Contracting Therapists
Charlie Simpson, LPC, LMFT
Clinical Director
Education & Training:
Master’s degree in Applied Psychology
Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
Certifications:
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Gottman Therapy Certified
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Charlie is an experienced therapist specializing in relationship dynamics in a group, marriage and/or family setting. Charlie has a passionate, nonjudgmental, and systemic approach to people’s hurts and has the experience to navigate the couple to wholeness.
When not working, Charlie enjoys spending time with his wife and children and leading the Marriage Ministry at his church. You can catch Charlie on Fox 16 and THV 11 segments on relationships each month.
Beth Petz, LCSW, ACSW, ABCST
Therapist
certiaa.Education and Training:
Masters Degree in Social Work
Certifications:
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Academy of Certified Social Workers
American Board of Christian Sex Therapists
Gottman Bringing Home Baby Trainer
Do you get a lump in your throat when you think about going to see a therapist, yet you treasure the idea of really being known and having someone to walk beside you through a difficult time? If you’re conflicted about seeking help, I am a good choice.
One of my professional strengths is helping you feel comfortable in a relationship that involves intimate conversation. I am certified in sex therapy by the American Board of Christian Sex Therapists. I am the second therapist in Arkansas to receive this certification, and one of only 200 in the United States.
I am creative, fun loving and an out-of- the-box thinker. My genuineness and years of experience restoring and enhancing relationships, in a variety of settings, can be a treasure chest for you. Reframing situations so you think about your issues in a new way, is a passion of mine. Go ahead, take the first step, and give me a call, so new richness in the quality of your life can be discovered.
Cory Dobbins
Therapist
Education & Training:
Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy
Certifications:
Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC)
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
I believe in the power of a secure relationship with my clients where they feel comfortable enough to bring any problem to the counseling relationship without the fear of being judged. This embodies my core belief of why developing a cohesive therapeutic relationship is of great importance. With this foundation in place, there is a greater likelihood that therapy will be successful.
My hope is to help each couple and family to overcome the unique struggles that they face. I believe it is important for everyone to recognize and appreciate the valuable qualities that each person contributes to the relationship. Also, to understand how their differences can be the building block in becoming a foundation of comfort, strength, and support for everyone in the family. I share these same aspirations for my individual clients to help them reach their personal, relational, and life ambitions through achieving mental health and wellbeing.
I provide counseling services for individuals, couples, and adolescents struggling with many of life’s issues such as sobriety, anxiety, depression, anger control, pain management, relational conflict, grief. I implement Solution Focused and Cognitive Behavioral therapeutic strategies to effectively assist clients in finding direction to resolving their problems.
I am married to an extremely supportive and encouraging wife, and am the proud father of two smart, active, and successful children. I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, and exercising. Just as everyone else, my life can get out of balance quite easily. So I make sure to engage with my family and participate in activities that I enjoy to help stabilize me mentally, physically and emotionally.
“I understand that life brings about many challenges to everyone. However, each person experiences those challenges in their own unique way. My goal is to provide the highest quality of care and service to help those in emotional distress and crisis situations so they can find a place of peace.”
Shannon Ridgely
Therapist
Education & Training:
Master’s degree Marriage and Family Therapy
Bachelor’s degree in Psychology
TF-CBT
EMDR
EFT
Certifications:
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
I am a trained marriage and family therapist. I believe that distress is not a choice, but getting help is. I work from the ideology that therapy is about change, hope and reconnection. Often the devastation of betrayal, abandonment, divorce, disease, or death can change you instantly. Your struggle is part of your story and I want to hear it. Perhaps anger, depression and anxiety are constant companions. Sometimes others only see what we allow them to see and that is just the tip of the iceberg, the real pain and emotions are below the surface. Past trauma or current stressful life situations can make us feel stuck.
I work with couples to uncover conflict patterns and increase effective communication using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). I enjoy working with families who are struggling with hurt and I have a special place in my heart for families dealing with disabilities or chronic illness.
I am trained in trauma work and have worked with many children, teens and adults who have experienced trauma and need to process that trauma so that they can be free.
I want to be your nonjudgmental witness, listen to your story and help you process the pain. When you find a counselor that you can trust, you can then start to examine what is below the surface then you can find solutions to your unique situation.
