Meet Our Staff

M.A., Licensed Professional Counselor Mental Health Service Provider, NCC

Pearl Brown

Individual adults and adolescents beginning at age 15: anxiety & depression, trauma, grief & loss, divorce, sexual issues, relationship issues, and low self-esteem. Lead female trauma survivors groups. Trained in EMDR.

My many years of working as a nurse have increased my ability to connect with clients in the midst of pain and uncertainty. It is an honor to work with those who are hurting and to inspire hope and healing along the journey. I strive to collaborate with my clients, using the therapeutic relationship to build self-compassion, discover strengths, and reduce shame. According to Scripture, the LORD is near to the brokenhearted and able to redeem brokenness, making beauty out of ashes and joy out of mourning – Isaiah 61.

In my leisure time I enjoy traveling, hiking, reading, serving in my church, growing plants, decorating my home, and spending time with friends and family (especially my vibrant grandchildren.)

M.A., Licensed Marital and Family Therapist

Amy Coffey

Couples and families; trauma therapy and EMDR.

As a therapist, I believe that it is in brokenness that one finds strength and that it is in the darkest places that hope and healing emerge. My passion is helping individuals grow strong in the midst of their pain and brokenness. I am passionate about working with individuals, couples, and families who have experienced trauma and/or life transition issues, helping them to walk through the process of healing and recovery.

I approach therapy from an interpersonal, trauma-informed, family systems perspective. I am also trained in and used trauma-focused treatments such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). I work with the following issues: trauma, childhood sexual abuse, PTSD, relationship/interpersonal issues, couples/marriage therapy, codependency, infidelity, depression, spirituality issues, self-esteem/identity, family of origin issues, grief and loss, adjustment and phase of life issues.

M.A., Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health Service Provider

Katherine Jonas

Individual, children, adolescents, and adult therapy; family therapy; clinical, relational, and developmental issues.

As a Christian; my faith is an influence in my personal life and worldview. At the heart of counseling is a connection between the counselor and the client, so it is important for you to find someone you feel comfortable sitting with and telling your story.

I grew up in Bluefield, WV, went to college in Bristol, TN and have lived a few places since. My first job was teaching 6th grade at Hilton Head Christian Academy, living in Hilton Head, SC for 2 years. Since then I have also lived in Columbia, SC, Signal Mountain, TN, and Murfreesboro, TN. Chattanooga has been home now for almost 10 years, and what a great place to live! I am interested in many outside activities like gardening/working in the yard, hiking, and exploring new places. When weather keeps me inside I like to read, and have been challenging myself to develop my skills in the kitchen. Being creative is an important expression to me, so I enjoy all kinds of crafting, everything from making jewelry to scrapbooking.

A recent professional development and has been the privilege to be accepted as a MFLC (Military Family Life Consultant) the past two years. I have had two different opportunities to work on a military base in Germany as a support and encouragement to military and their families. These experiences have allowed me insight and understanding to military life and the stress of living overseas.

In the context of the therapeutic relationship, God can use the counselor to be a support, an encourager, a guide, at times someone who can teach skills, and educate. When clients share that commitment, explicit reference to their Christian faith will be a part of treatment and use of spiritual interventions incorporated, especially as these also have empirical support. My hope is to help my client develop insight, skills, and empower them to make changes!

LPC-MHSP

Megan Grant

Addictions-adult and adolescent, co-occurring mental illness/personality disorder with addiction, transitional life periods, anxiety, depression

I want to hear your story. A basic human need, that oftentimes is neglected, is the need to be heard. Many of us grew up learning to “suck it up,” and “move on.” We learned ways to repress our emotions. Our stories became limited by the rule that our feelings don’t matter unless they are happy or “good.” Our feelings find outlets in various ways including self-harm, substance abuse and unhealthy relationships. I want to come alongside you and support your move towards health. Healthy looks different for everyone. For you, that might mean an increase in emotional awareness. For others, that may mean a move towards abstinence from drugs and alcohol. I view counseling and recovery as a readjustment period. You already possess a variety of strengths. I am here to help you identify and utilize those strengths. I believe in the power of a collaborative therapeutic relationship. All of us are wonderfully made and inherently worthy of a fulfilled life. I attended graduate school at Richmont University and have a bachelor’s in psychology from UTC. I trained and worked in a residential facility focused on substance use and co-occurring disorders. I utilize a psychodynamic approach, a focus on the relationship, with solution-focused techniques.

