Therapists in Heflin, LA

My name is Drauzin Kern and I am a licensed Clinical Social Worker. Over the past thirty 37 years, I have been fortunate to have worked closely with clients over a broad range of challenges including depression, coping with grief and loss, LGBTQIA+ related concerns, relationship issues, compassion fatigue and managing life-changes. I completed my graduate studies at Columbia University School of Social Work in New York in 1988 and I practiced psychotherapy in New York, California and Louisiana. My husband Nick and I currently make our home in South Louisiana, USA, along with our wonderful, Willis. Being a therapist is my life’s work. My intention is to meet every client with respect, understanding, compassion and without judgement. My theoretical approach incorporates Humanistic and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, and I work collaboratively with every client to develop a treatment plan that will best address their needs. I have great admiration for every person that chooses the path of vulnerability when entering therapy. Vulnerability, according to Brene Brown, is STRENGTH. But it can take great courage to embrace our vulnerable humanity, but when we do, we are already on the path of transformation and joy. Vulnerability allows us to "speak our truth," and the TRUTH always sets us free. Best wishes!

From the first moment of successfully leaving our mother's body and beginning to breath on our own, we began a life journey that mirrors our own epic story. This epic is similar to those I used to watch as a child at the Sunday evening movies. Usually a hero, for instance, Hercules, would be engaged in ongoing event-filled days of danger, challenge, and conquest. Along the way there were characters who attempted to thwart his efforts or support his quest. His focus remained resolute and steadfast and was usually met with success. If not doing that hour definitely by part two he would be the victor. Our life challenges, however, are not usually met with the excitement of a movie; and success in overcoming them is not usually with one or even two hours. But like old movies, our challenges involve obstacles, dangers, wonders, and successes of varying dimensions. These challenges for many of us serve to push us forward to take another breath of life and to continue our personal life walk. From each push, breath, and challenge we can choose to learn and experience success or satisfaction with how we are engaging with life. I am Joy Smith McElveen, a licensed clinical social worker in New Orleans, LA.. Like many of you, my epic story is filled with many challenges of major life disappointments, frustrations, illness, fears, anxiety, depression, and anger. However, there was always a sense of wonder which generated happy times, love, and a glimmer of hope-filled days. Focusing on the wonders of hope helps me put challenges and obstacles into a perspective that allows me build change efforts. I think it is having a sense of hope, the real wonder, that pushes us forward despite the challenge. My practice is based on expanding a search for hope within each person seeking to change direction. Living demands that we must continue to grow. We grow through learning and making changes in our sphere of life. Our emotions and thoughts help or hinder our behavior. It is within these areas we need to evaluate, and search for meaning to be productive and fulfilled. My practice is based on using Dialectical Behavior Therapy undergirded with applications from Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy. These approaches have interconnections with how we can choose to change how we think, feel and behave. They each require that the person seeking to make changes do the work and the helper is alongside working with her/him. I would like to be one of the characters in your epic story who supports your quest for change. I have a BA in sociology from Louisiana State University (now UNO); a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor); and a doctorate from Howard University School of Social Work. I have certifications in each treatment approach listed above.

I am an individual and couples counselor in Louisiana with over twenty years of experience. I also provide supervision to counselor interns. My overall strategy is heavily weighted to the cognitive behavioral approach, but I also employ person-centered, psychodynamic and mindfulness techniques.

My name is John Hamblin. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor within the State of Louisiana and I will have been licensed for over 23 years in May of 2024. I received my Master's Degree in Counseling and Guidance from Louisiana Tech University in 1998 and afterwards completed the necessary requirements that the Louisiana LPC Board sets forth in order for individuals to become Licensed Professional Counselors. In my treatment approach, I often start with a non-directive counseling approach but am not glued to this avenue. I encourage completion of homework assignments when I feel it can be helpful to the client. I like to encourage patients to process their feelings through journaling, writing poetry, drawing, or any of their interest that may provide an avenue for them to release/process emotions and thoughts. I also utilize bibliotherapy, which is referring clients to appropriate professional materials for them to read/listen to, and then aid them in processing how the material may relate to their current mental health. I have worked with individuals ranging from age two to geriatric individuals as wise as age 100. I have provided services in a residential treatment facility for children and teens as well as a group home which was specifically for girls ages 12 to 18. I have also provided services for a psychiatric hospital setting which provided services for young children, teens, and also adults. Further, I have provided services in two different correctional settings which did incarcerate juveniles as young as 12 but also up to age 21. I have provided services to adults in both an in-patient and an out patient addiction recovery setting, and as mentioned earlier, I have provided services to adult and geriatric patients within a daily outpatient program where I encountered various forms of dementia as well as other mental health related issues. Areas of treatment that I have spent considerable time in learning about are possible threats by others to the safety and life of targeted victims, self-injury as opposed to suicide ideation, grief, depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder particularly as it often overlaps with self-injury behaviors, and also addictions counseling. Within addictions counseling I normally approach things more directly rather than in a non-directive approach and rely heavily upon the 12 Step programs and assignments to work with the individual.

My name is Marquita Turner I have been Licensed as a Professional Counselor in the state of Louisiana for 8 years. I recently obtained licensure in Texas as well. This work of helping others find peace and purpose in their lives feels like my innate purpose. Therapy is not always easy or enjoyable but if done correctly it will bring about a desirable change. I view the therapeutic process as teamwork for clients and myself. We become equal partners in identifying, processing and developing person-centered solutions to the issues you are facing. I pride myself on being a great listener. This skill has helped me build rapport and trust with clients which both aid the effectiveness of the therapeutic process. I have worked in various mental health settings that afforded me the ability to treat most common and uncommon disorders. I can treat all DSM-5 diagnosis. At the end of this process it is my hope that you are closer to your authentic self and operating from your own place of purpose.

I am a licensed Clinical Social Worker in Louisiana with 30 plus years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. 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. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Louisiana with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & coping with grief and loss. 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. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Louisiana with 27 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & 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. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker licensed in Louisiana with 30 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, parenting, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I am recently retired from a full-time schedule and am taking clients part time. If my availability doesn’t fit with your needs, let me know and I’ll do my best to assist you. 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. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Louisiana with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & trauma and abuse. Most of my clients come to me feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and disconnected. They are ready to recover from their past and expand their inner resources. They are ready to discover how they can transform difficulty into growth. If this sounds like you, don't hesitate to reach out!