Open Doors Counseling Center

I was born in Pikeville, KY located in Eastern Kentucky but now live in Lexington, KY. I have lived in small, rural communities for the first 30 years of my life. I recently moved to Lexington, KY to expand my horizons for my career and my life. I went to college at Morehead State University from 2007 to 2011 where I received my Bachelors of Science degree from their undergraduate psychology program. After graduating from MSU, I attended classes at Lindsey Wilson College’s extended campus in Prestonsburg, KY from the beginning of 2012 to the end of 2013 where I received my Masters of Education degree from their Counseling and Human Development program. I have worked as a therapist since 2011. I have been working with children and adolescents who have emotional and behavioral disorders since the beginning of my career and I have been specializing in providing trauma therapy to survivors of trauma since 2014. I am trained in evidence-based trauma therapy models such as TF-CBT and CPP. I enjoy helping people work through dealing with depression, general anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and more so that they may improve their quality of life.

I have been faced with a variety of adversities throughout my life many of which are directly, or indirectly, related to my identify as a gay man. I have experienced prejudice and discrimination in my personal and professional lives. I know what it has been like for me living completely in the closet, only allowing certain people to know about my identify at work, home, and in the community, and now being completely out to the point that I am recognized as a leader in Kentucky advocating for the LGBTQ+ community. One of my accomplishments is that I have founded a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called the Big Sandy LGBT+ Safe Zone that serves the LGBTQ+ people in Pike, Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, and Martin counties in Eastern Kentucky.

I have also founded a counseling center known as Open Doors Counseling Center. The core values for ODCC are Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, and Excellence (PRIDE). I will make serving LGBTQ+ people a priority in communities across the great state of Kentucky but I especially want to reach rural communities where a huge gap exists for being able to find and access LGBTQ+ affirming and competent services. LGBTQ+ allies and other people will also be welcome in our center regardless of identity. Telehealth services will be used to allow people to access services that they otherwise would not be able to access and for people may not be ready to walk through our doors.

I look forward to helping people work through their identity issues, trauma histories, their mood and anxiety issues, and more. Please help make serving LGBTQ+ people with their unique needs a priority in Kentucky!

I am the Quality Assurance Director and a Therapist at Open Doors Counseling Center. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate. I am I have received my Master’s degree in Counseling and Human Services from Lindsey Wilson College. I am a member of the LGBTQ+ community and also have experience with polyamorous relationship structures. I hope to use my knowledge and experiences to assist others.

I would like to share a little about my background. I am married with one son. My family is from Eastern KY, but because my dad was in the Air Force, I grew up all over. However, when I was in middle school, he retired and we moved to Pikeville. After high school I joined the military, got married, and was stationed in Fort Stewart, GA. I realized early on that I did not want to make the military my career, so afterwards I returned to Pikeville.

I became a psychiatric nurse practitioner with the goal of helping people in my LGBTQ+ community. I graduated from Northern Kentucky University and before that I practiced as an RN for over twenty years. I enjoy giving back to my community and look forward to helping the greater Lexington area. 

I am a Therapist at Open Doors Counseling Center. I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and a Targeted Case Manager. I have many years of experience working with clients with substance use disorders, PTSD, anxiety, and a range of other concerns. I approach therapy from a “person-centered”, whole wellness model. My style of therapy is more “laid back” and I aim to provide a safe, non-judgmental space for clients. I am an LGBTQIA+ ally. I specialize in trauma, grief, and career counseling but I am looking forward to expanding into identity counseling and other needs for the LGTBQIA+ community. I am originally from Prestonsburg, and I am excited to return to offer my services for those in my hometown. I also look forward to working in the supportive environment provided at Open Doors Counseling Center and hope to extend that support to my clients!

I am a licensed psychologist in KY and IN. I hold a doctorate in counseling psychology, a masters in clinical psychology, a bachelors in psychology, and a bachelors in Spanish. I am a generalist by training and have over 12 years of experience in the mental health field including specialized training in LGBTQ+ concerns, trauma, and bilingual counseling. I completed my post-doctoral residency with Veterans Affairs and have over 4 years of experience working with veterans and their families. I am dedicated to the equity of mental healthcare to all people and utilize a decolonized and human centered approach in my psychotherapy practice. I draw strongly from acceptance and commitment therapy as well as cognitive behavioral approaches.

My goal in working with clients is to help them gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for themselves while alleviating any distressing symptoms they are experiencing. I have expertise with complex trauma and PTSD, eating disorders and body image, sexuality and gender identity, immigration and acculturation, depression and anxiety, and mood disorders.

I am a Marriage and Family Therapist Associate with undergraduate degrees in music and psychology obtained from Morehead State University, I hold a certificate in medical assistant studies from the US Career Institute. I received a Masters of Science in Psychology degree from Grand Canyon University and postgraduate Doctoral degrees that include Educational Specialist degree in Marriage and Family Counseling and Community Care and Counseling from Liberty University. Most recently I have enrolled in a post master’s certificate in mental health administration.