MA, M.Div.

Jarett Hall

Anxiety, Depression, Relationship Issues, Adolescents, Couples Counseling, Transitions Grief and Loss, Spiritual & Personal Development, Ministry and Missionary issues

Counseling can be like exploring a cave. As a counselor, I have training and experience with caves. But you are the expert of your own cave. The exploration can be confusing and disorienting at times. But it is worth the effort because you do not have to do it alone. I am committed to walk beside you and help provide light and guidance throughout the process. Whether we are entering the vast caverns of your relationships or traversing the perilous contours of trauma, we will travel at your pace to bring healing through understanding your past that you might better face the realities of your future. Growth and progress are possible. You are not a problem to be fixed; you are a person to be known. Let’s begin the hard yet worthwhile journey toward emotional, relational, cognitive, psychological, and spiritual balance.

M.S.W., L.C.S.W., Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Beth Lamberson

Individual therapy for adolescents and adults; family therapy; couples and marriage therapy, abuse and trauma; spiritual issues and EMDR Therapy

Sometimes life hits us straight on. At other times life slowly chips away at our sense of self and well-being through the gradual damage of accumulated pain. As a therapist, one of my deepest desires is to walk with others as they seek to find not just the absence of pain but to experience joy and peace. As a Christian, my faith is core to my identity. It also provides a basis for those who desire to include faith issues in their counseling experience. At the same time, I am respectful of other faith traditions and am committed to working within the worldview of those I see.

I have both secular and Christian training with my master’s in social work from the University of Tennessee and my bachelor’s degree from Bryan College. It is essential to be sensitive to the needs of each person and approach therapy from an integrative standpoint, as well as, weaving together evidence-based approaches. I am trained in Gottman Couples Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and EMDR Therapy. Since 2009, I have had the privilege of facilitating and co-facilitating over 150 women in small closed group sessions as they completed the Walking Worthy Journey.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, outdoor activities, and gardening, but my greatest joy is spending time with my husband, adult children, and six grandchildren.

M.A., Ed.D, Licensed Psychologist - Health Service Provider, Certified Professional Counselor

William E. McGee

Pediatric and Developmental Psychology; trauma counseling; psychological evaluation and counseling with children and adolescents.

Welcome to the Henegar Counseling Center’s informational website, and thank you for looking at my information.  I am a Licensed Psychologist, a Certified Professional Counselor, a Health Service Provider, and a Registrant with the Council for the National Register of Health Service Psychologists.

My faith informs my work as a psychologist/counselor because I am a Christian.  This means that I am comfortable incorporating faith issues in the work that I do and I find that it can be a source of strength for many individuals.  However, I am respectful of other faith traditions and do not use issues of faith and belief in any kind of coercive manner.  Please ask if you have specific concerns or questions about this.

Typically I work with children and adolescents, usually in the context of a family system.  Most referrals come from pediatricians and psychiatrists and involve concerns and questions about Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders, Developmental Disorders, Learning Disorders, Behavioral Disorders, Mood and Anxiety Disorders, and symptoms that are the result of Trauma.  I also work with adults who have or think they have Developmental Disorders, Attention and/or Learning Disorders, mild Mood Disorders, and symptoms that are the result of Trauma.

