Our Amazing Team
FIND YOUR
VALUABLE TEAM
Counselors
LISA PARSONS, M.Ed, LPCC-S, NCC, RPT-S
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Counselors
LISA PARSONS, M.ED, LPCC-S, NCC, RPT-S
Clinical Counselor & Registered Play Therapist, Counseling Supervisor, & Owner
“Happiness is an inside job.” This is my philosophy that is up to us to decide if we choose to learn the skills to be happy and incorporate them into our lives. My second favorite saying is from The Lego Movie, “Everyone is Awesome when you are part of a team.” When we feel part of something our lives shift whether it is by volunteering, working, or being with friends and family.
I absolutely love being a Clinical Counselor & Registered Play Therapist! I love to look at your issues through sand therapy, art, and the playroom to get to the root of your issues if you are a child or an adult, I do not discriminate, it works for everyone. I will spend a lot of time using challenging interventions which will allow you to incorporate your coping skills and catch the negative thoughts that come to you to change them to a positive such as I can do this, I can do hard things, and I did it last time so I can do it again.
I utilize creative intervention as Madison County’s’ only practicing Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor and teach my Awesome Clinical Team these interventions too. My specialties are being a Registered Play Therapist, EMDR trained, Autplay Certified, Theraplay Level 1 Certificate, TF-CBT trained/supervision completed, Emotion Code Practitioner, certified in Hypnotherapy, Gottman Level 1 & 2 Trained, & a Clinical Counselor Supervisor for associate-level counselors. EMDR is a healing alternative to talk-therapy.
I believe in all my training and skills as a play therapist because you can see your issues more clearly however since I have been trained in EMDR I now have the skills to heal you from what stops you from progressing forward.
My clients continuously tell me that they are amazed that after a few sessions they feel better. They see more clearly what they need to do to continue to heal and they have unlocked their emotional brain that kept them in their trauma. It is AMAZING, truly. With 30 years of volunteer and professional experiences, I have worked with children and families from diverse backgrounds and challenges. My passion is strengthening the family system by increasing attachment and setting boundaries through positive parenting and assisting in reuniting families through parenting education and family sessions.
As a mother of five children, I understand firsthand the challenges of raising children into adulthood. It is my desire to have all my clients LEARN new coping skills, HEAL from their trauma, and THRIVE in their future.
BRITTANY WILSON, MA, LPCC-S, NCC
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Counselors
BRITTANY WILSON, M.A., LPCC, NCC
Clinical Counselor
My philosophy is that everyone needs someone to talk to sometimes. I want to be that someone for you. Change can be a good thing. I became an LPCC in January of 2019 and recently got married in September of 2019. I enjoy playing Xbox and reading books in my free time. I consider myself a nerd and proud to stand out. I graduated with my Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Eastern Kentucky University in 2016. Some of my clinical interests include anxiety, depression, trauma, divorce, grief, bullying, behavioral issues, teen issues, and self-esteem. I utilize play therapy in addition to a client-centered approach with some cognitive-behavioral therapy. I have received training and supervision in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Other trainings I have attended are: 12 hours of Autism and Sensory training with Dr. Robert Jason Grant, creative interventions for working with traumatized children training by Liana Lowenstein, interventions for working with traumatized children training by Paris Goodyear-Brown, Mandala training, and have received training in-house in therapeutic playroom and Theraplay-based activities through Parsons Counseling. I currently serve Richmond and Irvine clients. I am working toward becoming a Registered Play Therapist.
KENDRA GROSS, M.Ed, LPCC
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Counselors
KENDRA GROSS, M.ED, LPCA
Associate Counselor
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” -Dr. Seuss I believe everyone has the power inside them to lead a life in which they want to live. Life can seem difficult and it can sometimes appear impossible to get to the brightest outcome for you. As a counselor, I am there to hold your hand and walk beside you as you guide me through your life. We will work together to transform you and achieve the personal goals you have created. I am a graduate of Lindsey Wilson College with a Bachelors in Human Services and a Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling. I am a Licensed Professional Counseling Associate. I have worked with multiple populations with a variety of mental health needs. I was a Targeted Case Manager working to find independent living for people that have been diagnosed with Severe Mental Illness. I gained experience working with inpatient services while working as a Mental Health Technician at Ridge Behavioral Health for several years on all units. I completed practicum and internships at Ridge Behavioral Health working with the geriatric population, children’s psychiatric unit and the adult psychiatric unit. Most recently, I worked in Medication Assisted Treatment, working with the Substance Use Disorder population. Parsons Counseling has worked to train me in-house in working with children in the playroom, Theraplay based interventions, challenge interventions, and Expressive Art interventions. I have completed trainings in sandtray, attachment, and I am certified in Autplay. I was born and raised in Lexington, Ky. I am a mom to three children, all boys ages 8, 5 and 1. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, crafting and reading.
