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Our Service Animals
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Krista
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Mitchell
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Barbara
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Kalyn
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Courtney
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Alexandra
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 Clinical 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 received her bachelor's degree in elementary education from UNC Chapel Hill and completed her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. 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. Outside the counseling office, you might find Secily spending time with family and friends, reading, baking, hiking, or playing with her dog, Harper.
Assistant Clinical 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
Krista graduated from North Carolina State University in 2009 with an undergraduate degree in Horticulture Science with a concentration in Landscape Design. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. Through her own life experiences, Krista discovered her calling to help other people navigate through their own unique experiences as well. She has a strong passion for adolescents and adults who have experienced trauma in the past or currently in the middle of their traumas. She hopes to provide genuine, empathetic, and collaborative support no matter the difficulty the client is facing and to achieve the mental wellbeing goals the client is after. Outside of work you can find Krista spending time with her 2 children, sewing, gardening, baking sourdough, traveling, and going to drag races with her boyfriend.
intern - LIberty university
Krista Peterson
Mitchell is currently pursuing his Master’s in clinical mental health counseling from UNC Charlotte. After five years of teaching the humanities at North Rowan High School, Mitchell found that the most meaningful part of education for him was helping his students through their most difficult times. As a veteran of the United States Army, he is passionate about helping people transition through destabilizing life events, whether that be transitioning out of the military, incarceration, graduation, marriage, divorce, or any other of life’s challenging turning points. In his free time, Mitchell enjoys crafting, gaming, research, skateboarding with his children, and spending time with his amazing wife.
intern - UNCC
Mitchell Croot
Alexandra completed her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education, at the University of Houston in 2020. She is currently working towards her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Play Therapy at UNC Charlotte. After teaching in general education classrooms for 4 years, Alexandra has decided to steer her work of teaching towards counseling for children and people of all ages, with hopes to incorporate creative and expressive play techniques to help process emotions, build coping skills, and improve mental well-being. In her free time, Alexandra enjoys painting, baking, spoiling her 3 dogs, and spending quality time with her friends and family.
intern - UNCC
Alexandra Fredericksen
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