Meet Our Staff

Abby Anspach

Abby Anspach is a Masters level intern studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Vanderbilt University. Originally from Ohio, Abby first came to Nashville for her undergraduate studies at Vanderbilt, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Studies and Child Development. She is a member of both the American Counseling Association and Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society.

Abby believes that fostering connection with ourselves and with others is essential to living the abundantly joyful life that we were created to experience. She is honored to walk with her clients in their brave journeys towards hope and healing, and she desires to create a space where clients can feel safely known. Abby believes in using a holistic, strengths-based approach that values mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. She is passionate about working with individuals from all walks of life, but her areas of focus include working with children and young adults who are experiencing trauma, grief and loss, life transitions, and anxiety.

In her spare time, Abby enjoys going to yoga classes, hiking at local parks, watching Ohio State football games, and meeting friends for coffee.

Amber Couleas

Amber Couleas serves as part-time bookkeeper for The Refuge Center. She grew up in western Kentucky and is a graduate of Murray State University where she obtained a Masters of Professional Accounting. After graduating, she worked in public accounting for Ernst & Young, LLP in St. Louis and since has worked in retail and agricultural industries as Controller, as well as consulting and serving on the Board of a large agricultural retailer. She is currently an inactive CPA.

After continuing to advance her career, she decided to take a step back in the business world in 2012 to devote extra time to her growing family and worked part-time as a bookkeeper for an engineering firm in Franklin before joining The Refuge.

While she enjoys working on the “business” side of organizations, she is passionate about aligning her business acumen with her lifelong desire to advocate for mental health and those affected by ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and trauma. She believes that advancing mental health services and changing the way we think about mental health is the most important need for our society.

Amber and her husband Cullan, along with their three active children, live in Franklin and love calling Tennessee home. In her free time she enjoys traveling and giving her children the chance to experience different cultures, cooking, yoga, reading, and learning more about body-based meditative and mindfulness practices.

Amy Alexander, LMFT

Amy Alexander is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Refuge Center for Counseling. The Refuge Center for Counseling began in 2005 and presently provides more than 27,000 counseling sessions for over 3,600 clients annually. Services are offered on a sliding-fee scale, based on income, so that everyone has access to care. Amy believes that the counseling process empowers people to become free of the burdens, barriers and shame stories that prevent them from experiencing freedom in their lives. She believes with all her heart that every person, no matter what they can pay, where they live, or what they have been through, deserves access to the very best care for their emotional wellness. Affordability, excellence and compassionate care are hallmarks of the services at The Refuge Center. As the Executive Director, Amy encourages and supports a culture of connection, character and continuous growth within the organization.

Amy is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been in the field for eighteen years. Her areas of clinical focus include trauma, domestic and sexual violence, grief and loss, and identity work. Brennan Manning once said, “Many people between the ages of thirty and sixty-whatever their stature in the community and whatever their personal achievements- undergo what can truly be called a second journey. The second journey begins when we know we cannot live the afternoon of life according to the morning program.” Amy’s deepest passion is helping people as they begin their “second journey.”

Amy is trained in EMDR, Brainspotting, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Trust-Based Relationship Interventions. She is an American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Approved Supervisor and a Clinical Fellow of the association.

Amy has been married to Dan for fifteen years and they have three children, ages 12, 7 and 4. Amy enjoys many self-care practices including yoga, mountain biking, hiking, reading, and travel. She loves dark chocolate more than anyone in the world and her favorite place to visit is Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada.

Anita Pringle, LPC-MHSP

Anita Pringle is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC-MHSP) and Clinical Director at The Refuge Center. Her passion is to walk with hurting people to a place of health, wholeness and hope. She previously worked at The Ranch as a primary therapist for the Center for Relationship and Sexual Recovery program. The clients in the program struggle with sex, love and relationship addiction/issues, chemical dependence, codependence, lack of boundaries, eating disorders and trauma. Prior to her time at The Ranch she served for 30+ years as an ordained United Methodist minister.

Anita is a graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University with a MA in Counseling, a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist, Certified Daring Way Facilitator and a Board Certified Pastoral Counselor. She is a member of ACA, AACC and TLPCA. Anita is trained in EMDR. She enjoys working with people who struggle with depression/anxiety, grief/loss, addiction, faith issues, codependence, boundaries and relational issues. She enjoys doing group work and leads Grief Share groups.

Anita enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, and spending time with friends. She was married to the love of her life for 8 1/2 years and has been widowed for 13 years. She parented her nephew although she does not have biological children of her own. Anita is blessed to journey with her clients here at The Refuge Center.

Ashley Ofosu

Ashley Ofosu is a Master’s level intern at The Refuge Center. She is currently working to complete her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health at Trevecca Nazarene University. She is a member of both the American Counseling Association and the Tennessee Counseling Association.

Ashley believes in the process of therapy and that every person should be able to benefit from it regardless of their background. She has a genuine passion for helping those in need and believes that there is always hope even at times when things may seem hopeless. She is so happy to be apart of The Refuge Center family where everyone’s passion matches her own.

Ashley enjoys working with young adults and adult clients and is dedicated to walking alongside them as they evolve and heal through there therapeutic journey.

In her free time, Ashley loves to travel, hike, bicycle ride and spend quality time with her close-knit family.

Beth Blinn

Beth Blinn has a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Trevecca Nazarene University and is a Post-Master’s volunteer therapist at The Refuge.  Beth strongly believes in the power of relational healing.  She works with individuals, couples and families, to help them identify and heal the wounds they have.  At the core, Beth’s goal is to help her clients to become everything they were created to be, in whatever stage of life or role they are in at the present.

Beth uses an integrated approach that is molded to the client but is rooted in attachment theory, weaving in aspects of narrative therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, emotionally-focused therapy, and other modalities. Beth is certified in the Prepare/Enrich premarital therapy.

Beth has a B.A. in journalism and has worked in the music, travel, publishing, and energy industries, and had a personal chef business for 5 years. Beth is also the bookkeeper at The Refuge Center.

Brandy Walker, MMFT

Brandy Walker is serving as Post Master Volunteer at The Refuge Center for Counseling. Brandy earned an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Trevecca Nazarene University and a B.A. in Psychology from Fisk University. She is currently working towards licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist.

Her passion is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for the processing of grief, loss, and trauma. Brandy believes that most of the pain we carry around stems from different aspects of grief and loss. This can start to show up in our lives somatically, emotionally, spiritually, or interpersonally, and can even begin to affect our identity. She believes in creating a judgment and shame-free space where clients can safely acknowledge, address, explore, and heal their pain. She strives to help clients ultimately rediscover their sense of self and purpose. She works from a systemic and strengths-based perspective while integrating methods of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness. She also likes to implement elements of cognitive restructuring, which helps clients redirect harmful and intrusive thoughts, address their childhood “programming”, and modify their emotion regulation. Her specialties include management of anxiety, depression, anger, boundaries, and relationship issues.

