Who We Are
LPC, LMFT, D.Min., Coach
Amy has been in private practice in Columbia, SC for more than 30 years as a licensed professional counselor (LPC), licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), spiritual director, coach, writer/blogger, retreat leader, teacher, and speaker. She sees individuals, and is well-known for her helpful and compassionate work with couples. Additionally, she specializes in working with clergy from many denominations and with seminarians. She also teaches in several spiritual direction training programs. One of her greatest joys in life is seeing people grow into their wisdom and strength, living out their God-given potential. This happens, she believes, at that juncture where one’s personal psychology and personal spirituality intersect. Amy is passionate about her work, and invites you to explore her website for more information about her and her services.
Amy’s website, www.amysandermontanez.com
Visit www.messymarvelous.com for blogs.
Ph.D., LPC
Cathy Cooper has more than 30 years’ experience working with children and adolescents. She is a licensed professional counselor. Having received a master’s degree in music education with an emphasis in music therapy, she also utilizes the arts in her approach to working with clients. She specializes in effectively developing positive relationships with young people that help support them through their emotional and social development. Children and adolescents need the support of an accepting, understanding, present, and experienced therapist to learn more effective ways of coping with the many stressors today’s youth experience. In addition, Cathy works with women of all ages.
To schedule an appointment with Cathy, please call our office or email her at [email protected]
LPC, MA, MRC, LAC
Sheryl is a highly experienced Licensed Professional Counselor with over 14 years of expertise in the field. She holds an MA in Human Behavior and Conflict Management from Columbia College, as well as a second master’s degree in Rehabilitative Counseling from the University of South Carolina Medical School, where she also earned a certificate in Neuropsychiatry. Sheryl has devoted her career to helping adults and couples navigate life’s challenges through a person-centered approach using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), positive psychology, mindfulness and solution-focused techniques in individual sessions, and Gottman Methods for couples.
Visit Sheryl at her website New Day Dawning.
MSW, LISW-CP
Linda, with over 30 years of experience, offers practical and evidence based strategies for individuals and couples searching for renewed hope and well-being. Creative and integrative approaches strengthen meaningfulness and develop skills for healing. Cognitive and emotional based therapy is useful in reducing stress, improving mood, and developing collaborative ways to reduce conflict for individuals, couples, and families. LIfe is difficult and change is possible.
Linda is a Licensed Independent Social Worker in Clinical Practice with a graduate degree from USC and has additional knowledge and training in therapy practices gained through the years.
Licensed Psychologist
Pete has been a practicing psychologist in the Columbia Area for more than 30 years and is now practicing full-time at the Wholistic Therapy and Coaching Center of the Midlands. He has worked in several clinical and health care settings and began his career as the director of Child and Adolescent Services for the Columbia Area Mental Health Center. He followed this as the Associate Director and Training Director at the University of South Carolina’s Counseling and Human Development Center. While there he oversaw their APA-accredited predoctoral internship program and provided psychotherapeutic services to a wide range of individuals with varying presenting issues including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and relationship challenges.
More recently, Pete worked part-time in independent practice while he served as South Carolina’s Deputy Medicaid Director. He oversaw the behavioral health and long-term care benefits and a staff of nearly 300. Following his retirement from state government, he worked as a principal consultant for Mercer Government and Human Services Consulting focusing on health policy and payment reform.
Being active in leadership roles has been important to Pete. He has served as the President of the South Carolina Psychological Association and Vice Chairperson of the Board of Professional Affairs for the American Psychological Association.
Pete believes strongly in the power of evidence-based psychotherapy and its ability to lead to life enhancing transformation. He works with adult individuals (age 20 and up) and couples using an integrated and collaborative approach.
Pete loves traveling and spending time with close friends and family. He cycles almost daily and is an avid sailor, racing his boat on Lake Murray many weekends. You might also spot him in his garage, rebuilding his classic Land Rover.
MSC, BCC
Debbie Cohn is a Board Certified Coach (BCC) trained at the Institute For Life Coach Training, USA. She is a qualified group psychotherapist with the Institute for Group Analysis in London, UK. She has spent many years working with individuals and couples. She has extensive experience conducting trauma groups, specializing in domestic violence and sexual assault, women’s issues, and bereavement. She earned a Masters of Science degree in psychology from Birkbeck College, University of London.
Debbie also brings a wealth of her own "life experiences”as a marketing and advertising professional, a woman business owner, fund raising specialist, wife, mother, grandmother and community philanthropist. In her coaching practice she specializes in Leadership, Bereavement, Retirement, and all aspects of transition. Debbie believes in the inherent brilliance of everyone to be able to design the life they want!
Visit Debbie at her website, www.cohnlifecoaching.com
Mary Ellen became a Registered Nurse in 1985 and received her Master of Nursing in 1992. After a hospital-based nursing career since 1985, she has found a passion for private practice, serving people to help them reach goals toward living their best lives. She has a strong belief in and commitment to the holistic person, considering biological, psychological, sociological, spiritual and environmental influences as equally important in the lives we lead.
Serving as a Board Certified Nurse Coach and Wellness Consultant, Mary Ellen assists clients to determine their biggest dreams and to develop resilience in managing their heaviest burdens. She facilitates the work to identify values, commitment, and barriers. She then guides her clients toward incremental, sustainable lifestyle changes, teaching different tools to achieve success.
This transformative work is accomplished by combining the science and skills of nursing, the art of coaching, and personal experience. Known for her calm demeanor and leadership skills, she gives clients a non-judgmental, safe space of deep listening, powerful conversation, and devoted time to create goals, action steps, and an accountability plan.
Mary Ellen enjoys teaching groups of all sizes and specializes in mindfulness and self compassion. She is building a repertoire around grief and loss, to include divorce, job changes and burnout, health challenges, and support for family and friends of loved ones with dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Please visit Mary Ellen’s website: MEHailewellnessconsulting.com.
