Ashley McGurkin
Amy Gregor
Ellen Herbert
Lauren Moore
Perrin Jones
Monique Heath
Mary York
Brittany Collins
Kristen Holifield
Callie
Bean
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.
Amy Gregor, LCSW
Owner/Therapist
Amy Gregor is co-owner of Queen City Counseling & Consulting. Amy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Masters in Social work and brings over 10 years of field experience focusing on mental health. Amy has significant experience working with anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and trauma and uses a combination of approaches and techniques that best fit the needs of her clients. Amy has a strong CBT background and has been trained to incorporate DBT skills into her practice. In addition, Amy has training in the Trauma Resiliency Model and EMDR Basic Training One and Two. She plans to continue her focus in trauma by pursuing full EMDR certification.
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 21 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.
Ellen Herbert, LCSW
Clinical Director of Intensive Outpatient Program
Ellen Herbert received her Bachelors in Psychology from Vanderbilt University in 2007 and initially worked in administration at a local community mental health agency where she quickly realized her passion was in direct care. Ellen returned to school, received her Masters in Social Work from Winthrop University and has been practicing as a clinical social worker ever since. She has worked primarily with adolescents throughout her career and has held positions in outpatient therapy, intensive in home services and partial hospitalization. Ellen practices from a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy perspective while also drawing from her experience and training in mindfulness, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and trauma. Ellen is a certified MBSR-T instructor and trained in the Trauma Resiliency Model, Attachment Based Family Therapy, and SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions).
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.
Lauren Moore, LCSW
Therapist
Lauren Moore is a Clinical Therapist with Queen City Counseling & Consulting, PLLC. Lauren received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from North Carolina State University and her Masters in Social Work from Winthrop University. Lauren’s background includes working with children, adolescents, and families in a variety of settings including an adolescent partial hospitalization program, outpatient therapy, and public schools to provide direct therapeutic services to the community.
Lauren practices with a holistic, empowerment-based and trauma-informed approach. Lauren enjoys focusing on strengths and self-love to uncover further opportunities for growth, process challenges, and develop one’s own core beliefs in a secure and validating environment. Lauren utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy techniques, as well as mindfulness-based practices in session. Lauren is also trained in EMDR and Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT). Lauren is passionate about reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, and welcomes the opportunity to provide support and encouragement to clients in outpatient therapy and our Intensive Outpatient Program.
Perrin Jones, LCMHC, NCC, MT-BC
IOP Team Lead Therapist/Director of Marketing & Outreach
Perrin is a licensed clinical mental health counselor and board-certified music therapist. She is a Charlotte-area native and received her Bachelors degree in Music Therapy with a Psychology minor from Queens University of Charlotte in 2016 and her Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Wake Forest University in 2020. Perrin has 10 years of experience working in the mental health field including working in inpatient, outpatient, and private practice settings.
Perrin’s areas of focus include treating depression, anxiety, trauma, self-harm, suicidality, and managing family stressors in teens and young adults. Perrin incorporates strength-based, trauma-informed, mindfulness, art-based, CBT, and DBT approaches in her work and is passionate about helping clients achieve their potential by meeting them where they are while providing a safe and validating session environment. Perrin loves to tie in neurobiology where appropriate to help clients and families understand the why behind mental health needs and symptoms. She is trained in EMDR trauma therapy and Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT).
Perrin is a co-founder of the Charlotte Student Mental Wellness Coalition, seeking to close the gap between students, school staff and administrators, and mental health practitioners in the Charlotte community. At Queen City, Perrin is the lead therapist with the Adolescent Intensive Outpatient program and sees individuals and families for counseling and music therapy sessions. Serving as our Director of Marketing & Outreach, Perrin is also passionate about helping Queen City make a positive impact on the community. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, walking her dogs (including therapy dog, Bean!), doing yoga, making music, reading, and an occasional Netflix binge.
Monique Heath, LCMHC, LCAS
Therapist
Monique Heath is a clinical therapist with Queen City Counseling & Consulting, PLLC. Monique is a licensed clinical mental health counselor and a licensed clinical addiction specialist. Monique received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from East Carolina University and received a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Winthrop University. Monique has been in the mental health field for over 7 years and has served populations presenting a range of neurological and psychological disorders as well as emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges. Some of the diverse populations include LGBTQ+. Monique’s general counseling approach is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. However, Monique has a diverse counseling style that is adaptable to meet teens’ and families’ needs. Monique also utilizes other trauma-informed approaches to promote growth and healing. These approaches may include Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Expressive Arts.
Monique’s areas of focus include depression, anxiety, suicidal ideations and self-injurious behaviors, substance use, eating disorders, PTSD, trauma, anger management, stress management, bullying, grief/loss, and codependency. Monique is passionate about helping teens and families to overcome challenges, develop resiliency, and strengthen relationships. Overall, it is always Monique’s goal to create a safe, accepting, and comfortable environment.
Monique is a native Charlottean. In her free time, you can find Monique dancing (she lives for random dance moments), listening to music, painting, writing poetry, reading a good book, traveling, and enjoying outdoor activities. Monique’s inspiration is driven by her desire to help teens develop life skills and accomplish goals. She appreciates the opportunity to work with teens and families for outpatient therapy and our intensive outpatient program.
Mary York, LCSWA
Therapist
Mary is a Clinical Therapist with Queen City Counseling & Consulting, PLLC. She is a Texas native and received her Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Arkansas and received her Master of Social Work from Florida State University. Mary’s background encompasses working with children, adolescents, and families in a multitude of settings including outpatient therapy, public schools, nonprofits, and child welfare.
Mary incorporates a client-centered and strengths-based approach when working with clients. She utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy techniques, while also implementing mindfulness-based practices. Mary is passionate about empowering clients to uncover their true potential and grow through challenges they have faced. She strives to provide a safe and secure environment for her clients where they feel heard and accepted. In her free time, Mary enjoys spending time with her dog, Charlie, hiking, traveling, and reading a good book.
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 and families, as well as young adults ages 18 to 25.
Kristen Holifield, BA
Office Manager
Kristen is the Office 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 is currently pursuing a 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 6 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 over 250 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.
Bean, FLOOF
Therapy Dog
Bean is a French Bulldog and is happy to join Callie in a therapy dog role at Queen City Counseling & Consulting. Perrin rescued Bean in 2017 from a neglect situation, and he has come a long way in his rehabilitation since he was first rescued. Like Callie, Bean trained hard and passed his Therapy Dog International test in 2021. Bean looks forward to learning new tricks from Callie in the office. Bean loves people of all ages, and his goofy face, big ears, and even bigger personality often make people laugh and bring energy into the room. When he’s not working, he loves playing with his buddies at doggy daycare, chasing seagulls on the beach, and snuggling under any blanket he can find. Bean is incorporated in the IOP program, weekly process groups, and individual sessions, where appropriate.