In her spare time, she enjoys running, connecting with nature, singing, and reading.

Caitlin Coile

Caitlin Coile is currently serving as a Contract Therapist at the Refuge Center. She holds a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lipscomb University and is pursuing licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor Mental Health Service Provider. As a member of the American Counseling Association and the Tennessee Counseling Association, she is dedicated to making the human experience both constructive and meaningful for her clients by creating a warm therapeutic environment in which they can experience growth, empowerment, and support.

Caitlin has training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), EMDR for Children, Play Therapy, Brainspotting, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). She incorporates multiple modalities of treatment into her practice to give each client a unique experience that meets their specific needs. Her hope is join with her clients to achieve meaningful and deep healing, identify resources for continued growth, and develop secure attachments in their relationships. She is passionate about working with individuals and families of all ages who are dealing with life transitions, identity, relationship issues, trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, and depression.

Outside of her time at The Refuge Center, Caitlin enjoys doing yoga, playing tennis, exploring the Tennessee mountains, reading good books, cheering on the Dawgs, and spending time with friends and family.

Campbell Hopkins

Campbell Hopkins grew up in Louisiana and came to Nashville six years ago to study Human and Organizational Development at Vanderbilt University. She fell in love with the city, decided to stay, and is now studying Marriage and Family Therapy at Lipscomb University.

Campbell is passionate about walking alongside clients in their journey to find healing and to live more hopeful, meaningful lives. As an administrative assistant, she is excited to welcome people into the mission of The Refuge and help them find their place here.

In her free time, Campbell enjoys spending time at home with her husband, cooking a new dish, gathering around the table with friends and family, playing guitar, and walking or relaxing outdoors.

Caroline Berl

Caroline Berl has her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University and serves both a staff therapist and Intake Specialist at The Refuge Center.

Caroline is passionate about helping individuals obtain a greater sense of peace and cultivate deeper connection with self and others. Utilizing a collaborative, integrative approach, Caroline draws from person-centered, cognitive-behavioral, and narrative approaches to explore and meet the needs of each specific client. Caroline has training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Trust-Based Relational Interventions (TBRI), Brainspotting Phases I & II, and Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) Levels 1 & 2. She has experience working with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, identity, relational issues, boundaries, addiction, recovery and grief. She is a member of the American Counseling Association.

Caroline feels truly honored to be a part of a profession, and organization, in which individuals can receive the support and space necessary for experiencing life and relationships most fully. Outside of The Refuge Center, Caroline enjoys road trips, nature, and spending time with loved ones.

Catherine McCreary

Catherine McCreary serves as an administrative assistant and a Master’s level intern at The Refuge Center and is currently studying Marriage and Family Therapy at Lipscomb University.

Catherine is passionate about joining with clients through empathy and compassion on their own journey of healing and change, empowering them to be the best they can be and to live healthy, meaningful lives. She is especially interested in the mind-body-spirit connection and aims to use her integrative experiential therapeutic approach to guide clients to more holistic healing and transformation. Catherine has training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Sensitive Yoga, and Play Therapy. She is particularly passionate about working with children, adolescents, and young adults with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, relational distress, autism spectrum, and child/teen behavioral issues. Catherine’s desire is to create a safe, sacred space where clients feel seen, heard, and free to share their stories and experiences.

In her free time, Catherine enjoys practicing yoga, taking long walks outside, swimming, baking, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Christina Reddon

Christina Reddon is a Masters level intern seeking a degree in Clinical Mental Health at Trevecca University. Christina has experience working with youth in foster care, as well as with women who struggle with addiction and is able to serve all the clients she encounters with grace, openness, and understanding. Her passion is to help people to feel more empowered in order to overcome their personal adversities and to help people discover their authentic selves and to become comfortable in their skin.

Through her own journey, Christina has found that awareness and self-acceptance can help a person begin to heal from past experiences and transform their lives in order to feel more happy and secure. Christina uses an eclectic strength-based approach to help those who have forgotten, or who have not yet discovered, their full potential.

In her free time, Christina loves to go to the gym, travel to new states or locations, hike, experiment with new foods, and spend time with her loved ones. Christina is also a lover of music and is learning to play the guitar.

Christy Hunt

Christy is a Master’s level intern pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Trevecca Nazarene University. She has completed training in clinical trauma competency and is drawn to many therapeutic models including parts work, mindfulness, somatic experiencing, narrative exposure, and psychodynamic therapies. Christy desires to guide hurting people toward an understanding that who they are matters, that their experiences do not define them, and that there is always hope for healing and growth.  She is a member of the American Counseling Association and the Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselors Association.

Desiring to be a source of hope and encouragement for people in need, Christy has volunteered with outreach organizations serving both immigrant and homeless populations.  She believes that every human being deserves unconditional kindness and that every person has the resources within themselves to reach their full potential.

Christy is a native Nashvillian.  She enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her 14-year-old Pomeranian in addition to playing music, crafting, and hiking.

Collin Smith

Collin Smith is a master’s level intern studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Trevecca Nazarene University. Collin also holds a license in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling (LADAC) where he brings a wealth of experience from working at a prominent residential treatment center in Nashville. Collin is a member of American Counseling Association and Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselors Association.

Collin believes that every person deserves to be heard and is capable of change. His approach to therapy is empathetic, collaborative, and creative. Collin loves creating a safe and compassionate space in which his clients feel comfortable. He draws from Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to walk with individuals through the therapeutic process.

Collin is a native Nashvillian who is passionate about spending time with his family, driving classic cars, and cheering on his favorite sports teams. Collin is married with a 6-month old son and a Golden Retriever named Ford.

Daryn Thompson

Daryn Thompson is a therapist contracted with The Refuge Center to provide counseling for adults, couples, and teens. Daryn values relationship building in counseling and helping you find customized and practical solutions to the challenges you face. He also promotes a growth and exploration approach to self-discovery that strengthens your foundation in continued growth beyond counseling.

Daryn has worked with individuals struggling with anxiety and depression, couples disillusioned in their relationships, and teens who just need someone to talk to outside their family and friend groups. Most of all he wants to assist you in getting on with what matters most to you and building a life you want.

Daryn received his undergraduate training at LaGrange College and holds a double major in psychological science and sociology. He completed his graduate studies in clinical mental health and human development at Vanderbilt University, and his internships include child forensic interviewing, inpatient addiction recovery, and outpatient counseling with adults and teens. Daryn enjoys reading, writing, and relaxing with friends.

Debra Partee MSN, APRN-BC

Debra Partee MSN, APRN-BC is a Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurse with over 30 years of assessing, evaluating, prescribing, and educating those who are struggling with mental health issues and may need medication, or wish to restart medication.

Debra knows the importance of counseling and works closely with therapists and other support systems. She believes a thorough evaluation is needed to determine if medication is indicated, and will then develop a treatment plan with the client. Debra has experience treating adults and teens in many different settings, with expertise in young adult/college populations, integrative (Mind/Body) response, acute stress reactions, anxiety and depression, and stays up to date on current research.

