Michelle A. McClain, MS, LPA

Ms. McClain graduated Cum Laude and with Honors in Sociology from Lenoir-Rhyne University and obtained her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Radford University in Radford, Virginia. Licensed in NC as a Psychological Associate, she founded Solutions of Hickory in 2000. Early in her career, her specialized interest area and area of advanced expertise was the assessment and diagnosis of learning difficulties in children, adolescents, and adults. Since establishing Solutions of Hickory, Michelle has pursued training and developed additional areas of expertise in the areas of child, adolescent, and adult counseling, as well as couples and family treatment. Trained in the scientist/practitioner model of graduate education in psychology, she combines evidenced-based models of treatment including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused interventions, and approaches from the field of Positive Psychology with genuine compassion and love of joining clients on their personal journeys to achieve their goals and overcome life’s stressors. The treatment of adjustment difficulties in children, adolescents, and adults, such as divorce, grief and loss, and chronic illness; as well as ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, depression and anxiety are also areas of expertise. At Solutions of Hickory, Ms. McClain developed an effective social skills training group, “FriendBuilders”, which is appropriate for children from ages 4 to 12 who are experiencing social difficulties. She has received advanced training and supervision in conducting forensic evaluations of individuals and families, pre-surgical assessments, and also treats children and families during and after high-conflict divorces. She is a current member of the American Psychological Association, the Catawba Valley Association of Counselors & Therapists, the International Dyslexia Association, and the North Carolina Association of Professional Psychologists. She has obtained training in the Darkness to Light sexual abuse prevention program, the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, and is a champion for the safety and protection of children.

Sharing one’s gifts to benefit others and giving back to the community is a core value for Ms. McClain, which led to leadership positions in a variety of organizations. She is a past Executive Board member and Treasurer of the NC Branch of the International Dyslexia Association, and recipient of the 2008 Dr. Lucia Rooney Karnes Award for Excellence for service to this organization. She is also a past member and Executive Board member of the local non-profit group, OUTright Youth of Catawba Valley.

An alumna of Lenoir-Rhyne University, Ms. McClain continues to be part of the LRU community by serving as an adjunct instructor in the undergraduate Psychology Department. In this capacity, she enjoys exposing college students to the field of psychology.

Ms. McClain loves music, travel, live theater and spending time with family and friends who are family.

Mrs. Linda Johnson is a Licensed Psychological Associate (also known as a master’s level psychologist) and a certified Health Services Provider who has been a clinician with Solutions of Hickory, PA for more than 10 years. Her fascination with the human psyche began at Warner Southern College where she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, then continued at Spalding University where she earned a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, graduating Summa Cum Laude from both institutions.  Professionally, Linda has had opportunities to work in a variety of educational, government, and clinical settings to include private and community colleges, state departments of corrections and social services, and in both non-profit and private practice agencies specializing in outpatient services.   

Linda has years of experience working with children, teens, and adults and provides individual, couples, family, and group psychotherapy services for these populations at Solutions.  She especially enjoys working with teens and their families as they navigate the developmental challenges of increasing autonomy, as well as adults who are struggling with major life transitions and decisions.  Linda is experienced with treating a variety of mental health related issues including depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anger, communication difficulties, relational conflicts, developmental and parenting concerns, maladaptive eating behaviors, grief, and identity development. Her clinical expertise extends to psychological assessment, specializing in socio-emotional evaluations that incorporate a combination of objective and subjective measures to ascertain the emotional and personality functioning of children and adults. This form of assessment is not only highly beneficial for diagnostic clarification but also includes practical treatment recommendations that can be utilized by mental health professionals as they begin or continuing working with these individuals.       

As a self-proclaimed “nerd,” Linda firmly believes that knowledge can be empowering and regularly incorporates psychoeducation into her sessions, in addition to offering educational workshops to the community, teaching key psychological principles that will enhance awareness and promote wellbeing.  Clients have said that Linda’s empathic, authentic, and often humorous approach creates an environment where they can easily and safely share their experiences, gain insight, and move toward healthier, more personally meaningful ways of living.  Linda believes that “life is what you make it,” and she is passionate about the opportunity to help you make your life more of what you want it to be.   

