Provider Bios

Rachel Hendricks, MSW, MEd, LCSW has been practicing therapy since 2011.

She graduated from Widener University with a Master's in Social Work and a Masters in Education for Human Sexuality (a clinical sexology program).

While in school, Rachel interned at the Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt and the Center for Sexual Medicine.

Since graduating, she started at the Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt (located in Baltimore, MD) working on their inpatient and partial hospitalization units as a family therapist and providing coordinated case management services, as well.

From there, Rachel transitioned to the Center for Eating Disorders outpatient correlate. She provided individual, couples, family, and group therapy. She developed a protocol for working with clients ambivalent about change and another group for clients with substance use disorders, eating disorders, and other mental health comorbidities.

In 2018, after being in Wilmington for a year, Rachel saw a tremendous gap in resources and decided to open a therapy practice congruent with her values and to meet the community needs she saw going unmet. Since then, the practice has continued to grow into the space and community you see now. She continues providing individual, couples, and family therapy and hopes to offer a hoarding group and motivation to change groups when her schedule allows.

[Image description: Rachel Hendricks softly smiling towards a camera while sitting in a chair.]

Rachel’s current interests include working with clients who are struggling in their relationships, experiencing distress secondary to their mental health, and with clients who want a comprehensive, evidence-based approach. Her therapeutic approach is one of actively engaging with her clients, and she uses a mix of the most recent literature and evidence-based interventions, collaboration with other providers (doctors, psychiatrists, dietitians, personal trainers, etc.), and the client's own goals to develop effective and meaningful treatment plans.

As a client, you can expect sessions to be challenging and engaging. If you do not like direct feedback, this may not be the best fit for you (and we have provided links to some other phenomenal providers in the area).

Rachel practices from a place of compassion and believes that anything done in the spirit of treating others with dignity, kindness, and respect will lead to developing the valued life you both want and deserve!

Lastly, evidence shows therapeutic fit and alignment are important. As a result, if Rachel has concerns she might not be the best fit (or if you do!), she will refer you to a provider who can help you meet your treatment goals. Her goal is to link others with the support they need to find the life they are meant to be leading, unencumbered by intrusive or unwanted thoughts or behaviors- whether that is direct with her, with her as well as others, or in working with someone else entirely.

Just kidding. That wasn’t the last of it. This is really important.

Rachel is NOT a doctor. Or even a medical professional. She is a social worker. BUT she comes from a medically based practice background. As a result, she believes in and has seen the power of medication- especially when it is prescribed correctly (meaning the right meds at the right dose). She CAN NEVER make a medical recommendation, but at times during sessions, she may share information about RESEARCH about medications that you can then take to your MEDICAL PROVIDER to discuss what is the right option for you.

For her, mental health is very much like physical health- if you got strep, you would take antibiotics (hopefully), and if you have anxiety, you might need to take some medication to help your brain send the right signals. Medication is not something to be feared or something to be over-used or abused. It is a tool that can be useful when integrated into other interventions.

Similarly, if you come in and tell her that you have something happening from a somatic perspective (meaning in your body), she almost definitely is going to recommend you GO TO A DOCTOR TO GET THAT CHECKED OUT. Because SHE IS NOT A DOCTOR. It would be silly to try and treat a medical problem with a therapeutic intervention just like it would be silly to treat a therapy problem with a medical intervention. Sometimes it can be hard to know what is what, and that is where collaboration comes in. If she thinks you should go to a doctor, we strongly recommend you do.

Also, under no circumstances would anyone at Honeybee ever recommend making any changes in medication or even with major substances (especially alcohol or benzodiazepines [like Xanax]) without speaking with a medical professional. Drug interactions are no joke, and doctors can make sure you survive the treatment process without harming yourself by accidentally doing something that actually hurts you. So, the long and the short of it is, again, if you are recommended to go to a doctor, we really, really, really want you to do so. And, if you want us to speak to your doctor, we are happy to do that, too (as long as you have a signed consent, so we can).

