Our Counselors | Oaks Counseling

Savannah Conner

PH.D, LPC, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 479.799.4720 | SAVANNAH@OAKSCOUNSELING.NET

Oaks Counseling began in 2011 and it has been one of my greatest honors to watch it develop into a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can receive counseling I have found that life is messy, but also filled with such beauty. Someone once said, “protest the chaos with something beautiful” and I think that is what the counseling journey is about; taking that which is broken in our lives and trying to make sense of it all. I received my masters in Community Counseling and Marriage & Family Therapy from John Brown University. I earned my Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision through Regent University in August of 2014. My experience is in working with adolescents, women who are struggling with infertility, relationships where conflict and intimacy are a struggle, anxiety, depression, and grief.

Shelli Engle

MSW, LCSW| 479.310-9090 |SHELLI@OAKSCOUNSELING.NET

During the counseling process, my goal is to meet you where you are and to help you navigate through the difficulties of life successfully. I come to you with experience working in various settings including inpatient and outpatient therapy. Within each of those settings, I have worked with a diversity of populations including children, adolescents, adults, and families. My passion is working with women of all ages, dealing with various issues, including, but not limited to depression, anxiety, bi polar, grief, trauma, health and lifestyle issues, relationships, and job related stress, as well as continuing my work with children, adolescents, and their families. I utilize various therapeutic techniques in therapy, and attempt to focus on the individual needs of each client. I obtained my Master’s in Social Work, at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Carrie Henry

MS, LMFT, LPC | 479.445.3407 | CARRIE@OAKSCOUNSELING.NET

I love the concept of life as a journey. While we desire to live purposeful lives with depth and meaning, we often find ourselves unprepared to navigate the complexities of relationships and face some of the unexpected roadblocks along the way. My heart is to join people on their journeys, while providing practical help and hope along the way. I have over 20 years of clinical experience in a variety of settings.I really enjoy working with a variety of issues, including eating disorders, grief, infertility, issues of spirituality and deconstruction, trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. I work from a family systems and emotion focused perspective and am trained in EMDR. I also love to incorporate art and sand tray techniques when possible. I received a bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of Arkansas and a dual masters degree in Marriage & Family Therapy and Community Counseling from John Brown University. I am also an Arkansas Board Approved Supervisor for LACs and LAMFTs and enjoy investing in new therapists in the counseling field.

Leah Jacobs

MS, LAC | 501.416.8382 | LEAH@OAKSCOUNSELING.NET

Life, with all its challenges, certainly is not easy. We all need help navigating the more difficult seasons. It is my passion and, I believe, my calling to provide a supportive and non-judgmental space for my clients to share their struggles. In our fast-paced world, caring for ourselves is often made a lower priority; whether you are experiencing a traumatic time of grief or simply struggling to maintain balance in your everyday life, counseling can play a vital role in helping you reach emotional peace. I earned my masters degree in Counseling at John Brown University. I do not take lightly that people choose to share their lives with me; I consider it an incredible honor to play that role in your life.

Brandi Harris

MS, LPC, LMFT | 918.261.3194 | BRANDI@OAKSCOUNSELING.NET

I am real person; a real mom and wife chasing the balance of life, love, and truth. I love people, as difficult as they are at times, and I have a heavy heart for those weighed down by the pain of life and loss. I especially enjoy working with clients who are dealing with relationship and parenting struggles – as parenting has probably been the most humbling (or should I say humiliating?) experience of my own life. I am an LPC and LMFT, and have been practicing since 2007. I received a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Tulsa and an M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy and Community Counseling from JBU.

Brant Cates

MS, LPC | 479.366.1129 | BRANT@OAKSCOUNSELING.NET

You deserve to feel accepted and respected. I strive at all times to offer these two things. I enjoy counseling and want you to as well. It is work, but it is work that provides energy instead of draining it. While working with all ages, my primary practice in the last several years has focused on teens, young adults, and children. My hope is to help people find the power inside themselves to be stable and productive no matter what life challenges they are experiencing.

I graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 2005. I have worked in various settings. These include foster care worker, outpatient therapist, TDT therapist, and school-based therapist.

Cindy Palen

MA, LAC, NCC | 479.222.1711 | CINDY@OAKSCOUNSELING.NET

When life seems overwhelming, and negative thoughts tend to prevail, we sometimes need help navigating through these troubled times. My passion in counseling is to help you overcome obstacles to your peace of mind. I seek to provide a confidential, non-judgmental space for you to work through hardships and distress. I work with adults and adolescents who are struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship struggles, eating disorders and grief. It is one of my desires to help people work through past or present trauma. I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as well as other trauma focused techniques. I have a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Missouri State University, and a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University. I am a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). I also specialize in Technology Assisted Counseling. It is my hope that all who struggle will find the peace and restoration they desire.

Mollie Reddin

MS, LPC | 479.274.0963 | MOLLIE@OAKSCOUNSELING.NET

It is a privilege to join others through the counseling process. I seek to provide a non-judgmental and accepting presence while providing excellent care, practical tools, and hope. I work with children and adults, treating a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, grief, and identity development. I work within an Acceptance & Commitment Therapy approach, seeking to support clients as they build a life of authenticity and meaning.

When working with children, I integrate child-centered play therapy, sand tray therapy, and CBT. I received my master’s degree in Community Counseling with an emphasis in Play Therapy from John Brown University. My professional experience includes community clinic, non-profit agency, and university counseling center settings.

Beth Rogers

MS, LAC | 479.957.5862| BETH@OAKSCOUNSELING.NET

I love a good story. Every person’s life tells a story with chapters of joy, grief, surprise and pain. I believe in the value of hope in the midst of our struggles and have seen counseling provide space for such hope. I believe that counseling is a tool that serves to promote personal growth, healing and change. My approach to therapy is centered around the idea that people are separate from their problems. I believe that you have the skills and ability to rewrite your story; my role is to help you find your voice. I work with adults, adolescents, and couples who are processing challenges big and small. Whether you are experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, issues of identity or are overwhelmed with it all, your story matters and I would be honored to work with you.

Kristen Smith

MS, LPC, LMFT | 479.861.1510| KRISTEN@OAKSCOUNSELING.NET

The fact that you are reading these words and considering counseling is commendable, as the counseling process can be difficult and painful. Yet, you are braver than you think you are! I have discovered over my past 14 years of experience in the Mental Health field, that my clients are some of the bravest people I know. Walking alongside them in this unique journey is an honor; to cheer them on, to challenge them, to offer them hope, to console them, and most of all, to see them transform and heal.

I am an LMFT and LPC and I completed my dual masters degree of Marriage and Family therapy and Community Counseling from JBU. I love working with people of all ages and have a wide variety of experience including School-Based Counseling, Social Service work, and Private Practice. I mostly practice from a Solution-Focused model of counseling and incorporate EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) within marital therapy. I am certified in Prepare and Enrich and enjoy doing premarital and marital enrichment.

For a decade of my life, I lived overseas as a missionary in Spain. I understand the unique challenges involved in life overseas and the process of repatriation as a family. Beyond my own personal experiences, I have also counseled many missionary, military, and multicultural families. Of course, another added benefit of having lived in Spain, is that I speak Spanish! I enjoy working with Spanish speaking clients as well as multicultural clients from other countries learning to adapt to a new culture.

Some of my other areas of emphasis include; grief counseling, infertility, marital therapy, family therapy anxiety, depression, and PTSD. I am also Technology-assisted specialized in the State of Arkansas, allowing me to offer online counseling.

Ian Tornatore

BA, MASTERS LEVEL INTERN| 479.222.0896 |IAN@OAKSCOUNSELING.NET

Ian is a Masters Level Intern. He is currently pursuing his Masters at John Brown University.

At any time, you can check on the licensure status of your counselor at any time through the Arkansas State Board of Examiners in Counseling by clicking the button below:

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