Our Providers
Staff Counselors/Independent Contractors

Kelly McCall, MSW, LCSW
kelly@healingheartscounselingwny.com
Kelly specializes in providing trauma therapy for teens and adults. She uses various treatment modalities to help her clients find inner peace and healing. She incorporates various approaches such as EMDR, Mindfulness & Meditation, Reiki and Creative Arts in order to help her clients move beyond their pain. Kelly is a consultant in EMDR and a field educator for the UB School of Social Work.
Kelly McCall, MSW, LCSW
kelly@healingheartscounselingwny.com
Kelly specializes in providing trauma therapy for teens and adults. She uses various treatment modalities to help her clients find inner peace and healing. She incorporates various approaches such as EMDR, Mindfulness & Meditation, Reiki and Creative Arts in order to help her clients move beyond their pain. Kelly is a consultant in EMDR and a field educator for the UB School of Social Work.

Tori Dykstra, LMSW
toridyksra@healingheartscounselingwny.com
Tori is trained in EMDR therapy, and has experience with Internal Family Systems, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Gender Affirming Care. They enjoy incorporating aspects of yoga, mindfulness, and play in their work in order to promote an environment that is encouraging of healing and self-expression. Tori specializes in working with teenagers and adults on many issues, including but not limited to trauma, emotional awareness and regulation, managing anxiety and depression, sexuality, and exploring gender expansiveness. Tori is passionately affirming of experiences that fall outside of societal norms and binaries. When working with Tori, you will work collaboratively to develop an individualized treatment plan that builds on your strengths and focuses on the areas which will help you to heal and grow. Tori looks forward to meeting you and accompanying you on the journey!
toridyksra@healingheartscounselingwny.com
Tori is trained in EMDR therapy, and has experience with Internal Family Systems, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Gender Affirming Care. They enjoy incorporating aspects of yoga, mindfulness, and play in their work in order to promote an environment that is encouraging of healing and self-expression. Tori specializes in working with teenagers and adults on many issues, including but not limited to trauma, emotional awareness and regulation, managing anxiety and depression, sexuality, and exploring gender expansiveness. Tori is passionately affirming of experiences that fall outside of societal norms and binaries. When working with Tori, you will work collaboratively to develop an individualized treatment plan that builds on your strengths and focuses on the areas which will help you to heal and grow. Tori looks forward to meeting you and accompanying you on the journey!

Anna Herman, MHC-P
Anna has experience working with teenagers, adults and individuals navigating end of life care. Her areas of focus include a variety of mental health and substance use disorders not limited to: Personality Disorders such as BPD, Anxiety, Depression, PTSD and Addiction. Through a range of psychosocial and holistic approaches she has assisted many clients achieve optimal balance and wellbeing in their lives. She utilizes evidence based and person-centered techniques to offer healing and insight in treatment. Anna incorporates the following approaches into her work with clients: Internal Family Systems, Mindfulness-based interventions, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.
Find more here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/anna-herman-depew-ny/1051288
Anna has experience working with teenagers, adults and individuals navigating end of life care. Her areas of focus include a variety of mental health and substance use disorders not limited to: Personality Disorders such as BPD, Anxiety, Depression, PTSD and Addiction. Through a range of psychosocial and holistic approaches she has assisted many clients achieve optimal balance and wellbeing in their lives. She utilizes evidence based and person-centered techniques to offer healing and insight in treatment. Anna incorporates the following approaches into her work with clients: Internal Family Systems, Mindfulness-based interventions, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.
Find more here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/anna-herman-depew-ny/1051288