Debra earned her nursing degrees from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and was an Assistant Professor there for over 25 years  She has practiced in inpatient, outpatient, private and non-profit agencies. She also enjoys traveling, spending time her family, and doing anything outdoors- especially when the sun is out!

Diana Casella, MA, LMSW

Diana Casella, MA, LMSW, graduated with her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee in 2016 and is a Licensed Master Social Worker. She served as a counselor and treatment coordinator in the field of addiction treatment before joining The Refuge Center as a contract therapist in 2019. Diana believes that effective communication skills, supportive relationships, healthy habits, and a work/life balance are some of the keys to mental health and wellbeing. She has experience treating individuals suffering from addiction, PTSD, co-dependency, depression, and anxiety. She provides compassionate, trauma-informed care and is trained in EMDR. She often incorporates elements of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Internal Family Systems into her work with clients. Her non-judgmental and supportive approach helps create a safe space for her clients to heal.

Diana has an interest in diversity that began when she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish and her Master’s Degree in Latin American Studies many years ago. She enjoys seeing clients from diverse backgrounds and makes a special effort to work within her clients’ cultural framework during the therapy process.

Diana’s favorite form of self-care is to get out in nature with her husband, three children, and their
three dogs.

Dr. Weston Crafton, Ph.D, LMFT

Dr. Weston Crafton is a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist, an Approved Supervisor by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and serves in the role of Director of Contract Program and Staff Therapist at The Refuge Center for Counseling.

He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northcentral University and is also an Adjunct Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at Capella University, Abilene Christian University, and Touro University Worldwide. Dr. Crafton has also taught courses in the Graduate Counseling program at Trevecca Nazarene University. He has conducted and published research on gender roles in relationships among the millennial population.

Elizabeth Burton, LCSW

Elizabeth Burton, LCSW, is a Contract Therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Elizabeth holds her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Social Work from Indiana University. Elizabeth has helped adolescents and adults recover from the trauma of adoption & attachment related issues, childhood abuse & neglect, domestic violence, eating disorders, grief & loss, pregnancy & postpartum, self-harm, sexual assault, substance abuse & other addictive behaviors.

Elizabeth believes therapy is the space where one is able to safely enter into their life story and address present and past areas of pain that contribute to unwanted thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relational issues.  As a social worker, she hold a person-in-environment lens that shapes her approach to the therapeutic process, operating holistically from a systems perspective she meets clients where they are presently and tends to offer an exploration of earlier relational patterns and experiences that may have influenced one’s view of self, others, and the world around them.  She is passionate about helping clients journey toward healing and wholeness by building greater compassion for self, connection with others, and God, if so desired.

Elizabeth is an active member of the National Association of Social Workers and the National Association of Perinatal Social Workers. She is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and a trained EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapist.  Elizabeth has additional training in Brainspotting Levels I & II and Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI).  In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys reading at coffee shops, yoga classes, traveling, and quality time with family and friends.

Elizabeth Schuler Edwards, LPC-MHSP

Elizabeth Schuler Edwards, LPC-MHSP, is a therapist at The Refuge Center and serves as the Director of Compassionate Care. She holds a Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Middle Tennessee State University. Elizabeth is a published author in the 3rd edition of Crisis Assessment, Intervention, and Prevention (Jackson-Cherry & Erford, 2017) textbook. She is trained in Level I and II EMDR, Brainspotting, and Trauma-Focused CBT.

Elizabeth has a passion for working with children, adolescents, and young adults. She utilizes a variety of techniques to explore the relationship between thoughts, behaviors, and emotions to facilitate client growth and awareness. She views herself as a collaborator, advocate, and nurturer in the counseling relationship. Elizabeth seeks opportunities to better support and empower clients on their journey towards a more hopeful, healthier life.

As part of a collaborative partnership, Elizabeth also provides counseling services for staff at the Hope Family Health clinic in Westmoreland, TN.

Emily Neilson, LPC-MHSP (temp)

Emily Neilson, LPC-MHSP (temp) serves as a Post Masters Volunteer at The Refuge Center. She obtained her Master’s degree in counseling from The University of Edinburgh in Scotland and is working towards full LPC-MHSP licensure.

Emily takes an integrative approach to counseling: often pulling from Person-Centered, Pschodynamic, Somatic and Experiential therapies with a particular interest in the body-mind connection. She is passionate about working with adult individuals coming with issues surrounding trauma, sexual assault and anxiety. Emily is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, has training in Experiential Therapy and is a member of The American Counseling Association.

Outside of work, Emily enjoys going on hikes with her dog, listening to music, baking and listening to true crime podcasts.

Hannah Harriman

Hannah Harriman is currently serving as a contract therapist on the Child & Teen team. She received her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapist from Trevecca Nazarene University. She is currently working towards licensure. Originally from Indiana, she moved to Nashville for her undergraduate degrees in Elementary Education & Art History at Vanderbilt University. She is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). From her experience in ministry, teaching, & her own journey in therapy, Hannah understands the need for the whole healing of an individual- physical, mental, emotional, & spiritual- to experience the fullness of life.

Hannah believes that every individual is capable of growth and change in order to experience the fullest life that each of us is created for. She strives to create a safe space that is filled with warmth & empathy so that each client experiences feeling seen and known. Hannah desires to journey alongside children and adults who are struggling with depression, identity, transitions, relationship and family issues, trauma, and navigating different stages of life. Hannah is trained in TBRI, EMDR, & Brainspotting I & II. Hannah incorporates IFS, Narrative, CBT and Solution-Focused Therapy in her practice.

In her spare time, Hannah enjoys drinking coffee in her pajamas, teaching Indoor Cycling & Zumba classes, creating in her kitchen, & having dance parties with her toddler.

Hannah Owens, LCSW

Hannah Owens, LCSW is a contract therapist at The Refuge Center who aims to integrate the whole person into the healing process- mind, body, and spirit. Holding a strong belief that every person is capable of change and healing, she is excited about helping people live as their true selves by working through barriers to authentic living.

Hannah is trained in the EMDR and SomEx models of trauma treatment and uses a variety of approaches in practice that include the strengths-based model, experiential therapy, DBT principles/skills, and somatic work. She has experience working with addictions and co-occurring disorders, trauma survivors, mental health problems, and family/relationship issues.

James Boehm

James Boehm describes himself as a passionate leader and an advocate who values collaboration and empowering others to their fullest potential. His specialties within counseling include, but are not limited to, adjustment to disability, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, suicidal ideation, and addiction. Through an integrated approach of mind and body, Boehm engages with clients to apply strategies and develop personalized goals that help them to move forward.

Boehm’s positive, solution-focused style is unique to each client. Together, James and his clients analyze thoughts and feelings that motivate behavior. If appropriate, he utilizes animal assisted therapy as part of the healing and treatment process.

James completed his master’s degree in May 2019 from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. He is working towards his LPC in the mental health counseling field at The Refuge Center and Alliance Counseling, his own practice in Maryland Farms.

