Holly D. French, M.Ed., LPC, CCTP1
Holly is the founder and director of Mindful Upstate Counseling, and she is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over a decade of experience working throughout the upstate of South Carolina in a variety of settings. Holly is passionate about helping others live a fulfilling life, her family and friends, and continually learning new things. When Holly is not working, she spends her time reading, knitting, crafting, learning new things, and experiencing life with her two kids and husband.
Holly grew up in southwest Georgia, and then left home to complete a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Development and Family Studies at Auburn University. In 2007, Holly and her husband moved to South Carolina where she completed a Master’s of Education in Community Counseling at Clemson University. Since living in South Carolina, Holly has worked in a wide range of mental health settings which have helped her grow professionally to develop her areas of specialty and treatment techniques.
Holly is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and a Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional, and her areas of specialty include trauma, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, ADHD and behavioral problems, anger management, family and life adjustment problems, and women’s issues. Though, Holly’s passion is working with complex and developmental trauma and dissociative disorders. Holly works with most ages groups through a variety of therapeutic services, and she implements individualized dynamic interventions drawn from a range of techniques and methods including, dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, polyvagal theory, somatic experiencing therapy, solution-focused therapy, eco-therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (including trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy), mindfulness and skills training, and other mindfulness-based therapeutic approaches. Holly believes client-counselor collaboration is essential for successful treatment, and she values the bravery each individual exhibits as they enter the counseling office.
Amy Pantele, M.S., LPCA
Amy is a licensed professional counselor associate, who specializes in trauma and works with children, adolescents, and adults. Amy’s personal and professional experiences have given her a passion for empowering others to find inner peace, purpose, and opportunities.
As a mother of five children (four boys and one girl), Amy has an exciting but peaceful life with her children, and she enjoys painting, photography, and being in nature in her time outside of the office.
While living in the southwest, Amy attended Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ, and received a Master of Science in Professional Counseling, with a focus in Trauma and Child & Adolescent Disorders and a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Counseling in Applied Behavior Analysis. Amy has also completed a Post-Master Certification in Trauma Specialization and continues to pursue ongoing training. She also has specific experience working with neurodevelopmental, behavioral, and trauma-related issues in older children and adolescents.
Amy seeks to understand each client’s unique needs and circumstances, in order to approach therapy in the most beneficial way. She works with trauma and dissociative disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, neurocognitive and developmental disorders, behavioral problems, family and life adjustment problems, and crisis management. Some methodologies she uses are cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, solution-focused therapy, behavior management, skills training, and psychoeducation. Amy offers a space of non-judgmental acceptance and support for all clients and is honored to provide guidance through their personal journey of healing, growth, and empowerment.
Melissa Gallagher, NCC, LPCA
Melissa is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate and a member of the Board of Nationally Certified Counselors. She has nearly 2 decades of experience in the helping profession working with children, teens and adults in various settings, including group homes, psychiatric hospitals, day programs, case management and foster care agencies.
In her downtime, Melissa enjoys hiking, going to the mountains and beach, traveling, writing, listening to music, meditating, watching documentaries, reading and spending quality time with family and friends. Melissa has 2 children (a son and a daughter), who she calls her greatest joy and achievement and loves watching them laugh, learn and grow. Melissa is an avid animal lover who often jokes that if she ever won the lottery, she would open thousands of sanctuaries.
Melissa grew up in Northern New Jersey, where she graduated Cum Laude from University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and Felician College and received a dual degree in Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Psychology. In 2011, Melissa completed her graduate program at William Paterson University, where she received her Master of Education in Mental Health Counseling.
Melissa utilizes various therapeutic modalities and techniques with her clients, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness (including meditation and breathing techniques), solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing and dialectal behavioral therapy. She believes establishing a trusting therapeutic relationship and helping her client feel safe is the most important, as well as occasional humor and lightheartedness to help her client feel at ease.
Through both personal and professional experience, Melissa understands how scary it can be to enter therapy and how challenging change can be. She believes that everyone has within them an intrinsic ability to become the best versions of themselves and live the life they deserve and offers a safe place free of judgment where clients can express themselves openly and honestly. Her specializations include ADHD, trauma, anxiety disorders, depression, behavioral issues, familial conflict and women’s issues.