Begin Counseling

05/01/2026

Who heard Travis Howze speak? He left the audience with a call to take action and personal accountability for your mental health and connection with your family. We encourage you to find a licensed therapist who understands your world: professionally and personally, to support you and your family. Our team is here to help.

04/28/2026

Thank you BCFD for inviting Karlee in to speak with your current recruit class today, and to Captain Shank and A Shift for the ride along, station visits, and conversations. We appreciate the collaboration and opportunity to support your department in this way. Berkeley County Professional Firefighters Local 5045

04/27/2026

We thoroughly enjoyed the Western Maryland First Responder Health and Wellness Conference. Begin was able to present and meet attendees throughout both days from our local area in WV, VA, and MD as well as NJ, DE, PA, and DC. Specialized counseling for first responders, military, and high stress professions is a vital component to overall wellness.

Thank you Hagerstown Police Department and Hagerstown Professional Fire Fighters Local 1605 for welcoming us to your event and for your trust in us to support your staff and members.

It was an overall wonderful event with exceptional presenters that we know will impact many lives, families, and communities.

04/19/2026

*NEW DETAILED EVENT SCHEDULE* Join us any part of either day. Free to attend. Sign up in comments. Keynote speaker: Travis Howze

Location: Bridge of Life- 14 S Potomac Street, Hagerstown, Maryland
Dates: April 24 & April 25, 2026

Friday, April 24, 2026
• Doors open: 8:00 am
8:00 am to 8:45 am Sign in and Light refreshments provided by Hagerstown Police Department
8:45 am to 9:05 am Opening remarks (HFD- Fire Chief John DiBacco and HPD- Chief of Police Paul "Joey" Kifer)
9:05 am to 9:15 am Chuck Hart with The National Law Enforcement and First Responder Wellness Center at Harbor of Grace Recovery Center
9:15 am to 10:15 am Begin Counseling-Karlee Davis, LICSW- Train for Trauma: Professional Counseling for First Responders
10:30 am to 11:30 am Thin Line Service Dogs
11:30 am to 1:00 pm LUNCH BREAK Great choices within a couple blocks downtown.
1:10 pm to 5:10 pm Erica Gaines TacMobility
Conference concludes: 5:30 PM
5:30 pm Friday Evening Social Hour **Antietam Brewery 140 Western Maryland Parkway Hagerstown MD. Food trays sponsored by Hagerstown Professional Fire Fighters Local 1605

Saturday, April 25, 2026
• Doors open: 8:00 AM
8:00 am to 8:45 am Sign in and Light refreshments provided by Hagerstown Police Department
8:45 am to 9:00 am Karlee Davis LICSW with Begin Counseling
9:00 am to 12:00 pm Travis Howze KEYNOTE Speaker
• Conference concludes: 12:00 PM

04/12/2026

“A Perspective on Law Enforcement Mental Health” Check it out on our Insights page! 🔗Link to the full article in the comments.

04/01/2026

Karlee spent the day with some of Hagerstown Police Department’s Peer Support and Wellness Team earlier this week. Begin Counseling values our relationships with local agencies to provide clinical oversight and consultation for peer support teams and specialized professional counseling designed for first responders, military, and those in high stress professions. We come alongside and support, yet are intentionally separate from any department. Client privacy and confidentiality are prioritized and protected. Thank you for the opportunity to collaborate in this way.

03/19/2026

We’re proud to share Begin therapist and law enforcement officer, Logan Hartsog, LGSW’s article in Police1. He brings a unique perspective and valuable insight to our practice and has availability for virtual sessions statewide in WV. Contact us to get started with Logan. Check out the full article— linked in comments. 🚨👏

03/17/2026

Karlee is out of the office today prepping for the Western Maryland First Responder Health and Wellness Conference. Are you going to be there?! Begin presents Friday 4/24/26 9:15-10:15 & 4/25/26 8:45-9. Free to attend, registration required. Link in the comments!

03/06/2026

Check out the Insights section of our website for more articles written by us!
https://www.begincounseling.com/insights/when-work-feels-heavy-burnout-or-trauma

02/27/2026

We are looking forward to the opportunity to present “Train for Trauma: Professional Counseling for First Responders” on Friday morning as well as an introduction of Begin Counseling (prior to Travis Howze 3-hour presentation on Saturday morning) including how we provide specialized services designed for first responders, military, and high stress professions in-person locally, and throughout WV, VA, and MD.

Our Clinical Team devotes our professional efforts to truly get, and provide genuinely helpful care for first responders. We hope to see you there; come say hello! We’ll be around both days.

Thank you Hagerstown Police Department and Hagerstown Professional Fire Fighters Local 1605 for inviting us to be part of this event.

Free event, registration required.

Erica Chadwick-Gaines TacMobility
Thin Line Service Dogs

02/17/2026

Check out the new “Insights" section of our website for the latest articles written by members of our Clinical Team. Start with this one for relationship insight that will outlast roses and chocolate.

Practice daily gratitude and honest communication to transform your relationship from a competition into a supportive home for both of you.

01/27/2026

Have you seen our billboard? We understand how high-stress professions impact families and life. Reach out to talk to us about our approach to professional counseling. We provide therapy for all individuals in our community, and throughout WV, VA, and MD.