The best possible care

AFFILIATE Counselors

Dedicated to the growing needs — of you and your family.

Michele Papai LPCC-S, LICDC-S

Michele Papai

LPCC-S

I am a licensed independent mental health professional with 40 years of experience and extensive training in the developmental tasks and challenges of pre-teens, teens, young adults, and their families, as well as adults across the lifespan. My expertise includes addressing complications related to trauma and supporting clients through grief and bereavement. I have cultivated a therapeutic style that fosters healthy growth and development.

My clinical practice is dedicated to helping clients navigate the challenges of their lives. Through clear communication, the creation of a safe space and pragmatic professionalism, I create a relationship of trust with clients by mentoring them on structure and boundaries.

I believe in a collaborative approach to counseling, and I am passionate about integrating my knowledge of community resources to help develop and activate strong networks of support around my client’s goals and building resiliency.

I offer my clients proven, trauma-informed, skills-based, strategies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. These skills will continue to sustain them long after the therapeutic relationship has ended.

If you would like to schedule an appointment, I can be reached at 740-698-0601. Office Contact Line (initial inquiries only).


Marikay Vander Ven LPCC

Marikay Vander Ven

LPCC

I am the only Advanced Certified Structural Family Therapist in the area, dedicated to helping families and couples break cycles of trauma and mental health challenges by fostering deeper understanding and healthier relationships. My work is rooted in systems theory, focusing on engaging with the entire family or couple rather than treating individuals in isolation.

In my work with couples, I help partners navigate challenges, improve communication, and strengthen their connection by identifying and shifting unhelpful relationship dynamics. Whether addressing conflict, trust issues, or major life transitions, my approach empowers couples to create lasting, positive change together.

With families, I provide parents with new insights into what motivates their child’s behaviors, along with practical tools and strategies to build a stronger, more resilient family system. I firmly believe that meaningful change happens when all members are actively committed to growth.

Beyond one-on-one sessions, I am passionate about bringing systems-based work to broader audiences. I am available for workshops, speaking engagements, webinars, and podcasts focused on strengthening couples, families, and organizations.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with me or explore collaboration opportunities, please use the contact form on our home page or call Albany Counseling Services at 740-698-0601. Office Contact Line (initial inquiries only.


Stephanie Curtis, LPCC

Stephanie Curtis

LPCC

I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) specializing in working with children and adolescents (ages 5 and up), helping them navigate emotional and social challenges in a safe and supportive environment. With 10 years of experience, I am passionate about empowering young people to build confidence, resilience, and healthy coping skills.

I believe that every child has the capacity to grow, heal, and thrive with the right support. My approach is tailored to each child’s unique needs, incorporating evidence-based techniques such as play therapy, brief solution-focused therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Through a warm and engaging therapeutic style, I help children and teens express themselves, develop emotional regulation skills, and overcome obstacles in a way that feels natural and empowering.

I love helping children and teens plant seeds of growth and resilience. My goal is to equip them with the tools they need to navigate life’s challenges with confidence—both now and in the future.

I am currently accepting new clients and offer Saturday hours to accommodate busy families. If you’re seeking compassionate support for your child or teen, I would love to help. You can reach me at 740-753-8641 or stephanie.curtis@tenderrootscounseling.net.


Emily Singer, LPCC

Emily Singer

LPCC

I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor specializing in working with adults of all ages. With seven years of experience in community mental health and private practice settings, I have treated a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, body image issues, and PTSD. My passion lies in helping adults heal from the lasting effects of complex developmental trauma, attachment wounds, and childhood emotional neglect.

My therapeutic approach is integrative and tailored to each client’s unique needs. I incorporate humanistic, psychodynamic, and cognitive-behavioral approaches, blending existential and person-centered modalities with evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I also have extensive experience with Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), having led DBT groups focused on mindfulness, emotion regulation, relationship effectiveness, and crisis coping skills. Additionally, I have specialized training in working with individuals who experience chronic suicidal ideation and self-harm.

I believe in the profound human capacity for learning, healing, and change at any stage of life. My goal is to create an emotionally safe and accepting therapeutic relationship as a foundation for helping clients develop adaptive skills, shift unhelpful thought patterns, and build new pathways out of suffering. There is always more than one way to approach a problem, and my first priority is to meet you where you are so we can determine the next steps together.

Outside of my work as a counselor, I am also a parent, a musician, an occasional exerciser, and a lifelong student of psychology, social justice, and systems of oppression. I am deeply committed to my own growth and healing process, and I would be honored to support you in yours.