Boehm feels that with the proper tools, education, and supports, all individuals can live the life that they were created for. To unwind from his busy schedule, Boehm enjoys time with his family, music, sports, and cooking. James and his wife Wendy have been married for 5 years, and he has an amazing guide dog named Bogey.

Boehm believes strongly in advocacy and equality for all individuals, including people with disabilities. James serves on the Nashville Mayor’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities, as the President of the Nashville Chapter and the state VP of the National Federation of the Blind, and as Founder and President of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit You Cane Give with his wife, Wendy Boehm. He also founded and served on the TN Association of Guide Dog Users and has been a mentor to college students with Learning Ally.

Jenna Elrod, LMFT

Jenna Elrod, LMFT, is a contract therapist at The Refuge Center. She obtained her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Lipscomb University. Jenna is trained in EMDR levels 1 and 2, Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), Brainspotting, and is a certified Prepare and Enrich facilitator.

Jenna believes that we all have the ability to impact each other’s lives for the better and can do that through authentic relationship and empathy. She has felt honored to walk alongside family and friends in their times of need and has enjoyed the opportunity to do the same for her clients. Jenna integrates Narrative Therapy with Internal Family Systems and utilizes Play and Art Therapy interventions when working with children and adolescents. She has seen how therapy is a sacred space for wounds to heal and people can walk towards being fully known and fully loved.

In her spare time, Jenna enjoys spending time with her husband and their church community. She is filled with joy when she is hiking, painting, reading, or spending time at coffee shops with loved ones. Jenna is also an advocate for human trafficking victims and spends time volunteering with local organizations. She has been privileged to go overseas to work with children coming out of labor trafficking in Ghana and hopes for similar opportunities in the future.

Jennie Latimer

Jennie Latimer joined The Refuge Center team in January 2020 as the part-time Marketing and Communications Coordinator. She is a born & raised Kentucky girl and graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Integrated Strategic Communications. Jennie continues to be a proud alum & supporter of Big Blue Nation. Jennie’s professional career has focused on non-profit work with the March of Dimes in Kentucky and her time in Tennessee has been in healthcare marketing and communications with Corizon Health and Sound Physicians. Her most recent work was with middle Tennessee non-profit, Interfaith Dental, for five years as their Grant Writer and Director of Marketing and Communications. It was in this mission work that Jennie discovered serving the underserved was truly a passion.

She and her husband have called  Nashville home for over a decade and welcomed sweet chaos into their world in November 2018 when their twin girls arrived. In her spare time (when she finds it!) Jennie loves to travel, and be outdoors with her family running the greenways or playing in local parks. Give her sand, sunshine, and Kentucky in the Final Four and she’s a happy girl!

Jill Fields

Jill Fields is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and earned a Master’s degree in counseling from the University of TN in 2005. Her experience is working with children and women recovering from trauma and historical domestic violence. She is passionate about meeting her clients where they are and empowering them to a more fulfilling life.

Thanks to collaborative grants from The Healing Trust and The Community Foundation, Jill is one of two therapists from The Refuge Center at the Center of Hope in Columbia, TN. Free counseling services are provided at this location for adult victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking. She also facilitates a weekly domestic violence support group at Maury Hills Church.

Joel Guinness

Joel Guinness is a master’s level intern studying Marriage and Family Therapy at Liberty University. He has extensive experience working with both engaged and married couples. He also enjoys working with families with teenagers, as well as men who struggle with emotional connection in marriage and fatherhood. Joel is certified in both PREPARE/ENRICH and SYMBIS, and uses these assessment tools to help couples understand and explore their differences.

Joel has a passion for helping couples and families get unstuck from their negative interactional patterns through understanding their attachment needs and engaging in healthier dialogue. He draws from Systems Theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Solution-Focused Family Therapy to help couples and families enjoy the satisfactory relationships they long to have.

Joel has been married to his incredible bride for 24 years and together they have three uniquely wonderful children – ages 16, 14, and 9. In his spare time, Joel enjoys playing basketball and dabbling in photography.

Justin Williams, MSSW

Justin Williams, MSSW, has a master’s from the University of Tennessee’s College of Social Work and prior to joining The Refuge Center as a contract therapist, Justin spent multiple years as an individual and group therapist at a residential treatment center among women seeking recovery from myriad forms of trauma and mental health challenges.

With a decade of experience in the field of holistic healing across a broad spectrum of care—ranging from community-based nonprofits engaging issues of addiction recovery, social marginalization, and spiritual wounding to an inpatient hospital setting focused on co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges—Justin has a passion for partnering with both women and men in the pursuit of authentic living and he emphasizes an empowering belief in human value and resiliency through a client-centered and strengths-based approach.

Justin has had training in EMDR (Levels I and II), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Motivational Interviewing and seeks to prioritize the relational components of wounding and healing.

Though not a native of the South, Justin has enjoyed reconnecting with his family’s Tennessee roots through camping and dirt-biking and maintains a daily dependence on hummus and peanut butter while enjoying hobbies of film, photography, and ice hockey.

Katelyn Lover

Katelyn Lover is a contract therapist at The Refuge Center and is on the LMFT licensure track. She has her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Lipscomb University.

Katelyn works with young to mid adult individuals, and she specializes in processing through trauma, grief, and anxiety with clients. Katelyn is trained in EMDR Levels 1 & 2, Brainspotting Levels 1 & 2, and Trust-Based Relational Interventions. She integrates Narrative Therapy with Internal Family Systems to help her clients own and author a brave new ending to their story.

In her free time, Katelyn enjoys the outdoors, yoga, travel, a good cup of coffee, and eating as much Indian food as possible.

Katherine Hofstetter, LMFT

Katherine Hofstetter is a Richmond, Virginia native who now calls Nashville home. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Religious Studies from the University of Virginia, she has spent her career working in donor engagement/development for several faith-based, non-profit organizations including International Justice Mission in Washington, DC, Blood:Water in Nashville, and most recently, Show Hope in Franklin. Katherine holds a Master’s degree from Trevecca University in Marriage and Family Therapy and is a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of Tennessee. She also serves on The Nashville Fellows Program Board as Secretary. Katherine counts it a privilege to walk with people of good will and faith in helping them connect their passions to the ministry of generosity.

Katherine has been married to David (a Nashville native) for five years. They have a four-month-old daughter, Selby Claire, and a spoiled doodle mix pup, Trigger. In her downtime, you may find her enjoying a coffee date with a friend, hosting gatherings, walking in Percy Warner Park or relaxing on her back deck while David cooks a delicious meal on the Green Egg.

She is thrilled and honored to be joining the unique and inspiring Refuge Center team!

Kathleen Farr, M.Ed., NCC

Kathleen Farr is a Post Master’s Volunteer at The Refuge Center.  She obtained her master’s degree in Human Development Counseling (Clinical Mental Health) at Vanderbilt University and is currently working toward licensure as an LPC-MHSP.  Kathleen draws from a variety of therapeutic models when working with clients.  She possesses specialized training in EMDR Level 1 & 2 and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).  She is also a certified Prepare/Enrich facilitator.