Meketia
Therapist
Education and Training:
Bachelor of Science from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Meketia is a therapist from John Brown University working toward a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the university of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
Meketia has been married for 10 years and feels really passionate about helping couples deepen their emotional connection. She strives to create a warm, welcoming environment for clients to experience healing. She believes personal life challenges can be addressed effectively and couples can build on their existing strengths to live their best life.
Lakenya Mitchell
Therapist
Education & Training:
Master’s degree in Professional Counseling
Master’s degree in Human Services
Certifications:
Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC)
If you have experienced an affair in your relationship, you might wonder if it will ever be possible to rebuild trust in your partner again. You are starting to feel more and more like roommates. You feel that there is no communication and all you ever talk about are the kids, and doing housework. You are feeling that the spark is gone, and you are not sure of how much more of this you can take.
With hard work and the tools I offer through couples counseling, I walk you and your partner step-by-step through the work of healing from infidelity, so you can rebuild trust and finally feel hopeful about the future of your relationship. With the tools I offer through individual counseling, you will no longer feel like you don’t have a voice. We will work together to help you feel confident and excited about everything you have going on. I am passionate about helping you create relationships that you can be proud of. I provide counseling services for individuals and couples.
When I am not in the office, I enjoy spending time with my husband and children. I also enjoy painting, reading, cooking, and listening to music.
Yolanda McCallum
LPC
Education:
Doctorate Degree in Progress – Community Care & Marriage/ Family Counseling
Master’s degree in Counselor Education
Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies
Psychology/Sociology & Management
Yolanda has a diverse professional background that includes working in the mental health field as a Licensed Professional Counselor, in the business sector, and in the field of education, as a certified educator and counselor.
She has passion and a wide range of experience in working with women, couples, and busy professionals in addressing issues such as: infidelity, break-up/divorce recovery, anxiety/depression, communication, career concerns/transitions, self-esteem, and assertiveness training.
Yolanda is trained in Evidenced-Based individual & Couples Counseling to include, but not limited to: EMDR, Gottman’s Method Couples Therapy, Level 2 and Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples and Individuals. She is also a Certified Discernment Counselor, specializing in working with couples on the brink of divorce, to gain clarity and confidence on the future of their relationship.
In her spare time, Yolanda enjoys traveling, and spending time with her husband of 20 years, her two teen-age sons and pet Yorkie.
Vickie Covington
LPC
Education and Training:
PhD in Professional Counseling in progress
Master’s of Science from Harding University in Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy
Bachelors degree from UALR in Psychology, minoring in Sociology
Specialized therapy for self esteem, anxiety disorders, PTSD, depression, LBQT issues, trauma, trauma therapy, marital counseling, couples therapy, behavioral conflict, step-family issues, blended family issues, anger management, addiction and substance abuse counseling, grief, life transitions, chronic illness and chronic pain, Codependency, Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum, sex therapy, women’s issues, weight loss, peer relationships just to name a few.
Vickie graduated from UALR with her bachelors degree in Psychology, minoring in Sociology in 1996. She obtained her Master’s of Science degree from Harding University in Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy. She is in the process of obtaining her PhD in Professional Counseling, as she has completed all of her coursework, she is currently working on her dissertation.
Licensed by the State of Arkansas, Vickie strives to provide quality therapy and advocacy for her clients.
Kassidy Youngblood
Licensed Associate Counselor
Education and Training:
Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy
I am a Licensed Associate Counselor with a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and additional training in play therapy. I use a trauma-informed, developmentally sensitive approach that engages clients at a foundational level. My relationship with clients is built on trust and creating a safe space for them to feel like autonomous agents of change and healing in their lives. I am passionate about walking alongside individuals, couples, and families who are struggling with conflict, distress, and poor communication, and helping them learn how to establish and maintain secure emotional bonds, which can result in stronger relationships and improved communication.
I am no stranger to the complexities and adversities that inevitably come with relationships. Life and relationships can be messy, but you aren’t meant to go it alone. I strongly believe that reconciliation is possible, and I would love the opportunity to journey alongside you as you navigate the rocky terrain of forgiveness and healing. If you and your significant other are struggling with communication issues, emotional distance, intimacy issues, or other significant life events, there is no shame in reaching out for help with strengthening your relationship. If you have children that struggle with difficult behaviors, dysregulated emotions, and other concerns related to relational connection, I can offer nonjudgmental support to you and your child(ren) as we work together to build capacity for emotional regulation, effective decision-making, and skills for relational connection.
