Meet the professional team devoted to supporting our youth. They keep the wheels on, welcome the kids, and stock the treats daily. Our outstanding staff of mental health counselors and well-educated and licensed professionals form the backbone of BYS, and our friendly staff eagerly greets youth and help facilitate tutoring, counseling, service, and summer internship programs.
Courtney Oliver, LMHC
Executive Director
Courtney Oliver, LMHC, Director of Youth Services
Advice for my teenage self: Stop worrying about what others think and enjoy life!
Favorite quote: If all else fails, smile.
What makes me happy to be alive: Creative expression, the beginning of a season, family time, music, laughing with others.
Courtney stepped into the role of Executive Director in February 2021. She joined BYS as a counselor in January 2016 and has been the clinical services director since June 2017. She was promoted to Youth Services Director in November 2019. She is a Washington licensed mental health and chemical dependency professional with more than 12 years in the mental health field.
I love that BYS is able to provide youth free services like counseling and peer tutoring. Teens are so much fun to work with! They are so wise and perceptive. We can learn a lot from our youth.
Brittany Wisner
Program Manager
Brittany Wisner, Program Manager
Advice for my teenage self: Trust yourself. Don’t let others tell you that what you’re feeling isn’t valid, because it is.
Favorite quote: The world I believe in is one where embracing your light doesn’t mean ignoring your dark. ~ Kevin Breel
What makes me happy to be alive? My friends. My brother. The smell of freshly cut grass on a softball or baseball field. Singing loudly with strangers at concerts. Seattle sports. A good grilled cheese sandwich.
Brittany is the beloved face of BYS. She has worked with BYS since 2018 and loves working with teens for so many reasons (she is also the BHS softball coach). Brittany’s go-to self-care activities are watching football (Go Hawks), softball and baseball (Go M’s). Also napping.
In high school and college I really struggled with my own mental health, so it’s become an important part of my adult life. I was lucky as a teen that I had an adult in my life who noticed I was struggling and guided me to get the help I needed. I love that BYS can serve a similar role for youth today, and I hope I can be of judgment-free support to anyone needing it.
Cait James
Development Manager
Cait James, Development Manager
Advice for your teenage self: Say what you want to say and do what you want to do – no one is actually judging you!
Favorite quote: Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length – Robert Frost
What makes me happy to be alive: My kids, my pets, my family and friends – and large bodies of water.
After completing a master’s degree focused on the prevention of childhood obesity, Cait spent many years working with youth in health education, nutrition and physical activity. She is excited now to be working with an organization that focuses on the emotional needs of kids. She loves spending time with her 3 children and watching them grow into their own selves, as well as spending time with friends, running, hiking and reading.
BYS is an unparalleled resource for kids at a vulnerable time in their lives – I love that I can work with an organization that can impart such a positive impact, and that I can work together with our community to strengthen it.
Laura Firman
Program Coordinator
Laura Firman, Program Coordinator
Advice for your teenage self: Nurture your creativity. Making art will give you the gift of self expression and joy throughout your life.
Favorite quote: And now go, and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for your being here. Make good art. – Neil Gaiman
What makes me happy to be alive: Spending time with my family and friends, cuddling my dogs, drawing and painting, travel, trying new cuisine, going to art museums, jazz concerts and baseball games.
Seventeen years ago Laura and her family traveled across the country to relocate to Bainbridge Island. Here they found a vibrant community with great schools in a beautiful setting. Laura has worked at the Bainbridge Island School District for many years as a paraeducator helping students from preschool to high school age.
I feel incredibly lucky to work with the dedicated staff at BYS. They have created a welcoming, safe place that offers counseling, volunteering opportunities and community service projects for the island’s youth. The Peer Tutoring program at BYS not only helps those with academic challenges, but it also gives the tutors a chance to build their work experience and leadership skills.