Kathleen has a passion for working with adults, older adolescents, and couples.  She strives to create a warm, nurturing, and supportive space in which her clients can heal and gain new insights into their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.  Kathleen aims to empower clients as they pursue authentic, hopeful, and meaningful lives.

In her spare time, Kathleen enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking with her dog, going to Zumba classes, and traveling.

Katie Day

Katie Day is a Master’s level intern studying Marriage and Family Therapy at Liberty University. After years at home teaching her own children she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a licensed therapist and is excited to work with The Refuge Center.

Katie believes that everyone longs to be seen and heard and she works to create a space where this is possible. She understands the courage it takes to begin therapy and considers it an honor to walk alongside her clients on their personal journey. Katie is passionate about helping couples in all stages of marriage to find health and hope. She also enjoys working with individuals and adolescents struggling with anxiety or walking through life transitions.

Outside of the office and textbooks, Katie still stays busy teaching her four kids, traveling, and running around with her husband. She loves being in nature where she feels closest to her heavenly Father and more than enjoys a great cup of coffee.

Katie Johnson

Katie Johnson is a contract therapist with a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Trevecca Nazarene University. She is currently working towards licensure and is honored to be a part of The Refuge Center’s mission in helping people find hope and healing from the storms of their daily lives. She strives to create a space where each person feels heard, seen, and known. Katie is a Trust-Based Relational Intervention Caregiver and desires to help children and teens find, understand, and grow their voice.

Katie is also trained in Emotion-Focused Therapy for couples and families and loves working with teens, young adults, couples, and families struggling in many phases of life, including relationship/family issues, transitions, identity, and trauma. She employs IFS, Narrative Therapy, and the Spiritual Roots system. Katie believes in the inherent value of every individual, as well as their capability to grow and change.

Originally from South Carolina, Katie has a background in art history and college ministry. In her spare time, Katie enjoys traveling, reading, watching theatre, doing yoga, trying new restaurants with her husband and friends, and spending time with her dog and cat, Max and Moose.

Katie Ledbetter, LCSW

Katie Ledbetter is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and earned a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of TN in 2011. She has experience working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault as a counselor and an advocate, having worked in this field since 2008. She has counseling experience helping individuals with addictions and co-occurring disorders, personality disorders, and other mental health problems. She enjoys using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and mindfulness as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients with emotion regulation due to trauma. Katie believes in focusing on strengths and self-determination during the journey to healing. She feels honored and inspired to watch someone find their own path on their journey to empowerment.

Thanks to collaborative grants from The Healing Trust and The Community Foundation, Katie is one of two therapists from The Refuge Center at the Center of Hope in Columbia, TN. Free counseling services are provided at this location for adult victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking.

Katie Marble

Katie Marble is a contract therapist for the Child and Teen program. She holds a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Freed-Hardeman University and is currently pursing licensure as a LPC-MHSP.

Katie views every opportunity with clients as a special time and also an honor to be a part of their currently journey. She is intentional in making sure each individual feels safe, heard, and valuable in the space that they share. Some of her focus areas include domestic violence, anxiety, depression, and trauma.

Originally from Indiana, Katie has a background in special education. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her church family and friends, going to Disney, hiking, and spending time with her husband and dog, Baymax.

Kelcie Silva, LMFT

Kelcie Silva is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and serves as a Contract Therapist at the Refuge Center. She obtained her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Auburn University. She is trained in Emotion Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and EMDR Levels I & II. Kelcie is a Clinical Fellow of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Kelcie is passionate about working with couples, families, and adults. She considers it a true honor to walk alongside her clients in their journeys. She aims to provide a safe space for her clients to feel seen, heard, and valued. Kelcie uses a strengths-based integrative approach to counseling to help her clients reach growth and healing. Her areas of clinical focus are marital and relationship issues, trauma, identity issues, life transitions, grief and loss, anxiety and depression.

Kelcie enjoys spending time with friends and family, running, rock climbing, reading, and trying new restaurants/coffee shops in the area.

Kevin Virden

After thirty years as a human resources professional investing in individuals and teams to improve performance, Kevin recently pivoted to the counseling profession to become equipped in helping people in need beyond the confines of the workplace setting.  Kevin is excited to be selected as a Master’s level Intern at The Refuge Center and is currently studying Marriage and Family Therapy at Trevecca Nazarene University.  He is a member of the American Counseling Association as well as the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Kevin has a passion for helping people find ways to navigate through life challenges.  He draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Emotionally Focused Therapy to help individuals and families move through places where they find themselves stuck.

Kevin believes at points in time we each find ourselves living in the small stories we have fallen into where we do our best us to play the role we were given.  At times we need help from another to get through the tougher chapters, and to find our meaningful place in the larger story.

Kevin has been married to his wife Carole for 31 years.  They have two adult children married to amazing spouses and one grandchild.  In their home, you will find their Boston Terrier “Cillian” providing canine comedy, and stacks of books on travel and adventure, and dark coffee.

Kiley Steele

Kiley Steele is a Master’s level intern studying Marriage and Family Therapy at Trevecca Nazarene University. She is a member of both the American Counseling Association and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.  Kiley received her Social Work degree from Middle Tennessee State University and her Nursing degree from Columbia State Community College. Using her nursing and counseling knowledge, Kiley hopes to use a holistic approach when working with clients and believes in the full integration of mind, body and spiritual health.

She is passionate about working with couples, families, and children impacted by the trauma of divorce. She hopes that by providing a safe and nurturing environment, her clients can discover their own power and resilience despite the struggles of their story.  She believes that everyone possesses the ability to learn and grow from life’s challenges and she considers it a privilege to sit with clients as they work towards health and healing. Additionally, she works with those struggling with anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship issues, and trauma.

In her spare time, Kiley loves spending time with her husband and her four children. She is also an avid volunteer for the Scouting program and enjoys camping, hiking, canoeing and being outdoors.

Kimberly Kooy

Kimberly Kooy is a Masters level intern studying Marriage and Family Therapy at Lipscomb University. She is a member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT). Kimberly has a BS in Communications from Oral Roberts University and a Masters of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Columbia University’s Teacher’s College. Her master’s degree led her to travel to many parts of the world teaching English as a Second Language. She has volunteered for women’s projects in Ethiopia, Mozambique, and India.

Kimberly uses a client-centered, integrative and relational approach to help individuals and families achieve their therapeutic goals. She is passionate about working with all individuals but is especially interested in working with women through their transitional stages of life.

Kimberly grew up in British Columbia, Canada. In her free time, Kimberly enjoys hiking Nashville’s trails with her chocolate lab, Bailey. She loves to cook for her family and friends and enjoys traveling the world.

