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    Meet the Therapists

    Feeling comfortable with your therapist is one of the key ingredients to a successful therapeutic journey. Therapists are certainly not a “one size fits all” so it is important that you enter into therapy with some awareness of your therapist’s skills, background, and their approach. We encourage you to learn a little about our clinicians as you decide who you may align best with for your needs.

    Sarah Ackley, Psychology Associate, MEd, EdS, NCSP, LGPC

    In-office or telehealth
    *Please note that testing may require in-office visits*

    Sarah has 14 years of experience as a school psychologist providing comprehensive psychoeducational assessments for various developmental, learning, and emotional needs including Autism, ADHD, and Specific Learning Disabilities. Her goal is to motivate and empower clients to not only make positive changes in their lives, but to thrive.

    Sarah has experience working with children, adolescents, and young adults. She is most experienced in working with anxiety, depression, neurodivergent-affirming care, self-esteem, and parent training. She particularly enjoys working with neurodivergent young adults to assist them in learning to advocate for their needs and explore their individual strengths. She is also licensed as an LGPC and has expanded to working with adults utilizing the same passion and commitment to their personal growth utilizing modalities such as CBT, mindfulness, ACT, strengths-based, and solution-focused therapy.

    LGPC license is supervised by Christine Wheeler, LCPC, NCC, BC-TMH # LC2227 and Kelli Remmel, LCSW-C #14792

    Psychology Associate Certificate is supervised by Dr. Laura Groft, License # 05991

    Anamae Franek, MSW, LMSW

    Telehealth and in-office visits

    Anamae was born and raised in Calvert County, Maryland. After high school, she ventured to Baltimore, Maryland to attend Stevenson University where she majored in Psychology and obtained her Bachelor’s degree. During her undergrad, she started working at an inpatient mental health hospital where she supported adults & adolescents with eating disorders. This is where her passion for working with individuals with eating disorders, body image issues, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues developed.

    Anamae’s passion for helping people led her to get her Masters in Social Work while she managed a treatment center for individuals with eating disorders. She offers person-centered interventions that allow people to have a safe space to process emotions and experiences, self-reflect without judgment, explore ambivalence to change and ultimately commit to caring for themselves. She looks forward to assisting you on your journey in navigating your emotions and reaching your treatment goals.

    As a new mom, she enjoys spending time with her family and watching her baby boy grow and develop. She found a new meaning to life when her son was born and started to focus on the importance of the small things in life and creating meaningful memories with her family. Her new-found super powers as a mom has inspired her to continue to work with empowering others.

    Anamae is under the supervision of Board Approved Supervisor Kelli Remmel, LCSW-C License # 14792

    Aaron Burchett, MSW, LMSW

    Telehealth and in-office visits

    Aaron is a Licensed Master Social Worker with experience working with individuals struggling with mental health challenges. Aaron is a passionate therapist and has helped individuals navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, crisis stabilization, and has worked with adolescents. Through a compassionate and empathetic approach Aaron has helped clients overcome their struggles and achieve personal growth. Aaron will establish a safe and therapeutic space, and work together with you to find healthy ways to process and work past your life difficulties so you can live a balanced, meaningful, and joyful life.

    Before becoming a therapist, Aaron served in the U.S. Air Force. Aaron’s continued desire to help and serve others led him to social work. In addition to being a therapist, Aaron has a love for the outdoors and enjoys hiking, camping, fishing, and spending time with family.

    Aaron is under the supervision of Board Approved Supervisor Kelli Remmel, LCSW-C License # 14792

    Kelli Remmel, MSW, LCSW-C

    Clinical Supervisor

    Telehealth and in-office visits

    With nearly 20 years of experience in the behavioral health field, Kelli brings her knowledge, compassion and desire to support clients on their journey towards realizing their inner strengths and resilience. Kelli has worked in a vast array of settings such as a transitional housing program in Baltimore, an inpatient psychiatric unit, Department of Social Services, nonpublic special education school, taught Sociology and Psychology courses at the community college level, a nonprofit,  and in managed care working with individuals and providers. While in managed care she was a Lead Clinician for an Autism Team for several years and supported the Autism Awareness series offered to members and clinicians to provide them with additional education and resources. Kelli currently serves as the Assistant Director of Counseling Services at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

    Licensed in both Maryland and Pennsylvania, Kelli is comfortable working with children and adolescents as well as adults. She is well versed in treating anxiety disorders, OCD, depression, grief, self-esteem, Autism and supporting families as they navigate through communication challenges. Her therapeutic approach utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Strengths-Based, Solution Focused and elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

    In 2021, Kelli’s long-time dream of owning her own practice became a reality when she left managed care to reconnect with people on a more intimate level. Since then, the practice has grown to include a larger office space as well as several clinicians under her supervision as a Board Certified Supervisor and a Psychological Associate offering psychoeducational assessment and evaluation. Kelli’s vision includes mentoring clinicians, expanding access to behavioral health services in Calvert County and providing additional needed supports and resources in the community.

    Christina Keen, LCSW-C

    Telehealth
    18+

    Hemingway wrote, “The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places.” Christina believes that given enough stress, any of us can struggle with our mental health. Grief, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, or challenging life transition may leave us feeling stuck. She takes a holistic, strengths-based approach to help you navigate these and future life challenges by creating an individualized mental health toolkit. Christina deeply cares for her clients and her goal is to set you up for success. Currently, she is providing short term therapy for adults (8 to 20 sessions) using cognitive behavior therapy, a structured, goal-oriented type of talk therapy. CBT can help you challenge negative thought patterns and learn to respond instead of react to stressful situations.

    Melanie Flickinger, MS.ED

    Practice Administrator

    Melanie is By The Bay’s practice administrator and plays an integral role in By The Bay Counseling Solutions, LLC’s daily operations. She ensures that your therapy needs are communicated accurately to our therapists in order to provide you the most up-to-date information regarding service and availability. Melanie manages scheduling, the intake process and insurance verification.

    Melanie is originally from Pennsylvania, but as an active duty military spouse, she has lived in several states in the northeast and mid south. She has permanently settled on the shoreline of Connecticut where she lives with her husband and two teenage daughters.

    In addition to her practice administrator role at By The Bay, Melanie has been a certified elementary school teacher for over 20 years and is currently working within the Madison Public School District in Connecticut. When she is not busy working or spending time at her daughters’ gymnastics meets, Melanie enjoys being at the beach reading a book, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.