Nikkia Spencer, LMSW
Whether you are new here or this isn’t your first time around, the hardest part is always getting started and finding a therapist who is the right fit. I do my best to offer an accepting, empathetic, honest, and collaborative partnership – usually paired with a level of humor and humility. We owe it to ourselves to have a safe space to process life events and our natural range of emotions.
I have been privileged to work with individuals of all ages with a wide variety of presenting issues. My strengths lie in working with individuals with past or present trauma, anxiety, depression, LGBTQ+ related stressors, grief, and loss. I take a trauma-informed, strengths-based, person-centered approach to my clinical work, with training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) , Play Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Mindfulness techniques. I acknowledge that every individual has different experiences, so I can adjust my approach as needed to meet your personalized needs. As an African American woman, I also recognize the lack of representation people of color often see as it relates to all thing’s mental wellness…past, present, and future. I hope to serve as a small vessel to bridge that gap and offer a channel for self-care, self-love, exploration, conversation, and healing. I believe everyone is capable of healing, growing, and thriving.
Whether you are new here or this isn’t your first time around, the hardest part is always getting started and finding a therapist who is the right fit. I do my best to offer an accepting, empathetic, honest, and collaborative partnership – usually paired with a level of humor and humility. We owe it to ourselves to have a safe space to process life events and our natural range of emotions.
I have been privileged to work with individuals of all ages with a wide variety of presenting issues. My strengths lie in working with individuals with past or present trauma, anxiety, depression, LGBTQ+ related stressors, grief, and loss. I take a trauma-informed, strengths-based, person-centered approach to my clinical work, with training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) , Play Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Mindfulness techniques. I acknowledge that every individual has different experiences, so I can adjust my approach as needed to meet your personalized needs. As an African American woman, I also recognize the lack of representation people of color often see as it relates to all thing’s mental wellness…past, present, and future. I hope to serve as a small vessel to bridge that gap and offer a channel for self-care, self-love, exploration, conversation, and healing. I believe everyone is capable of healing, growing, and thriving.

Nicole Ferguson, PhD, MFT-P
Dr. Nicole has experience working with individuals, couples, families and youth. Her areas of focus include life transitions, grief/loss, adjustment, anxiety, self-esteem, self-empowerment, pre-marital counseling, as well as communication barriers and other relationship concerns. She uses a number of techniques for growth and healing such as Bowen Family Systems, Internal Family Systems, CBT, DBT, play therapy and Solution Focused therapy. Along with an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy, Nicole holds a doctorate in Health Communication from George Mason University—with 15 years of teaching and research in mental health communication. She fully believes in collaborative care:
“You are the expert on your life; I give you the tools and support needed to assist you in your healing journey.”
Dr. Nicole has experience working with individuals, couples, families and youth. Her areas of focus include life transitions, grief/loss, adjustment, anxiety, self-esteem, self-empowerment, pre-marital counseling, as well as communication barriers and other relationship concerns. She uses a number of techniques for growth and healing such as Bowen Family Systems, Internal Family Systems, CBT, DBT, play therapy and Solution Focused therapy. Along with an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy, Nicole holds a doctorate in Health Communication from George Mason University—with 15 years of teaching and research in mental health communication. She fully believes in collaborative care:
“You are the expert on your life; I give you the tools and support needed to assist you in your healing journey.”
Emmy Brady, LMSW
If life is feeling really hard right now, if you’re tired, overwhelmed, and stressed, this is your reminder that you do NOT need to take it out on your body! Sometimes when life feels heavy and overwhelming, people immediately go to using disordered behaviors in order to feel some sort of “control” over their life. I want to remind you that even when things are hard, even if life is feeling impossible right now, you can continue to treat your body with kindness and respect. What if we viewed behaviors such as restricting, bingeing, purging as resilient attempts to try to regulate emotions? For some, this is a way to cope with past trauma and/or communicate deeper messages. If you feel like you could use some mental health support, please reach out. You deserve a life without hating your body. |

