Mid-South Professional Counseling

Adam Nanaa

Adam Nanaa MSN, PMHNP-BC is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with more than 8 years of psychiatric training and care experience in inpatient and outpatient settings. He received degrees from San Diego College and a Master of Science in Nursing/ Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Degree from Frontier University. He is Board certified through the ANCC. He is committed to providing the best quality care using evidence-based practice and patient centered focus driven treatment. A holistic merging of mind/ body/ and medicine is used as a center point for progressive, forward-thinking care. Primarily dealing with medication management, he is adept at dealing with issues such as anxiety, depression, Bipolar disorders, ADHD, ODD, PTSD and more in adults and adolescents/children.

Adam provides initial consults and follow up care both in-person and through remote telepsychiatry according to patient preference. He works closely with therapists and can assist in expanding care with psychotherapy and IOP when needed. He is currently taking on patients from ages 6 and up across the lifespan.

Andrea Davis

Andrea Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider designation in Tennessee.. She is trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Aggression Replacement Training (ART), Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS), and The Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (ACRA). She is experienced in both community and residential settings. She received her undergraduate psychology degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She received her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University in 2012.

Andrea has had substantial experience working with children and adolescents in the following areas: trauma, adoption and foster care issues, grief, learning and developmental disabilities, anger management, family/relational problems, social skills, self-injurious behavior, anxiety, the LGBTQ population, attachment issues, and emerging adult/life transitions.

Andrea is highly invested in ongoing professional growth. She loves spending time with her family, traveling, playing sports, enjoying the outdoors, and music.

Angelica Woods-Smith

Angelyn Vaughan

Angelyn Vaughan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed School Social Worker, Trauma Informed Yoga Therapist, and Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist. She was a recipient of the Mid-South Social Work Professional Development Initiative Fellowship and received her Master of Social Work at the University of Memphis. Angelyn is licensed to practice in Arkansas and Tennessee.

Angelyn utilizes a strengths-based, holistic approach focusing on both physical and mental health. She implements multiple evidenced-based practices and interventions into her practice, including Internal Family Systems Therapy, Attachment Theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Polyvagal Theory, Theory of Mind, and Motivational Interviewing. Angelyn has a warm, relaxed approach which helps clients feel safe navigating the therapeutic process. As an artist and master clinical aromatherapy student, she has a special interest in alternative treatment and complementary approaches, to meet the unique needs of clients.

Angelyn has experience working in crisis assessment, community-based mental health, outpatient mental health, and the school setting—with youth and adults. Angelyn’s has extensive experience working with clients with mood disorders, anxiety, conduct disorders, sleep disruption, trauma, relationship concerns, and autism spectrum disorder without an accompanying intellectual disability. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with loved ones, engaging with art and music, cooking, and spending time in nature.

Brenita Seay

Brenita strives to provide a place of non-judgmental peace, security and excitement for growth and change in sessions with all clients. Brenita enjoys working with underserved communities, adolescents, individuals and families indicated through her experience in community and residential mental health. No topic is taboo as Brenita is open to addressing issues with trauma, grief, communication, family issues, social and life skills. Using a variety of modalities, Brenita is able to empower clients as they do the work to improve themselves and their daily interactions with others. Brenita earned her Bachelors in Psychology, minoring in African-American Studies and Sociology from Mary Baldwin College (now Mary Baldwin University) in Virginia and followed-up with her Master’s in Counseling Psychology at Tennessee State University. Brenita currently offers both in-person and telehealth therapy. Some of the things Brenita enjoys in her spare time include traveling, spending time with family, music and cooking.

Chanel Townsend

Chanel Townsend, LCSW, received her Master of Social Work at the University of Southern California. She achieved her Bachelors of Social Work at Clark Atlanta University. She is fully licensed in the state of Tennessee.

Chanel views the relationship between client and therapist to be a key component in making progress. She is invested in building a healthy rapport in a non-judgmental environment. She has experience providing individual and family therapy. She has provided services in community health, residential, crisis care, and the veteran population. She addresses issues related to anxiety, stress, trauma, unresolved anger, depression, relationship conflicts, adjusting to life changes, and self-esteem issues. Chanel has a special interest in working with unique challenges faced by young and middle-aged adults (aka, Generation Z and Millennials).

She uses the following therapeutic methods: Motivational Interviewing, Collaborative Problem Solving, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma – Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Aggression Replacement Training.

