Hi, my name is Teresa Adams and I am passionate about marriage, family, relationships and the problems surrounding them. I am a graduate from Mississippi University for Women, with a B.S. in Food and Nutrition and a M.A. from Reformed Theological Seminary in Marriage and Family Therapy. I have been in the relationship field for over 20 years and have been a professional in the field for 10 years. I am Gottman I Certified, Prepare/Enrich Assessment Certified and SYMBIS Assessment Certified as well. I have been through me continuing education trainings in anxiety, depression, stress, conflict, communication, sexual issues and many more. In addition, my husband and I have written a marriage manual/book entitled Marriage: What To Do Before and After You Say, "I Do". When anxiety, depression and stress comes into the relationship/family, a feeling of uncertainty and hopeless erodes the mind. I want to help you eliminate the anxiety, depression, and stress in your relationship/family so life is manageable and peaceful. As a Christian counselor, with Biblical training, the answer to your problem is within your grasp. I have been married for 38 years and have raised four children. I believe the family is the fabric of your society and without the family our society is in deep trouble. Many issues have come to me and I am not afraid to ask the hard questions to help you through a difficult time. As a wife, mother, and counselor, I am caring, compassionate and warm in my delivery to my client. I am not judgmental and nothing surprises me. I can help!!

Welcome! Are you ready to take the first step toward a more fulfilling, balanced, and empowered life? I’m JD, a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 21 years of experience in helping individuals, families, and communities overcome mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges. With a Master's in Guidance and Counseling and a Bachelor's in Educational Psychology from Alcorn State University, I bring a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for supporting those who seek personal growth and healing. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with individuals facing a variety of struggles, from anxiety and depression to career discord, relationship challenges, and more. My approach to therapy is rooted in empathy and respect. I recognize that each person is unique, and I tailor my techniques to meet your individual needs—whether that’s through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or Client-Centered Therapy, among others. I believe in working alongside you as a partner in your journey to mental and emotional well-being. Whether we’re tackling personal challenges, family dynamics, or deeper issues, my goal is to help you reach your fullest potential. I strive to create a safe, confidential, and supportive environment where you can feel empowered to make meaningful changes. I’m genuinely excited about the possibility of working together and helping you move toward your goals with confidence and clarity. Let’s begin this transformative journey together. I look forward to being here for you every step of the way. Warmly, JD

Growing up in small rural area of the Mississippi Delta is easy for most people, but for people with anxiety and depression, as an adolescent, life can become difficult. I came from a good Christian home where morals and values were taught from the beginning. Anxiety and depression were issues that were not talked about in the home. It was not until I was in my late twenties that I learned that it was okay to talk about uncomfortable feelings and emotions and it was certainly nothing to be ashamed of. As I began to seek counseling, I was able to learn to become self-aware of my own feelings and to learn from my counselor’s guidance, that I could make positive changes in my own life. Counselors were able to provide valuable assistance to my emotional needs and help assist me in learning to express myself in a healthy way and to learn coping skills to function to the best of my ability in everyday life situations. This is how my journey began as a counselor when my passion for helping others began. My inclination towards the profession develop when I developed a personal aspiration to advocate and to help others through my own personal experiences. I wanted to be a part of my future clients’ journeys to become the most fulfilling versions of themselves. My background includes working with individuals with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, addiction issues, bipolar disorders, general mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorders and attention deficit disorders.

I am a licensed therapist with over 30 years of professional work experience. My training includes cognitive therapy, stress management , depression and anxiety, addiction, trauma and abuse, & coping with grief and loss. I have extensive experience working with individuals, couples and families. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. 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.

Life's journey can be exciting and fulfilling, as well as difficult and challenging. The path to wholeness is strewn with beautiful flowers and thorny weeds. As we take steps toward becoming an authentic, healthy person, we would do well to sometimes call on trustworthy helpers for their wisdom, knowledge, guidance, and support in facing formidable moments in our growth process. As a Licensed Professional Counselor for over twenty years, I seek to help my clients become empowered to successfully navigate through life's twists and turns. My experience and training have equipped me to assist clients in areas such as depression, anxiety, relationships, parenting, LGBTQ concerns, communication, grief, spirituality, infidelity, stress, and more. Through a mindful approach that is compassionate, respectful, non-judgmental, and well-informed, I partner with my clients to help them define and reach the goals they have for healthy living. Whether one is dealing with an issue such as the loss of a loved one, or seeking to develop a plan to build a life of integrity and joy, my clients' values and beliefs are always honored. No one person has all the answers. Your life is just that—yours. A good therapist will help their clients examine their wants, needs, and desires, including the possible outcomes, both positive and negative. A good therapist will sometimes challenge and question their clients’ thoughts and plans. But a good therapist will respect their clients’ autonomy and never impose their own values on their clients. Every person can have a life of healthy purpose, meaning, and fulfillment. My goal is to create a safe space within which my clients can change their lives in way that will lead to the most authentic and complete life possible.