Kinsey Morgan

Kinsey Morgan is a Contract Therapist at The Refuge Center. She holds a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lipscomb University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Human Services from Harding University. Currently, she is pursuing licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor Mental Health Service Provider.

Kinsey developed a passion for this work after experiencing the power of healing and transformation in her own journey, and she considers it an honor to walk alongside her clients during the counseling process. Kinsey utilizes a highly relational Cognitive Behavioral approach. In this, she strives to foster a warm, compassionate environment while also providing tools available to each individual. Kinsey is also trained in Level I and II EMDR. She is inspired by the individuals she has worked with in the past and looks forward to the privilege of working with others in the future.

Kinsey is passionate about providing hope and healing for adolescents, young adults, and adults who are seeking counseling services. She is a member of the American Counseling Association and is also trained in AMSR Suicide Prevention.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her friends, journaling, sketching, hiking, and being a dog mom to her giant Bernese Mountain Dog, Koda.

Kristen Patel

Kristen Patel is a native of Indiana who proudly calls Tennessee home.  After graduating with her bachelor’s degree in Communications from DePauw University, she went on to complete her MBA from Loyola University and Masters in Spanish from Middlebury College.  She then settled in with HCA at the corporate office for a few years before heading into the field (Miami) where she was the bilingual Marketing/PR Director for HCA’s Cedars Medical Center.

She was first introduced to the Refuge Center a few years ago by a dear friend who worked there.  The minute she stepped foot in Refuge she knew she was meant to be there.  She volunteered for a year before joining the staff and is thrilled to be part of their inspirational team assisting clients and counselors in whatever way possible.

Kristen is a Certified Professional Coach through iPEC, the Institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching.  She feels honored to do this work and is dedicated to supporting (and challenging) individuals in living their most authentic life by helping them create awareness, connect their values to their intentions, and believe in themselves and their potential, in order to create positive, sustainable change.

Her greatest privilege is being a mom to three teenagers who keep her on her toes and young at heart.  She is anxiously awaiting the day when one of them can drive! In her spare time she is hanging with her pup,  cooking spicy foods, traveling around the world, or trying to get motivated to exercise!

Lauren McCoy

Lauren McCoy is a Master’s Level Intern studying Marriage and Family Therapy at Trevecca Nazarene University. She is a member of both the American Counseling Association and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Lauren received her Undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Counseling at the University of South Carolina. Upon graduating, she moved to Nashville to be a part of the Fellows Program where she taught at St. Paul Christian Academy. She has been coaching and teaching at St. Paul for the last four years.

Lauren is thrilled to be a part of The Refuge Center. She believes that everyone has a story, and their story has value and a voice. She desires to create a trusting environment for her clients to be safe and vulnerable in order for them to dig deeper into their story. Lauren wants to walk with teenagers and adults working through relational, family and identity issues, life transitions, codependency, trauma, and addiction.

In her free time, Lauren loves to play outside and spending time with her dog, Sidda. She enjoys trying new restaurants, being at the beach, and spending time with her friends.

Lauren Milikin

Lauren Milikin is an Intake Specialist and Counselor at The Refuge Center. She holds a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lipscomb University, and is currently pursuing licensure as an LPC-MHSP and Registered Play Therapist. 
 
Lauren considers it a great honor to walk alongside her clients through the storms and difficult seasons of their lives.  Her approach to therapy is collaborative, creative, and client-centered, and she is passionate about creating a safe and compassionate space in which her clients can be their most authentic selves.  Lauren has specialized trainings in Play Therapy and Expressive Arts, Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk (AMSR), and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and is passionate about working with young adults and adults facing trauma, anxiety, depression, identity, self-concept, LGBTQ issues, and grief and loss.

In her spare time, Lauren enjoys spending quality time with her husband and their cat, sipping good coffee, learning to watercolor and knit, and eating pizza any chance she gets.   

Lauren Plummer, MTS

Lauren Plummer is a Masters Level Intern pursuing her M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy at Belmont University. She also holds a Masters in Theological Studies from Vanderbilt Divinity School. In her earlier career she was first an elementary teacher and then an outreach worker with people experiencing homelessness. She believes we are all fighting hard battles, and we all need care and support from each other in order to grow and live fully into our lives. She counts it a sacred task and a joy to be able to show up for people in the difficult spaces of life and journey together toward healing and wholeness.

Lauren is committed to helping people locate and tell their stories within the larger web of family, community, and social systems. She finds joy in helping people weave new, life-giving stories that carry them into futures graced by love, connection, and resilience. She uses a collaborative, integrative approach with clients and enjoys incorporating expressive arts and nature into her therapeutic work. She is especially focused on helping individuals and families work through relational issues, life transitions, anxiety, depression, and grief.

In her spare time, Lauren loves to read, garden, make art, and spend time with her spouse and baby

Lisa Martin

Lisa Martin serves as The Refuge Center office manager and executive assistant. Lisa has a BS in Marketing from Lipscomb University. She comes to The Refuge Center with a diverse background, but most of all with a heart for ministry and serving others. She believes in the mission and ministry of The Refuge Center and is passionate about her role in extending support and care to the therapists and the Refuge community.

Lisa Stevens

Lisa Stevens earned her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy from Trevecca Nazarene University and received her B.S. in Psychology and Christian Counseling from Liberty University. She is passionate about helping people thrive as they navigate their way through our difficult culture to become all that God created them to be. Using trauma-informed and attachment lenses, she considers it a privilege to walk alongside families, couples and individuals who are hurting and provide them with a sense of hope that healing is possible. Life experiences, coupled with her previous work at Show Hope (a 501c3 non-profit) have spurred Lisa’s passion for coming alongside adoptive and foster families to provide them with support, encouragement and practical tools to do the sacred work of caring for children from hard places. She also has a heart for military families and understands from her personal journey the unique challenges faced by both the spouses and precious children of active duty military.

Lisa is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Level I, Brainspotting Level I,  Theraplay ™ Level I, and has completed TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) Caregiver Training. Additionally, she has received specialized training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy.

Lisa holds active memberships with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the American Counseling Association, the Nashville Area Association of Christian Counselors, and the International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy.

In her spare time, Lisa enjoys spending time with family and friends and training a naughty red Standard Poodle named Pippin to be a therapy dog.

Lori Williams

Lori Williams grew up living the small-town life in Southeast Alabama. She is now a very happy resident of rural middle Tennessee. She is the mother of one adult son and two almost adult twins, a son and a daughter. Early in her marriage, Lori started her own medical transcription business out of her home when their first son was born. She was in this business for almost twenty years. Lori also has fifteen years of experience working as an administrative assistant in ministry and healthcare. Most recently, she has worked at a residential treatment program for teenagers in North Alabama.

Lori attended the Healing through Connection Conference in April of this year and began following The Refuge Center for Counseling on social media. A deep appreciation grew for The Refuge Center and when she learned of an opportunity to work with Refuge she enthusiastically applied! Lori is very excited to be a part of the work and vision of The Refuge Center.

