I have enjoyed working for various mental health agencies and have extensive experience in several areas of counseling. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, in the states of Mississippi, Colorado, Georgia, North Carolina, Louisiana and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Nevada. I have worked with individuals, couples, families and groups. I have worked with children as young as 4 to adults up to age 101! I have assisted clients who struggle with symptoms of anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, relational and self-esteem issues. I am a mother of seven, including a son on the autism spectrum. My counseling style is person-centered. I believe in treating everyone with respect and unconditional positive regard. I will devise a plan of treatment created specifically for you. My personal life experiences, in addition to my education and work history, help me to empower individuals to overcome difficult emotional obstacles. I know that asking for help can be difficult. Congratulations on taking that first step. I am looking forward to hearing from you and guiding you through the therapeutic process.

Hello!!! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Mississippi as well as a National Certified Counselor with over 16 years experience in providing individual, family and group counseling. I have experience working with clients ages 3 to adulthood with a multitude of presenting issues such as developmental delays, trauma, depression, anxiety, grief, loss, anger management, life changes, self esteem and identify issues as well as relationship and family issues. I have also worked in many different counseling settings and have experience working with culturally diverse clients. My counseling style is warm, and emphatic, it is influenced by Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). My approach combines client centered therapy and structured family therapy along with goal oriented, and solution focused therapy to highlight ones strengths to help my client become the best version of themselves and do so authentically. I believe everyone is unique and should have a unique counseling experience tailored to them where they can work through life’s challenges. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you in a safe, nonjudgmental, compassionate and nurturing space to help you achieve your identified goals to become the best version of yourself with dignity and respect It takes courage to reach out and I am here to provide you with the safe space you need to be vulnerable and to begin to heal.

Hello and Thank YOU for viewing my profile! I am Licensed Professional Counselor the state of Mississippi with over 15 years of experience. I am also a registered play therapist which is what I normally am doing during the day from August to late May! My summer hours vary some so please contact me if you are reading this during June or July so that we can discuss any changes in my schedule. You are also welcome to go to my schedule to check my availability. My counseling work has been with clients that exhibit several mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, oppositional behaviors, attention deficit/impulsivity concerns, as well as those with severe trauma histories. My counseling approach is eclectic, which integrates different styles based on the needs of the client. The theories typically used include Narrative Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Play Therapy. My role is to assist in helping you to reach your goals and to provide non-judgmental support during your time in therapy.