Emily Crowley, LMSW
Trauma informed therapy encourages the exploration of connections between life experiences and how our nervous system responds to stress. Your thoughts, behaviors and feelings are all connected. Healing is not linear, it’s a journey and I’m passionate about guiding you through this process. I have years of experience working with children, teens, young adults and families. I often find myself checking in with parents to ensure space is available to express their concerns, feel heard and be educated with skills and tools to assist their children. I am trained in therapeutic play, mindfulness, trauma therapies and cognitive behavioral therapies. I also enjoy offering family therapy and group work. I care about providing person-centered, trauma informed approaches while working with individuals. I specialize in working with grief, anxiety, depression, adjustment/life transitions, ADHD, children, self esteem and trauma.
Trauma informed therapy encourages the exploration of connections between life experiences and how our nervous system responds to stress. Your thoughts, behaviors and feelings are all connected. Healing is not linear, it’s a journey and I’m passionate about guiding you through this process. I have years of experience working with children, teens, young adults and families. I often find myself checking in with parents to ensure space is available to express their concerns, feel heard and be educated with skills and tools to assist their children. I am trained in therapeutic play, mindfulness, trauma therapies and cognitive behavioral therapies. I also enjoy offering family therapy and group work. I care about providing person-centered, trauma informed approaches while working with individuals. I specialize in working with grief, anxiety, depression, adjustment/life transitions, ADHD, children, self esteem and trauma.
Tabitha Vaughan, LCSW (Bio coming soon!)
Private Practitioners independently practicing at Healing Hearts Counseling

Julie Fenn, MSW, LCSW-R
juliefennlcsw@gmail.com
Direct Phone: (716) 536-4569
Julie is trained in EMDR and various trauma resolution methods to help individuals overcome past difficulties that they have experienced including abuse, neglect and family violence. In addition to trauma, Julie is also trained in Solution Focused Therapy, Play Therapy, and CBT; helping adults, adolescents and families to utilize their strengths and overcome their current struggles. Julie has also worked in area schools teaching students, parents and teachers how to cope with, respond to and prevent bullying. She has worked with local media to help raise awareness in the community being featured on various news stations and in the Buffalo Art Voice. Julie is a participating provider of Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Univera, Independent Health, Palladian, and POMCO.
juliefennlcsw@gmail.com
Direct Phone: (716) 536-4569
Julie is trained in EMDR and various trauma resolution methods to help individuals overcome past difficulties that they have experienced including abuse, neglect and family violence. In addition to trauma, Julie is also trained in Solution Focused Therapy, Play Therapy, and CBT; helping adults, adolescents and families to utilize their strengths and overcome their current struggles. Julie has also worked in area schools teaching students, parents and teachers how to cope with, respond to and prevent bullying. She has worked with local media to help raise awareness in the community being featured on various news stations and in the Buffalo Art Voice. Julie is a participating provider of Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Univera, Independent Health, Palladian, and POMCO.

Sharon Moran, LCSW-R
smmoranlcsw@gmail.com
Direct Phone: (716) 338 - 4662
Sharon enjoys helping others with their life's struggles through the therapy process. She has worked with those struggling with various mental, behavioral and emotional difficulties including; anxiety, depression, grief, anger management, trauma, and sexual abuse. She uses evidenced based practices that address your symptoms and the treatment plan is individualized to your unique needs. Sharon's work is guided by the belief that every person is worthy of achieving their maximum potential in relationships, work, and life overall. and she sees life's challenges as opportunities for growth. Whether it's a stressful life transition or unresolved emotional trauma, Sharon can guide you through this process of change. Sharon is a participating provider of BlueCross/BlueShield, Fidelis, IHA, and Univera.
smmoranlcsw@gmail.com
Direct Phone: (716) 338 - 4662
Sharon enjoys helping others with their life's struggles through the therapy process. She has worked with those struggling with various mental, behavioral and emotional difficulties including; anxiety, depression, grief, anger management, trauma, and sexual abuse. She uses evidenced based practices that address your symptoms and the treatment plan is individualized to your unique needs. Sharon's work is guided by the belief that every person is worthy of achieving their maximum potential in relationships, work, and life overall. and she sees life's challenges as opportunities for growth. Whether it's a stressful life transition or unresolved emotional trauma, Sharon can guide you through this process of change. Sharon is a participating provider of BlueCross/BlueShield, Fidelis, IHA, and Univera.