In her free time Chanel enjoys reading, funny movies and tv shows, Zumba, and exploring new cooking recipes.

Christy Murphy

Christy Murphy, LMFT, a University of Memphis graduate with a B.A. in Psychology, achieved her M.A. in Counseling at Harding University. Christy has over 20 years of experience in the mental health field and became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in 2012. She has served in Director and Supervisory roles in a variety of settings.

Christy enjoys working with adult clients of all backgrounds, lifestyles and belief systems, working from the world view of the client to achieve therapy goals. She is a trauma-informed clinician with a special interest in childhood abuse recovery.

Her therapeutic approach is tailored to the needs of the individual with an emphasis on empowerment of a person’s strengths to learn new ways to cope with life’s challenges. The problematic areas she treats most often are depression, anxiety, bipolar, grief/loss, addiction, trauma, marital conflict, divorce recovery, and family dysfunction.

She utilizes evidence-based therapeutic approaches and treatment such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational-Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and family systems theory. Christy is happy to provide Christian oriented counseling for clients who request this service. She has been married for over 23 years and has one son who serves in the Army. Christy is a certified group fitness and Zumba instructor and has led fitness classes for the last 10 years.

Courtney Johnson

Courtney B. Johnson, M.D., is an American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology board-certified psychiatrist with more than nine years of experience.

Dr. Johnson is a native of Shelby County. She was born and raised in Germantown, Tennessee, where she graduated from Houston High School. She is a proud alumna of Xavier University of Louisiana, where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry, ACS Certified. Dr. Johnson went on to receive her medical degree in 2008 from University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine in Memphis. While there, she received special recognition for academic performance and community service. She then completed her psychiatry residency at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri.

Dr. Johnson has acquired extensive experience in outpatient community mental health while treating a diverse patient population. She practices patient-centered, evidence-based medicine tailored to the individual. Dr. Johnson’s focus of treatment is to help individuals improve quality of life, and she strives to show compassion to each patient while focusing on the importance of healthy lifestyle choices in aiding mental health.

Danielle Sharkey

Danielle Sharkey is a Licensed Professional Counselor pursuant of the Mental Health Service Provider status. She received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Delta State University in Cleveland, MS. Danielle enjoys working with children, adolescents, and young adults in hopes of helping them discover and achieve their best self. She is trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Collaborative Problem Solving. She uses evidenced based practices to assist clients struggling in various areas that include depression, anxiety, behavioral concerns, social and interpersonal skills, anger management, trauma, and stress.

Aside from counseling, Danielle continues to seek opportunities for growth in the mental health field and enjoys painting, journaling, and reading.

Debra Fitzgerald

Debra Fitzgerald has been a Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider designation since 2009. She also holds a national certification as a Rehab Counselor.

Debra is Level II EMDR certified in treating trauma, Gottman Therapist Level II certified for couples counseling, and she holds a Grief and Death Studies certification via the Center for Loss and Life and Life Transition from Colorado State. She also works with people who are struggling with mood disorders, substance abuse, and eating disorders. A counselor for over fifteen years, she has worked in hospitals and IOP/PHP programs. She has also provided therapy in routine outpatient settings such as her own practice and other private practice settings. Debra received her B.A. in Psychology in 2002 and her M.S. in Counseling in 2004 from the University of Memphis. Debra has completed additional master’s level courses in Thanatology from Marian University to further the depth of her knowledge in treating issues related to grief and loss.

Debra was honored to receive the Private Practice Counselor of the Year award in 2011 from West TN Counseling Association.  She was a nominee for the Ally Focus Award in 2018. She is a member of APA (American Psychological Association) and ADEC (Association of Death Education Counseling).  In her spare time, Debra volunteers at Methodist Hospice Residence.

Ella Jones

Ella is very compassionate, caring, and non-judgmental. She thrives to work with adults regardless of their cultural background, religion, or sexual preference. She is passionate about working with the elderly population and Veterans. Her therapeutic approach is patient-centered utilizing evidence-based models that best fit the needs of the clients based on the client’s preferences and goals. She primarily works with adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, aging, chronic illnesses, trauma, chronic stress, and low self-esteem.

Her educational background includes a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Memphis State University (currently the University of Memphis) and a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of TN, Knoxville. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 27 years of working with the Memphis VA Medical Center.