Brooke Gibson, MSW, LCSW graduated with a degree in Film Studies and a minor in Women and Gender Studies from UNC Wilmington in 2014. She returned to UNCW and earned her Master's in Social Work in 2018.

Brooke is passionate about working with teens and young adults who are struggling with anxiety, depression, and/or trauma. If you have consistently dealt with increased tension, intrusive thoughts, feelings of hopelessness, flashbacks, or isolation, Brooke may be the exact therapist you're looking for. This includes college-age students who are overwhelmed by their courses, teens who are feeling misunderstood, and individuals who continue to be impacted by simple or complex traumas.

She enjoys meeting each person where they are to create a supportive and non-judgmental therapeutic relationship. Brooke enjoys assisting everyone in taking a step back and gaining insight into their thoughts, emotions, and actions. In the session, you can expect for her to provide a person-centered approach which means you're the expert in your own life. Brooke utilizes humor, warmth, creativity, and empathy along with several evidence-based practices. She incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Through a collaborative and conversational approach, Brooke aims to walk alongside you as you process your experiences and discover the strengths you already hold within yourself. She believes focusing on your mental health is one of the greatest acts of self-compassion. As your therapist, Brooke will teach you to embrace vulnerability and your true, authentic self.

"Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it's having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome. Vulnerability is not weakness; it's our greatest measure of courage." - Brené Brown

She specializes in treating anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and relationship issues, and in working with clients to build stress management and distress tolerance skills. She, like all Honeybee providers, is an LGBTQIA+ affirming clinician.

Loren Bahor, MSW, LCSWA earned her MSW at Fordham University and has experience working in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Loren's goal is to ensure every client receives treatment specific to their goals and needs.

Drawing from multiple schools of thought, Loren builds a healing relationship between the client and herself which she feels is the core of the counseling experience.

Loren has an eclectic theoretical approach grounded in psychodynamic, narrative, CBT (cognitive behavior therapy), DBT (dialectical behavior therapy), and EFT (emotions-focused therapy) styles. She plans to attend additional training to further build a specialty in the ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) and add to her knowledge base of EFT.

She brings a postmodern, feminist, affirming approach grounded in bringing forward the thoughts and processes that drive our decision-making. Her goal is to help clients become more connected with their unconscious or inner selves. She uses strong mindfulness strategies to help provide the coping support clients need on their journey to self-awareness and in building intentional action steps for the future.

[Image description: Loren Bahor sitting cross legged looking towards a dog standing next to her.]

Loren is developing a specialty in working with couples. She also sees adults individually and especially enjoys working with women managing and in the midst of big life transitions. If you are trying to find yourself and determine your next right step, Loren is your resource in that process!

For Loren, therapy is about learning to tap into and develop ways to draw upon one’s inner source of strength, particularly when life becomes challenging and overwhelming. Therapy is a journey that leads to growth, authenticity, and the ability to trust oneself. Looking inward, however, isn’t always easy. As your therapist Loren will help guide you through this process in a safe, nurturing and supportive space.

Loren's therapeutic approach is best summed in the following quote:

“In the midst of winter, I found there was within me, an invincible summer” – Albert Camus

She will work with each client to help them articulate, define, and bring to life what summer looks like for themselves.

Rachel March, MSW, LCSW has spent years developing skills and strategies working with clients who are experiencing work-induced depression and anxiety, as well as clients who are navigating both short and long-term illnesses of both new and existing diagnoses, and also with clients who are navigating being a loved one of someone with a chronic illness.

She works with individuals who are navigating life’s transitions and may be experiencing anxiety, depression, or grief. Rachel helps clients explore the connection between emotional and physical health and advocates for the importance of caring for both.

Rachel recognizes that each client comes to therapy with different life experiences and goals and uses her skills of empathy and kindness to make every client feel comfortable. She prides herself on active listening and creating an affirming, non-judgmental environment with mutual respect to build a strong trusting partnership. That foundation of trust allows clients a safe space to focus on mindfulness, improve their emotional well-being and embrace their authentic selves.