Teaching is an activity that I also enjoy and I am on the clinical faculty here at Richmont Graduate University.  I have taught previously as an adjunct professor in the graduate schools at UT-Knoxville and at UT-Chattanooga.  I am married and have 3 adult children and 6 grandchildren, and I enjoy hiking, backpacking and photography.

M.S., Ed.S., Licensed Professional Counselor, Mental Health Service Provider

Pauline McLemore

Adult counseling: depression and anxiety; grief and trauma; spiritual issues. Internal Family Systems Therapist, Level II.

Thank you for visiting our website and taking time to pause at my profile! For 25 years, it’s been a privilege to walk alongside men and women on their journeys to wellness. My clients and I collaborate on new directions for their lives. With respect and compassion, I help set compasses toward personal goals. My job is to provide consistent therapeutic and spiritual support while clients confront foundational fears, toxic traumas, deep emotions, tremendous loss, and other issues that keep them stuck in patterns that are ineffective. My clients are the most courageous people I know.

My professional training is secular and sacred. I hold a diploma in Christian Counseling from Richmont Graduate University. I earned two masters counseling degrees from Georgia State University. I learned the art of soul care at The Potter’s Inn (www.pottersinn.com). The three therapeutic models I enjoy weaving together are Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS) (www.selfleadership.org) and Soul Care. These form the basis of an integrative approach that promotes healing in the body, mind, soul and emotions. My specialty is the experiential approach of IFS that enables people to connect deeply with themselves and develop self-leadership. Is it time to reset your compass?

M.A., Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health Service Provider

Jane Neall

Adults and couples 18 years and older. Marital therapy, relationship issues, anxiety and depression, adjustment disorders, and trauma. Brainspotting.

I work with adults of all ages: men, women, and couples. I enjoy working with people who want to improve their marriage or other relationships, and with other issues including depression and anxiety, grief and loss, adjustment to life transitions, or trauma. My previous career as a Nurse Practitioner helps me understand problems associated with chronic illness. I also enjoy working with people who have spiritual concerns and who would like to integrate their faith practice into the counseling process.

I use an interpersonal process approach to therapy, which means I understand current problems through the lens of personal history, patterns of thinking, and relational style, but the focus is on current well-being and healthy relationships. I also use some cognitive & dialectical behavior therapy approaches, and I am trained in Brainspotting therapy. I’ve loved living in Chattanooga for the past 30 years. On a day off, you might find me biking along the Riverwalk with my husband, or having a cup of coffee in one of our new Southside restaurants or coffee shops, if I’m not traveling to one of the places on my “bucket list!”.

Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist

Amy Perkins

Adolescents, family therapy, trauma therapy, and substance abuse treatment.

I received my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, AL. I attended the University of Georgia and earned my Masters degree in Professional Counseling and also my Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. My research focused on the effects of trauma in adolescents who are involved in the juvenile justice system. I am licensed to practice psychology in Tennessee, and a member of the American Psychological Association.

I have been working as a therapist for over 10 years. My expertise is in working with adolescents, facilitating family therapy, trauma therapy, and substance abuse treatment. My approach to psychotherapy is an integration of science and practice: my work with clients is grounded and supported by current research and sustained by my enthusiasm for learning and knowledge.

My counseling style is collaborative and relational. I believe that a trusting and affirming relationship is the foundation of effective psychotherapy. It is my goal to engage in therapy with a warm, enthusiastic, non-judgmental, and honest approach.

M.A., Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

Michelle Shelley

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy; individual therapy for adults, children & adolescents; EMDR & Trauma.

I graduated from Richmont Graduate University in 2008 with my M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy with an emphasis on working with children and adolescents. Prior to that, I attended Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana and obtained a B.A. in Psychology.

I believe that everyone has a story to tell and I feel honored to journey with my clients through the ups and downs of each of those stories. I believe that growth occurs within a safe and nurturing environment with an occasional gentle challenge. One of my passions is to walk alongside individuals who have experienced trauma, helping to rediscover hope and journey towards healing and recovery. I am also passionate about helping parents with young children learn practical tools to help reduce difficult behaviors and enhance the parent-child relationship through the use of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT).