LAURA WEITKAMP, MA, LPCC, NCC
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Counselors
LAURA WEITKAMP, MA, LPCC, NCC
Clinical Counselor
“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.” – Pierre Tellhard de Chardin
I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) that is working towards becoming a Registered Play Therapist. I work mainly with children. Before that I was employed with Eastern Kentucky Univeristy, earning two degrees in Business and two Masters in Education over 27 years, until retiring in 2019. I came to Parsons Counseling after deciding that I still wanted to work and that I wanted to be able to help people as a spiritual being. I chose Parsons as an opportunity to use Play Therapy techniques to help children empower themselves. I enjoy working with children, mainly in the age group of 2-12, although I can see clients in all age groups. My specialties are the therapeutic playroom, grief and grieving, play therapy, Theraplay, AutPlay certified, and trained in EMDR.
In my spare time, I like to be outside, reading, working in the yard, spending time with my family, friends, and pets. Something that I am passionate about is music, going to concerts, and following Aerosmith when on tour.
KELLY DEATON TOLLIVER, M.Ed, LPCC
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Counselors
KELLY DEATON TOLLIVER, M.ED., LPCC
Counselor
I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, experienced in both Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling. I specialize in relating to clients from all backgrounds and helping them develop new “building blocks” of coping and communication skills. I am open to allowing a client’s spirituality to be part of their healing process while remembering to apply logical principles to the issues at hand. I look forward to meeting you, so you, too, can use those skills to make better decisions and to navigate through the next steps in your life. I look forward to learning additional helping skills as part of the Parsons Counseling team to offer you, or another member of your family, the best counseling experience possible. I went back to graduate school to become a counselor at age 40 (2010) after a career as a salesperson. I find the same traits and skills that made me a good salesperson also help me as a counselor: the most important being a desire to help my client reach their goals. I often say I’m still in sales, I just sell “hope” now. “When we learn to respond rather than react, that’s when we find our power.” – Mary Gina Connor
TAYLOR SPEAKS,
MA, LPCA
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Counselor
Taylor Speaks
Counselor
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller
I was with Parsons as an intern for about a year before coming on board as an Associate Counselor. I have enjoyed learning how to use art and play to reach young people and to help them process their challenges. I am looking forward to becoming trained in EMDR and excited to explore other play therapy-based interventions. I am an admirer of all things vintage and antique. I collect Fenton art glass and vintage Fiesta dinnerware. I also love finding and wearing vintage clothes and accessories! You may find me checking out flea markets or walking around Peddler’s Mall.
ELIZABETH JARRELL,
MA, LPCA
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Counselor
ELIZABETH JARRELL MA, LPCA
Counseor
I graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in May 2021 with my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I have been working primarily with children and adolescents the past year in my internships, which ignited my passion for this population. I have experience working with many mental health concerns with a primary focus on Autism, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and Anxiety. I’m excited to get to work more with people of all ages!
Nicholle Ott, MA, LCSW
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Counselors
Nichole Ott, M.ED., LCSW
Counselor
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Nurse Practitioners
Charlette Verkamp MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC
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Nurse Practitioner
Charlette Verkamp, PNHNP
Nurse Practitioner
I am a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I work with the therapists in the office to help bring quality back to your life. My area of expertise is medication management. ADHD, depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorders are just some of the conditions I help clients manage. I strive to partner with you and your therapist to regain your quality of life. I feel the most important tool I can use is to actively listen to your concerns.