In her free time, you might find Lori taking long walks with her husband in the Tennessee hills or wading in the creek. She loves to read, write and spend time with her family and friends.

Madeleine Shore, MA, NCC

Madeleine Shore, MA, NCC serves as a staff therapist and the Assistant Clinical Director. She holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University.

Madeleine uses an integrative, strengths-based approach to counseling. She is passionate about working with individuals of all walks of life, but some of her areas of focus include trauma, domestic and sexual violence, anxiety, relationship issues, and grief and loss. She is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), Brainspotting Phases I & II, and Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) Level 1 & 2.

In her free time, she enjoys reading good books, watching movies with her husband and two cats, and spending time in nature. She is a member of the American Counseling Association.

Mary Keith Skinner

Mary Keith Skinner received her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Lipscomb University and is a Post Master’s volunteer at The Refuge.  Mary Keith has a B.A. in Theology and Literature and a minor in Fine Arts from Georgetown University.  Before getting her MFT, Mary Keith was an Elementary teacher for 10 years, teaching Spanish and art to children pre-k – 5^th grade.  She also worked in ministry alongside her husband in the areas of inner healing and worship for many years.  She is currently working towards completing the licensure requirements for the state of Tennessee.

Mary Keith believes that every person is of infinite value and finds great joy in creating a safe place for individuals and families to feel seen, heard, and known. Mary Keith uses a client-centered, integrative approach that encourages the client to find their voice and trust themselves and their bodies in their own story and process.  She was trained in child-centered play therapy and loves to weave sandtray, expressive arts, somatic work and mindfulness into the therapy process when helpful.  Mary Keith has been trained in EMDR, Brainspotting, and Restoration and feels especially called to trauma, grief, life stage transitions, and anxiety.  She loves working with individuals and families of all ages and finds great joy in supporting young adults and parents on their evolving journeys.

Mary Keith has been in the Nashville area since her young adult days as a singer-songwriter.  She and her husband of 20 years have resided in Franklin for over 16 years, have three teenage children and a beloved dog named Ladybird Butternut.  She finds her center through praying, painting, writing, reading, nature, music, movement, and enjoying friends and family.

Meagan Thompson

Meagan Thompson is a Master’s level intern studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Liberty University Online. Her goal is to obtain her full LPC-MHSP licensure. She is a member of the American Counseling Association, the Psi Chi Honor Society, and is working to become a member of the Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society before graduation in the fall of 2020.

Meagan is humbled and honored to come alongside hurting people on their journey to healing. Her unique life experiences have blessed her with the opportunity to help various people through various settings including peer counseling women online and serving inmates at the Maury County Jail. Meagan believes people who reach out for help are resilient and strives to help those she serves cultivate the balance and change they desire.

When she’s not working, Meagan enjoys crafts, outdoor activities, and spending time with her family and animals.

Merna ElSols

Merna ElSols grew up in Delta, Egypt and immigrated to the States ten years ago with her family. She fell in love with Tennessee’s weather and the community here in Nashville and has lived here since.

She is a Masters level intern studying Marriage and Family Therapy at Lipscomb University. She is also a member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT). Merna has a BA in Psychology from Lipscomb University. Her bachelor’s degree has prepared her to teach and facilitate active learning in the
classroom and the community, as a preschool teacher, a youth servant, and a Nashville Community Education instructor.

Merna uses a person-centered, integrative and systemic approach to help individuals and families increase their emotional expression and enhance their communication styles. She believes that the answers to many of the struggles we go through in life come from within us and that, through effective communication and emotional disclosure, we can build stronger relationships to endure any life hardship we encounter. She is passionate about working with all individuals, and is especially interested in working with couples and families through difficult transitions. She is certified to administer the Prepare/Enrich Assessment to couples.

Merna enjoys many self-care practices including writing, cooking, and volunteering in the community. She feels blessed to be a part of The Refuge Center community and is thrilled to walk alongside her clients during their personal journey of self-discovery, healing, growth, and reconnection.

Michelle Conkle

Michelle Conkle is a Contract Therapist at The Refuge Center who hopes to use her gifts of encouragement and compassion to assist others in realizing their God-given strengths. Awareness of the mind, body, soul connection is a focus in therapy that helps individuals discover their authentic, genuine self. It is her belief that to live as True Self allows us to share our gifts with the world around us in the most meaningful way.

She obtained her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University and holds a temporary license as an LPC-MHSP. She is transitioning from a career of over twenty years in the Veterinary Pharmaceutical Industry. A member of EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth & Learning Association) and NAACC (Nashville Area Association of Christian Counselors), she shares a mini-farm in College Grove with her husband and daughter, three horses, a special cat, and an energetic cattle dog! She loves gardening, guitar, riding horses, and experiencing God in nature.

Michelle Nagy

Michelle Nagy received her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Vanderbilt University. Currently, Michelle serves as a Post Masters Fellow at The Refuge Center while she pursues her licensure. Originally from Michigan, she attended Denison University in Ohio for her undergraduate degree, where she majored in Psychology and minored in Education and Spanish.

Michelle has found the driving force in her life to be seeking and understanding human connection. From fostering meaningful one-on-one relationships with her students as a teacher to caring for babies and toddlers on Sundays in a church nursery, she believes everyone needs to feel heard and loved. She enjoys working with individuals, couples, and families.

She uses a client-centered, relational approach that allows flexibility for adapting to each of her client’s needs. Michelle is passionate about working as a team with her clients as they gain a better understanding of themselves and approaches for attaining their goals. She is also trained in EMDR.

Peggy Plunkett

Peggy Plunkett, a Kentucky native, has called Nashville home since 1987. She and her husband, Logan, live in Brentwood where they raised their two daughters. Early in her career, she worked in property management and real estate. She took a hiatus from working to focus on her family for several years.

When returning to work, she knew she wanted to do something meaningful. Peggy and her daughters started volunteering for Saddle Up!, a therapeutic horseback riding program for children and youth with disabilities. She was hired in 2003 by Saddle Up! and has spent the last 15+ years in various roles, most recently the Business Director. She is a graduate of the University of Kentucky. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism/Advertising.

Peggy has always had an interest in holistic health. She loves to learn about alternative therapies and the mind/body connection. She spends time reading, cooking and enjoying the outdoors.

Pike Williams, LMFT

Pike Williams is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and he has been working professionally with individuals, couples and groups since 2013 following his retirement from Procter and Gamble in 2012.

He has completed advanced training in EMDR, a proven approach for helping clients to process unresolved trauma, is certified in trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy and has completed training with Brainspotting.  Pike has also studied and completed continued education training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) an evidence-based approach that has been shown to be effective for treating a variety of conditions and their symptoms, such as depression and anxiety as well as improving general functioning and well-being.

Pike is certified to administer the Prepare/Enrich Assessment, a valuable tool for pre-marital work, and he is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and the American Association of Christian Counselors. Pike is married with three grown children and also serves as chaplain for the Nashville Predators.

