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Alice
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Saffron
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Sage
Our Service Animals
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DAN
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Barbara
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Kalyn
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Courtney
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Menwonsah
Interns
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Secily
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Shannon
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lynne
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Janeen
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laura
Therapists
our team
After completing her Masters of Counseling in 2007, Laura worked endlessly to grow and officially launch Creative Counseling in 2009. With her passion to help victims of complex trauma and domestic violence, Laura has worked closely with multiple advocacy centers, shelters, and government agencies. In 2018, Laura received her PhD in General Psychology and we are so proud to have her as our Executive Director!
Executive Director / lead therapist
Dr. Laura Harbeson, PhD, LCMHCS
Lynne has a Master of Arts/Education Specialist degree in Mental Health Counseling from Gardner-Webb University. She primarily works with students, elementary through high school, experiencing difficulties with school and home responsibilities. Lynne believes that a client is best served by introducing skills and helping them identify which ones work best in the moment. She uses techniques that are based in cognitive-behavioral therapy as well as expressive arts techniques when applicable to the counseling situation. Lynne has expertise in school-related issues based on thirty years as a teacher. She has additional training in the areas of autism spectrum disorder, grief/loss,
and dementia care.
Therapist
Lynne Allred, MA, LCMHC
Therapist
Shannon graduated from Manhattan College with a BA in Peace Studies and Philosophy, and continued her education at CUNY Hunter College, where she received her MSW in 2023. As a therapist, she strives to create a compassionate space for clients to bring their authentic selves. Shannon has worked with a wide range of individuals and has experience working with those facing anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. She takes a collaborative and person-centered approach, utilizing techniques grounded in Cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and creative arts therapy. In her off time, you can find Shannon spending time with
her sisters, reading, or starting a new DIY project.
Shannon Raczynski, MSW, LCSWA
Secily has a bachelor’s degree in Education and completed her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2023. She began her career in the classroom and has been working with children and teens in various roles since 2003. Secily is excited to be working at Creative Counseling after completing her internship with the practice. Her approach to counseling is holistic, client-centered, and collaborative. She enjoys working with children, adolescents, couples, and adults of all ages using techniques from CBT, DBT, and other techniques as appropriate. Secily is a wife and mom of three teenagers, and outside the counseling office you might find her hanging out with family and friends, reading a book, at the lake or the beach, baking something delicious, or playing with her Goldendoodle.
Assistant Director/Therapist
Secily Nichols, MA, LCMHCA, NCC
Therapist
Janeen attended Elizabeth City State University where she received her Bachelor of Social Work degree, and received her Master of Social Work degree from the University of South Carolina. She has over 15 years of social work experience. Janeen has experience working with children, adults, and families as a whole. She primarily works with children who are in middle school and up, and adults who may be experiencing anxiety, grief, depression, and trauma. She has several years of training in working with individuals who have experienced different types of trauma in their lives, including but not limited to different forms of abuse, child neglect, foster care, separation, adoption, substance use, etc. When she isn’t working to help people she is home spending time with her husband and her chihuahua. Janeen enjoys working with people from all walks of life, and enjoys helping people find their path towards healing. Her motto is that, “healing is a process.”
Janeen Tisdell, MSW, LCSWA
Dan is currently pursing a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at UNC Charlotte. Through his journey of recovery from his own mental health struggles, Dan realized that his calling was to help other people heal through counseling. Life can be hard and Dan knows that all of us need some help to get by. He wants to support our clients through whatever difficulties they may be facing whether that be addiction, anxiety, depression, grief, lingering trauma, or some other block to their wellbeing. When he's not working you can catch Dan hanging out with friends and family, playing wiht his dogs, or getting lost down a YouTube rabbit hole.
intern - UNCC
Dan Rhodes
Following her childhood difficulties, Menwonseh graduated from Brewon-Parker College in Georgia with a bachelor's degree in psychology. Having passionately advocated for others, she finds
fulfillment in listening to individuals articulate their concerns. Throughout her upbringing, Menwonseh nurtured an interest in the helping field, but she was unsure about the particular path to follow. In the aftermath of the loss of her father, she embarked on a coping journey that clarified her direction, resulting in her decision to work in clinical counseling. CBT and Play therapy are two of her primary therapeutic approaches. As she pursues her Master's degree in counseling at Malone University, Menwonseh strives to make a meaningful impact on others by integrating her personal experiences and academic journey. Menwonseh's personal experience and academic knowledge enable her to develop customized counseling approaches for each client. Using her experience and insight, she hopes to help others find their pathways to healing through the help she provides.
intern - Malone university
Menwonseh Teah
Courtney completed her undergraduate degree in Counseling and Human Services, with a minor in Psychology, at Pfeiffer University. She is currently working towards her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Play Therapy at the UNC Charlotte. Courtney is passionate about serving children and adolescents, utilizing a collaborative, strengths-based, and client-centered approach to counseling. She strives to provide clients with a warm, empathic environment, through the use of Child-Centered Play Therapy techniques, while also working closely with caregivers to facilitate a space congruent with the desired change. In her free time, Courtney enjoys baking, playing pickleball, hiking at Morrow Mountain, and simply spending quality time with her friends and family.
intern - UNCC
Courtney Perry
Kalyn graduated from Western Carolina University in 2022 with her undergraduate degree in Birth-Kindergarten Education. After working in the school system, she realized teaching was not her calling, but working with children was still a big part of her future. After a few years of waiting for direction, she was led to pursue her Master of Social Work. She feels a strong passion for working with children who have experienced trauma. She is also passionate about working with children to help them effectively manage their thoughts and emotions. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, thrift shopping, and traveling.
intern - LSU
Kalyn Luther
In her younger years, she was a well-known barrel racing horse! After an ankle injury that led to her retirement, she has found solace in the pastures of Creative Counseling. With her motherly instincts, she is always the first to observe and acknowledge everyone who meets her! She is terrified of water but loves getting pampered by others. An avid apple lover, she is always eager to spend calm-quality time with all!
Equine Comfort specialist
Saffron
Being the first horse to graze at Creative Counseling, Sage has had plenty of experience in service and understanding. All who meet Sage have a very different story about how she has helped others in their daily lives. Whether that is by playing the role of stubborn child, teaching patients to parents and leaders, or by mirroring a headstrong kiddo, helping children recognize their own actions and how that may make their parents feel, she is always the first to greet and probably "boop" whoever shows up to say "Hello".
Equine Comfort specialist
"Sage" is the Rage
Alice was rescued by Creative Counseling in 2018 as a kitten, and has aspired to follow in Lilly's footsteps. She connects really well with everyone who comes to our office, and sometimes races Lilly to be the first to say "Hello"! Some days she likes to go outside and roam the pasture, bringing back all kinds of treats for our clients. A nurturer at heart, she really has connected with clients who have experienced loss on a personal level. Found asleep on the front porch, asleep on someone's lap in the office, or out back riding one of the horses (Yes it happens), Alice is one of the many beloved mascots here at Creative Counseling!
Aspiring Therapy Dog
Alice