Get Help, Get Active, Get Well
We are a team of therapists who use exercise and movement as a primary form of treatment for common mental health issues, such as anxiety & depression, and do so based on science and research.
When we opened our doors in June of 2011, The Well Being was the first outpatient mental health facility in the United States to provide its clientele with an on-site fitness center, specifically for their use, and specifically for their mental health. We continue represent the cutting edge when it comes to this treatment combination.
​
While clients are receiving counseling they have open-access to our on-site fitness center at no additional charge, and access to the expertise of our fitness staff. We believe in the power that exercise and movement hold as a form of mental health treatment, and have established it as a cornerstone of our practice.
Listen to Brendan Kelly's interview on "The Practice of The Practice" podcast and learn more about the past, present, and future of The Well Being!
Meet Our Team
Meet the team of Well Being staff who are ready for you to get help, get active, and get well.
Clinical Staff
Owner/CEO/Therapist
Brendan Kelly, LMSW
Brendan is a Licensed Master's Social Worker who's been working as an outpatient therapist since 2003. Brendan received his Master's Degree in Social Work from Western Michigan University in 2003, and has been working in Grand Rapids, Michigan, since that time. He is passionate about the idea of utilizing movement and physical exercise as a direct source of mental health treatment, and has given numerous presentations over the years on this subject. During his career, Brendan has completed the 7-month Extramural Training Program at the Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Research. He has also been certified in Dialectical-Behavioral Therapy through Behavioral Tech, and has received an extensive amount of continuing education in Motivational Interviewing with M.I.N.T trainers. Brendan enjoys being with his wife and daughter, his friends and family, trail running, mountain biking, being at the beach, playing in the snow, or getting outside in any of the seasons in between.
Therapist, Co-Founder of The Well Being
Timothy Pieri, LMSW
Timothy is a Licensed Master's Social Worker and a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers. Timothy received his Master's Degree in Social Work from Western Michigan University in 1986, and has been a practicing therapist since 1990. He has worked for a variety of non-profit organizations throughout West Michigan, most notably with Arbor Circle from 1990-2009. While at Arbor Circle, Timothy developed, implemented, and facilitated their Intensive Outpatient substance abuse treatment program. He specializes in individual, group, couples, and family counseling, and on helping individuals move from illness to new lives in recovery. He has worked as an Adjunct Professor at both Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College. He has been married for over 45 years, and he and his wife have successfully raised six children.
Therapist
Cheri Fox, LMSW
Cheri is a Licensed Master’s Social Worker who has cared for individuals throughout her life. She has practiced as a childbirth educator and birth coach, and as a spiritual director at The Dominican Center at Marywood. Most recently, she has practiced by providing counseling and support for individuals adjusting to blindness and vision loss. Cheri has experience leading psycho-education and DBT groups for the day treatment program at Forest View Hospital, and has facilitated support groups for The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. She trained at The Ohio State University, State University of New York, and at Western Michigan University where she received her MSW. She has experience working with individuals in grief counseling, adjustment support, anxiety and depression, and issues around pregnancy, birth and parenting. Cheri utilizes an eclectic approach of Solution-Focused Therapy, mindfulness, spiritual integration, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to invite individuals to wholeness and balance. Cheri enjoys hiking and walking with friends, biking, cross country skiing, and paddling. Cheri has been married to her husband Phil for more than 36 years and together they have raised five young adult children.
​
Watch Cheri's YouTube Video Interview HERE!
Therapist
Elizabeth Maher, LMSW
Elizabeth is a Licensed Master's Social Worker who approaches therapy from a strengths perspective. She strives to provide a welcoming, nonjudgmental, safe, supportive and solution focused environment where clients feel heard, respected and understood. Elizabeth graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 2002. Her undergraduate degree is from Valparaiso University in Social Work and Psychology. In her 19 years of practice she brings experience in many areas including: family and relationship issues, special needs, trauma, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, coping with stress, grief, divorce, attachment, self-esteem and parenting issues. She uses a variety of approaches to best meeting individual needs that include cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, mindfulness and EFT. Elizabeth enjoys spending her time hiking with her dogs, paddle boarding, sitting on the beach, gardening, and talking/cleaning/cooking with her two children and husband.
Therapist
Michele Seasly, LMSW, CAADC, CCS
Shelley received her Master of Social Work degree from Western Michigan University in 1993 and has been working in the field of mental health and substance use since that time. She has experience working with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, grief, parenting, and substance use disorders. Shelley was trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in 2017 and uses this and other methods to treat persons that have experienced trauma. She has also had extensive trainings in Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, and substance use treatment. She has been guided in her practice by her belief that people have the strengths and resources to change.
Shelley has used exercise and movement throughout her life to help her stay healthy and to manage stress. She believes strongly that physical activity is very important for overall health.
Shelley’s family is comprised of three adult sons, their partners, beautiful grandchildren and her husband of 43 years. She enjoys being outside, traveling, exercising, learning, gardening, playing the piano and spending time with friends and family.