I am a trauma informed care provider certified by UT Health San Antonio, Department of Psychiatry and I am also a certified CBT practitioner by the Academy of Modern Applied Psychology. I have more than 8 years of counseling experience in behavioral health providing services such as individual therapy, group therapy, couples counseling, case management, and mental health evaluations and assessments. I specialize in the use of medical family therapy treatment models for individuals with chronic health conditions and the use of clinical diagnostic outcome assessments.

I have specialized postgraduate training in clinical assessments including the M-FAST (Miller Forensic Assessment Of Symptoms Test), the MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) and Vineland-3 (Functional Assessment). I am certified in mental health first aid and currently working towards MI motivational interviewing coach certification through WV-MI.

I am a member of the LGBTQIA+ population and I want to give back to the population and help to heal religious trauma within the community and help heal couples together within the clinical setting. In my free time, I enjoy playing the flute and piccolo in local community bands and orchestras. Along with spending time with my husband who is a nurse and our teenage son, dog, and two cats.

First, a little bit about me: I started out at the University of Kentucky and obtained my bachelors in Social Work in 2016, and from there attended Kent School at the University of Louisville to obtain my MSSW and certificate in LGBTQ+ Health. I obtained my CSW and am on track toward my LCSW. I have spent most of the past decade in advocacy and case management, from family reunification and preservation to foster care and adoption. I am a godmother to five wonderful children and a “fur mom” to an endless parade of rescue and foster animals, particularly those with special needs. In my free time I enjoy reading, hiking, rescuing/fostering animals, attending music and arts festivals, and social justice work. As an adoptee and domestic violence survivor, I am passionate about helping others going through similar journeys, but I am also passionate about many other causes and love to spend time and energy advocating and making change.

I believe in meeting clients where they are and collaborating with them to build the life they want to live. I have both personal and professional experience navigating the foster care and social welfare system and seek to be the support that I needed as a youth. I am familiar with multiple therapeutic modalities and prefer to take a holistic and individualized approach to the process. I believe in the healing power of laughter and play, art, nature, and animals and am always seeking to develop my expertise within those areas. Whether it is problem solving toward your goals and dreams or sitting down to talk through and process barriers, I am open to clients from all walks of life. I seek to be a fierce advocate for those needing justice and a warm home for those needing belonging.

I am looking forward to helping serve the community and build a brighter future for Kentuckians, one where our differences are not simply tolerated, but celebrated. We are all on this giant rock floating through space at the same time all together, and isn’t that wonderful?

I am a third-year clinical psychology doctoral student at Eastern Kentucky University, as well as the newest practicum student here at Open Doors Counseling Center. I am originally from Harlan, Ky and am very appreciative of my Appalachian culture and background. My time in a small, rural community shaped not only who I am but my professional interests as well. It is not easy to grow up as one of the only openly queer people in a small town, but that is what drove me to become an advocate and helper to sexual and gender minorities, specifically, those in underrepresented and underserved rural communities. I love working as a mental health professional and serving a demographic of individuals that I am so proud to be a part of. My identity within the LGBTQIA+ community brings both a sense of clarity and fulfillment to my psychological practices.

I am passionate about providing clients with evidence-based treatments and interventions to address a host of mental health symptoms, especially relating to things like minority stress, discrimination, oppression, and the lifelong process of coming out. I strive to hold space for my clients and help them navigate the various intersections of their social identities, while maintaining an open and warm environment that is validating, welcoming, and affirming to those overlapping parts of their individuality. As a clinician in training, I not only respect but recognize and acknowledge that individual difference is greater than collective assumption. There are more differences within a group or community than there are between groups or communities. My therapeutic approach is tailored to the individual experience. I have an affinity for a variety of modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and the internal family systems model.

I am truly honored to be a part of the team here at Open Doors Counseling Center, and I look forward to serving the greater Kentucky area!

I am a counseling intern at Open Doors Counseling Center. I am a student at the University of the Cumberlands and will be receiving my master’s in clinical mental health counseling in December. I’m currently completing my counseling internship and bring with me experience working with a wide range of populations including adults and children with mental health issues, adults battling substance use, and foster children. I strive to create a safe, supportive space for every person who walks through my door. I believe that healing begins with feeling seen and heard, without judgment.

I plan to specialize in working with survivors of sexual abuse, and I’m passionate about advocating for all those who have experienced trauma. My approach is rooted in empathy, respect, and a deep commitment to honoring each individual’s unique story.

I look forward to working at Open Doors and making a difference in my old Kentucky home!

I am a powerhouse of passion, purpose, and performance. I seamlessly blend advocacy, empowerment, and entertainment to uplift and inspire.

With a heart for healing, I serve as a Targeted Case Manager and Peer Support Specialist with Open Doors Counseling Center, working to bridge the gap between spirituality and mental health. As a spiritual Omnist and leader at Ahava Center for Spiritual Living, I help others embrace their divine worth through faith, self-discovery, and radical self-love. I also used to serve on the board of the Lexington Pride Center and I work tirelessly to promote LGBTQIA+ awareness in Eastern Kentucky through the Pride of Morehead.

On stage, my drag artistry is an extension of my mission which blends storytelling, camp, and femme energy to spark joy, challenge norms, and create space for healing and self-expression. Whether I am commanding the spotlight, holding space for transformation, or advocating for my community, I prove that a crown isn’t just something you wear—it’s the love, courage, and wisdom you share.