When I am not in the office, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and participating in pretty much any outdoor activity.
Luis Medina
Student Intern
Education and Training:
Bachelors degree from University of Arkansas at Little Rock in Psychology, with a minor in Sociology
My name is Luis Medina, I am an intern and a student at John Brown University. I am currently obtaining a Master’s degree in Counseling. I am a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where I obtained a degree in psychology and a minor in sociology. It is essential to mention that the learning acquired during my academic career has helped me develop new knowledge within the social sciences and related areas.
Within the professional area such as psychology, I provide counseling services in many challenging aspects of mental health. I also offer services to help with anxiety, depression, relationship problems, behavioral impulse control, and emotional processing, to name a few.
In my spare time, I enjoy the outdoors taking time for self-care, whether it’s hunting, fishing, exercising, or climbing a mountain chasm. I love traveling and knowing the different perspectives and visions of existing cultures in the world. I visit my family in Mexico on vacation, where I enjoy typical and delicious food, interacting with the outdoors and where I enjoy seeing the combination of livestock and agriculture.
Finally, I mention that I consider myself a charismatic, empathetic, and sociable person, since I try to maintain a good disposition for the people around me.
Mi nombre es Luis Medina, soy pasante y estudiante en la Universidad John Brown. Actualmente estoy obteniendo una Maestría en Consejería. Me gradué de la Universidad de Arkansas en Little Rock, donde obtuve una licenciatura en psicología y una especialización en sociología. Es fundamental mencionar que los aprendizajes adquiridos durante mi carrera académica me han ayudado a desarrollar nuevos conocimientos dentro de las ciencias sociales y áreas afines.
Dentro del área profesional como la psicología, brindo servicios de asesoramiento en muchos aspectos desafiantes de la salud mental. También ofrezco servicios para ayudar con la ansiedad, la depresión, los problemas de relación, el control de los impulsos conductuales y el procesamiento emocional, por nombrar algunos.
En mi tiempo libre, disfruto del aire libre tomándome un tiempo para el cuidado personal, ya sea cazando, pescando, haciendo ejercicio o escalando un abismo de montaña. Me encanta viajar y conocer las diferentes perspectivas y visiones de las culturas existentes en el mundo. Visito a mi familia en México de vacaciones, donde disfruto de comida típica y deliciosa, interactuando con el aire libre y donde disfruto viendo la combinación de ganadería y agricultura.
Por último, mencionó que me considero una persona carismática, empática y sociable, ya que trato de mantener una buena disposición hacia las personas que me rodean.
Donabelle Hess
Student Intern
Education and Training:
Ph.D., Doctorate degree in Sociology, Military Studies specialization in gender, family, and social stratification, University of Oklahoma
MHR, Master’s degree in Human Relations, specialization in family and organizational behavior, University of Oklahoma
B.A., Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, general sociology, University of Oklahoma
MAMFT, Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, in progress, National (Northcentral) University,
My therapeutic approach is based on systems theory, addressing issues not just from within the individual themselves but rather within the wider socio-interactional context, such as one’s family and friends, work, community, and overall environment. I utilize evidence-based techniques such as solution-focused therapies (SFT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), and narrative therapies that have been shown to be effectively useful in therapeutic settings. I am committed to helping individuals, couples, and families from all backgrounds, dealing with personal and relationship issues. My goal is to offer long-term solutions to mental, behavioral, and emotional challenges by connecting with clients on a deep level, providing a caring atmosphere, and offering a listening ear. I will make certain that I provide a safe environment where individuals can heal, grow, and discover their true sense of self.
I am in the clinical phase of the marriage and family therapy master’s program at National (Northcentral) University and completing my internship and practicum requirements with Arkansas Relationship Counseling Center. I am also a military sociologist and an adjunct professor of Sociology at Park University, Little Rock Air Force Base campus. I previously worked as a military work/life consultant for the United States Department of the Air Force at Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base, Germany. I have extensive experience in developing, preparing, and delivery programs that supported military families in the areas of personal and family readiness/resilience, transition/relocation, and work/family life.
I earned a doctorate degree in sociology, military studies specializing in family, gender, and stratification; a master’s degree in human relations focusing on family and organizational behavior; and a bachelor of arts degree in sociology from the University of Oklahoma, Norman. I am also a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).
When I am not in the office, I enjoy cooking, gardening, working out, and most importantly spending time with my family.
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