Harmony Tree Counseling & Wellness, LLC is now open for business in Grantsville.
Owner Andrea Opel provides individual therapy for adults and children age 10-18. She also includes family and parenting support sessions in therapy with children.
“I primarily see individuals and families who are experiencing challenges related to anxiety, trauma, PTSD and depression,” she said. “I use several different therapy modalities, including CBT, TF-CBT, and Mind Body Medicine, and therapy sessions are always client-focused, compassionate and inclusive.”
Originally from Garrett County, Opel graduated in 2013 with a MSW degree from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, (Mich.) and a M.Div. degree from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind. She then worked as a child and adolescent therapist at a community mental health center in Elkhart until 2019.
“While there, I did individual and family therapy with kids and teens, and was also involved with creating therapy groups and our team leadership,” she explained. “In 2019, I made the decision to return to Western Maryland and joined Chapman and Associates Health Care, which is now Garrett Medical Group LaVale.”
At that time, she began to provide individual therapy for adults in addition to children and families, which she said she has really enjoyed. She left that practice in September 2024 to begin her private practice.
“I have always been a listener and caregiver, so I think I was naturally drawn to this field,” Opel said. “Therapy gives me a way to be present in people’s lives at some of the deepest and most transformative moments, which is an honor and gift.”
She noted that she’s had the idea of a private practice in the back of her mind for a long time, but the timing just never felt right.
“Last year I decided the time was right,” Opel said.
Through her work, she has developed interests in the value of nutrition, herbal medicine, and nature in the support of mental health and wellbeing.
“I wanted to create a place where I could integrate these interests and values, and also offer a wider spectrum of services or supports to the community beyond the traditional ‘treatment’ model of the medical field,” Opel said. “So I created Harmony Tree Counseling and Wellness, LLC in October 2024, beginning with telehealth sessions and now offering in-person sessions at the new office.”
Opel said she is excited to see the practice growing, and is grateful for the welcome she’s already received from the community.
“I think this is something that people have been looking for,” she said.
“Harmony Tree Counseling and Wellness is not just about therapy or ‘treatment,’” she said. “I have learned that when we are connected to our personal self, community, and nature in ways that are mutually compassionate, nurturing and just, a type of symbiotic relationship is created that generates our own wellbeing as well as communal wellbeing. My dream for Harmony Tree is that it becomes a place that fosters these connections beyond the therapy session.”
She also hopes to add therapy groups for clients, as well as workshops and retreats for the broader community that focus on natural supports for mental health and wellbeing.
“My next project will be to create a website where I can include a blog and online resources about mental health and herbal medicine,” she said.
Opel said she always begins with a free consult video or phone call to discuss what the individual would like to have help with, and how she does therapy so that both can determine if she will be the best fit for them.
“If we decide that it is not a good fit then I will help them find a therapist who would be a better fit,” she said.
Opel offers self-pay and accepts several insurances. She is also a member of Open Path Collective for clients who are uninsured or underinsured.
The office is located at 12582 National Pike, Grantsville. It can be reached by phone at 301-381-0743 or email email: harmonytreecounseling@gmail.com.
Opel also has a profile on Psychology Today, and pages on Facebook and Instagram.
Article courtesy of The Garrett County Republican. Editor: Brenda Ruggiero (301.501.8393; bruggiero@therepublicannews.com).