Therapist
Bethany Bertapelle, LMSW
Bethany is a Licensed Master’s Social Worker with over a decade of experience in helping clients face life challenges and learn new ways to care for their mental, emotional, and relational well being. A passion for understanding how social environment affects mental health led Bethany to pursue undergraduate degrees in Social Work and Political Science, as well as a master’s degree in Social Work. Working with survivors of trauma and abuse has been a driving force shaping Bethany’s approach to supporting her clients’ healing and well-being. Bethany practices Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR), which is recommended by the American Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization for recovery from trauma, depression, and anxiety. Bethany’s therapeutic approach is also strongly influenced by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a mindfulness-based, empirically proven framework for changing your relationship to habitual thoughts and feelings and empowering you to take steps today toward what matters most in your life. Bethany’s philosophy is that we cannot control what life brings but we each have tremendous power to learn, grow, embrace our courage, and support one another. Bethany is passionate about yoga and offers breath and movement practices for her clients. She also enjoys spending time in nature, paddleboarding, cycling, and hiking. Bethany uses she/her pronouns and aims to provide a therapeutic environment that is safe and supportive for all. You are welcome here.
Therapist
Peter Bourland, LPC
Peter is a Licensed Professional Counselor offering counseling and coaching for individuals and parents. Peter received his Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from Denver Seminary
and has been licensed in Colorado and Michigan since 1998. Peter works from the underlying assumption that people are not problems to be fixed but rather great mysteries to be appreciated. Appreciation allows us to discover the best in each other and from that vantage point we find energy and purpose for change and healing. Peter utilizes an approach which draws from an existential, contemplative, appreciative understanding of what it means to be human and seeks to create an environment of trust and understanding with his clients as they work together toward a desired future. In addition to offering individual counseling and addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, interpersonal relationships and personal development, Peter offers group and individual coaching for men and women who desire to be better parents. These groups are available at various times throughout the year so please inquire with The Well Being for dates and times if interested. Peter lives in Grand Rapids with his wife and son and is available to meet in person or via video whichever is more convenient.
Therapist
Alese Copley, LLPC
Alese is a Limited License Professional Counselor who received her Master’s of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Central Michigan University in 2023. Alese has been working in the mental health field for 10 years, and has always had a passion for helping others. She believes that incorporating mindfulness and movement into a routine mindset can forever
change a person’s life. Alese has worked extensively with underserved and cognitively impaired populations in the past, allowing her to see and understand the world from many points of view. She also served a 4-year term with the Michigan Air National Guard. Alese has completed extensive trauma training, which has led her to obtain her certification as a Clinical Certified Trauma Professional. Alese is passionate about helping her clients achieve their fullest potential by way of support and encouraging each person to find true meaning in their individual life. She incorporates a variety of treatment modalities into sessions, dependent on need. This includes existential psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy, solution focused brief therapy, and mindfulness. Alese enjoys practicing yoga, snowboarding, taking her dog for walks in the park, and traveling in her spare time.
Fitness and Support Staff
Fitness Center Director
Mike Zimmer, B.S., Exercise Science
Mike Zimmer has been the Fitness Director at The Well Being since the Fall of 2021. Mike is a Corrective Exercise specialist from the West Michigan area who has a knack for helping people get moving, while healing any aches and pains they may have! Mike received his Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from Grand Valley State University in 2010, and has been working in the health and fitness industry ever since. Throughout his career, Mike has worked as a Personal Trainer, Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Fitness Director, and Corrective Exercise Specialist, and has worked with people of all varieties and goals, from teenage athletes all the way up to a 96 year old client!
​
Watch Mike's YouTube Video Interview HERE!
Yoga Instructor
Zoe Saye, C-IAYT, RYT-500
Zoe is a certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) and RYT-500. With a trauma-sensitive and client-centered approach, Zoe works one-on-one or in small group settings to guide her clients through evidence-based yoga therapy techniques involving breath, meditation, relaxation, sound, and adaptive movement. Sessions facilitated by Zoe can address physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual discomfort and dis-ease.
Zoe has experience working with people living with high stress, chronic anxiety, depression, persistent pain, trauma, MS, fibromyalgia, heart conditions, cancer, kidney disease, high-risk pregnancy, grief, and spiritual distress. She strives to create a safe, compassionate, and welcoming environment that invites her clients to participate in their journey toward optimal health and well-being at their own pace.
Zoe completed her Yoga Therapy certification through the International Institute of Yoga Therapy. She has additional training through Warriors at Ease and is a Reiki III practitioner. She received her Wellness Counselor certification from Cornell University and holds a B.S. in Psychology from Grand Valley State University.
With a devoted practice since 2012 and over seven years of teaching in a variety of settings to a wide range of age groups, Zoe has witnessed the significant impact of yoga on herself and her clients. By taking intentional steps, with support of an integrative care team, healing happens on purpose.
Aside from teaching, Zoe finds joy in sharing quality time with friends and family, spending time outdoors, traveling near and far, trying new recipes in the kitchen, or reading a good book.