Rachel graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from UNC Wilmington in 2012 and worked at an adult day center before attending graduate school at East Carolina University and earning her Master of Social Work degree in 2016. Rachel worked several years as a health care social worker in Wilmington and has worked as a therapist since 2019.

“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of whom we think we are supposed to be and embracing who we are.” - Brené Brown

[Image description: Rachel March smiling towards a camera in front of a leafy, green background.]

[Image description: Courtney Bowles smiling towards the camera with her hand in her back pocket.]

Courtney Clement Bowles, MAEd, LCMHCA, NCC

In the session, Courtney's goal is to provide a warm and nurturing environment where clients can begin to approach issues or situations with curiosity, work to find insight, and create sustainable solutions to life struggles. Courtney believes strongly in providing copious amounts of empathy and gentle pushing towards cultivating more compassion for yourself. At her core, she is a person-centered therapist and her space reflects that. She will be authentic and genuine in session and hopes her clients feel safe doing the same. She always considers the biopsychosocial model when treating mental health concerns and utilizes techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance, and commitment therapy, and shares an understanding of polyvagal theory with clients.

Courtney received her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and her master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke where she also pursued a certificate in play therapy.

Over the past decade, she has spent time working in public and private schools and within families to support the healthy growth and development of children and family systems. Because of this, Courtney specializes in working with children and parents. She enjoys empowering parents through positive parenting skills and utilizes play therapy to address childhood mental health struggles. She is also certified to hold Child-Parent Relationship Therapy classes, which brings the skills of play therapy into the hands of the parent and into their home.

Additionally, Courtney is extremely passionate about being a neurodivergent affirming therapist for all ages and enjoys examining systems or "rules" that exist but don't serve the individual. She also enjoys working with adults on getting in touch with their playful side - whether that be playing with sand or fidgets while in session, or working to create space in their lives for hobbies outside of session.

In her counseling sessions, Courtney enthusiastically listens to her clients and believes an equal and collaborative relationship to be crucial in eliciting change. She believes that every individual holds the power within themselves to work through life’s turbulence and upset. Her role is to help her clients uncover this power while also working to acquire the skills and strategies that will aid them in achieving their goals. The sacred nature of therapy is not lost on Courtney, and she holds the relationship highly. She is honored to be part of someone's life journey.

One of Courtney’s favorite quotes comes from Mr. Fred Rogers, “There is no normal life that is free of pain. The very wrestling with our problems can be the impetus for our growth.”

Emily Kohls, MAEd, LCMHCA, LCASA, NCC

Emily’s counseling specialty is helping clients build healthy relationships of all kinds - with family, partners, friends, and themselves. Her additional areas of specialty include anxiety, burnout, mood disorders, and substance use disorders – whether it’s the client or their loved one struggling. In her sessions, she works to foster deep self-understanding and self-compassion, deconstruct patterns that no longer serve clients or align with their values, and work collaboratively to create meaningful, long-lasting change.

Emily offers individual, couple, and adult family therapy sessions. Her counseling theory is largely informed by principles of individual psychology and she uses a strong feminist and multicultural lens but also takes an integrative approach in working with clients to best meet each of their unique needs. With individual psychology as a foundation, there is an emphasis on social connectedness and belonging. She prioritizes a strong therapeutic alliance with her clients and carefully considers the unique context of each client's life experiences to best support them. While her approach is unique for every client, she always uses a strengths-based, encouraging, empathetic, and nonjudgmental lens.

Skills training in emotion regulation, coping, communication, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, stress management, and mindfulness are integral to Emily’s therapeutic work. Strategies from REBT, CBT, DBT, emotion-focused, and solution-focused therapies are used to help clients achieve their goals. She is a dedicated ally of the LGBTQ+ community.

