Allysa Gammel holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Salisbury University and a Master of Science Degree in Business Management with a specialization in Nonprofits and Associations from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

With experience spanning the nonprofit and government sectors, Allysa has held leadership roles focused on mental health, workforce development, grant management, community programming, and outreach across the Eastern Shore. Her experience includes international nonprofit work in Cape Town, South Africa, managing Supported Employment Services across three counties, and overseeing state and local grants and community initiatives with Wicomico County’s Local Management Board. She currently serves as a Maryland ABLE Ambassador, connecting Lower Eastern Shore communities with valuable resources.

Allysa is passionate about community leadership, mental health advocacy, and building partnerships that create lasting impact and is proud to serve as the Executive Director for Worcester Youth and Family.

Accountant/Business Advisor — Brian Scarborough has a B.S. in Economics from Allegheny College and has worked in the business and accounting fields for over 40 years. After running his own business for 20 years, Brian retired from private business and joined Worcester Youth and Family in 2015. In addition to his duties as Staff Accountant, he also acts as Business Advisor to the Executive Director. He is happy to serve Worcester County through the programs of WYFCS.

Administrative Coordinator – Mark joined the Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services team in 2024 as the Administrative Coordinator, bringing with him almost a decade of experience in mental health administration and receptionist fields. Mark manages front office operations—answering calls, facilitating scheduling, and welcoming clients—as well as supporting the clinical team with insurance interactions, billing, and provider credentialing. He serves as the organization’s operational “go to person”, handling comprehensive office management with a dedicated, “happy to help” attitude. Mark is certified in CPR and First Aid. 

Christine Felix is the director of our Worcester Navigation program, linking children and families in the county to resources.  She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from SUNY Albany and loves being a caretaker.  Christine has a successful history of working in the field of resource navigation with our former Family Connections program.  She enjoys living on the Eastern Shore and spending time at the beach with her family.

Berkleigh Diaz joins Worcester County Youth and Family Counseling Services as the Program Director for Worcester Connects. She is a Berlin/OC native with a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Salisbury University. With a love for learning, she has continued her education in the health and wellness field. Berkleigh’s certifications include 500HR Yoga Instructor, Certified Foundational Breath Worker, Certified Children’s Yoga Instructor, and two years’ experience as a Family Peer Support Specialist. She has spent the last ten years supporting children and families through wellness initiatives, classes, and events and looks forward to supporting students in Worcester County through our mentorship program.

Worcester Connects Program Assistant– Chelsea is a local to Berlin, Maryland, and a Stephen Decatur Alumni. She upholds a Child Development Associate as well as First Aid and CPR certified. Chelsea is also a current student at University of Phoenix, studying in Social Work. She has a wealth of 10 years of childcare experience, with an expert background supporting children with behavioral and special needs challenges. Chelsea is dedicated to creating positive relationships with families and allowing every child to reach their full potential through consistency, patience, and growth.

Outreach and Support Coordinator- Lauren is a local to Ocean City, Maryland and graduated from Salisbury University in 2026 with her bachelor’s degree in social work. She is very excited to be a part of the Worcester Connects team and has over 5 years of experience of working with children.

Head Program Facilitator- Leslie Dixon is our Youth Programs Facilitator who runs the Berlin Youth Club and teen groups.  She is a Snow Hill Alumni and obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Education at Salisbury University.  She currently teaches Pre-k and has experience with children 6 to 12 years old.  Leslie is also CPR and First aid certified.

Caryn Horn has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Masters of Arts in Clinical, Counseling Psychology, specifically with a concentration/specialty in Marriage and Family Therapy. For over 10 years, Caryn has provided individual, couples and family based therapy with much of her training in Philadelphia, the “home” of family therapy. She functions in an eclectic manner within her therapy sessions, finding it most important to meet each client where they are. Although Caryn works with most populations, her specialty is in couples and families, promoting healthy relationships and attachments.

Jackie Hirsch is a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical having earned her Master of Social Work Degree from Salisbury University.  She has experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, and families. While Jackie is open to treating various ages, her primary specialty is working with adolescents.  Jackie utilizes a mindfulness-based approach and has completed a certificate for Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Teens.  She is also certified in Animal-Assisted Therapy and incorporates her therapy dog, Rory, when appropriate.  Jackie has expertise in treating ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and behavioral problems.

