OUR MISSION
The mission of Bayshore Counseling Services is to create a system of care that will engage individuals in prevention, mental health, and recovery services in order to become participants in a healthy community. We provide a complete range of mental health, chemical dependency, prevention, intervention and treatment services for adults, adolescents, children and their families in an outpatient setting. Consumers are expected to be an active participant in their treatment. All services are provided by qualified clinicians and therapists who adhere to their professional code of ethics.

Henrietta Whelan, MSW, LISW-S – Executive Director
Henrietta graduated with a Masters in Social Work degree from The Ohio State University. She is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with supervisory credential. Henrietta has been in the behavioral health field for 30-plus years. She has been at Bayshore Counseling since 1995 as a Mental Health Therapist, Clinical Director and is currently the Executive Director.
MEET THE TEAM
Behavioral Health Staff
Chelsee T. Smith
M. Ed., LPCC, LICDC
Chelsee has a Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Cleveland State University and a Chemical Dependency Certification from Cleveland State University.
Chelsee has been employed with Bayshore Counseling Services for 3 years and is a Behavioral Health Therapist for both Sandusky and Port Clinton offices.
Karina Matthews
BA, CDCA
Karina graduated from the Ohio State University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Art in Psychology and minor in Russian. She is currently enrolled in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master's program at Heidelberg University. Karina has been employed at Bayshore Counseling Services since March 2022 and provides group and individual counseling in the Sandusky office.
Tammy Henderson
MA, LPCC-S
Tammy graduated from Heidelberg University. She is a Mental Health/Chemical Dependency Provider providing treatment at Bayshore Counseling Services since 2012. Her treatment specialty is CBT/Trauma-Informed Care/EMDR/Autism Spectrum Disorder/Gambling & Other Drug Addiction/Anger Management.
Brad Downing
BS, CDCA
Brad graduated from Tiffin University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and worked with the Wood County Juvenile Court. Brad currently holds a CDCA License from the State of Ohio and provides groups, individual counseling, and assessments for clients and families in the Sandusky office.
Heather McBride, LPC
Heather has a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Toledo. Heather has been employed with Bayshore Counseling Services since March 2021, she enjoys working with children and adolescents. She does mental health and addictions counseling in the Port Clinton office.
Prevention Staff
Carrie Kennedy MSW, LSW
Carrie has a bachelor degree at the University of Toledo (Social Work), Master's at Case Western Reserve University (MSASS). Carrie has a license in Social Work and a credential in Early Childhood Mental Health. She has been working at Bayshore for six years in the prevention department, enhancing resiliencies and social-emotional awareness within the classroom, providing home visits and connecting community services.
Teri Meyers
BSW, LSW
Teri has a BSW in Social Work at Youngstown University. Teri has been at Bayshore for 3 years. She provides prevention and intervention in the Juvenile Justice Center and in the Juvenile Corrections Facility. She also implements the Incredible Years program in the Sandusky, Perkins, Huron City, and Ottawa County schools.
Jessica Avants, BSW, MS in Education, LSW
Jessica received her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Bowling Green State University in 2004. She graduated from the University of Dayton with her Master's of Education in School Counseling in 2010.
She has been a part of the Prevention department at Bayshore Counseling since August 2019. She provides prevention/intervention counseling at EHOVE Career Center.
As a Bayshore Prevention Counselor, Jessica helps students develop knowledge, attitudes and skills they need to make good choices and change harmful behaviors with the goal of prevention of substance misuse and the promotion of mental health wellness.