In her free time, Ella enjoys reading and visiting the local library. She worked for the Memphis Public Library for over 20 years before returning to school to become a social worker. She enjoys visiting local theaters to see live plays, spending time with family and friends, and traveling. She loves to study the Bible and is a long-term participant of Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and spent several years volunteering with them as part of the administrative team.

Jasmine Robinson

Jasmine received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Memphis with honors in 2014. Jasmine continued her educational journey receiving her Masters of Science degree in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Jasmine has 3 years of experience in the counseling profession working with children and adolescents ages 5 to 18 in outpatient, residential and inpatient/acute settings.

Jasmine’s specialty includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, family conflict, peer pressure/relationships, and behavioral issues. Jasmine’s focuses also include building/repairing relationships, improving communication/coping skills, creating healthy boundaries and relationships, and enhancing self-esteem. In her spare time, Jasmine enjoys watching movies and spending time with family and friends.

Kelsey Caprio

My name is Kelsey Caprio and I received my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Bethel University in 2015 and my Master’s degree in Licensed Professional Counseling with an emphasis in Childhood and Adolescent Disorders from Grand Canyon University in 2021. I have worked with children of all ages in residential treatment settings as well as private practice settings. The approaches to therapy that I utilize with clients include Trauma Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy/Mindfulness (DBT). As a temporary LPC-MHSP, I am currently under the direct supervision of an approved supervisor at Mid-South Professional Counseling and with the state of Tennessee as I work toward my LPC-MHSP license with the state of Tennessee.

My experience in working with children and teenagers comes from a personal passion to help children process and verbalize their emotions, advocate for themselves, and rebuild the ability to trust themselves and others around them. I have such a heart for working with young children, teens, and young adults and helping people build genuine connections within themselves and others. Along with building connections, I have a passion for working with families and their unique dynamics, encouraging healthy coping skills, and healthy communication between each family member.

I once had a teacher share that you can allow yourself to remain sad and turn bitter or you can do something to understand what you are feeling and how to express those feelings. I owe much of my education and personal healing journey to that teacher. She was a person who showed me a kindness and light that I did not think could exist.

In my free time, I love to spend time with my husband, friends, and family watching sports, cooking, and playing cards. My husband and I are also preparing for our first child to join us in November 2022!

Khyati Kothari

I completed my medical school from Terna Medical College in Navi Mumbai, India, and my psychiatry residency from the State University of New York in Buffalo, NY. I have worked in various clinical settings, including inpatient psychiatry, outpatient psychiatry and hospital psychiatry . I have a passion for teaching psychiatry to medical students and residents.

I am a faculty member at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and serve as the Director of Medical Student Education in the Department of Psychiatry. I have a keen interest in Womens mental health.

Kim McCaskill

Kim McCaskill, LPC-MHSP, is the Director of Mid-South Professional Counseling in West Tennessee. Her history includes roles as Executive Director of Mental Health Resources, Interim Director of Fairhaven Treatment Center, IOP Coordinator for Mental Health Resources, Private Practice, providing counseling for Inpatient and Partial Hospitalization programs, and counseling in the Community Mental Health setting. She earned her M.S. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2000 and her B.A. in Psychology and Anthropology from the University of Mississippi. She strives to offer a warm, professional, non-judgmental approach in all services she provides to clients. She has a special interest in chronic pain management, self-image issues, healthy lifestyle maintenance, insomnia, serving the LGBTQAI+ community, and serving persons from any religious or non-religious background. She has several years of experience treating clients with depression, PTSD, anxiety, workplace stress, and addiction/substance abuse issues. She is invested in evidence-based treatment and working with clinicians who strive to improve professionally throughout the span of their careers. She applies Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Exposure Therapy, and Family of Origin work as appropriate in helping clients achieve progress. Her interests outside of work include time with her family and friends, reading, enjoying music, and exercise.

Kristy Vassar

Kristy Vassar is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who holds an M.S. in Social Work and a B.A. in Psychology. She works with young children, adolescents, and adults.

Kristy believes in accessing clients’ strengths to help them achieve recovery. She has a special interest in helping clients overcome addiction to substances.

She is also experienced with child and family therapy, parenting issues, and individual and group therapy. She has provided in-home counseling, Intensive Outpatient services, Psychiatric Inpatient services, and she has served as a Medical Social Worker for patients in medical hospital settings.