Ann Brandner Byrne, LICSW
Clinical Supervisor
Ann Brandner Byrne, LICSW, Clinical Supervisor
Advice for my teenage self: It’s okay to slow down. You only need to do one thing at a time. Everything takes time and things change over time. It’s important to remember to take some time for yourself- do what makes you feel happy and feel good about yourself.
Favorite Quote: Don’t let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace. -14th Dalai Lama
What makes me happy to be alive: My family and friends (I’m especially enjoying my time with my 2 year old grandson), watercolor painting with my art group, sailing and hiking with my husband, gardening and a little bit of daily yoga.
Ann is a Washington licensed independent clinical social worker who received her master’s degree in Social Welfare from the University of California at Berkeley. She has over 40 years of experience providing individual, group and family therapy to all age groups in a variety of clinical settings including a residential runaway program, community mental health agencies, hospice and K-12 schools as a school counselor.
I am honored to be joining the BYS team as the Clinical Supervisor. Working with teens is where I started my career and have continued to focus. BYS is an island gem- providing critical support to youth in need in a free and accessible way.
Helen Burke, LMHCA
Therapist
Helen Burke, LMHCA, Counselor
Advice for my teenage self: There is nothing wrong with you – trust in your goodness and worthiness of love and acceptance.
Favorite quote: Remember the earth whose skin you are: red earth, black earth, yellow earth, white earth, brown earth, we are earth. Remember the plants, trees, animal life who all have their tribes, their families, their histories, too. Talk to them, listen to them. They are alive poems. ~ Jay Harjo
What makes me happy to be alive: Ordinary moments with my family and friends, and moments alone in nature.
Helen joined BYS in April 2020 as a counseling intern. She has completed her master’s in clinical mental health counseling from Antioch University in Seattle. She is interested in mindfulness and body-based therapies for working with grief, loss, and trauma. This is a career change for Helen, who worked as a lawyer before raising her two teenage daughters. Helen enjoys quiet mornings spent reading with a strong cup of coffee (with cream), biking, family board games, watching bad reality TV, searching for the perfect GIF, and hearing people’s stories.
I love working with teens and parents around the myriad challenges of being human – I am constantly inspired and amazed by my clients and their ability to discover and grow and heal. I am so grateful to be learning at 50 how much it is possible to enjoy and find meaning in my work!
John Carleton, LMHCA
Therapist
John Carleton, LMHCA, Counselor
Advice for my teenage self: You’re not alone and you don’t have to do it all by yourself. It’s okay to talk to someone about how difficult things are. Talking about what’s going on will help you know what you’re feeling and let you know that you’re not alone in feeling that way. Also, you don’t have to have the right answer all the time; you don’t have to be perfect. It’s quite impossible! Making mistakes is not only okay, it’s how you learn and grow!
Favorite quote: “Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It’s a covenant between equals.” ~ Fr. Gregory Boyle
What makes me happy to be alive: Sunrises, sunsets, starry skies, cold mountain rivers and lakes, laughter, jumping on a trampoline, and riding my bike.
John joined BYS in August 2020 as a counseling intern. John practices a variety of self-care habits to help him with his counseling skills. To care for himself he has to be intentional in making space and taking time to connect with himself and feel his feelings. Journaling, focused breathing, meditation and prayer help him to be embodied. Spending time in nature and with family and friends are also important for mental health.
“I chose BYS because I want to support my community, and I wish I’d had someone to talk to when I was a teenager. Many boys in America are socialized to disconnect from their emotions and to think that they shouldn’t need other people. I’d like to disrupt that narrative and help teens, especially boys, understand that our brains are wired for social connection and emotional engagement.”
Emily Henning, LSWAIC
Therapist
Emily Henning, Counselor
Advice for my teenage self: Don’t fight your feelings. Your experiences are valid.
Favorite quote: “Let everything happen to you. Beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final.” – Rainer Maria Rilke
What makes me happy to be alive: Ice cream and Netflix with my partner, chatting with my kiddos, afternoon naps, and writing.