Clients' holistic wellness is a top priority in Emily’s therapeutic process. Together, you will analyze your overall well-being, including emotional, social, physical, and even professional, then create specific goals to get you on the path to balance and fulfillment.

Emily graduated from the University of North Carolina - Pembroke with a Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She earned a certification in substance use counseling as well. Emily attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned a Bachelor of Arts with dual majors in both psychology and sociology, as well as dual minors in criminal justice and gender and women’s studies.

If it sounds like Emily would be a helpful addition to your healing journey, reach out to schedule with her!

Emma Erickson, MAEd, LCMHCA, LCASA, NCC

Emma uses compassion, curiosity, and trauma-informed practice to help her clients navigate the human experience. She believes that therapy shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all and tailors her therapeutic approach to each individual's unique needs. In addition to treating symptoms, Emma works collaboratively with her clients to heal old wounds, identify self-defeating patterns, explore values, and tap into underlying issues.

Emma graduated with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a certificate in Addiction Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA) and a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist Associate (LCASA) serving adults in North Carolina. In addition to in-office and virtual sessions, Emma also offers walk-and-talk therapy for individuals who prefer to walk outdoors during their therapy sessions.

Emma loves working with folks who are trying to find their footing after life transitions –breakups, big moves, adjusting to parenthood, or even the loss of a loved one. Emma recognizes the sense of overwhelm, isolation, and loss of identity that can come with big changes. She helps folks find their footing again through self-discovery, building self-efficacy, and developing new coping skills.

Emma also specializes in working with adults who are curious about their relationship with alcohol, cannabis, or other substance. She is a passionate advocate for individuals struggling with addiction and a strong believer that addiction is not a moral failure or character flaw. Many folks struggling with substance use feel a need to numb emotion, deal with stress, or self-medicate symptoms of anxiety or depression. She helps individuals develop the skills to cope with stress, regulate their emotions, and find balance in their relationship with substances.

Cassy Taverna, MSW, LCSW

Cassy received her bachelor's degree in Psychology at Bay Path College in Massachusetts and a master's degree in Clinical Social Work at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. She is a licensed clinical social worker in both Massachusetts and North Carolina and has been working in the field since 2015.

Cassy has clinical expertise in all levels of care for specialized eating disorder treatment and co-occurring clinical issues such as body image, trauma, life transitions, relational issues, mood, and anxiety disorders. She has provided individual and group therapy services in the hospital and private practice setting for adolescents, adults, veterans, LGBTQIA+ folx, and families. Cassy has a passion for working with athletes as she has treated high school and collegiate athletes in addition to collaborating with the coaching staff at both Duke University and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

Cassy is a HAES-informed (Health at Every Size) therapist who strongly believes in the power of building a therapeutic alliance in order to create trust and meaningful change. Through the use of humor and reliability, Cassy aims to create a therapy space to encourage emotional vulnerability and expression. Her therapeutic approach is eclectic in nature using a combination of evidence-based interventions, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy in addition to the client's stated goals to create a treatment plan. She enjoys utilizing expressive art interventions and narrative work when clinically appropriate. As a client, you can expect therapy sessions with Cassy to be engaging, thought-provoking, and validating.

Kalee Mills, BS, Practice Manager

Kalee executes various aspects of the day-to-day operations of Honeybee Psychotherapy. She loves animals and has previously worked in the Veterinary field. She is very excited to join Honeybee and work alongside you and our amazing clinicians.

Outside of Honeybee, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two dogs and two cats. She loves living in Wilmington, NC and spending time at Wrightsville Beach.

Hank, is the youngest member of the Honeybee family. While he is very young, we expect truly great things from him. His soulful eyes and kind and playful demeanor will translate perfectly to the practice, and we are so excited to get him ready as a resource for you! He will be around infrequently while he is being trained, and you will need to make a special request if you would like him with you in session at the current time. However, we are so excited to add him to our community of care and cannot wait for him to be a seasoned regular offering.