Megan Kerr, LCSW
Direct Phone: (716) 697-5767
Megan a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She provides a non-judgmental and safe environment to help you accomplish your goals. Her mission is to help clients navigate the struggles and challenges of life while reminding them to celebrate their strengths and successes.
Megan has experience working with individuals struggling with anxiety, depressions, trauma, grief, addiction, mood disorders, psychosis, OCD, and difficulty adjusting to life stressors. Her therapy approach is compassionate and collaborative, providing a supportive environment to identify and challenge the thoughts, feelings and behaviors that may be keeping you stuck.
Working with Megan, you can expect to create an individualized plan that works for you and helps promote the change you want to see in your life. Guided by the belief that all individuals possess the ability to be healthy and happy while recognizing that sometimes life events, obstacles or unhealthy patterns cause us to lose confidence in our ability to achieve our goals. Megan believes that with right support, we can elevate hope and get us back on track. Megan works with therapy dog that can be used in sessions and be of great benefit for some clients. Let her know if this is something you are interested in!
Direct Phone: (716) 697-5767
Megan a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She provides a non-judgmental and safe environment to help you accomplish your goals. Her mission is to help clients navigate the struggles and challenges of life while reminding them to celebrate their strengths and successes.
Megan has experience working with individuals struggling with anxiety, depressions, trauma, grief, addiction, mood disorders, psychosis, OCD, and difficulty adjusting to life stressors. Her therapy approach is compassionate and collaborative, providing a supportive environment to identify and challenge the thoughts, feelings and behaviors that may be keeping you stuck.
Working with Megan, you can expect to create an individualized plan that works for you and helps promote the change you want to see in your life. Guided by the belief that all individuals possess the ability to be healthy and happy while recognizing that sometimes life events, obstacles or unhealthy patterns cause us to lose confidence in our ability to achieve our goals. Megan believes that with right support, we can elevate hope and get us back on track. Megan works with therapy dog that can be used in sessions and be of great benefit for some clients. Let her know if this is something you are interested in!

Aleese Flunder, LMHC-P, MHC
Aleese.flunder.mhc@gmail.com
Direct Phone: (551) 247 0850
Aleese started my professional journey as a counselor in 2021. Prior to that she has always found herself working in the helping professions field in one way or another. Her calling has always been focused on finding a way to give back to her community. Aleese has experience working with individuals who are struggling with anxiety, depression, addiction, bipolar disorder, low self-esteem, PTSD, grief, adjustment, and life transitions. Aleese is guided by the belief that you are the expert in knowing where you want your life to go. She is motivated to guide you towards your ideal self by providing you with the tools you need to get there. She can help you break “generational curses”? Aleese knows far too well how society and family norms conditioned us to believe that talking to someone about our interpersonal issues is considered taboo. She also knows that keeping everything to ourselves can become lonely and further prevents us from exploring the path towards the healing that we seek. She understands that this thing called life is tough and she invites you to come talk about it.
Learn more by visiting: https://www.vinestalk
Listen to Aleese's podcast here: https://linktr.ee/it.is.that.deep.podcast
Aleese.flunder.mhc@gmail.com
Direct Phone: (551) 247 0850
Aleese started my professional journey as a counselor in 2021. Prior to that she has always found herself working in the helping professions field in one way or another. Her calling has always been focused on finding a way to give back to her community. Aleese has experience working with individuals who are struggling with anxiety, depression, addiction, bipolar disorder, low self-esteem, PTSD, grief, adjustment, and life transitions. Aleese is guided by the belief that you are the expert in knowing where you want your life to go. She is motivated to guide you towards your ideal self by providing you with the tools you need to get there. She can help you break “generational curses”? Aleese knows far too well how society and family norms conditioned us to believe that talking to someone about our interpersonal issues is considered taboo. She also knows that keeping everything to ourselves can become lonely and further prevents us from exploring the path towards the healing that we seek. She understands that this thing called life is tough and she invites you to come talk about it.
Learn more by visiting: https://www.vinestalk
Listen to Aleese's podcast here: https://linktr.ee/it.is.that.deep.podcast
Jennifer Kacalski, LCSW (bio coming soon!)