Our Team
Brianna Toomes, LMFT (she/her)
Executive Director
Bree’s counseling style is pretty laid back with an approach to be supportive and caring while providing with a good sense of humor. Bree likes to focus on identifying clients’ strengths and helping overcome obstacles. She is here to help clients sort through the things that are difficult right now and offer a safe place to be open and honest without fear of judgment.
When Bree is not being a therapist or a supervisor, she is enjoying time rowing with a team, being with her family, or playing with the dogs.
Bree has practiced in Rockingham County for several years; she previously served as Director of Enhanced Services and Regional Clinical Director at a local mental health agency.
Bree is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and provides supervision to provisionally licensed LMFTA and LCMHCA clinicians in NC, FL, and VA.
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy. LMFT licenses in NC, FL, and VA
Shanea Smith, LMFT (she/her)
Contract Outpatient Therapist
Shay is a warm and caring therapist who believes in the strength and resilience of her clients. She offers a gentle and supportive space where you can explore your life story and discover your inner resources. Using a Socioculturally-Attuned Narrative Therapy approach, Shay helps individuals, families, and groups understand how their experiences shape their lives. Together, you can work through challenges such as anxiety, depression, or relationship difficulties, finding hope and healing along the way.
With a deep understanding of the unique experiences of people from all walks of life, Shay is committed to creating a safe and comfortable environment for your therapeutic journey.
Outside of her role as a therapist, Shay finds joy in spending quality time with her beloved pets, reading comics, and getting tattoos.
Master of Science in Marriage and Family, LMFT License in NC
Eli Neal, LCMHC-A (he/him)
Contract Outpatient Therapist
When entering into Eli’s therapeutic space, you can expect him to make therapy feel comfortable, by providing a safe space that’s filled with empathy, honesty, a little tough love as needed, and humor to get you through whatever brought you to therapy. While rooted in a CBT approach, Eli can adjust his approach to fit you best to maximize therapeutic progress. Eli has experience with teenage humans, all the way to older humans, including couples and families, covering a wide variety of issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD/trauma, LGBTQ+ issues, TBIs and more.
Prior to private practice, Eli gained experience with EAP therapeutic services and working within a TBI clinic on a military installation.
Outside of the therapeutic space, Eli enjoys spending time with his family, including his 3 dogs, reading and video games.
Master of Arts in Psychology, Counseling Concentration. LCMHCA license in NC.
Ashleigh Mack, LMFTA (she/her)
Contract Outpatient Therapist for Florida
Ashleigh’s go to choice in therapy is narrative and intergenerational. In your first session, you can expect to explore what brought you in and what narrative you are currently in. General themes may include looking at family history and childhood trauma. This helps her understand your background a bit more and how she can best serve you.
Ashleigh has volunteered in nonprofit organizations that have provided resources for youth. She also has experience with couples, families, and individuals who struggle with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, grief, trauma, spiritual abuse, pregnancy, postpartum, life transitions, relationship conflict, and behavioral concerns.
When Ashleigh is not in the office she enjoys getting outdoors to the beach and being with her family. Ashleigh also enjoys binge watching anything on Apple TV. When she’s feeling stoic, she finds journaling and meditation to be relaxing.
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy. Registered FL MFT Intern.
Cassie Faircloth, MA, NCC, LCMHC-A (she/her)
Contract Outpatient Therapist
Cassie’s counseling approach is characterized by a combination of honesty, empathy, and compassion, complemented by a subtle touch of humor. She employs an eclectic counseling methodology that encompasses various therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Gestalt therapy, Play Therapy, Art therapy, and Solution-Focused therapy.
Cassie’s commitment to an individualistic approach underscores her recognition that no single therapeutic model can be universally applied to every individual’s unique set of challenges and needs. Her dedication lies in tailoring her approach to best align with the specific issues and requirements of each client.
With prior experience working extensively with children, families, and individuals facing a diverse array of issues such as depression, anxiety, complex trauma/PTSD, and borderline personality disorder, Cassie is well-equipped to assist you in discovering purpose in your life, managing life’s stressors, and realizing your therapeutic objectives.
In her free time, Cassie enjoys spending quality moments with her two pup companions and close friends. Additionally, she relishes day trips, anything Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift related, and attending performances featuring Drag Queens.
She looks forward to the opportunity to provide you with the support you need on your therapeutic journey.
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. LCMHCA license in NC.
Marissa Salvitti (she/her)
Intern Outpatient Therapist & Administrative Coordinator
Marissa approaches all clients with empathy and compassion while helping them explore the connection between past and present events to identify potential solutions to problems, find balance in their lives, and move toward becoming their ideal selves. She recognizes that each client’s needs are unique and draws from cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, Adlerian therapy, narrative therapy, solution-focused therapy, and mindfulness to develop individualized approaches with a creative flair. Marissa strives to bring her authentic self to every session to create a warm, welcoming environment for every client so they may develop the strength and resilience they need to leave the past, move through the present, and step into their future.
Marissa is completing her Master of Arts in Counseling at Wake Forest University. She is also a North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist with extensive experience supporting individuals and groups of adults in crisis management, psychoeducation, and therapeutic interventions with such issues as depression, anxiety, trauma, bipolar disorder, family issues, LGBTQ+ issues, and life transitions.
In her free time, Marissa enjoys researching her genealogy, reading fiction, ink therapy, traveling, and enjoying nature.
Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Institutions and Human Behavior
Alliha Valentine (she/her)
Intern Outpatient Therapist
With an understanding of the discomfort some may have around seeing a counselor, Alliha takes a more relaxed, yet honest approach mixed with a hint of humor. She believes that the therapeutic relationship is one in which the client is empowered to make their own choices, speak their mind, and express their needs. Alliha’s goal is to provide a supportive place for all her clients to be their authentic selves. Counseling is her greatest passion, and she hopes that this is reflected with each and every client. Her counseling orientation is an integrated approach of Feminist Theory and Internal Family systems which allows her to consider how all our identities impact one another and the systems in which we exist, as well as how we are made up of different ‘Parts’ that make us who we are.
Alliha is currently a graduate student pursuing her Master of Science in Couple and Family Counseling at UNC Greensboro. She has previous experience in clinical training, research, leadership, and service to the community. She applies Gottman Method Couples Therapy and AASECT sex therapy skills in her work with couples. As an intern, she hopes to be a resource to clients seeking support surrounding sex, sexuality, gender, relationship orientation, pleasure, dysfunction and so on.
When Alliha is not seeing clients, she loves to hula hoop, go thrifting, learn new languages, or do anything that allows her to indulge her creativity.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Italian Studies
Robert Santiago (he/him)
Intern Outpatient Therapist
Robert approaches all clients with a unique blend of resilience and empathy, drawing from his extensive background in public service. This experience has equipped him with profound insights into coping strategies for challenging circumstances, enhancing his ability to assist others facing complex situations with compassion. He employs an eclectic counseling methodology that includes Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Humanistic/Client-Centered Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). His dedication lies in tailoring his approach to meet each client’s unique needs and challenges.
With training in crisis management, mindfulness, and understanding substance use disorders, Robert focuses on helping clients address the underlying causes of addictive behaviors. His passion is empowering individuals to work through trauma, instilling hope and a renewed sense of control over their lives.
Robert is completing his Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Wake Forest University. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, all things sports, watching storm-chasing videos, listening to music, ink therapy, and drinking coffee while petting his dogs.
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Sociology. Retired combat veteran, North Carolina Army National Guard.