Michele Barnett, PMHNP-BC

I am a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with nearly four decades of nursing experience, including over nine years specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry. Throughout my career, I have been a dedicated advocate for children, adolescents, and families, providing compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric care.

As the founder of Way Maker Behavioral Health Services, I am passionate about delivering personalized, one-on-one care. I believe every child deserves to be known, heard, and treated as an individual—not as part of an assembly-line approach to healthcare. My goal is to build meaningful relationships with families while creating thoughtful, individualized treatment plans that promote lasting wellness.

A follower of Jesus Christ, wife, and the mother of three daughters, I strive to reflect compassion, integrity, and hope in every aspect of my practice, welcoming and serving families from all backgrounds with dignity and respect.

Renee Perez, LPC

I enjoy working with children and adolescents as they navigate a variety of emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, fear, ADHD, grief, family changes such as divorce, and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). I am passionate about creating a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment where children and teens feel heard, understood, and empowered to grow.

I bring 15 years of experience in school settings and over five years of clinical experience. These experiences have given me a unique understanding of the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral challenges that children and adolescents may face. I am excited to bring this experience to Way Maker Behavioral Health and support children, teens, and their families as they work toward greater emotional well-being.

I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship can foster meaningful change. I strive to meet each client where they are, offering empathy, encouragement, and a nonjudgmental space to explore their experiences and develop healthy coping skills.

My approach incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Play Therapy, allowing me to tailor treatment to each child's or adolescent's individual needs, developmental level, and goals. I believe that faith can be an important source of hope, strength, and healing. When desired by the client and family, I am honored to incorporate Christian faith and biblical principles into the counseling process. I believe that God can bring purpose and hope even in the midst of difficult seasons.

I hold a master's degree in School Counseling from Johns Hopkins University and am a Licensed Professional Counselor. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors, making memories with my three boys, traveling, and reading.