Anna has been practicing for over 13 years. She supports body positivity and is LGBTQ and non-binary allied. Anna is certified in Brainspotting, Mental Health First Aid and anger management. She is a licensed LAC Supervisor and Technology-Assisted Counselor. In addition, she has advanced training in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). TF-CBT and CPT are evidence-based treatments for trauma and PTSD. In addition, she has training in various other issues including but not limited to: anxiety, depression, grief, postpartum, women's issues, family, self-esteem, and gender identity.
Anna received her Master’s Degree from Henderson State and is a Licensed Professional Counselor – Supervisor. Anna uses a client centered approach with techniques in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as well as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. This is a fancy way to say she listens to what you have to say and what you want to accomplish/get out of therapy and then builds a course of treatment based on your input. Anna was born and raised in Arkansas. She is loves football and is a big Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

Anna has been practicing for four years and has experience in treating children and adults. She received her Master’s Degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and is a Licensed Master Clinical Social Worker. She has experience in school-based therapy, crisis services, and forensic restoration. Anna is currently an outpatient therapist serving two of our locations through telehealth and face-to-face. She has certification and/or training in suicide and crisis intervention, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Solutions-Focused Brief Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. She uses unconditional positive regard to help clients recognize their potential and worth to empower and guide them towards healing. Anna is an Arkansas native and enjoys Lake Ouachita with her family.

Carrie has been practicing for 12 years and is experienced in the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD/trauma, ADHD, mood instability, and long-term mental illness. She also has a certification and/or training in Trauma-Focused- Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, crisis intervention, motivational interviewing. Carrie uses an eclectic approach including evidenced-based models to tailor treatment and care according to each client’s individual needs. Carrie is dedicated to providing a non-judgmental, strengths-based, and emotionally supportive environment for her clients to find solutions for problems and find healthy ways to cope with challenges they may be facing. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Degree then received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from UALR in 2008 and now is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Carrie is an Arkansas native and enjoys doing all things outdoors. She loves reading, drinking coffee in the mornings, and spending time with family and friends. Carrie’s passion is helping others in their personal journey toward growth and exploring ways to improve overall emotional health and quality of life.

Cherie has been practicing for twenty years and has 16 years experienced in the treatment of Early Childhood Mental Health. Ms. Cherie began UAMS ARBEST Early Childhood specialized training in April of 2017 and became a DHS-Approved Infant Mental Health Therapist in the State of Arkansas beginning in March of 2018. She is on the Arkansas State and National CPP registry for Child Parent Psychotherapy for age populations 0-61 months. She continues early childhood specialized training and education under UAMS ARBEST for PCIT-Parent Child Interaction Therapy for aged populations 2 y/o-7 y/o. She enjoys working with populations from middle-aged adults down to the very youngest 0-61 months old children. She also conducts TF-CBT (Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). She received her Master of Community Counseling Degree from Henderson State University and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Arkansas. Ms. Cherie interned 20 years ago in a domestic violence shelter in Mena, Ar. where she found and developed her passion for working with the youngest aged populations dealing with the trauma from ACE-Adverse Childhood Experiences to begin breaking the cycle of trauma. Trauma can become a cycle impacting future generations and seeking help from a licensed mental health practitioner can begin to break this cycle for yourself and your family.

Christina primarily works with children in our Arkadelphia School-Based Program, in which she serves as our program coordinator. She also works with children, adolescents, and young adults in the Arkadelphia Outpatient Clinic. Christina joined our team in 2016. Before that, she worked at a residential facility for children ages 10-18. Christina primarily utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and received her Master’s Degree from Regent University. When she is out of the office, she is running around with her family and pets.

Christina has been practicing for 18 years and is experienced in the treatment of depression, anxiety, trauma, crises, geriatric clients, gender issues and long-term mental illness. She also has a certification/training in cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, crisis intervention and acceptance/commitment therapy. She received her Master’s Degree from UALR and is a Licensed Master Clinical Social Worker. Christina was born in Germany, is bilingual, loves her family of origin and her friends at the Hot Springs Family YMCA. She is an avid animal lover and note writer. She used to work nights in the Emergency Room at St. Joseph’s and loves to intervene in the midst of a tumultuous crisis situation.

