Dr. Mara Czegel, PhD
Founder and Clinical Director
Mara specializes in working with anxiety disorders, self-esteem, and personality disorders; She also has the unique niche of working researchers/ academics as well as well as those who have lived abroad. Her therapeutic work is rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Psychodynamic therapy. She is warm and open-minded allowing her clients to have a safe space to open up. Prior to becoming a therapist, Mara worked as a researcher at Harvard Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, and as a Fulbright scholar in Budapest, Hungary, studying psychotherapeutic interventions for anxiety disorders and personality disorders. Her work has resulted in 20+ publications in research journals and popular science magazines. She lived in Europe for 5 years and travels often abroad in order to engage in several cultures.
Claire Coonrod, LCSW
Psychotherapist
Claire’s goal in therapy is to provide her clients with a safe place to be able to grow. She brings her caring, empathetic, and genuine nature into the therapeutic environment. Claire will sit with you through your pain, celebrate your small and big wins, and laugh with you through life’s funny moments. Claire’s focus is working with obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, depression, and trauma. She takes a trauma-informed approach and is EMDR trained. In addition, Claire uses exposure and response prevention (ERP), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based interventions. Through these approaches, Claire is able to watch her clients reach their goals, which fuels her passion for the field.
Hannah Beer, LPC
Psychotherapist
Hannah is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) who wants to journey alongside her clients through whatever they are going through. She has experience working with clients who are battling substance use, relationship issues, as well as anxiety and depression. She is also trained in perinatal mood disorders.
Hannah brings a client-centered approach, and utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as mindfulness techniques to help clients reach their goals. She will come alongside you during your lows and cheer you on during your highs. She believes in the importance of laughter, and creating a safe environment for clients to make progress towards their goals
Meron Girmaiy, LMHC
Assistant Director
Meron's long-term focus is on making mental health care a more accessible and far-reaching resource through creating an open and warm atmosphere. Meron has worked in various settings including schools, outpatient, and residential. She especially enjoys supporting others in taking charge of life's expected and unexpected transitions. Meron is a licensed mental health counselor in Massachusetts and works with Ember as our assistant director and practice Coordinator as well as a telehealth provider in Boston.
Abby Turcotte, LCSW
Practice Manager
Abby is a LCSW from Massachusetts but works as the practice manager at Ember Psychotherapy Collective. Outside of Ember, she is also a social worker. Abby works with children, adolescents, and teens. Abby’s unique social work and psychotherapy background helps Ember excel as a practice under her management.
Julie Stern, LICSW
Intake Coordinator
Julie is a therapist in our Boston office but our intake coordinator in Phoenix. Julie strives to create a safe and non-judgmental therapeutic space using humor and light-heartedness. While pulling from many therapeutic approaches in her work, Julie specializes in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). This is a skills-based approach where Julie guides clients through different concepts, including mindfulness, coping through stressful experiences, managing emotions, and communicating effectively with others. Julie also specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), where clients will learn strategies to more easily fall and stay asleep. After each session, Julie knows she did her job when her clients can leave with tangible skills to reach their goals and create the life they want to live. Julie has experience with clients of all ages, while particularly enjoying working with students, young adults, and professionals.