Lauren Brownstein

When human beings experience trauma or severe life stressors, it is not uncommon for their lives to unravel. It is my life passion to bring healing to those who have been through a traumatic experience. I help my clients achieve a healthy perception of themselves as well as their relationships with others in order for them to live a life where they can feel whole and safe. I have been trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy, a manualized therapy protocol designed to address and reduce symptoms of PTSD.

In addition to trauma work, my other specialties include mood disorders, depression, anxiety, LBGTQIA+ concerns and young adult issues. My focuses also include enhancing self-esteem, creating healthy interpersonal boundaries and improving coping skills. I know that no single approach is right for every individual, so I use an eclectic approach including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Internal Family Systems and Mindfulness techniques.

In my free time, I love to be outdoors whether it is at the dog park with my dogs or in my kayak on the river. I also enjoy cooking, standup comedy and spending time with family and friends.

Leah Pinkston

Leah Pinkston, LPC-MHSP, is currently with our Mid-South Professional Counseling outpatient team. She has previously served as MHR’s Intensive Outpatient Coordinator (IOP) and was an IOP therapist for 4 years. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis and her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Denver with an Addiction specialization.

Leah has provided individual therapy to children, adolescents and adults. Her previous clinical experience includes working with homeless adults struggling with substance addiction, family therapy, individual therapy, and working to strengthen parenting skills. She has also engaged in volunteer work with Kindred Place related to domestic violence, divorce, and anger management.

Leah relies on Motivational Interviewing, identifying stages of change, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Person-Centered techniques, Exposure Therapy, and Strengths Based approaches in her clinical work to treat a variety of mental health symptoms. She works with individuals ages 16+ experiencing anxiety, depression, disruptive behaviors, relationship and communication challenges, and low self-esteem.

Lindsey Hightower

Lindsey Hightower is a Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider designation. She is trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). Lindsey received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Mississippi.

Lindsey has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, individuals, couples, and families dealing with a wide range of academic, behavioral, cognitive, and emotional difficulties that include depression, trauma, grief, attachment, anxiety, anger management, family/relational issues, social and interpersonal skills, self-injurious behavior, LGBTQ concerns, and life adjustments. She is well versed in community and inpatient settings. Lindsey enjoys providing a safe place for her clients in a strength based environment to achieve their therapeutic goals.

In her free time, Lindsey enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her three dogs. Lindsey also enjoys antiquing and reality television.

Mike Wood

Mike earned a Bachelor of Science in Education with an emphasis in Vocational Rehabilitation from the University of Memphis in 1991. He earned a Master of Science in Social Work in 1995 from the University of Tennessee College of Social Work and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 1998.

Mike has many years of experience working with people of all ages and backgrounds in a variety of settings. His specialty is helping young adults to those of advanced age learn to cope with anxiety and depression. Mike also enjoys helping those who have experienced trauma. He worked in mental health at the VA in Memphis for over 11 years and while there was trained in Prolonged Exposure Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy. He also enjoys providing couples/partner counseling.

Mike is a lifelong Memphian who has been married to Jennifer for 23 years. They have a 26-year-old son, David and two geriatric pugs. Mike enjoys yardwork, church, reading, music, repairing small items, helping out the neighbors and mostly quiet time with family.

Olivia Summitt

Olivia received her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Rhodes College in 2017 and received her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from University of Memphis in 2022. Olivia utilizes an integrative therapy approach. Psychoanalytically, she seeks to understand how a client’s current problem thoughts and behaviors once served a purpose in their life. She implements cognitive behavioral therapy to assist the client in identifying their own unique thought, emotion, behavior cycle and recognizing its negative consequences. Olivia promotes the evidence behind cognitive restructuring and guides clients in developing new, more productive thoughts that generate more productive behaviors. Olivia implements solutions-focused therapy as a way to provide clients with the tools necessary to cope with the inevitability of life’s challenges. Olivia enjoys and has had experience working with clients suffering from anxiety, depression, and trauma. She has a strong passion for working with patients struggling with substance abuse and has found Motivational Interviewing to be effective in this process. She is educated on the complexity of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and employs Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy for clients with OCD and similar anxiety disorders.

