Personal Profile: Q & A with a Local Kentucky Family Making A Difference in Foster Care Every Day

Community Support Associate

Bachelor’s degree in social work with a minor in criminology.

Pursuing my master’s degree in social work from the University of Kentucky.

I love working with the youth population and have a strong passion for helping others.

Fun Fact(s): I love pasta, coffee, and spending time with my family.

Licensed Professional Counselor Associate

Early childhood development degree from Grand Canyon University.

Master’s in addiction counseling as well as a master’s in education and mental health from Lindsey Wilson College.

10 years’ experience teaching HeadStart and experience working with substance use.

Fun Fact(s): Outside of work, I love my family, friends and being outdoors.

Licensed Professional Counselor Associate

Trained and certified in Trama Informed Cognitive Behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and Dialectical Behavioral therapy

Provided individual and group therapy, specifically focusing on survivors of domestic violence and therapy with children

Over 20 years’ hospital setting and in-home hospice care experience

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Fun Fact(s): Presently, my favorite activities are spending time with my family members – especially my grandchildren, gardening, and bicycling

Licensed Professional Counselor Associate

Trained to conduct ADOS-2 Assessments

In Training for EMDR Certification

Undergraduate degree in Clinical Psychology and a double minor in Veteran Studies and Social Intelligence and Leadership at Eastern Kentucky University. Master’s in Clinical Mental Health from EKU.

Loves working with teenagers and young adults and specializing in gender and sexuality issues.

Fun Fact(s): Originally from Philly. Loves going Shark Cage Diving and Rock climbing with her husband. Has an 8-year-old dog named Charlie and who is spoiled.

Certified Social Worker

In Training for EMDR Certification

I received my Master’s in Clinical Social Work from the University of Kentucky.

I have experience with medical case management at UK Good Samaritan Hospital as well as a psychiatric inpatient at Eastern State Hospital. My approach is person-centered but integrative.

Fun Fact(s): I’m originally from Southeastern Kentucky and I love the mountains of Appalachia. I enjoy working with all types of populations!

Licensed Professional Counselor & Clinical Billing Supervisor

Trained to conduct ADOS-2 Assessments

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Criminology from Morehead State University

Master of Education in Counseling & Human Development from Lindsey Wilson College

Has over 25 years of experience providing mental health and substance use therapy services to primarily incarcerated individuals and adjudicated youth.

Fun Fact(s): Enjoys yoga, hiking, biking, participating in interesting adventures with her life partner, and spending time with Louie, “the coolest dog in the universe!”

Community Support Associate

I have over ten years of experience and further education working with families and children in their development and life fundamentals.

I truly think this field is my passion, and watching the growth is extremely rewarding for me!

I strongly believe that if we can make a difference in someone’s life in any way, we should go for it.

I hold my associate’s degree in early childhood education and hope to pursue my bachelor’s soon.

Fun Fact(s): I own my own metaphysical store! Entrepreneurship is also a strong passion of mine as well.

Community Support Associate

I have had a passion for helping others since I was a little girl. I’m thankful to be a part of this amazing team and for fulfilling my purpose of helping others.

I am currently enrolled at SNHU, where I am in the Human Services program. Pursuing my Bachelor’s degree.

I love spending time with my family.

Fun fact(s): I can sing! I’ve been singing in church since the age of 5.

Licensed Professional Counselor Associate

I received both my bachelor’s degree and my master’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in psychology with a concentration in children and adolescents. I received my Master of Arts degree in clinical mental health counseling.

I enjoy working with all populations and ages. I have a passion for working with children and their support systems to assist them in reaching their goals.

I am an advocate for destigmatizing mental health care.

I have an integrative therapeutic approach, often using techniques from person-centered approaches, play therapy and mindfulness.

Fun Fact(s): I enjoy reading and playing video games. My favorite form of self care is meditation and using mindfulness strategies!

Certified Social Worker

Certified Domestic Violence Advocate

In Training for EMDR Certification

Several years of experience helping victims of interpersonal violence, clients with substance use disorders, and children

Background in conducting gender-responsive and trauma-informed assessments

Fun Fact(s): She loves to cook for family and friends

Licensed Clinical Social Worker & TCM Billing Supervisor

5 years of experience providing therapy and mental health services in both inpatient and outpatient settings

Emphasis on motivational interviewing and nurturing a collaborative relationship with clients to address crises, ongoing life stressors, and symptoms of mental health diagnoses.

Preferred treatment modalities: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered, Interpersonal Therapy

EMDR-trained

Passionate about working with the geriatric population, as well as survivors of trauma and individuals (of all ages) who experience depression and anxiety.