Emily joined BYS in January of 2023 as part of her practicum for her Master’s program at Boise State University.
I love working with teens and young adults and believe that counseling can be a sacred time to hold space, process emotions, and tend to one’s inner self.
Chase Myers, LMHCA
Therapist
Chase Myers, Counselor
Advice for my teenage self: Be kind to yourself, take your time, and learn to embrace the moments that matter.
Favorite quote: “Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.” – Soren Kierkegaard
What makes me happy to be alive: Spending quality time with family and friends, getting lost in a good story, opportunities to connect with others, learning something new.
Chase joined BYS in January of 2022 as a counseling intern. He recently moved to Bainbridge from Seattle and completed his graduate program for clinical mental health counseling at Antioch University. Chase grew up in Kenai, Alaska and has received a B.A. in History from the University of Alaska Anchorage. He loves how much Bainbridge reminds him of his tight-knit community roots.
I am excited to do my part in supporting teenagers as they traverse such a unique time in their lives.
Megan Bradley
Therapist
Megan Bradley, Therapist
Advice for my teenage self: You are enough just as you are.
Favorite quote: “Knowing oneself comes from attending with compassionate curiosity to what is happening within.” – Gabor Maté
What makes me happy to be alive: Adventuring–seeing new places and meeting new people. Being outside and moving my body. Cooking a delicious meal, starting and finishing a really good fantasy book, and spending time with family, friends and my partner.
I am very excited to be joining the BYS team as part of my internship through Antioch University Seattle’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program. I look forward to helping provide a space where teens and young adults feel like they can show-up as their most authentic selves!
Andrew Lovejoy
Therapist
Andrew Lovejoy, Therapist
Advice for my teenage self: All the people who you think have everything figured out actually don’t — and that’s OK! Also, people like you more than you think they do.
Favorite quote: “Hard times ain’t gonna rule my mind no more.” – Gillian Welch
What makes me happy to be alive: My wonderful kids; great music; playing and coaching Ultimate; learning and getting better at cool stuff, and helping others to do the same.
I grew up on Bainbridge Island and attended Bainbridge High School. My path led me to two rewarding passions: music, and coaching the sport of Ultimate frisbee. Along with the pursuit of these passions came challenges, including a lot of work on my own mental health. From a desire to build on the skills of coaching, I decided to pursue education in mental health counseling along with sports and performance psychology. I am so excited and grateful to be able to put these skills to work at Bainbridge Youth Services!
Emily Buster
Therapist
Emily Buster, Therapist
Advice for my teenage self: Be true to yourself. Don’t try to be someone you’re not just to fit in. The people who matter will love you for who you are.
Favorite quote: “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever will be, will be)”
What makes me happy to be alive: I feel most alive when I’m out in nature, discovering new places with my loved ones. Baking is also a passion of mine, as sharing food with others brings me immense happiness. I am thankful for my ability to run and hike, as physical activity helps me find balance and stay rooted.
I am delighted to join the BYS team as part of my internship through Antioch University Seattle’s Couples and Family Therapy (CFT) program. It is my privilege to have the opportunity to learn and grow with the team while making a positive impact on the community.
Kerri Shoumaker
Therapist
Kerri Shoumaker, Therapist
Advice for my teenage self: Stop trying so hard to fit in and just be yourself.
Favorite quote:
What makes me happy to be alive: Walks in Manzanita Park with my husband Chuck, and our dog Bobby.
Having been a chiropractor and a horticultural therapist, I have a passion for helping people. I am fortunate to have this opportunity at BYS. BYS has a supportive, caring, and collaborative team that looks out for each other and fosters growth. I believe this organization offers beneficial services to the community. As an adolescent, I wish that I had access to such services. Being able to find support and learn coping skills at a young age is life changing. I look forward to being part of the BYS team and helping as many people as I can with their mental health.