Case Managers & Community Support Associates
ELAINE LEWIS, BSW
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TCM
ELAINE LEWIS, BSW
Targeted Case Manager & Community Support Associate
“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” – Corrie Ten Boom, Holocaust survivor I love this quote by Corrie Ten Boom as it reassures us that in the darkest of times when we are unclear of what lies ahead, we can know a loving God is with us and will never leave or forsake us. I joined the Parsons Counseling family in Feb. 2020 as TCM and have also trained as CSA. I have worked in the social service field since graduating from Cumberland College in 1990. Through many locations in the US and overseas I have worked with families and individuals from newborn to elderly in the roles of counselor, advocate, teacher, mentor, and manager. My passion has always been to assist others in reaching their greatest potential. I married my sweetheart in 1991 and have been blessed with 2 beautiful daughters (18 &15). I am a proud military wife as my husband has served in the USAF since 1992. We’ve enjoyed living throughout the US and overseas. Of all the places we’ve visited our favorite has to be Ireland. I am an avid basketball fan with my favorite teams being UK Wildcats (of course) and Boston Celtics. For fun and relaxation, I enjoy swimming, basketball, camping, and almost any outdoor activities, watching movies with my family. Our involvement with our Church is a great part of our lives and we love serving our community any way possible. My favorite music comes from my family, but professionally I love Crowder and Zach Williams.
LINDSEY KEESEE, BS
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TCM
LINDSEY KEESEE, BS
Targeted Case Manager
“Healing takes courage and we all have courage even if we have to dig a little to find it” -Tori Amos. I am a Targeted Case Manager at Parsons Counseling. I work to assist clients in obtaining needed resources to better their lives. I am motivated to provide the best service to all clients. I graduated from Kaplan University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. I have over three years of experience in Case Management. I have worked predominately with substance abuse, but I am excited to begin working with all populations. I believe we all have great potential and just need a helping hand. I get great joy in being able to provide a helping hand to clients.
Admin
JESSICA ABELL, BBA, CPB
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Admin
JESSICA ABELL, BBA, CPB
Practice Administrator & Certified Professional Biller
“Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.” – Philippians 4:8
I am so excited to be working for a company that truly helps people! I graduated from EKU in 2006 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in General Business. I have 13 years of experience working in the healthcare field. I am a Certified Professional Biller with the AAPC. It may sound strange to some but I love numbers, lol! I truly enjoy doing billing and administrative tasks. My husband and I have two Yorkie-Poos who are our babies. My passions are singing, animals, and helping others. I also enjoy reading and watching fantasy and science-fiction.
MARTI SEXTON, AS
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Admin
Marti Sexton, AMOAA
Billing Specialist & Administrative Assistant
Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory. – Dr. Seuss
I joined Parsons Counseling in December 2021 in Billing. I have over 20 + years in different medical offices from working the front desk to billing. I enjoy billing and making sure that the insurance companies process claims correctly. In my free time I like to draw, read or go for a walk. I have been married for over 30 years and we have 3 daughters.
Therapy Animals
GUS
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Therapy Animal
GUS
Parsons Therapy Dog
Gus is a Therapy Dog in Training. He loves people. He adores children. He likes to give licks and sit on your lap in counseling sessions.
Gus is a pretty chill puppy until he sees children. He becomes so excited when he hears Ms. Lisa say, “Okay” because that means it is time to go to the lobby to give his lobby friends high fives and sniff them. He loves to give a few licks to know that he loves you.
Gus loves to play catch with balls. He is a soccer star as he runs so fast to fetch the ball and bring it back. However sometimes he does not like to bring the ball back and will drop the ball where he feels like.
He is calm when he is not with his brother Bandit. When Bandit is around he is hyper and competitive to get attention from Ms. Lisa.
Gus has finished Level 2 in Obedience Training from PetSmart.
BANDIT
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Therapy Animals
BANDIT
Parsons Therapy Dog
Bandit loves being a Therapy Dog In Training. He is good about sitting, staying, and laying down. However, he is a lover and a licker. Yes, he will lick your face, arms, and anywhere you will let him, but Ms. Lisa sets limits with him and he can only give two licks. He does not like limits.
Bandit lives up to his name by stealing things from bedrooms and bathrooms, then he runs around the house moving his whole backend. He will try to get away with many things while no one is watching.
Bandit is not as good at fetching a ball as Gus. He is probably pretty good but we will never know because Gus is better. He tries hard to get the ball before Gus but normally he does not make it.
Bandit has strengths in just loving to cuddle and be with people. He loves to have his body near yours. He wants to be there for you when you are sad, sit with you while you draw, and he will listen to your commands while walking with you. He is a great friend.
Bandit has finished Level 2 in Obedience Training from PetSmart.
