade of experience in the behavioral health field. She has worked with adolescents and their families, as well as adults in a variety of settings including mobile crisis services, community-based supports, outpatient and recovery education centers, and partial hospitalization. In college, she double majored in Psychology and Women’s & Gender Studies and received her Bachelor’s degree in 2009 from the University and North Carolina at Greensboro. After working in the field, Brittany was more clear on her passion to support and advocate for others, deciding to further her education and complete her Masters in Social Work in 2014 through the Joint MSW program at UNC-Greensboro and NC A&T State University.
Brittany practices from a person-centered, strengths-based and trauma-informed approach, utilizing aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Positive Psychology, and Motivational Interviewing. She is passionate about empowering others to realize their self-worth and achieve their full potential while building on self-compassion and processing through past and current challenges. At Queen City, Brittany is the lead therapist with the Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program. She provides counseling services to teens, families, and young adults ranging from ages 13 to 27.
Brittany is licensed to provide telehealth services to both North Carolina and South Carolina residents.
Ellen Herbert, LCSW
Clinical Director of Intensive Outpatient Program
Amplifying personal strengths and empowering teens to find their voice and live a life consistent with their personal values is Ellen’s favorite part of the therapeutic process. A favorite quote of Ellen’s is, “Whatever you are, be a good one” which speaks to the choice every person has—even in situations where they often feel helpless—of choosing the words, actions and intentions we contribute to our environment. Ellen strives to witness and validate the difficult situations her clients have or are experiencing while moving forward toward wellness by taking control of their responses.
Ellen will be overseeing our Intensive Outpatient Program as well as seeing some individuals for outpatient therapy. Ellen is licensed to provide telehealth services to both North Carolina and South Carolina residents.
Ashley McGurkin, LCSW
Owner/Therapist
Ashley is co-owner of Queen City Counseling & Consulting, PLLC. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been practicing in the field for 13 years with a focus in adolescent and young adults and a special interest in offering support to the whole family as they navigate the wellness of each individual.
Ashley received a BS in Psychology from the University of Georgia in 2006 and her MSW from Winthrop University in 2011. She began her career working for social services assessing safety and risk factors for youth, and assisting parents with finding their inner strengths. After relocating to Charlotte, Ashley worked at a local maternity home for youth and adults who were either pregnant or transitioning out of foster care. She then transferred to healthcare and worked in multiple settings focused on adolescents including the emergency room, developmental pediatrics, and adolescent partial hospitalization.
Ashley has experience in program development including NeighborCare, a community program aimed at providing childcare to children of hospitalized caregivers, as well as an independent living program for ages 18 -21. These programs provided her with the passion and experience she brings to Queen City Counseling & Consulting as well as receiving a Healthcare Innovator of the Year award by the Charlotte Business Journal.
Ashley practices a strengths-based approach and utilizes a variety of techniques, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and trauma treatment models including EMDR and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She is a firm believer in the human ability to facilitate change in others and within themselves. Ashley believes that every individual deserves the opportunity to express their feelings and emotions without judgement as well as experience change when they do not feel empowered or encouraged regarding their past or current situation.
Ashley is licensed to provide telehealth services to both North Carolina and South Carolina residents
Amy Gregor, LCSW
Owner/Therapist
Amy received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from North Carolina State University. She began her career working in mental health and substance use in New York City. With a growing passion for helping others, Amy returned to New York University and received her Masters in Social Work with a concentration in trauma and forensic social work. At NYU, Amy worked with trauma victims navigating the legal system to provide support and trauma therapy as well as working in a community mental health agency. After returning to NC in 2013, Amy continued her career at both an inpatient behavioral health unit and a partial hospitalization program, both of which focused on teen and adolescent populations.
Although Amy has a strong passion for working with adolescents and teens, she recognizes the need for additional support through major early adulthood transitions, particularly transitions to college and preparing to transition from college to a career. As a result, Amy works with clients ages 13 to 27 in individual sessions to address anxiety, stress, and other mental health issues that come with these major life stages. Amy supports and encourages the parent child relationship and the important role parents play in their teens’ recovery. With this in mind, Amy often encourages the incorporation of family meetings and family check-ins throughout the treatment process.
You will likely see Amy’s therapy dog, Callie, around the office and she may even be incorporated into session if or when appropriate.
Kristen Holifield, MPA
Practice & Community Relations Manager
Kristen is the Practice and Community Relations Manager at Queen City Counseling and Consulting. Originally from Mississippi, she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a minor in Business Administration from Mississippi State University. After completing her undergraduate degree, she moved to Charlotte and received her Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
She has previously worked in multiple client facing and administrative roles for over 8 years. She enjoys helping others and is dedicated to making mental health care accessible and easy for everyone. Her goal is to make everyone feel welcome and answer any questions that can help someone start their mental health journey. In her free time, Kristen enjoys traveling, writing, drawing, gaming, and exploring the Charlotte area.
Callie, FLOOF
Therapy Dog
Callie is a Black Lab and Tibetan Terrier mix, and we are lucky to have her as our very own in house therapy dog. Callie was rescued from North Meck Animal Rescue as an 8 week old puppy in 2015. Since then Callie and Amy have been working hard, with the assistance of a training company, to advance her skills as a therapy dog. Callie passed her therapy dog test through Therapy Dog International just a few days after her first birthday. Since then she has done visits with hospice patients, senior living centers, and kids in behavioral health treatment programs and is continuously working towards advancing her status in the therapy dog world. Callie’s favorite population to visit are kids and teens and she loves to show them her tricks or provide snuggles when they’re feeling down. Callie continues her training regularly and is working towards identifying body language that indicates anxiety and/or trauma responses and respond in a way to alert you and provide you comfort. In her free time, she loves to swim and hike and will never turn down a treat. You may see Callie more regularly in the group setting and even time to time in an individual session if and when it is appropriate.