Eric has been working in the mental health field for over 10 years. He works directly with individuals who experience severe mental illnesses involving psychoses, depression, anxiety, trauma, and emotional crises. He helps adolescents and adults that experience first-episode psychosis and works with adults that have long-term mental illness and individuals that experience homelessness. He has training in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), crisis intervention, anger management, and CBT for psychosis. He has recently completed training that gives him the opportunity to practice EMDR therapy with adults who experience intense anxiety and depression and/or suffer from the long term effects of trauma, including those persons with symptoms of PTSD and/or have experienced major life changes from combat roles, sexual assaults, automotive accidents, significant abuse or neglect, and even those whose daily stressors seem to be too much to manage on their own. Eric received his Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Henderson State University and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. He is an Arkansas native and enjoys the outdoors. He likes reading and spending time with family and friends when he is not working for OBHAW or participating in community events to support clients that experience their first episode of psychosis, have a long-term mental illness, or struggle with homelessness.

Gessie has been practicing for 12 years and is experienced in the treatment of Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar, Borderline Personality Disorder, PTSD. She also has a certification/training in Substance Abuse from the University Of Massachusetts. She received her Master’s Degree from Lesley University in Cambridge Massachusetts and is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Gessie is a military wife, a mother of two children. She understands the struggle and life stressors and how vulnerable people can be in times of crisis. Her favorite quote: “You are unique of all of nature’s creations. Nothing can replace you.”

Katie has been practicing for 4 years and is experienced in the treatment of children and adolescents with trauma, abuse, and severe behaviors. She became a DHS-Approved Infant Mental Health Therapist in the State of Arkansas beginning in March 2019. She is trained in technology-assisted counseling and TF-CBT. Katie is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). She received her Master’s Degree from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. In her free time, Katie enjoys watching sports, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Kristie has been a Social Worker for 26 years focusing on Mental Health Therapy for the past 9 of these years. With experience working with both children and adults, Kristie has certification/training in cognitive behavior therapy, crisis intervention, and trauma-focused therapy. She received her Master’s Degree from UALR and is a Licensed Master Clinical Social Worker. Kristie is an Arkansas native, a sports enthusiast, and appreciates music of all kinds.

PSYCHOTRAUMATOLOGIST

Lea, a Licensed Professional Counselor; Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the states of AR, TX, and VA has over 20 years of experience providing compassionate, therapeutic care to adults with histories of Trauma, Self-Harm, Eating Disorders, and Grief. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Ed. and Secondary Math Ed., as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ed. at Ouachita University in Arkadelphia, AR. She received her MA in Marriage & Family Counseling and Christian Ed. from Southwestern Seminary in Ft. Worth, TX. She spent 13 years in her first career as an educator before switching to her passion of counseling. She has been working in the mental health field since 2001 and practicing as a licensed counselor since 2008.

Lea is experienced in the treatment of Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar, and PTSD. She has specialty certifications as a Psychotraumatologist, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Level 2, Technology Assisted Counselor, and completed Internal Family Systems Therapy, Level 1 and 2. Lea has experience as a Program Assistant for Level 1. She uses IFS and Christian based approaches to assist clients in meeting their goals. She serves on the Garland Domestic Violence Task Force and the Hot Springs Human Trafficking Task Force.

Lea spent many years in counseling for her own trauma history and knows what a difficult road recovery can be. She desires to assist clients in building trust with themselves and others through healing damaged emotions from past trauma. She strives to provide unconditional connectedness and clarity within a calming environment. She believes in a teamwork approach to your health and healing. She is mommy (servant) to her fifty-pound fur baby dog, named Xanax Mae. She goes by the name of Zannie (rhymes with Danny). However, her nickname is Her Royal Highness the Queen! She is being trained to be a service dog to assist with counseling.

Lynley has been a therapist with OBHAW since June 2020 and is certified in dialectical behavior therapy as well as having training in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and child-parent psychotherapy.  Lynley was a middle school science teacher prior to getting her master's degree from Henderson State University.  She is a Licensed Professional Counselor who works with children and adolescents and is currently a therapist in the Hot Springs school-based program.  Lynley uses a child centered approach to therapy and interventions from dialectical and cognitive behavioral therapies to help her clients process and work through traumatic events as well as techniques and interventions from reality therapy to help them understand how their choices and behaviors shape their world and connections with others.  She's a native Arkansan, and when not in the office, Lynley likes to travel, read, spend time with family and friends, play board games and RPGs, explore new places, and wander out in the woods with her dogs.