Fun Fact(s): A Lexington native, presently living in Berea, KY, who enjoys nature, crafting, and writing poetry.

Certified Social Worker

Enjoys working with people in all stages of life, drawing on their strengths to move through life’s struggles and live fully in ways that once seemed impossible

Undergraduate degree in Psychology and Sociology

Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Missouri

Fun Fact(s): I’ll choose a family hiking, camping, or hammocking adventure over a fancy dinner 8 out of 10 times, especially if all the kids, grandkids, and giant Labradoodle come along.

Licensed Professional Counselor Associate

Undergraduate degree in psychology from Kentucky State University and a Master’s in Education from Lindsey Wilson College

I have training as an Adlerian therapist who utilizes a CBT approach

I have a special interest in anxiety, depression, and suicide

I love to work with clients of all ages and populations

Fun Fact(s): I enjoy swimming for self-care and walking with my dog.

Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

Undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Sciences with an emphasis in Family Social Services

Master’s degree in Applied Human Development and Family Sciences with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy

I enjoy working with individuals & families who have been impacted by abuse. I have a passion for assisting and supporting clients to reach their highest potential. I  meet clients where they are and accommodate treatment based on individual therapeutic needs.

Fun Fact(s): I love to golf!

Certified Social Worker

Several years of experience working with survivors of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), identifying food deserts in Kentucky, and assisting families facing food insecurities. Enjoyed working with at-risk youth and hosting groups geared toward empowering teen girls.

TF-CBT trained

EMDR-trained

Interested in CPT, Art Therapy, utilizing ACEs, and trauma-informed care with diverse populations. Would like to help remove stigmas associated with mental health and eliminate barriers to service.

Passionate about the fact that healing from trauma can be powerful and positive for everyone

Fun Fact(s): An avid reader and absolutely loves relaxing at the beach

Certified Social Worker

Undergraduate degree in psychology at UK. Master of Social Work at the University of Michigan.

I have training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, Child-Parent Psychotherapy, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

I love working with children of all ages, their resiliency is inspiring!

Fun Fact(s): I have a VERY active puppy named Oaks! We love to spend time outside.

Certified Social Worker

Undergraduate Degree in Psychology and Spanish

Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Kentucky

In Training for EMDR

Two years of experience working with adolescents and parents

Can provide therapy services in English and Spanish

I enjoy working with people of all ages and walks of life.

Fun Fact(s): I love trying new hobbies and foods. My favorite hobbies right now are cooking, weightlifting, pickleball, and reading.

Certified Social Worker

Undergraduate degree in social work from the University of Kentucky, master’s in social work from the University of Kentucky

I have training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Systems Therapy

I have a special interest in LGBTQAI+ populations, transgender transitioning support and gender-related support, grief and bereavement

I love to work with clients of all ages

Fun Fact(s): I have pet reptiles including a turtle and several snakes

Certified Social Worker

Over six years of experience as a case manager for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Expertise in helping victims of domestic violence

EMDR-trained

Likes working with people of all ages and developing solid therapeutic relationships with clients, providing a space where people can feel safe and heard to promote healing and positive change

Fun Fact(s): She enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her (adorable) dog

Undergraduate degree in history from Asbury University.

Deep appreciation for person-centered work.

An avid reader of classical and fantasy literature.

Writer of stories.

Fun Fact(s): I prefer manual typewriters to computers by far

Currently pursuing a Master of Social Work degree and has Undergraduate degrees in Anthropology & Criminology from West Virginia University

Special interest in PTSD and trauma care, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and foster parent support

I enjoy working with junior high and high school-age clients

Fun Fact(s): I love punk rock music, sewing my own clothes, and spending time at my family’s farm!

Undergraduate in Social and Criminal Justice from Georgetown College

Experience with case management from the detention center

Enjoys making various connections within the community for further collaboration of services

I love working with clients of all ages

Fun Fact(s): The beach is my happy place; I go as often as I can.

Undergraduate degree in psychology from Eastern Kentucky University

7 years of case management experience in the residential and community setting

I enjoy working with clients of all ages and am interested in gender-related support, ASD, and medically complex populations.

Fun Fact(s): I love to explore caves with my family and read anything fantasy. Avocados are my favorite food!

Licensed Professional Counselor Associate

Passionate about helping adults and children with all areas of mental health

Graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelors’s and the University of the Cumberlands with a Master’s.

Background in substance abuse treatment

Credentials:  M.A., L.P.C.A., and T.C.A.D.C.