Emily can be reached at 740-299-2398 or emilysingercounseling@gmail.com


Tammy Baumgartel

Tammy Baumgartel

LPCC

Tammy Baumgartel is the founder and owner of Albany Counseling Services, where she oversees a network of affiliate clinicians providing a range of counseling services to the community.

With over 35 years of clinical experience, Tammy has dedicated her career to supporting individuals and families while also developing practice models that expand access to care in sustainable ways.

Her current role focuses primarily on practice oversight, consultation, and supporting clinicians in delivering high-quality, client-centered services.

Tammy is also the founder and Director of The Map Forward Project, a separate initiative focused on applying neuroscience to assessment, training, and systems-level work with individuals, schools and community organizations.

She continues to provide select clinical and consultative services, particularly in complex and trauma-related cases.

To reach Tammy call 740-698-0601 or e-mail her at albanycsllc@gmail.com or tammy@themapforwardproject.com

Phase 2 Trained


Barbara Klare LPC

Barbara Klare

LPC

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, artist, and writer with deep roots in the Athens community. I work primarily with women in their 20s and 30s navigating adult life, relationships, and career, and with women in midlife or retirement exploring changing roles, meaning, and the next chapter.

I became a therapist in my 60s after decades as an international artist and working in tech and management. I returned to Athens after living for 35 years in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a working artist myself, I understand the realities of creative life. Many of my clients are writers, designers, musicians, entrepreneurs, and other creatives working through creative blocks, uncertainty, visibility, and authenticity.

My style is relational, nonjudgmental, and practical. I draw from person-centered counseling, existential therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness practices informed by yoga teacher training, and structured problem-solving approaches.

I help with anxiety and depression, relationship confusion and dating stress, setting boundaries without guilt, career uncertainty and next-step decisions, confidence after breakups or major life changes, perfectionism and anxiety about the future, feeling stuck, lonely, or “not enough”, finding your voice and direction, grief and loss.

I see individuals 18+ and their partners. All gender expressions/identities welcome.

Phone/text: (740) 300-0327
Email: barbara@reconnect.care

Website: reconnect.care
Contact me to book a 15-minute intro call.


Cortney Beymer LSW

Cortney Beymer

LSW

I am a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) specializing in working with children ages 8 and under. With over 10 years of experience in the education system, I am passionate about helping young children develop the social and emotional skills they need to thrive. I am certified in trauma-informed care and have expertise in Social/Emotional Learning, positive intervention strategies for families, and play therapy.

My approach is strength-based and child-centered, creating a therapeutic experience that fosters positivity, empathy, co-regulation, and respect for each child and their family. I strive to provide a safe, supportive space where children can express themselves, build resilience, and develop healthy coping skills.

If you’d like to learn more or schedule an appointment, please call Albany Counseling Services at 740-698-0601, Office Contact Line (initial inquiries only).



Albany Counseling Services collaborates with a network of Affiliate Counselors who operate independent private practices. These counselors utilize office space within our facility but are not employees or representatives of Albany Counseling Services. Each Affiliate Counselor is solely responsible for their clinical services, policies, scheduling, and billing. A general office phone line may be available to assist with initial inquiries and connecting clients to counselors; however, all ongoing communication and services are managed directly by the individual counselor. If you have questions about your care, please contact your provider directly.

For more information

CONTACT US NOW

Address: The Morrison Center, 507 Richland Avenue (Suite 201 & 302), Athens, Ohio, 45701 | Phone: (740) 698-0601



    Come and Visit

    Address:
    Albany Counseling Services
    The Morrison Center
    Suite 201 AND 302
    507 Richland Avenue
    Athens, Ohio 45701

    Phone: (740) 698-0601

    Hours:
    Monday-Friday
    By Appointment

    We’re on Facebook!

    Like us on Facebook to stay in touch and keep up with the latest news on our development.

    Albany Counseling Services, now located in Athens, Ohio, meets the growing need for effective, state of the art behavioral health services for children, adolescents, families, and young adults in need in the state of Ohio. Our group of independently licensed professional counselors and social workers have deep roots in the Athens Ohio area. We’ve worked for years with Ohio-based community agencies, schools and nonprofits to offer cutting edge counseling and social education programs that have helped countless kids grow and learn.

    Copyright © Albany Counseling Services. All rights reserved.
    Site developed by Eden Marketing