Roneferiti Fowler

Dr. Roneferiti Fowler is a native Memphian and licensed psychologist. She received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from The University of Memphis is 2012. She completed her internship at The Ohio State University Counseling Center. She provided individual, group, and family therapy and performed assessments and testing at West Cancer Center and several Memphis area community agencies and mental health centers. She has worked in the area of oncology and Hematology assisting with life transitions, managing medical diagnosis and treatment with a special interest providing a positive approach to therapy and working with identifying and building strengths while utilizing a collaborative approach to therapy.  Much of her work has entailed helping patients and oftentimes their families to manage symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress management, reaction to diagnosis and to address issues related to grief and loss. She has a special interest in working with those impacted by cancer and assisting in making transitions throughout all stages of treatment.

Additionally, she has an extensive background in working with both children and adults, the collegiate population, victims of domestic violence, and worked in several local community agency organizations providing individual, group therapy, assessments and testing with a special interest in utilizing assessments and testing help to identify unique characteristics and ways of thinking and apply these findings in a strength-based approach to therapy. She has a special interest in reducing the stigma of therapy in ethnic minority populations and working with clients from a variety of cultural backgrounds and all facets of diversity. She enjoys traveling, creating and utilizing arts and crafts as a means of self-expression.

Sandi Payne

Sandi has 25 years of experience working with children in a variety of settings from foster care and adoption, and she was a substitute teacher in an elementary school, pre-school teacher, and was a Poms coach, Poms Volunteer Coordinator, a weekend Crisis Worker, and worked in community counseling, as well as she had worked with substance abuse, and in private practice. Sandi will see ages 3-24 in individual sessions and groups. Sandi specializes in providing play therapy (using art and games), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Issues include anxiety, depression, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, anger management and frustration tolerance, self-esteem, and adjustment disorders.

In Sandi’s free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband exploring Tennessee, quality time with my two children and three dogs. She also enjoys crafting, traveling (beaches are one of her favorite places), live music, and all things Disney. She is also an auntie to 8 nieces and 2 nephews who she enjoys pen paling and Facetiming.

Sarah Barbour

Sarah Barbour, LMSW, holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Memphis. She is currently under supervision to achieve her LCSW license in Tennessee. She is primarily experienced seeing adolescents and adults in community and residential settings.

As an open member of the LGBTQ+ community, Sarah has a unique understanding and special interest in addressing the issues that LGBTQ+ clients face, especially religious trauma related to sexual orientation and/or gender identity and expression. She enjoys providing a safe place for clients to achieve therapeutic goals while focusing on their strengths.

In her free time, Sarah enjoys traveling with her partner, spending time camping and kayaking outdoors, and cooking.

Sheila Murphy

Sheila Murphy, MSN, PMHNP-BC is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, with clinical training in treating patients with psychiatric disorders across the lifespan her practice settings include acute care crisis stabilization units, alcohol/drug rehab facilities and outpatient clinics She received a Master of Science in Nursing, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner specialization, from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. She is passionate about providing quality, compassionate, and comprehensive mental health services across the lifespan. She possesses strong clinical skills and a natural ability to build trusting and respectful relationships with patients and families. She follows evidence-based guidelines blended with clinical experience, personal observation, and intuition. She values interdisciplinary education and inter-professional collaboration for a whole person, patient centered approach to health and healthcare. She advocates for physical and mental well-being while striving to minimize the stigma associated with mental illness.

Sheila provides outpatient services across the lifespan, as well as services in both the PHP and IOP programs. Areas of special interest include trauma informed care, suicide prevention and substance abuse/dual diagnosis. She is now accepting new patients.

Stacie Hopkins

Stacie has six years of experience working in the counseling field in a variety of settings including inpatient and outpatient psychiatric treatment , in-home therapy services , private practice outpatient, college counseling and the child abuse and foster care system as well as experience as a therapist , case manager and program director , Stacie is able to provide a wide range of expertise working with ages 2-18. Specialities include play therapy , Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Stacie also has a primary focus on working with minority clients and their families and assisting with the stigma of mental health.

Stacie received her bachelors degree from Jackson State University and her masters from The University of Mississippi. In her free time Stacie enjoys , cooking, traveling, photography and being a mentor.

Teraysa Thompson

Terasya Thompson, M.Ed., received an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Memphis, and a graduate degree in Counseling and Human Development from Lindsey Wilson College.

She is under the direct supervision of an Approved Supervisor with the State of TN as she works towards her LPC-MHSP license in TN.

Teraysa works to create a non-judgmental environment for her clients. She has experience working with chronic illnesses, anxiety, depression, grief, and the LGBTQ+ population. Teraysa works with adults and she also has a special interest in working with children and adolescents. She is invested in her continued professional growth and development.