Welcome to Inspired Consulting Group

A behavioral health provider, leader, an educator, podcaster and unabashed Swiftie with over 25 years of experience in various clinical settings. I’m passionate about teaching, advocacy, and creating innovative professional development programs for organizations while staying focused on collecting joy and living life to the fullest.

Welcome to my corner of the internet! I’m looking forward to learning more about you and your passions as we partner together in the days ahead.

Owner and Lead Consultant

Chris McLaughlin, MSW, LCSW

Pronouns: He/Him/His

I’ve spent close to 30 years as a provider and a leader in behavioral health services for youth and families in Maine across a variety of clinical settings, including treatment foster care, residential treatment facilities, public schools, private practice, community-based programs, and psychiatric hospital-based services. Passionate about teaching, I am an adjunct faculty member at both the University of Maine and Husson University.

Volunteering and being active in my social work community are principles that are very important to me. I served on the Maine Board of Social Work Licensing for five years (including four years as the Board’s Complaint Officer) and am a proud member of both the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA), and the Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care (SSWLHC). I was honored to earn the support of my local community members when I was elected to the school committee in 2022.

‌A lifelong learner in leadership, coaching, and mentoring, I graduated from the Disney Institute’s leadership program and the Daniel Hanley Health Leadership Development program (HLD 11) in Maine. I have served as faculty for the SSWLHC’s Leadership Development Institute and Social Work Examination Service’s (SWES) exam preparatory classes and hold two certifications in Diversity and Inclusion and Building a Diverse Workforce from Cornell University.

‌Nationally, I was the SSWLHC’s 2019 recipient of the Eleanor Clark Award for Innovative Programs in Patient Care for my work in youth suicide prevention. In Maine, I was recognized in 2019 for my advocacy and commitment to LGBTQ+ youth and was named Health Care Social Worker of the Year in 2019 by the Maine Hospital Association for my leadership role on the award-winning “Acadia CARES” curriculum designed to address youth suicide prevention and mental health education.

‌In the spring of 2020, I was named the University of Maine School of Social Work’s Alumni of the Year. The Maine Education Association (MEA) honored my work in May of 2023 as the first-ever recipient of the “Friend of Education” award which recognizes an individual in elected office for their commitment and advocacy for public education.

Business Aside: Get to Know Me

In addition to my work in DEI&B and behavioral health and wellness, I’m a proud and unabashed Swiftie who finds joy in crafting the perfect artificial succulent arrangements in the wildest and most whimsical pots I can find. I love indulging in the delightful nuances of wine tasting and illuminating my outdoor space with solar lights of all shapes and sizes. Disneyworld is truly one of the “happiest places on earth” for me, and a day getting lost in the countries of Epcot is one of my most favorite travel indulgences.

I get both inspired and nostalgic within the whimsical world of Fabio Napoleoni’s art, and I’ve been collecting his pieces for years. In fact, you can find an homage to Fabio’s art in my logo. Superheroes on TV, movies, and in graphic novels provide me some escape from time to time, as do the works of Stephen King, Bret Easton Ellis, Chuck Palahinuk, Jodi Picoult, Stephen Graham Jones, and Joe Hill.

My three pups, Anna, Becky, and Sawyer, each hold special places in my heart and soul, as does our beloved Huck Finn who we lost in the winter of 2022. My husband, Derek, and I were married in 2017 and are avid fans of Broadway Shows and have attended over 30 shows in our many years together.

As an intentional collector of joy, I’m a watcher of 80’s movies, a seeker of hummingbirds, an attender of live music and theater, a rainy-day binger of Netflix, a grower of dahlias, a stacker of books yet to be read, and an off-key singer of 90’s alt-rock and boy band tunes.

I blend these interests and more into a life and career that often feels brimming with passion, creativity, and inspiration. It’s my honor to share a piece of me with you.

A Look Behind Our Logo

Fabio Napoleoni is an artist with strong ties to Maine who now lives in Central Florida. I discovered Fabio’s art more than a decade ago and was immediately hooked. Fabio’s mission through his work is to give love, compassion, and kindness to all.

One of Fabio’s many creations is a handsome and wonder-filled Yeti by the name of Darwin, named after the creator of the Theory of Evolution, Charles Darwin. When you see Darwin featured in a piece, you’re almost certain also to find a whimsical lightbulb close by depicted with wings and a heart. These bulbs symbolize positive thoughts, love, creativity, amazement, and inspiration and show us the importance of embracing new ideas, exploring new possibilities, and following our heart’s desires as we also are called upon to share these positive thoughts with those around us.

When I was crafting my vision for what I wanted Inspired Consulting Group to represent, I reached out to Fabio, and it’s with the artist’s blessing and well wishes that I now share these bulbs of inspiration and positive energy with you.

“When life is at its darkest, it only takes a single positive thought to bring to light what’s been hiding the shadows.”
– Fabio Napoleoni

Inspired Insights Podcast

Empowering Voices Across Generations

“Inspired Insights” is not just a podcast; it’s a community where empathy and understanding flourish, empowering listeners to embrace their truths and engage in open, honest dialogues about mental health.

Co-hosted by Chris, a 49-year-old gay man and clinical social worker with decades of experience in mental health advocacy, and Soren, a vibrant 17-year-old queer teen passionate about activism and change, this podcast is a tapestry of stories, strategies, and support. Each episode delves into the complexities of mental health and personal identities, offering a unique blend of professional insight and personal experience.

Join Chris and Soren as they explore the power of vulnerability, the importance of visibility, and the endless possibilities that come from genuinely listening to each other’s stories.

Explore Episodes