Rob Fitzpatrick, LPC-MHSP

Rob Fitzpatrick is the Director of Children and Teens Program at The Refuge Center for Counseling. Rob has a B.A. in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. He is dedicated to working with individuals of all ages, especially young men as they develop their identity and face the challenges of life. He has been trained in EMDR and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. Rob is also trained in the Othmer method ILF HD neurofeedback technology.

He is a current member of the American Counseling Association and the Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselors Association. Outside of The Refuge Center, Rob is an assistant coach with a Nashville area high school hockey team.

Samantha Thomason, LPC-MHSP, NCC

Samantha Thomason is a staff therapist at Refuge. She sees teens, adults, couples and families. Samantha’s style is heavily influenced in the relationship. Even though Samantha has several types of training under her belt, she believes the relationship is the greatest tool for therapy. Her style has been known to be witty, direct and kind.

Her trainings include Gottman level 1, Symbis (pre-marital counseling), C-SSRS (crisis assessment tool), Crisis Assessment & Suicide Prevention, TBRI (trust-based relational intervention), and EMDR.

Samantha has been with The Refuge Center since September 2018. She graduated in 2017 with a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and currently has a temporary license of LPC-MHSP. She studied at Tennessee Technological University for both her graduate and undergraduate degree.

Samantha’s hobbies include spending more time with people, learning Spanish, and binging 90’s cartoons and Golden Girls.

Sarah Beacham, LMFT

Sarah Beacham, LMFT, is a contract therapist here at The Refuge Center. She earned her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Lipscomb University and is currently working towards completing the licensure requirements for the state of Tennessee. Sarah is specially trained in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), and child-centered play therapy. She is also a certified Prepare and Enrich facilitator. Sarah has a particular interest in working with children, young adults, and families.

Sarah wholeheartedly believes in the inherent value of all people and is passionate about partnering with her clients in their journey towards wholeness. She believes that we were created for relationship and that healing occurs within this same context. She uses a systemic and integrative approach in her work that focuses on meeting her clients where they are at. Sarah’s style is warm, empathic, and non-judgmental. Her desire is to partner with her clients to achieve deep, inner healing, to discover resources for continued growth, and to develop secure attachment in their relationships. She believes that therapy is soul care and that the work is sacred.

In her spare time, Sarah enjoys spending quality time with family and friends. She enjoys cooking healthy foods, the awe-inspiring beauty of nature, and learning new things. Her favorite form of self-care is reading a good book within the comfort of her hammock and a warm beverage.

Sarah Culpepper, BCN

Sarah Culpepper, BCN, is a Masters Level Intern pursuing her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Vanderbilt University. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is certified in neurofeedback by the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance.

Sarah enjoys working with people from all walks of life, but her main areas of focus are anxiety, self-discovery, self-compassion, disordered eating, and body image. She is honored to work with people as they access their inner strength, even in their most painful struggles. Sarah approaches mental health through the lens of the whole person, mind, body, and spirit, and encourages her clients towards balance and wholeness in every area of life.

In her spare time, she enjoys curling up with a good book and her cat, listening to way too many podcasts, practicing yoga, meditating, exploring new restaurants and coffee shops with friends, and trying new recipes.

Stacy Paich

Stacy Paich is a Master’s Level Intern studying Marriage and Family Therapy at Trevecca Nazarene University, Nashville.  She is a member of both the American Counseling Association and the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.  She earned an Undergraduate degree in Business Administration at California State University, San Bernardino and a Graduate degree in Business Administration at the University of La Verne, California.  After a long career supporting the prevention of infectious diseases, she is happy about shifting her focus to helping people on a more personal level.

Stacy believes in the resilience of the human spirit and the power of healthy relationships.  She is passionate about walking with others in a way that they feel seen, heard, and known as they face challenges and work toward possibilities for personal well-being.  Her approach is inspired by Emotionally Focused Therapy and Internal Family Systems.

Stacy is also a certified dog trainer with the Certification Counsel for Professional Dog Trainers.  She has always had a love for dogs.  Through learning evidence-based approaches to teaching them, she has gained an even greater appreciation for them and for the humans who love them.  She started training service dogs in a prison program but now she enjoys working with people to train therapy dogs and their own pets.

Stellan

Stellan is our therapy dog at The Refuge Center for Counseling. Stellan is a Scandinavian name that means “calm, peace, at rest,”- fitting for a therapy dog!

Stellan is a male F1B Mini Petite Goldendoodle and he is at The Refuge Center each day for Animal Assisted Therapy. Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal that meets specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process. AAT is designed to promote improvement in human physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning. Stellan is in training for AAT.  His trainer is Stacy Paich with My Polite Pup. Stellan has a calendar and email address at The Refuge Center and therapist’s sign up to have him in sessions where clients are interested in having him present. Stellan can help clients feel joy and calm. Look him up on social media with #refugestellan. We look forward to you getting to know him when you visit The Refuge Center.

Tina Taylor Goode, LPC-MHSP

Tina Taylor Goode, LPC-MHSP, NCC, CET I, is a staff therapist and serves as Director of the Master’s Level Intern Program.  Tina feels that counseling is a sacred calling and offers hope as she journeys with her clients to find the growth, healing and wholeness they desire in their own lives. Her unique combination of life experience and professional training allow Tina to create a safe, empathic, non-judgmental and compassionate space for clients. In this space, concerns can be truly heard and addressed in a therapeutic manner.

Tina is a Level II EMDR-trained therapist.  Tina is a Certified Experiential Therapist, Level I based on her experience working with trauma and addiction using experiential techniques.  Tina has interned with Onsite Workshops.  She also trained at the Experiential Institute and Psychodrama Institute.  She has completed core trainings focused on alcohol and drug addiction treatment.  Tina has worked with the Wounded Hearts Group, a group for women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse and sexual assault) at Refuge since 2015.

Tina is passionate about walking with individuals, families and groups to bring healing from issues of relational trauma, sexual abuse, addiction, co-dependency, and grief/loss. She also works with clients and families seeking long-term recovery from issues of addiction. Tina believes in the inherent resiliency in each individual and that transformational growth can result from our most painful struggles.  Her desire is to walk with clients as journey towards this freedom.

Outside of The Refuge Center, Tina is a recovery advocate within the community. Tina earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University. She is a member of the American Counseling Association, Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselors Association and the Nashville Area Association of Christian Counselor.

Victoria Bear

Victoria Bear is a Master’s level intern at The Refuge Center and is currently studying Marriage and Family Therapy at Trevecca Nazarene University. She is a member of the American Counseling Association as well as the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Victoria’s specific areas of focus include relational issues, codependency, trauma, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. She has a passion for working with children, individuals, and families. She believes that every individual has the tools within them to create the change that they desire. Victoria’s goal is to help her clients to create meaningful change in their lives, and to share and process their experiences in an environment where they feel safe, secure, and truly known.

In her spare time, Victoria enjoys playing and writing her own music, going to the gym, spending time out with friends, or reading a good book.