Alexia Ford, LCSW

Thomas Reis is a clinical social worker, independently licensed in Massachusetts. He has 13 years of experience working as a psychotherapist providing psychotherapy to adults both in an outpatient setting and through telehealth. Thomas has experience working with anxiety and mood disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and stress. He specializes in helping people navigate challenging life transitions, existential crisis, addictions, including chemical, behavioral, and process addictions. Thomas helps others empower themselves to improve their self-esteem and the quality of their relationships by teaching healthy boundaries, assertive communication, and active listening skills. By utilizing teach strategies and interventions from Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Solution Focused Brief Therapy Thomas takes a client centered approach while working with his clients. He enjoys his work and is passionate about helping people who want help. He attempts to empower clients to work toward achieving their own individual goals at their own pace while being empathetic and open-minded. Thomas works with his clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment.

Ms. Ellen Ortiz is fully licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in multiple states. She has decades of life experience to support her 3 years of full licensure. Ms. Ortiz sees individuals from the perspective of the various environments they interact in and how it impacts them. Ms. Ortiz is enthusiastic about collaborating with clients under the care of one of our psychiatric experts in order to allow for a more complete and personalized approach for each individual's needs.
Ms. Ortiz began her education later in life at Elgin Community College then continued to acquire her bachelor’s degree from Argosy University with honors. Ms. Ortiz forged ahead and completed her Master’s in Family Counseling at the CACREP accredited graduate school, Northeastern Illinois University. Her training included the externship for Emotion Focused Therapy with Dr. Sue Johnson.

Ms. Ortiz incorporates therapy from a Solution Focused perspective including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness and Attachment theory.  Ms.Ortiz has been trained in Crisis Intervention and Trauma Informed therapy. Her life experience and clientele have spanned all life cycles, races, and medical needs as well as honoring all varieties of human beings. She has also supported clients through medical diagnosis and end of life as well as grief.

Ms. Ortiz brings enthusiasm for each client based on the belief that each person has unique purpose, strengths and abilities on which to draw on. The client's abilities paired with tools and support acquired in therapy will lead each of her clients to a life they choose to enhance.

Joel Witherspoon is a licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor with over 20 years of clinical experience working in various mental health settings, working directly with clients from diverse backgrounds living with a broad range of mental health conditions. Joel earned his Undergraduate degree at California State University Long Beach, Graduate School at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, and completed his internship in Raleigh, NC. Joel has been practicing for 19 years as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, focusing on mood disorders, trauma, situational adjustment disorders, and any life challenge that interferes with a client's happiness. Working with Joel, treatment is specific to the individual with the focus on modalities that are specific to each person's challenges. Joel uses an eclectic approach with a foundation in person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and trauma therapy combined with somatic interventions such as mindfulness.

Akili’s approach is centered around the individual. His goal is to help people embrace their authentic self. He believes that counseling and the therapeutic process is experiential. He has been through most of the life struggles we all have been through. Akili has also written several books - the latest of which, “Be an Anomaly”, is about the autism spectrum. Beyond his passion for helping others, Akili is passionate about his family, drawing, music, and basketball.

Akili utilizes multimedia resources, oftentimes with an emphasis on writing and creativity. He works to create a warm atmosphere of welcoming energy and connection. Therapeutic modalities used include REBT, CBT, Positive Psychology, ACT, and Gottman Method.

The tools that Akili uses are those hidden within you. He uses creative therapy and behavioral techniques to help you get where you want to be. Your collaboration is a trip that you will embark on together. Akili will help you find the best solutions to the answers you have.

Demetries North holds the position of Licensed Professional Counselor with over 20 years of experience across mental health, substance use, and public health settings. He has worked extensively with adults, Veterans, justice-involved individuals, and underserved populations. Demetries currently serves in senior clinical leadership roles within community mental health and federal systems and has experience in outpatient, integrated primary care, forensic, and substance use treatment programs. He is a doctoral candidate in Health Administration with a focus on public health education and holds multiple state licenses, allowing him to provide care across several jurisdictions.

Demetries values collaboration, transparency, and mutual respect in the therapeutic relationship. He takes time to listen carefully and understand each client’s concerns without rushing or making assumptions. His approach is practical, structured, and supportive, with an emphasis on real-life progress. He works to create a calm, non-judgmental environment where clients feel safe discussing complex or sensitive issues, particularly when navigating stress, trauma, life transitions, or long-standing patterns.

Demetries begins with a thorough initial session focused on history, current concerns, strengths, and goals. He uses evidence-based assessment tools when appropriate and collaborates with clients to develop individualized treatment plans that evolve over time. Sessions emphasize skill-building, insight, accountability, and measurable progress, with regular goal reviews and coordination of care as needed.

Yumi Lemaster is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a strong foundation in social psychology and military social work. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Psychology from Park University and her Master of Social Work from Fayetteville State University through the U.S. Army’s expedited program. Her clinical training included work at Schofield Barracks and Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii. Yumi holds certifications in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy and Prolonged Exposure Therapy. She completed her Army career as a Brigade Behavioral Health Officer, supporting thousands of service members and their families through deployments, reintegration, and a wide range of behavioral health concerns.

Yumi is a direct, yet tender and genuine therapist who meets patients where they are in life. She works to understand the whole person and balances a solution-oriented approach with deep psychotherapy. Her style is collaborative and goal focused, while also encouraging insight into patterns or experiences that may have been difficult to acknowledge. She values transparency and views respectful conflict and open feedback as meaningful parts of growth and the therapeutic process.

Yumi begins by gaining an understanding of the concerns that bring a patient to therapy, along with relevant personal history. Together, she and the patient identify therapy goals and develop a treatment plan, often with a 3–6 month framework. As life circumstances and challenges evolve, she works collaboratively with patients to adjust goals and approaches to best support ongoing progress.