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION Ricardo Gillispie, PhD, LCSW I received my Bachelor’s Degree in 1973 in Social Science from Mississippi Valley State University. I was accepted in the first Masters of Social Work Program at the University of Southern Mississippi graduating in 1975. I was awarded the first Social Worker of the Year by the Mississippi Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers in 1992. I was accepted in the first Ph.D. Program in Social Work at Jackson State University graduating in 2000, with the primary focus in Psychotherapeutic Social Work. Prior to retiring from Private Practice, I was part owner and CEO of Family Counseling Services, PLLC in Meridian, MS. This was a Private Behavioral Health Care Group Practice consisting of Psychiatrists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, PhD Clinical Psychologists, Licensed Professional Counselors and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners. While in Private Practice, I specialized in Marriage and Family Therapy, Cognitive/Affective Disorders, to include patients experiencing Depression, Anxiety and Post Traumatic Disorder. After retirement, I accepted the offer to serve as a group therapist for Rush/Ochsner Intensive Outpatient Psychogeriatric Programs. These are IOP's throughout East Mississippi. In 2000, I accepted to be a consultant for Rush Psychogeriatric Intensive Outpatient Programs. In this role, I help develop the Behavioral Healthcare Program for geriatric patients with mental health, aging and emotional conditions. After developing these Programs, I provided training for social workers, psychiatrist and nurses. Afterward, I surveyed these Programs in accordance to CMS guidelines. In 1999 I accepted the consulting role with East Mississippi Correctional Facility, a private prison under the management of the GEO Group, Inc. in Boca Raton, Florida. In that consulting role, I designed the first exclusive mental health program in corrections in the United States. February 2006, I accepted the full-time position as Deputy Warden of Mental Health Programs with East Mississippi Correctional Facility (EMCF), and maintained my private practice with Family Counseling Services, PLLC. From 1973 to 1985, I served as Assistant Director for Region Ten (Weems) Mental Health Center covering a catchment area of nine counties in East Central Mississippi. In that role, I wrote the Initial Operation Grant for Weems Mental Health Center and other grants. 1986, I served as Clinical Director and an investor of Laurel Wood Psychiatric Hospital in Meridian, MS. I served fifteen years on the Meridian School Board of Trustees, serving two terms as President. I was elected as Region Ten National Association of Social Work Representative for the Nomination and Leadership Committee, representing Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and Tennessee. 1994, I was appointed to the first Mississippi Social Workers Licensure Board serving one term as chairman. I served as an Auditor of Correctional Facilities in the United States for the American Correctional Association (ACA). Also, I was a Psychiatric Social Worker Surveyor consultant for the Center of Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS), in which I surveyed public and private psychiatric hospitals for Medicare and Medicaid compliance in the United States. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Diplomat in Clinical Social Work, and Certified by the Academy of Certified Social Workers. 2006, I was inducted in the Hall of Fame at Meridian Community College. I have served as a part-time instructor for Mississippi State University School of Social Working – Meridian Branch, Meridian Community College and Adjunct Faculty for the University of Southern Mississippi School of Social Work. I have provided the following professional presentations: • 2015 Techniques in the Provision of Group Psychotherapy - Rush Hospital Senior Citizens Program • 2017 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – Rush Hospital Senior Citizens Program • Guest speaker for the 2010 American Correctional Association Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA. Topic: Efficacy of Mental Health Services in Corrections • Presenter at 2011 American Correctional Association Annual Conference in Chicago, Ill, Topic: Long Term Segregated Offender Mental Health Program. • Social Work Standards of Practice in Psychiatric Hospitals for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – Seattle, WA • Assessment Interviewing Training for the Mississippi Department of Health and Human Services- Jackson, MS • Stress Management Workshops for Industries, Hospitals and other professional organizations. • Interviewing Skills Training for the Department of Public Welfare; sponsored by the University of Southern Mississippi Continuing Education Department - Gulfport, MS • Assessment Interviewing/Assessment Training for the Bureau of Indian Affairs; Choctaw Reservation - Philadelphia, MS • Developing of Treatment Plans for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – Baltimore, MD • Guest Speaker for the Institute of Rural Mental Health; Topic: Barriers for African Americans in Obtaining Mental Health Services In the Rural South • Operational Development of the Psychosocial Assessments – Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – Kansas City, MO I have authored the following publications: Book: How to Prevent the Collision of the Two Worlds we Live, Publisher - Mulberry Book, LLC, 2020. Hospitalized Africa American Men with Mental Illness: Some Antecedents to Service Satisfaction and Intent to Comply with Aftercare. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Skills, Volume 6, Number 3, winter 2002. Hospitalized African American Mental Health Consumers: Some Antecedents to Service Satisfaction and Intent to Comply with Aftercare. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, Volume 75, Number 2, pp. 254-261, 2005. I have been married to Catherine Nelson Gillispie since 1973. We have a daughter Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell who is a physician of OBGY at Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans and son, Rashad Gillispie a graduate of MVSU with a degree in computer science. My wife and I attend North Park church in Meridian, MS a multiracial and cultural congregation. Licensed and Certifications: • Mississippi Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Marriage and Family Counselor - #COO82 • Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW) - #881216796 • Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (BCD) - #006164

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Mississippi with over 20 years of experience working as a psychotherapist. I have worked with clients from a broad range of concerns including: anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, relationship issues, family dynamic distresses, poor communication styles, racial discrimination in the work place, and emotional abuse. Furthermore, I have worked in the medical field work and mental health for over 18 years assisting individuals with Cancer and families connect with local community agencies who aide with homelessness, domestic violence, suicide prevention, and substance use. My counseling style is very empathetic, mindful and client-centered, yet direct and straightforward. I believe in treating everyone with respect and dignity but most importantly I pride myself on demonstrating compassion for all and being sensitive to the needs of others. It takes a great deal of courage to seek professional help and even more courage to implement change. However, if you are ready to take the next steps to begin living a more fulfilling and self-empowered lifestyle, I’d love to help guide you along the way. I look forward to working with you. Best regards!

Ricardo Bolton I have a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Belhaven University and a Masters of Social Work from University of Southern Mississippi. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience in working with individuals that struggle with trauma, daily stressors, issues with self-esteem, life changes, barriers to connecting, and relationship concerns. My experience also involves facilitating groups for domestic violence and/or substance abuse, as appropriate. Over the past two years, my experience has involved working with Veterans on military specific issues. My purpose will be to support you as your therapist and be a sounding board that will help you navigate through the thoughts and feelings you are experiencing. The time spent during sessions will be used to guide you through the journey of healing, re-establishing your self-identity and/or peace in the decisions you make daily. We all must be able to see the true person outside the views/perspectives of others and the experiences we have been through in our lives that can cripple us from being happy. Focus Areas: PTSD Depression Military specific issues Stress-Management Additional experience with the following issues: Anxiety, Anger Management, Stressors, Attachment, Family Conflict, Peer Relationships, Parenting, Coping skills, Adjustment Difficulties Clinical approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy Years:2