Michelle has been practicing for 13 years and is experienced in the treatment of adults, children, adolescents and families with an emphasis on cognitive-behavioral strategies. She works with a plethora of childhood and adult diagnoses such as Attention Deficit Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Anxiety, Depression. She also has a certification/training in Active Parenting, Anger Management, Motivational Interviewing, Advanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and LGBTQ issues. She received her Master’s Degree from Louisiana State University in Shreveport, LA and is a Licensed Professional Counselor.

My name is Rena (pronounced Renee) Barnett. I have a 29-year-old daughter, a soon-to-be 18-year-old son, and two grandchildren. I am passionate about what I do and spend a lot of time listening to webinars and reading about different therapeutic modalities. Losing my sight has allowed me to focus more on what people say and less on their surroundings. I feel that I listen more effectively because I have less distractions, visually. Reaching my goal was not easy; however it is my passion and I persevered. I grew up in the foster care system and even though I have had many challenges in my life, I feel they have all helped to mold me into the person I am. My goal is to help each client reach whatever goals and objectives they want for themselves. When I am not doing that; I love reading James Patterson. If I had one piece of advice; it would be to do self-care. Taking care of ourselves is not selfish; it is a necessity in order for us to take care of others. If you are struggling with this thing called life; please allow one of our therapists to sit with you, walk with you and hold your hope for you!

Ryan has been practicing for 5 years within the School-Based/Out-Patient settings and is experienced in the treatment of children, adolescents and young adults suffering from depression, anxiety, trauma, anger/aggression, adjustment issues, relationship difficulties, and behavioral/academic problems. He received his Master’s Degree from Chaminade University of Honolulu in 2005 and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Ryan began competitive swimming at the age of 6 and continued collegiately at Ouachita Baptist University earning NCAA All-American honors all four years. Prior to entering the counseling field, Ryan was the Head Coach of the OBU swimming and diving team where he led the Tigersharks to many top 10 national performances.

Taylor has been practicing for almost 4 years and is experienced in the treatment of childhood diagnoses including anxiety and depressive disorders, ODD, ADHD, disruptive mood and impulse control disorders, and adjustment disorders. She works in the CLIMB Pre-K program with 4–6-year-old children. She teaches mood regulation techniques and coping skills so that children may effectively cope with family stressors, impulsivity, and traumatic events that accompany these diagnoses using Conscious Discipline techniques and other age-appropriate interventions. She has a certification/training in Crisis Prevention Intervention and regularly researches new and evidence-based techniques to incorporate in treatment to meet each individual client’s needs. She received her master's degree from Southern Arkansas University and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Taylor works with the mindset that there are no bad children, just good children who need a helping hand to make difficult choices and overcome obstacles that are often out of their control. The children she has worked with come from all walks of life and if she can do one thing, she wants to be able to help you and your child reach a higher level of mental health and wellness as a family.

Terri has been part of the OBHAW team for the past 30 years. She received her BS degree from Ouachita Baptist University in elementary education and went on to earn her MS in Social Agency Counseling from Henderson State University. Terri is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has worked in various capacities within our agency. Terri is trained in Conscious Discipline and also works as a Licensed Associate Counselor supervisor to help guide upcoming professionals in the field of mental health. She has experience in direct care with all age groups and a substantial history managing intensive programs including a large staff.
Terri began her career here as a therapist with the REACH program in 1993, working with the chronically mentally ill adult population. During the time with this program, she gained invaluable experience working with adults with schizophrenia, bipolar, major depression, and numerous other serious mental illnesses. During this time, she also subcontracted with a DHS contractor to provide assessments for families looking to foster and/or adopt children through the Foster Pride/Adopt Pride program.
In 2000, she transitioned to our school-based program and was assigned to the Lake Hamilton School District where she worked with grades kindergarten through the twelfth grade. In 2015, she became the Hot Springs, Arkadelphia School Based Coordinator which covered 10 school districts at the time and was also simultaneously CASSP/SOC coordinator. In 2019, she again transitioned within the company and became the director of Children’s Intensive Services, also known as CLIMB. Terri continues in this capacity as she and her staff continue to expand the program.