THE TEAM
Let's navigate the uncharted waters of healing...we are here.
The Team
LAURA SKINNER, LPC, SAC
Contact Directly: lskinner@navigatewhg.com
Phone: 262-365-9825
Specialties: Trauma (EMDR), Substance-Use Recovery, Gottman Couples, Hypnotherapy, Alternative Healing, KAP (Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy)
Laura Skinner, a licensed professional counselor, opened Navigate Wellness in 2014 in hopes that she would be able to serve the community with a team of like-minded healers. Over the past decade she has had the privilege of meeting phenomenal providers and cultivating a unique practice that thinks outside of the box for meeting the needs of those looking for mind, body, and spiritual growth and healing.
Laura has broadened her scope of practice and became specialized in treating Substance Use Disorders and Trauma. She utilizes EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing), Hypnotherapy, DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), and KAP (Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy).
With this time, hands-on experience, and own personal evolution she now has the ability to have a practice that is in alignment with her values and fit her client's needs.
While she is not doing her work, you'll will find her exploring new spots with her kids, doing creative projects with her husband, being outdoors and listening to music.
MELISSA WELLENSTEIN, LPC, LSC
Contact Directly: mwellenstein@navigatewhg.com
Phone: 262-261-3032
Specialties include: Women's issues, anxiety/depression, ACT, Parenting Coaching, adolescent/children, creative processing
Melissa has an innate ability to connect and form relationships with people. This ability has allowed her to work with a variety of clients in different capacities for over 15 years.
Melissa believes that every client is unique. Her counseling approach is open, flexible, and adaptive to each person's needs depending on their expectations of treatment, the problem, and treatment goals. Through her work she strives to create a strong therapeutic connection with clients and develop a safe space where clients can share their story, gain an understanding of how their story has impacted them, and create a new reality that is more fulfilling.
After receiving her bachelor's degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Melissa went on to receive her masters degree in both Community Counseling and School Counseling from Concordia University. Melissa has extensive knowledge in child development, women’s issues, anxiety, and parenting and behavioral interventions. She has a special interest in working with young adults experiencing life transitions and relationship struggles. Melissa works from a strengths-based perspective and utilizes various therapy techniques to connect to, support, and encourage growth in her clients.
When Melissa is not working you can find her with her family, playing, reading, enjoying movie nights, and being outdoors. Melissa has a passion for people, art, music, and reading.
LEAH BRUCE, LPC, SAC
Contact Directly: lbruce@navigatewhg.com
Phone: 616-318-0066
Specialties: Adolescents, Trauma, and Substance Use Disorders
Leah Bruce is a licensed professional mental health and substance abuse counselor and a Yoga Alliance certified yoga teacher. Leah’s role in treatment is as a fellow traveler for a portion of your life’s path to identify and overcome obstacles. Leah is passionate about infusing philosophical concepts of the yogic lifestyle to provide an innovative approach to therapy. She has specialized training in Trauma Focused- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, narrative therapy, aggression replacement, and chronic suicidal ideation. Leah obtained her Master’s degree from Mount Mary University, in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is a mentor with the Mary Ellen Strong Foundation supporting minority students working toward their graduate degree in the mental health field. In her free time, you can find Leah listening to music, planning her next travel adventure, or taking a nap.
ROBERT BANNASCH, MS, LPC
(GERMANTOWN LOCATION + VIRTUAL)
The decision to seek therapy is not an easy one. I aim to make that decision as easy and comfortable as possible. I have a gentle personality and use a touch of humor to help make each client feel welcome and at ease. Individuals, couples, and families come to me because they need to work through a problem or issue. This might be anxiety, grief, couples or family counseling, health, loss of a job, or looking to build a happier, more fulfilling life, or numerous other reasons. I work hard to build an atmosphere that allows people to feel safe and understood. When clients leave, they feel healthier, happier, and more whole.
I work with all kinds of populations, but I have a special interest in working with adults struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma, OCD, and individuals, couples, and families looking to repair, rebuild, and reconnect. Humor, authentic non-judgmental caring, and comfort are all apart of my work.
"Life is about Being and Becoming."-Carl Rogers.
We all know that life can throw us all kinds of curveballs. When life throws us those difficulties, having someone to help you work through those issues is where the magic starts. Each person has the choice to sit back and let life happen to you or you can choose to embrace the challenge and face it head-on.
MATTHEW MCDONELL, MBA, MS
Contact Directly: mmcdonell@navigatewhg.com
Specialties: Opioid Use Certificate, Ketamine Therapy Facilitation (PW), Recreational Therapy
Populations: Veterans, First Responders
Matt McDonell spent 2011-2015 in the United States Army with 1/91 CAV (173rd IBCT A) and was stationed in Germany. Matt deployed in a combat role to Afghanistan in 2012/13. Medically retired in late 2015, he moved back to Milwaukee and pursued his MBA and also his MSW.