I am interested in working with children of all ages focusing on behavior management through PCIT for children ages 2.5-7. I also provide trauma-informed services to all ages and am EMDR trained.

When I’m not working I enjoy spending time with my husband and daughter. We love traveling and exploring new places.

M.A., Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist

Jay Spalding

Adolescent, adult, senior counseling and soul care; marriage and family therapy; trauma therapy; grief and loss; evaluations.

For more information see  drjayspalding.com  

M.A., Licensed Marital and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health Service Provider

Laura Ward

Individual and family therapy with children, adolescents, and adults; ADHD for all ages; chronic illness; grief & loss; cross-cultural transition and adjustment; ministry and missionary care.

I am a life-long lover of stories. Growing up in East and southern Africa as the daughter of missionaries, I met people from many different cultures and saw the variety of paths our lives can take. I’m fascinated by the interplay between our past experiences, present patterns, and future choices, and how these influence our connection to ourselves and others. Whatever your struggle – emotional or relational challenges, the impact of life transitions, the experience of loss – there is a way forward. I would be honored to come alongside you and help you write a better story for your life.

I work with families and individuals of all ages on a variety of emotional and relational issues, with a particular focus on ADHD, chronic illness, grief, cross-cultural transition & adjustment, and ministry & missionary care. Through a collaborative counseling relationship, I seek to offer a safe space for healing and growth. I’m a Licensed Marital & Family Therapist and a Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health Service Provider. I hold an M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy with a specialization in Child & Adolescent Therapy from Richmont Graduate University, and a B.A. in English from Covenant College.

Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health Service Provider

Jama White

Individual therapy for adults; depression, anxiety, grief and loss, spiritual issues, relationship issues, trauma recovery.

I was grew up in East Tennessee, but life took me to Philadelphia and the Philippines, to Kenya and California.    Along the way, life turned out to be a lot more complicated than I originally thought.   If you are in a complex, confusing place, I would be honored to provide a safe space for you to tell your story and to help you start finding your way through.

I view therapy as relational and collaborative. I enjoy working with adults of all ages helping them to look at the impact of significant relationships, past circumstances and present challenges and to discover new opportunities for growth.  Because I have a missions and nursing background along with my psychology training, I am comfortable exploring the interplay between the emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of life.

I hold a B.S. in Nursing from East Tennessee State University and a Masters and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University in Southern California.

M.A., Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health Service Provider

Yohunnah Woods-Moton

Child and Adolescent Counseling, Addictions Counseling, Christian based hypnotherapy; anxiety, spiritual issues; grief and abuse recovery.

Yohunnah Woods-Moton is a Chattanooga Native. She is a graduate of Richmont Graduate University with a Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling, specializing in Child and Adolescent Counseling. Yohunnah has a Bachelor of Science in Health from Austin Peay State University. She has worked in the field of counseling since 2003 and has worked for Henegar Counseling since 2013. Yohunnah’s clinical work experience includes: Child and Adolescent Counseling, Crisis Response Team, Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT), Community Mental Health, Medication Assisted Treatment, providing Christian based hypnosis and providing Clinical Supervision to counselors and interns. Yohunnah may often use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Motivational Enhancement Therapy and/or Christian based Hypnotherapy in regards to her therapeutic approach. Yohunnah enjoys scrapbooking, arts & crafts, and traveling.

MA, NCC

Emily Ziobro

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, Behavior Issues (ages 2.5-7), Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Life Transitions, Grief & Loss, Cross-cultural Transition and Adjustment

Whether you are at the beginning stages of your life journey or you’ve been journeying for a while, life often presents you with many twists and turns unique to you and your story. I look forward to an opportunity to hear your story and walk through life with you as you navigate these challenges. My belief is that every individual has a unique set of needs and goals for therapy, therefore I adjust my counseling style to reflect the uniqueness of the individual. I work from a collaborative approach and would love to have a conversation with you about what you need during this time in your life. I am trained in Interpersonal as well as Cognitive Behavioral approaches to counseling and enjoy working with children and adults of all ages. I am specially trained in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy and enjoy utilizing this technique to help families find more harmony and enjoyment in their relationships.