Mrs. Heather Smith is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate and Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist Associate at Solutions of Hickory, PA. Heather’s professional endeavors began in education after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Lees-McRae College.  She then spent 9 years in the public school system, working predominantly as an Exceptional Children’s (EC) teacher before being promoted to an EC Instructional Coach.  Throughout these years, Heather specialized in children 5 to 12 years old with social and emotional disabilities, many of which also struggled with other obstacles to learning, such as dyslexia and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).  The opportunity to work with this population is credited for igniting her passion for mental health and ultimately led to her earning a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Montreat College.  While working on her masters, Heather was a member of the National Honors Society, Chi Sigma Iota, and she is currently a National Certified Counselor and member of the American Counseling Association.

Prior to joining the clinical team at Solutions, Heather practiced as a group and individual counselor for adults that suffer from Substance Use Disorders, also treating many of these clients for co-occurring mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  Her interests have expanded to include working with children, adolescents, and adults that are interested in utilizing supportive counseling as they work to become better versions of themselves.  Heather specializes in the treatment of ADHD, Autism, learning disabilities, addiction, behavioral difficulties, sensory issues, and functional deficits, focusing on skill-building in areas such as planning and organization, time management, and social competency.  Additionally, Heather’s expertise extends to difficulties associated with surgical weight loss, helping individuals increase preparedness before a procedure and/or adjust to changes following one, improving their chances of postoperative success.  Special areas of interest for Heather include anxiety, depression, trauma, and disordered eating behaviors. Heather believes that through utilizing resources and support systems, overcoming life’s obstacles is possible, second chances are important, and empowerment can come from the word “yet,” because some things are worth the time it takes to work toward them.  

Mr. Zealy-Wright believes that every single person has the ability and the right to achieve their full potential. He makes it his  mission as your therapist to be honest, accepting, and supportive. His unique perspective has come from education, training, and past experiences as a clinician as well as his  own life experiences. He is a passionate coach, teacher, and clinician and will bring an energetic and strengths-focused approach to your work together. He believes that we all have the ability to redefine negative experiences into positive opportunities for growth.

Mr. Zealy-Wright is a Licensed Professional Counselor (Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor), a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, and a Certified Clinical Supervisor.   He graduated from Catawba Valley Community College in 2005 earning an Associate in Arts, Lenoir-Rhyne University in 2008 earning a BA in Psychology, and in 2010 an MA in Agency Counseling. He enjoys working with diverse populations but has extensive experience with teens, adults and couples. His specialty areas include addiction, depression, anxiety, life changes, men’s issues, relationships, and LGBTQIA issues. Mr. Zealy-Wright also has  experience working with medication assisted treatment for opiate dependency and offers clinical supervision services for provisionally licensed substance abuse professionals. As an addictions specialist he also believes that addiction is a disorder, not a moral failing.

A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, Mr. Zealy-Wright has lived in Hickory for over 20 years with his spouse. He is  passionate about theatre, music, creative arts and the importance of play as an adult. He is  active in the community, organizing various fundraisers for non-profits  that serve the underserved. He is also a member of the Catawba Valley Association of Counselors and Therapists.

"Life is a journey; I look forward to assisting you in yours."  - David Zealy-Wright

Mrs. Katy Randall is a Licensed Psychological Associate at Solutions of Hickory, PA. A native of New York, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the State University of New York at New Paltz. Mrs. Randall went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude with a Master of Arts and Certificate of Advanced Study in School Psychology from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. Following graduation, Mrs. Randall relocated to western North Carolina to work for Caldwell County Schools as a School Psychologist. Currently employed at Solutions of Hickory, PA on a part-time basis, Mrs. Randall completes comprehensive psychological evaluations for individuals of all ages, with professional expertise in assessing learning, attentional, and behavioral difficulties. She resides in Hickory, NC with her husband, daughter, Golden Retriever, and two cats. 

