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Executive Director
Kathleen McMahon, LPC-S, NCC, RPT-S
Katie is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. She is a graduate of Sam Houston State University. Katie is an adjunct professor at Sam Houston State University. She has experience in providing expert witness testimony in court and is a former child advocate.
Research interests include the effects of play therapy on children with trauma backgrounds.
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Chief Clinical Officer
Amanda Beeman, MA, LPC, CAS
Amanda is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Autism Specialist. She graduated from Sam Houston State University and is dedicated to providing quality mental health services to her community. Her specialities include Autism and Trauma. She has presented at state and international conferences as an expert in Autism. Additional interests include working with the student population of Sam Houston State University.
Research interests include trauma and neurodevelopment, social-emotional regulation in autism spectrum disorder, and clinical supervision for graduate students in counseling programs.
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Director of Behavioral Services
Sarah Favilla, MA, LBA, BCBA
Sarah is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She is a graduate from Ball State University with a Masters degree in Special Education. While primarily focused on Autism Spectrum Disorder, she has worked with individuals with a variety of diagnoses, both medical and psychiatric. Sarah's experience includes working with children as young as 18 months and adults well into their 80s. She is passionate about the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) and the positive changes it can bring.
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Licensed Professional Counselor
Caitlyn Lewis, M.A.
Katie is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She is a graduate from the University of Texas at Tyler. With a client-centered approach, Katie enjoys walking with clients as they explore their physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. Her areas of interest are trauma, anxiety, relationships, self worth and life transitions.
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Licensed Professional Counselor Associate
Alisha Renee Gardner, M.A., Supervised by Kathleen McMahon LPCS
Renee is a graduate of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Sam Houston State University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate enjoys working with adolescents and adults with various presenting issues. She is skilled in working with youth with adjustment disorders, behavioral issues, and depression.
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Licensed Professional Counselor Associate
Iesha Sylvester M.A., Supervised by Jennifer Cain LPCS
Iesha Cares!...is her mantra. As a professional helper, Iesha has served as a public school educator and certified school counselor for over 16 years. She has educated and counseled individuals: children/adolescents/adults and families with a dedicated heart with the goal to help everyone be the best version of themselves. As an LPC-A, she has a broad clientele ranging from young children (age 4) to honored older adults (99+). She sees every client as an individual who has a personal story. With this mindset, she counsels using an eclectic, integrative approach with SFBT, CBT, TB-CBT, Play Therapy, EMDR, and other EBT/practices based on specific client needs- trauma, grievance, life transitions, anxiety, depression, etc.. IESHA joins you where you are to help you go where you want to be!
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Masters Level Counselor Intern
Cheryl Simcox
Cheryl earned her B.S. from Wheaton College and B.S.N. from Rush University. She is currently a Masters Level Counseling Student at Sam Houston State University in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program pursuing her play therapy certificate. Cheryl has been employed as a Registered Nurse for many years and enjoys working with children and young adults in various capacities. She utilizes both person-centered therapy as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and during the counseling sessions. She enjoys spending time with her husband, four sons, and fur babies as well as reading, running, and conversations with friends over coffee.
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Makayla Gill
Makayla received her bachelor of science degree in psychology from Sam Houston State University in 2019. She then received her masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Stephen F. Austin. She has experience working with adolescents, young adults, and college students. She is experienced in presenting issues such as grief, anxiety, substance abuse, trauma, depression, self-exploration, and life adjustment. She is guided by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Person-Centered Therapy. She uses Existential Therapy and Gestalt Therapy components in therapy. She is interested in grief and bereavement and is passionate about helping clients work through all that impedes them from finding balance and living fulfilling lives. Makayla will be joining the Rise Counseling team upon receiving her Licensed Professional Counselor- Associate approval from the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors.
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Masters Level Counselor Intern
Donald Coffen
Donald is a local of Huntsville Texas and has always found happiness in the service of helping others. He is familiar with the local resources of Walker county and can help clients navigate various resources in their pursuit of holistic health. Donald is pursuing his Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Sam Houston State University. His theoretical orientation is person centered therapy. He believes in Carl Roger's core conditions of empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence play an important role in developing a professional relationship with the client.
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Masters Level Counselor Intern
Alyssa Hawkins
Alyssa is a master’s level counseling intern studying at Sam Houston State University. In 2020 she graduated from Sam Houston State University with a BS degree in Psychology. She has several years of experience working with children and adolescents as a dance teacher and looks forward to continuing her therapeutic work with children, adolescents, and adults. As a counseling intern, she is guided by Person-Centered Therapy and Person-Centered Play Therapy to emphasize the client’s power in the therapeutic setting.
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Danika Anaya
Danika earned her Bachelor of Education in Counseling and Community Psychology from New Mexico State University in 2016. She received her M.A in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Sam Houston State University. Danika has worked with individuals with intellectual disorders and their families for six years through local health authorities and providers. She also has experience working trauma, anxiety and depression amongst adolescents and adults. She is working toward earning her play therapy certificate, as well a certification in equine assisted therapy. She is guided by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Person-Centered Therapy. She is passionate about working with individuals in develop their strengths, achieve their goals, and maintaining a healthy level of balance within their lives. Danika will be joining the Rise Counseling Team as an LPCA upon approval from the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors.
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Masters Level Counselor Intern
Destiny Little
Destiny is a masters level intern of Sam Houston State's Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology at Sam Houston State University in December 2019. Destiny has experience working with children, adolescents in childcare, school, as well as therapeutic settings. She has also worked with young adults in both college and therapeutic settings. Destiny facilitates an Adlerian approach with authenticity as well as empathy.
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Masters Level Counselor Intern
Taylor Young
Taylor Young graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Texas A&M University in May 2019. She is a graduate student in Sam Houston State’s University masters level counseling program. She has experience providing mental health services to adults in community mental health settings. She also has experience providing individuals with mental health, couples, and career counseling in school and other therapeutic settings. She is currently Gottman Level 1 trained, and is passionate about working with couples and families with communication and relational issues. She is guided by solution-focused brief therapy, and will occasionally incorporate cognitive behavioral practices .
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Masters Level Counselor Intern
Ryia Steps
Ryia Steps is a people person with experience working and supporting youth, college students, and their families. She is an alumna of Alcorn State University where she received her B.S in psychology. Currently, Ryia is pursing her M.A in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Sam Houston State University. With her degree, she plans to assess and tackle the domino effect o mental illnesses on marginalized communities. Ryia enjoys watching her favorite shows, talking to loved ones, painting cooking, or traveling for fun and relaxation.
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Masters Level Counselor Intern
Daszia Sullivan
Daszia received her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from Sam Houston State University in 2021. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health at Sam Houston as a Counseling Intern and is looking forward to pursuing a career in counseling to fulfill her passion in working with people and advocating for members of her community. She is guided by a person-centered approach to emphasize client’s strengths and develop the therapeutic relationship through unconditional positive regard and support.
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Rise Counseling and Wellness
Our therapists are trauma informed and dedicated to providing quality services. We offer therapy services in-person and online.
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