Matt has been running a nonprofit called Next 18 since 2021 and finds great purpose in providing support and resources for his fellow veterans and first responders.
Matt has found great value and benefit for all walks of life in his training and facilitation of ketamine therapy and other alternative medicines and looks to help clients navigate potential roadblocks in their way on the path to a happier and healthier life.
NOEL MITCHELL, MS, LPC-IT
Licensed Professional Counselor- In Training
Contact Directly: nkwiat@navigatewhg.com
Are you hoping to decrease your anxiety trying to navigate adulthood? Are you feeling like your workload is making your laptop your bff on weekends and late nights? Does your Sunday night include the “Sunday Scaries”? I specialize working with young adults that are working through burn-out and workplace anxiety. Together, we uncover how to bring you back to feeling like yourself. Furthermore, I can aid individuals in life/work transitions, career exploration, work trauma, relationship struggles, self-esteem, distress relating to comparison, and stress.
I believe change can occur through a collaborative approach relying on compassion, some humor, and vulnerability. I incorporate mind/body connection, mindfulness, psychoeducation, reviewing thought patterns and meet clients where they are at.
I have a down-to-earth approach that emphasis my clients being in a space where they can feel comfortable and heard. I believe people can seek therapy for a variety of reasons and whatever the reason may be, I am here for you!
KELLY DARMODY, MD
Contact Directly: kdarmody@navigatewhg.com
Phone: 262-421-5135
Specialties: Adults, Internal Medicine, Functional Medicine
Dr. Kelly uses tools from traditional, functional and integrative medicine to evaluate chronic diseases and symptoms related to digestive issues, cardiometabolic disease, autoimmune disease, hormone imbalance and mental health issues. Her goal is getting to the root cause of an illness rather than covering it up with a quick fix.
DR. JESSICA FUREY
Dr Jessica Furey is a board certified Family Medicine physician.She opened her clinic, North Star Primary Care with the intent to serve a smaller patient panel in order to make the doctor-patient relationship a priority. She has an interest in both men’s andwomen’s health, and can address structural conditions with OMT (body manipulation). Dr. Furey received her medical degree from Des Moines University in Iowa, and completed her residency through Michigan State University at what is now Spectrum Health, serving as chief resident in her final year. Dr Furey considers herself your partner in health, and will create an individualized wellness plan to help you achieve your personal goals. You may use your insurance for things like lab work and specialty care, but North Star does not bill insurance. A monthly membership fee covers unlimited visits. Meet and greet visits are a wonderful way to find out if the practice is for you!
CARRIE SCHUESSLER
Carrie has her Master’s in Social Work degree with a concentration in Behavioral Health. Her counseling practice is grounded in the belief that supportive relationships have great power to mitigate trauma and foster healing in the midst of stressful situations. She believes safe spaces grounded in compassion inspire courage and an ability to become more healthy versions of ourselves. She also incorporates aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy while helping individuals discover any unhealthy thought patterns that might hinder growth and progress.
Through her own life and her professional practice, Carrie has come to believe that with the right amount of support, and a lot of grit, it’s entirely possible to find hope, fulfillment, and even some fun in the midst of great difficulty and challenges. She’s also passionate about exploring topics of faith and spirituality, if the client expresses a desire to do so. She is most experienced in walking with teens and adolescents, young adults, those suffering with chronic pain and illness, and the low-income population. Open to both in-face and virtual appointments.
SARAH BARBER, MS, LPC-IT
Contact Directly:
(414) 533-1075
Specialties: Life transitions, Grief, Women's Issues, Parenthood Clarity, End-of-Life Dignity Therapy
Certifications: Trauma-Informed Counseling, Death Doula, Yoga Alliance
I specialize in supporting individuals navigating past traumas, life transitions, end-of-life journeys, and grief. With warmth and professionalism, I aim to hold space for curiosity and growth as we navigate these complexities together. Using a client-centered approach, I tailor sessions to your unique needs, empowering you to discover inner strengths and renewed purpose.
Drawing upon my education and training as a counselor, death doula, and yoga teacher, I embrace a holistic approach to wellness that infuses different aspects of these disciplines. To foster a centered experience, we may integrate mindfulness and breathwork that is grounded in yogic teachings. From my training as a death doula we may explore the significance of embracing mortality, or how to cultivate curiosity and joy in life’s most vulnerable moments.
Whatever brought you here in this moment, I am here to walk alongside you on this path of healing. Together we will explore your emotions, process your grief, and uncover the resilience within. I work with adults (individuals and couples) and adolescents.