Ms. Brooke Graniello is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate at Solutions of Hickory, PA. She earned a BSc in Psychology and Women & Gender Studies from SUNY Oneonta in 2015, followed by her MSEd in School Counseling from St. John’s University in 2017. With seven years of experience as a School Counselor, she returned to Lenoir Rhyne University in 2023 to complete her LCMHCA requirements and certification. 

During her tenure in educational, school, and clinical settings, Ms. Graniello has worked extensively with young children, adolescents, and young adults dealing with anxiety, depression, ADHD, life transitions, growth, future planning, maintenance, grief, domestic violence, and LGBTQIA+ experiences. Her approach is rooted in a trauma-informed and inclusive perspective with a strong emphasis on the importance of play exercises, explorations, and therapies with younger children. Ms. Graniello has run small group counseling experiences for children to help nurture and grow healthy, positive coping mechanisms and life skills.  She believes in the importance of creating and fostering safe spaces to walk alongside clients on their wellness journey, and  understands that taking the first step is often the hardest and bravest.  Her goal is to meet clients wherever they are, offering unconditional positive regard, empathy, and congruence while also challenging and empowering them to explore their goals and full potential. 

Ms. Graniello  is a National Certified Counselor, a member of the American School Counseling Association, and a participant in the NCDPI NC Portrait of a Graduate Taskforce, which focuses on ensuring that youth have pathways to successful and fulfilling postsecondary career and educational opportunities. 

In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga, gardening, trying new recipes, hiking, reading, and spending time with her two puppies. 

Ms. Hannah St. John is  a dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a certification in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). She earned her bachelor’s in social work in 2017 and her master’s degree in social work in 2020 from Appalachian State University. After completing her master's degree, she  practiced in a nonprofit organization, serving as a school-based therapist and a crisis response clinician for children and adolescents. Her work focuses on providing support and therapy for individuals with Autism, Anxiety, Depression, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and those who have experienced trauma. She believes that everyone is on a journey and that we all need a little help along the way. Ms. St. John would love to be a part of your journey and help you be the best version of yourself. She is  passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of my clients and is committed to helping them navigate their challenges and achieve emotional well-being. 

Welcome to our newest staff member, Ms. Kendall Winters!  We are fortunate to add another clinician to our staff with a focus on children and family services!  

Ms. WInters has a deep passion for working with children and adolescents, helping them navigate the unique challenges they face at different stages of development. By incorporating family and relationships into the therapeutic process, she supports children and adolescents in strengthening their connections, improving communication, and building resilience. She integrates expressive arts and play therapy into her sessions, recognizing the power of creativity and movement in processing emotions and fostering self-expression. She uses art, music, storytelling and  guided activities to create a safe and engaging space where young clients can explore their feelings and experiences in a way that feels natural to them.  Her goal is to empower young people with the tools to understand their emotions, develop a strong sense of self, and navigate life's challenges with greater confidence. 

Ms. Winters believes that healing begins with a strong, trusting therapeutic relationship.  Her approach is warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental, creating a space where clients feel heard, valued, and supported. Whether  facing relationship struggles, life transitions, or personal challenges, she  walks alongside you with empathy and guidance. She will help you to explore your experiences, uncover new insights, and build the tools needed for meaningful change. 

Ms. Winters is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate. She  graduated from Brigham Young University in 2022 with a BS in Sociology, and from Appalachian State University in 2024 with a MA in Marriage and Family Therapy. Her clinical training and experience has centered around children and adolescents, with specific focus on trauma, grief in all its forms, and sexual abuse.  She is also passionate about supporting LGBTQ+ youth and adults, as well as those navigating religious or spiritual transitions, offering a safe and affirming space to explore identity, belonging, and personal meaning.