Courtney Herring is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who earned her Master’s in Clinical Psychology, specializing in Clinical Counseling, from Capella University. She is also a Maryland Board Certified Supervisor for LGPCs. Courtney typically sees people from adolescence into adulthood, as well as couples, with presenting problems such as: anxiety, depression, substance abuse, attachment, trauma and emotional dysregulation. She utilizes a multi-dimensional approach focused on insight based to help people identify patterns and build problem solving skills to evoke hope and long-term change. Courtney also prioritizes the individual and models this by incorporating humor and metaphors to help decrease the stigma of “one size fits all” therapy.

Courtney is currently working with WYFCS as a clinical supervisor for our agency. If you are interested in more information about all of our therapists seeking new clients, please contact us.

W. Wilson Sawyer, LCSW-C is a clinical social worker based in Berlin, Maryland. He graduated from the University of Maryland School of Social Work in 2007 and practiced in Washington DC Public Schools and Child Protective Services before joining Worcester Youth and Family Counseling and the Worcester County Health Department. He works with clients of all ages and diagnoses, though specializes in treating high school students and young adults with a range of conditions including autism, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

Mary Beth (often referred to as “MB”) is a Baltimore native who vacationed in Ocean City as a child; now, she is fulfilling her lifelong dream of living in the area. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Management from Towson University and later obtained a Master of Social Work degree with a focus in Mental Health and Substance Misuse from The Ohio State University. MB was a clinical intern here at Worcester Youth and has returned to us post-graduation as a licensed social worker as of October 2024. She has experience working with all ages, but a significant portion of that experience has been working with kids and adolescents. She has a passion for working with a wide array of individuals and seeing every client for who they are as a person beyond just their diagnosis so that the therapeutic approach can be tailored to the client’s needs. MB aims to form a partnership with her clients to let them know that they are not alone in their journey to establish and achieve their goals.

Jessica Hagy (she/her), Licensed Certified Social Worker–Clinical, helps adults who have suffered from chronic stress, anxiety, or trauma to feel more at ease and at home within themselves. She integrates trauma-informed, somatic techniques—including mindfulness, iRest® yoga nidra meditation, reiki, restorative yoga, and breathing—with person-centered and cognitive behavioral therapies. These approaches are carefully chosen and interwoven to help you regulate your nervous system, balance emotions, and feel more supported as you move through the specific challenges you face in life. If you are ready to try a holistic, therapeutic experience with Jessica, schedule an appointment with her today.

Jill Loppnow has been a part of the Berlin community for ten years. She and her husband decided to make Berlin, MD their permanent home after moving around with the Coast Guard for many years. Jill received her B.S. in Psychology in 2022 from Liberty University and received a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2025.  Jill completed our mental health clinical internship program in 2025 and has obtained Maryland licensure as a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC). She has always enjoyed helping others and is excited to offer her services to our community.

Jess is a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Maryland and Colorado, with a Master’s in Counseling from the University of Denver. Jess grew up in the community and moved to Colorado for graduate school where she then practiced as an outpatient therapist, until moving back to the shore last year. She has over 8 years of experience supporting individuals through challenges such as depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship stress, ADHD, maternal mental health, and general life transitions. Jess has experience working with children, families, and couples but sees mostly adults 18+. Jess works through a client centered and collaborative approach to meet each person where they are, while integrating evidence-based and trauma informed practices to provide individualized treatment to each client. Jess is passionate about creating a safe and affirming space for all, including LGBTQIA+ folx, BIPOC, and other intersecting identities. She works to serve clients through respect and compassion for their individual experiences, cultures, values, and challenges.

Jess is currently taking clients for Tuesday sessions as well as working within Showell Elementary School on Mondays.

Clinical Intern- Camille Meddings is originally from Frederick County, Maryland and moved to Seaford, Delaware in 2022. She earned her BS in Sociology from James Madison University in 2019 and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Colorado Christian University. Camille has a passion for working with couples, families, adolescents, and veterans. Camille believes in the power of collaborative therapeutic relationships and strives to empower her clients to achieve their personal and relational goals. In her free time, Camille enjoys spending time with her husband and toddler. She is excited to start her journey as an intern and looks forward to making a positive impact in the lives of those she works with!