Intern

Melinda Baker

Anxiety, Depression, Self-Harm, Suicidal Ideation, Grief & Loss, Trauma, Coping Skills, LGBTQ+, Sexual Issues, Spiritual Issues, Women’s Issues, Self-Esteem, College Life/Transitions

You know, the older I get, the more purpose and meaning I find in each new day. I recognize the fragility of humankind and the importance each person’s story has on our world. I wonder if the reason you are here is because it’s your turn to share your story… or maybe you don’t have the words to utter what you have walked through. Hey, it’s okay. If you are looking for a sign to keep going, this is it: You are loved, you have worth, your voice is heard, and you are in the right place. Just as a lighthouse guides ships lost at sea, I desire to be the same ray of hope and vision to others. You are welcome just as you are and no matter where you have been.

When I’m not in the counseling office, I enjoy creating Spotify playlists, drinking London Fog, shopping for plants, and hanging out with my grandma. I’m looking forward to meeting you soon!

Intern

Lauren Stewart Brown

Trauma, Grief and Loss, Depression, Anxiety, Children, Adolescents, Suicidal Ideation, Transitions, LGBTQ+, Women’s Issues, Self-esteem

I am currently and intern and in my final year at Richmont. I have a certificate in Trauma therapy, and I am currently working on a certificate in Child and Adolescent therapy. I believe counseling is meant for anyone and everyone at any stage of life. I believe our stories deeply effect us and shape our futures. I believe that there is more to your story and I can explore your life. Each individual should have the opportunity to share and explore their stories, I consider myself lucky to be part of the process. Every individual is unique and the counseling process should be adjusted to meet the needs of the individual. I will be here to help you decide what is best for you and your journey.

Intern

David Ervin

Trauma, Grief, Sexual issues, LGBTQ+, Anxiety, and Depression

I see counseling as a great opportunity to have a safe environment to learn and grow. I have a passion for those who have experienced trauma. I specifically love to work with “offenders”, those struggling with sexual identity, gender identity or any group that feels like they have not been listened to in the past. There is always more than one side of the story and often those with power decide which story is heard. I am here to listen to your story. I am also here to help you learn helpful coping strategies. While I have training, you as the client have expertise on yourself. I would love to work with your expertise and explore your story. In my office, you are safe to make mistakes and explore the messiness of life. Life is complicated and I get that. let’s work together and see if we can make it a little easier.

I view therapy through a trauma-informed lens. I use psychodynamic therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, narrative therapy, solution-focused therapy, and Internal family systems therapy.

I am currently an intern and in my final year of a master of clinical mental health counseling program at Richmont Graduate University. I have a certificate in Trauma therapy, and I am currently working on a certificate in Sex Therapy.

Intern

Jessica Gibbs

Parent Child Interaction Therapy, Behavior Issues (ages 2.5-7), Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Life Transitions, Grief & Loss, Cross-cultural Transition and Adjustment

Life can often bring us the unexpected. Whether it is an unexpected transition, loss, or journey, I want to work with you towards your next goal. I am currently an intern at Henegar, and I am being trained and have received a certificate for Trauma-focused counseling and the use of Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) as well as a focus on Marriage and Family Counseling. I enjoy working with people of all ages and especially children and families, through the use of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, which engages both the caregiver and the child to further communication skills and ways of relating to one another.