Hello, my name is Laura Gillom. I am an LCSW in Mississippi with over 14 years of psychotherapy experience. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including stress, depression, anxiety, family conflict, and transitions of life. I have also helped many people who have experienced all types of trauma and emotional abuse. My therapy style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating anyone with dignity, respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stereotyping and stigmatizing labels. I use an eclectic approach to therapy. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards change. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Mississippi. I have over 15 years’ experience in social services settings/mental health as a bi-lingual (Spanish/English) therapist. I am passionate about helping teens, adults, and families dealing with anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, grief & loss, perfectionism, relationship issues, and addiction recovery. I have a warm, enthusiastic, empathic, genuine, and loving approach to my work and collaborate with my clients to identify personalized and unique solutions to create lasting, meaningful change. I know it can sometimes be intimidating to reach out for help, and that all we want is to feel like ourselves again. Support is available and I want you to know that you are not alone and what can be gained from this process can be life-hanging. Feel free to send a message to set up an appointment today. Specialties • Depression • Self-esteem • Anxiety Types of Therapy • Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) • Humanistic • Person-Centered • Motivational Interviewing • Positive Psychology • Solution Focused Brief (SFBT) • Strength-Based Issues • Life Transitions • Peer Relationships • Stress • Women's Issues • Codependency • Coping Skills • Grief • Interpersonal • Multicultural Ethnic: Hispanic and Latino Age • Adults • Teen

Hello, I am Melissa Upton. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Mississippi. I am also a National Certified Counselor with NBCC. I received my Master's and Specialist's Degree from Mississippi State University in School Counseling. I have 14 years of experience in school counseling and 25 years of experience in the public school system in Mississippi. I have worked with adolescents for 25 years. I am looking to broaden my horizon and begin a new phase in my life with more one-on-one counseling. I have observed in the past 25 years, the need for counselors in everyone’s life. I have worked with students in anger management, depression, coping skills, anxiety, relationship issues and ADHD, as well as academic and career planning in the school setting. I am looking forward to working with different age groups to provide counseling services in these areas and possibly more. My therapy style is client-centered and cognitive behavioral. I use the RIASEC model, John Holland's career inventory model when providing academic/career counseling. I believe in treating everyone with respect and compassion. I believe counseling should provide a place to be yourself and work through conflicts that come with everyday life. We all need to practice “self-help” more than we do. Talking to a counselor is one approach towards helping yourself live a happy and balanced life. If you are ready to begin the “self-help” process and begin to have a more fulfilling and balanced life, I am here to support you and help to begin that journey. I look forward to working with you!

I am licensed in Mississippi with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in Mississippi with more than 17 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, & parenting issues. I also have experience working with motivation, self esteem, and developing the practice of healthy boundaries. Boundaries define who we are and who we are not. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion while presenting Truth in love. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a healthy change. I practice holistic Christian based counseling. Most people do what they do because they believe what they believe. This is what the Word of God says - "As a man (or woman) thinketh in his (her) heart, so is he (she)." I am just a guide and my aim is to help you achieve your goals by setting them yourself after dealing with whatever issues or concerns you desire to discuss. I received my bachelor degree (1984) in Religious Education from Mississippi College in Clinton MS and in 2005 I graduated from USM with my masters degree in Education with emphases on counseling.

I am licensed in the states of Mississippi, Louisiana, Nevada and West Virginia with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, career difficulties, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in Mississippi with 19 years of professional work experience and 8 within the counseling field. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, parenting issues, & depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Every day can have a ray of sunshine in it if you choose to see it. I believe that perception is true in my own life and yours. I am licensed in Mississippi with 16 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with motivation, self esteem, and confidence, coping with life changes, & concentration, memory and focus (ADHD). I have worked with teenagers and adults over my career including some with special needs. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. John Wayne said, "Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway". I am here to support you in that process. I have had to rely on God and find courage many times in my life. I had a life changing event at the age of sixteen that resulted in being totally blind. God's strength and guidance allowed me to finish high school and complete a Bachelors and Masters degree to do what He called me to do. I have been through a divorce, remarriage, and have three children since all of the above. So I have experienced those dark days when you have to choose the sunshine or the clouds. I would enjoy getting to know you and help you navigate through the challenges of life.

I am licensed in Mississippi with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, lgbtq+ related issues, & relationship issues. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!