THERAPY OF HICKORY - Key Persons

Amber received her Bachelor's degree in psychology from East Carolina University in 2014. She briefly spent time in Washington, D.C. pursuing a non-clinical Master's degree in forensic psychology before realizing her passion was rooted in clinical work. Upon her return from D.C., Amber enrolled in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Lenoir-Rhyne University. She received her Master's degree from Lenoir-Rhyne University in 2019 and was licensed as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in 2020. During her time at Lenoir-Rhyne, Amber sought out volunteer opportunities in the community and spent time volunteering at The Women's Resource Center in Hickory, NC. While volunteering, Amber discovered her passion for helping vulnerable populations. From there, she began her internships through her graduate program, starting at a substance abuse agency. While working in substance abuse, Amber worked with individuals, as well as led partial hospitalization groups and regular outpatient groups. Amber's subsequent clinical experience includes working with families through a private agency, as well as working with children, individuals, and couples through private practice. She also has experience leading and co-leading anger management groups and parenting education groups. Amber works with clients from a strengths-based approach, utilizing tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Rational-Emotive Behavioral Therapy. She works with clients to identify the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in order to get to the root of their day-to-day struggles. She has worked with a number of mental health presentations, including depression, anxiety, substance use, complex trauma, as well as symptoms of deeper personality disturbances.

Kristin Lackey received her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Lenoir-Rhyne University in 2013. During her time at Lenoir-Rhyne University Kristin was a four-year member of the university's softball team which brought home 4 SAC Championships during her time at LR. Utilizing her proximity to sports teams; Kristin focused on researching the impact of coaching style/personality on the overall success of athletic teams and programs. Kristin's ability to succeed at collegiate sports with her psychology degree has helped her be an excellent support system for others who struggle in life. Her work ethic and perseverance, which it takes to be successful as a collegiate softball player on a winning team, have created a rare strong foundation as a Marriage and Family Therapist. After receiving her undergraduate degree Kristin received her Master's Degree in Marriage and Family therapy from Syracuse University in 2016. Syracuse University Is one of the top programs in the nation. During her time at Syracuse University as a graduate student, Kristin had the privilege of working with a diverse population which included working with the LGBTQ+ community to facilitate population-specific care and health care system communication/navigation. Kristin also worked with Couple's, families and children who presented with a range of issues such as; blended families, over-sexualized behaviors, single-parent families, transgender-specific issues, anxiety, depression, PTSD, developmental delays, marital discourse, attachment injuries, eating disorders, sexual orientation, etc.. Kristin's work in these areas was challenging and helped her in becoming a proven trustworthy clinician. After receiving her Master's degree and successfully completing her internship, Kristin moves to Canada to begin working in a long-term therapy setting with adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse as well as working with partners of these survivors in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada in 2017. This work focused on the stabilization of maladaptive behaviors such as substance abuse, eating disorders, sex dependence, co-dependance and self-harming behaviors. This work also focused on the exploration of past and current trauma and how it affected the client's present self and was followed by further resource development and reintegration into the community. Kristin also participated in the co-creation of various self-care and self-regulation groups. Her work also focused on repairing attachment through relationships with loved ones. Throughout Kristin's training and experience she has worked with presenting issues such as couple/marital distress, divorce and/or separation, blended families, life-cycle transition issues, LGBTQ+ issues, sexual orientation, self-harming behaviors, maladaptive coping behaviors, depression, PTSD, BPD, Attachment injury and repairs, somatic experiencing, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, childhood sexual abuse, oversexualized behaviors and eating disorders. Kristin is also trained in Level 1 Brainspotting. Kristin Lackey's diverse rich successful experience makes her a competent trustworthy clinician that knows how to support individuals, couples, and families' success in healing.

Job Titles:

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Leigh has been working with families since 1995. She received her undergraduate degree in Social Work from Appalachian State University in 1995 and used this degree to directly assist and advocate for families and the community. Leigh received her Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Denver in 2000. While in Denver she specialized in clinical work with families and children, providing Intensive In-Home Therapy Services to adults and children. Leigh began working at The Crossnore School Inc. in 2001 and became the Clinical Director in 2003 at the 80 plus bed children's residential facility. Leigh has directly facilitated the healing process for thousands of children who suffer from neglect, abuse, and serious trauma. She specializes in trauma work and has numerous years working with children and adults who have been victims of physical and sexual abuse. She has extensive experience working specifically with adolescents and their families. Leigh is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), Trauma Art Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Level II Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, Sand Tray Expressive Art Therapy, Play Therapy, and Family Systems therapy. "I believe that every person is born with the key to their own healing and can benefit from a therapist who can assist them in finding their own answers that are inside themselves." Leigh Blake Kadans is a: Licensed Clinical Social Worker Level II Equine Assisted Psychotherapy EMDR Certified Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Certified Trained in Level 1 Brainspotting Trained in the Gottman Method

Job Titles:

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Marissa has been working with individuals, children and families since 2014. She received her undergraduate degree in Sociology from Appalachian State University in 2014. Through earning this degree and interning through the local Department of Social Services she found that her passion was to receive her Masters degree in Social Work, also from Appalachian State University in 2016, to begin working more clinically with those in need. While obtaining her Master's degree, she began working directly with the homeless population in her community to help in the rebuilding the lives of those experiencing homelessness and provide them with the support and guidance to become self-sufficient. Marissa then began working as an Intensive In-home Therapist in 2017 specializing in supporting youth and their family with complex trauma and behavior concerns. Marissa has also provided supervision support as a Clinical Intensive In-home Supervisor for a team of four counselors for two years ensuring that all children whom enter the program are receiving the best, evidence based, care available. Marissa obtained her full licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW in January 2020. Marissa has helped many individuals in the healing process who suffer from severe and complex trauma. She is proficient in trauma work and has worked with individuals who have been victims of numerous trauma types including, physical abuse, neglect, sexual assault and sexual abuse. She is also well versed in anxiety disorders, depression, and other stress related disorders. She has comprehensive experience working specifically with adolescents and their families in a variety of extreme circumstances. She also has experience in working with adults who desire to process past trauma experiences or are in need of support through current life stressors. Marissa is trained a multitude of therapies that is continuously growing, including, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Play Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Collaborative Problem Solving, Brainspotting, Psychodynamic Therapy and Family Systems Therapy. "Whether you are seeking to create a change in your life, having difficulty coping with a life stressor or situation, wanting to process past trauma, or simply wanting to gain more self-awareness. I am here to fully support your individual goals and needs as you explore and continue your personal growth. As a therapist, it is important to me that I create a safe environment for you to explore, tell, and embrace your story. My therapy approach is compassionate, collective and client lead. I firmly believe in the power of a genuine connection and attuning with someone in a non-judgmental therapeutic space to allow someone to access their own strength and achieve personal growth. " Marissa's educational achievements are: Bachelors of Sociology Masters of Social Work Licensed Clinical Social Worker Trained in the Gottman Method Trained in Level 1 Brainspotting