Intern

Katherine Gibson

Anxiety, Depression, Chronic Illness, Grief & Loss, Women’s Issues, Life Adjustments and Transitions, Spiritual Issues, Trauma

There are not enough places in this world where people can fully transparent humans just where they are, and my desire is to create a space for people to do just that. Life can take us to places that we never imagined and leave us wondering how to move forward and take the next step. I want to come alongside you and take that next step with you, or just to sit with you in the dark until you can see the light again. I believe that therapy should be collaborative and relational as we work together to help you move from surviving to thriving.

Intern

Rachel Hall

Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Self-Harm, Suicidal Ideation, Children, Adolescents, Young Adults, Family of Origin Issues, LGBTQ+

I’d like to start off by affirming you for being here. Seeking counseling can be scary, but it is so brave of you to take the first step. My belief that everyone is deserving of care and unconditional acceptance is foundational to my approach to therapy. It is my personal goal with every client that they feel safe to be themselves in the counseling room, no matter how many people in their lives have told them that being themselves is wrong. I use a person-centered approach and approach all clients with empathy and unconditional positive regard, as well as being trauma informed. I often take a Cognitive Behavioral approach to therapy, but also enjoy drawing strategies from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Pssychodynamic theories. I am an intern in my final year at Richmont Graduate University, and upon graduation will have a certificate in Child and Adolescent counseling. Along with my certifcate, I am receiving training in Play Therapy that I seek to continue after graduating. If you choose to take the second, equally scary and brave, step and reach out to pursue counseling, I am truly excited to meet you and hear your story

Intern

Valerie McMichael

Information coming soon

Intern

David Miller, M.Ed.

Counseling for all Adults and Adolescents, Men’s Intimacy and Relationship and Sexual Issues, Addictions, Elder Issues, Couples Counseling, Grief and Loss, Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Spiritual Direction, Disruption of Spiritual Life.

Thank you for visiting my profile. For those experiencing emotional pain, relational distress, grief, anxiety, depression, the effects of trauma, elder issues, men’s issues, and other forms of personal distress, I look forward to meeting with you to help facilitate movement to relief, resilience, and health through an accepting, safe, and empathetic therapeutic relationship. So much of our personal discomfort is rooted in relationship issues, so I come from a psychodynamic perspective, and my emphasis is to work relationally through the therapeutic method or combination of methods you will find most helpful. My relating as a counselor is informed by decades of helping relationships with students and parents as a teacher, coach, and school counselor as well as my counselor training and trauma studies. I view it as a deep privilege to enter into this counseling relationship with my clients and would be honored to do so with you

Intern

Danielle Peters

Anxiety, Codependency, Depression, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Family Conflict, Grief, Parenting, Relationship Issues, Sexual Addiction, Spiritual Issues

Through life experience, I am accustomed to difficult, dark places, and I am willing to explore the spectrum of the human journey with hurting people. I am dedicated to reserving hope for the outcast and marginalized, those who “don’t deserve” a second, third, or 400th chance. We all have intricate and varied ways we cope to survive and function, but sometimes they stop serving us and we need a little help navigating a different path. I hope to be a kind companion in the process. My approach to therapy is from psychodynamic, solution-focused, and family systems theories, giving attention to whatever best suits the client for healing and change. I am in my third and final year of the MA in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program with specialized training in Marriage & Family Therapy at Richmont Graduate University.

Intern

Hannah Snyder

Couples Work, Pre-Marital Counseling, Life Adjustments and Transitions, Coping Skills, Family Conflict, Personal Development, Co-dependency, Women’s Issues

It’s so easy to feel isolated in our minds and bodies in the world we’re living in today. I became a therapist because I wanted to walk alongside people, through triumphs and victories as well as the dark, hard places that can feel so intimidating to share.  I approach therapy from an integrative and holistic perspective, focusing on the family system and exploring client attachment styles. I enjoy working with individuals, and I especially love working with couples – I love having different dynamics at play in the room and I have found couples therapy to be a great source of hope, contrary to how scary it may feel to make that initial appointment. I would be honored to hear your story, and I’m proud of you for taking this step.

Catherine Virden

Information coming soon.