Courtney Seely, MSW, LCSW
Courtney Seely is a passionate leader, seasoned clinician, and dynamic consultant with 17 years of experience in the mental health field, including 13 years in nonprofit leadership. A graduate of Smith College School for Social Work (MSW) and Trinity College (BS in Psychology, minor in Writing and Rhetoric), Courtney has built a career focused on empowering individuals and organizations to realize their full potential.
In a recent role as Managing Director of Behavioral Health Services at a nonprofit mental health agency, Courtney led a team of over 100 staff members across multiple divisions, including four outpatient clinics, intake services, community-based programs, and school-based health centers. Her leadership drove innovative solutions to improve client care, expand access to services, and enhance staff retention. She played a pivotal role in advancing substance abuse treatment, supporting the agency’s Substance Abuse Consultant position to improve assessment and treatment within the outpatient department.
Courtney is deeply committed to the growth of emerging professionals, having created and expanded the agency’s Internship Program to provide hands-on clinical training toMaster’s-level interns. As a champion for Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), she co-chaired several initiatives focused on inclusive language and cultural competence, ensuring that diversity, equity, accessibility, and social justice (IDEAS) were at the heart of the organization’s practices.
Driven by her passion for leadership development, Courtney co-founded Phoenix RiseConsulting in 2024 with Erin Saylor, LCSW. Phoenix Rise Consulting specializes in executive coaching, leadership training, mental health training, strategic planning, program development, clinical mental health supervision, and community building for individuals and businesses. Together, they work to empower leaders and community members, promoting well-being and resilience through meaningful change that fosters growth and transformation.
Phoenix Rise Consulting serves a broad audience, including individuals such as mental health professionals and community members seeking to enhance their skills, as well as business focused on developing executive-level leadership and improving management teams. The firm also works with the community, offering services to educators, leaders in education, nonprofit organizations in need of program development, and community members seeking connection and empowerment. Through Phoenix Rise, Courtney helps leaders strenghten their skills and make a lasting impact in their organizations and communities.
Courtney’s leadership and consulting expertise are also reflected in her work co-creating the Leadership Training Academy (LTA). Designed to enhance staff retention and develop the next generation of leaders, LTA has been presented at national conferences, including Social Current’s Spark National Conference (2022) and the National Association of Children’s Behavioral Health National Conference (2022). In addition to her consulting work, Courtney operates a thriving private practice, where she provides individual, group, and family therapy for adolescents and adults. Her approach is collaborative, helping clients build resilience and self-awareness as they navigate personal growth.When not transforming organizations or guiding clients, Courtney is a devoted wife and mother to her 11-year-old son and an energetic 4-year-old dog. She’s also a musician, performing in two original bands where she expresses her creativity through singing, songwriting, and playing guitar and piano.