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 Marriage and Family Therapist in Oklahoma, as well as a Nationally Board-Certified Counselor. I hold a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University, Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Ashford University, and a Doctoral Degree of Ministry from Fellowship Bible Institute. I have experience working with a wide range of clients and love working with families, couples, and individuals. I believe that everyone should have a safe space where they can be heard and helped to navigate the difficulties in life and relationships. I work collaboratively with clients to achieve this by focusing on the areas they desire to improve by using a variety of systemic approaches such as Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy.

I am a LPC and BC-TMH. I graduated from William Carey College with a Bachelors of General Studies in Business Administration and Psychology; and I received my MS in Rehabilitation Counseling from Jackson State University. I have over 16 years of experience working in the mental health field. I have experience working as an adult clinician, in outpatient community mental health. I focus on working with adults and families often with emotional and mental health problems, by providing mental health counseling. I have experience working with a variety of issues such as suicidal ideations, homicidal ideations, drug and alcohol abuse, depression, self-esteem, anxiety, coping skills, and trauma. I also have experience working in a residential treatment facility with youths and adolescents with behavioral and emotional problems. I enjoy helping others establish goals, meeting those goals, and developing coping skills to help them manage everyday life situations and issues. I have worked with all ages, providing individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy. My approach to counseling is a cognitive-behavioral perspective; meaning my goal is to help clients change patterns of thinking and behavior by recognizing and changing negative thoughts, learning to manage negative emotions, and controlling unhealthy impulses. Other interventions and treatment approaches that I utilize are DBT and Trauma-Focused therapy.

Hi, I am Erwin Gilliam, a Mississippi licensed professional counselor with 5 years of direct professional work experience in therapeutic counseling. This experience includes working with clients with identity issues, stress, depression, relationship &/or marital issues, anger management, motivation, self-esteem, confidence, and career difficulties. My background and experiences have given me a variety of opportunities and have allowed me to see the world from different angles, helping me sharpen my counseling skills. I have a masters degree in organizational counseling psychology. In addition, I also hold an educator's license with endorsements in school counseling and administration. To add to my career experiences, I served as a school counselor for 3 years, as an assistant principal for 7 years, and head principal for one year in a public school setting. When it comes to therapy, I primarily use the cognitive behavioral approach with my clients; however, I am able to utilize other approaches depending on my client's needs. I believe in treating everyone with dignity, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. We will work as a team in setting your goals so that you achieve the outcome you are seeking. This first step, seeking out better health, is a huge milestone in finding the happiness and fulfillment we all desire in life. I am forever grateful that you have given me the opportunity to be a part of your journey.

I am licensed in Mississippi with 30 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, motivation, & self esteem. I also have experience working with confidence. I am also able to assist those who believe that their Christian faith is at the core of their morals and values. 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!

Perhaps the reason you are reading this right now is because you feel like your life is out of control, unmanageable, or just plain "stuck?" Maybe you feel like you are in a nightmare every day and you just cannot seem to wake up? Your marriage, your relationships, your work, your finances, your home, your children, your everything feels like it is all crumbling to pieces and possibly you are even losing yourself in the process! No matter how hard you try, you feel hopeless and helpless, and like you cannot get a grip on it all. Please know that you are not alone in this struggle. A crisis is anything that comes up in your life that you do not have a support network great enough to overcome. Seeking help outside of yourself is the first step toward gaining a different perspective that will give you what you need to regain your footing and get your life back on the right path. This path of "bold, relentless, love" is a journey of discerning and discovering what is best for both you and others and then doing that thing with ZERO expectations. I would be honored if you would choose me to be a part of your support network to overcome your crisis through learning how to love both you and others well. I am licensed in Alabama and Mississippi with 10 years of professional work experience. I have empowering, evidence-based principles that I have used for years to help clients with stress and anxiety, marital problems, addictions, trauma and abuse, and bipolar disorder. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to love yourself and others boldly and to take the first steps towards discovering what it means to go "all-in" on life. Please reach out asap so that I can support & empower you in that journey so that your crises will fade away as you learn to navigate the river of life.

I am licensed in Louisiana with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & career difficulties. 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 14 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. 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 Mississippi with 28 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. 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.