CLINICAL COUNSELING

Clinical Services, also known as Counseling, Psychotherapy, talk therapy, or Therapy, refer to a variety of treatments that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Most clinical services take place one-on-one with a licensed mental health professional or with other patients in a group setting. Psychotherapy and medication are the most common forms of mental health treatment.

Clinical Services are conducted by individuals with a Master's or Doctorate degree, such as Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHC), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Abuse Specialist (LCAS) and Licensed Psychologist and Medical providers with Specialty training.  These individuals under the License can assess, treat, and diagnose a variety of issues. In general, the goals of psychotherapy are to gain relief from symptoms, maintain or enhance daily functioning, and improve quality of life.

You or someone you know might seek out psychotherapy for many reasons, including:

  • Dealing with severe or long-term stress from a job or family situation, the loss of a loved one, or relationship or family problems

  • Having symptoms with no physical explanation, such as changes in sleep or appetite, low energy, lack of interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed, persistent irritability, excessive worry, or a sense of discouragement or hopelessness that won’t go away

  • A health care provider suspecting you have or diagnosing you with a mental disorder that is interfering with your life

  • Supporting a child or family member who has been diagnosed with a condition affecting their mental health

  • Substance use that may include drugs and alcohol.

First, being examined by a health care provider can help rule out a physical health issue. This step is important because sometimes symptoms, like a change in mood or trouble concentrating, are due to a medical condition.

Psychotherapy can be used as an alternative to or alongside medication and other treatment options. Choosing the right treatment plan is based on a person's individual needs and medical situation and should occur under the guidance of a mental health professional.

Even when medication relieves symptoms, psychotherapy can help address specific issues. These might include self-defeating ways of thinking; irrational fears; problems interacting with other people; or difficulty coping with situations at home, school, or work.

The Licensed Clinician may have a variety of Specialized training and experience to assess, treat issues, do consultations, advise in a variety of settings such as outpatient clinics, hospitals, court/forensic setting, Schools, Social welfare settings.  They use a variety of common types of therapy, including Cognitive behavior therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive behavioral therapy, Person-Centered, Family systems, EMDR, Play Therapy, Relational Counseling, Grief Counseling, Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic, and Narrative Therapy. Reunification Therapy, to name a few.

Meet the Team

  • Sharon Barnette - EdD, LCMHC, LPA

    Individual child, adult, and family counseling, psychoeducational testing for school-age children, grief counseling and grief support, public lectures/seminars when requested, president of the counseling firm, and management of the practice.

  • Robert Lodwick - MA, MDIv, LCMHC

    Robert Lodwick is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor working with West Counseling since 2017.  He earned his Masters in Counseling Psychology (MA EdS), and Masters of Divinity (MDIV), from Gardner-Webb University in 2013.

  • SUSETTE RITENOUR - MA, LCMHC, NCC

    Susette graduated with an MA in Counseling from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia. She has experience working with clients in the areas of substance abuse, depression, anxiety, career challenges, relationships, and boundary setting.

  • Bree Thompson - MA, LCMHC, LCAS-A

    I am a licensed Mental Health Clinician as well as a licensed Addictions Specialist associate. I have been working in the mental health and substance use field since 2009. I absolutely love engaging with people and making sure I am meeting them exactly where they are. My clients' goals are priority and there is no timeline for the healing process. I enjoy assisting others move through life and watch people build and rebuild themselves through personal growth. I have worked with a wide range individuals over the past several years. This has included children with disabilities to adults struggling with mental health and substance abuse. I honestly love what I do. I am the mother of three beautiful children. I show up as my genuine self and I invite you to do the same in a safe place. I am passionate about healing, living life as your best self, and moving forward to set newer and bigger goals.

  • Andrew West - Founder & CEO

    Mr.West was born in Ohio and he has lived the rest of his adult life in the southeast and western US. He has a MA in Counseling, and a MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from ORU. He has served in the mental health career field for more than 29 years.

  • Heather Chavis - MSW, LCSW

    I have extensive experience working with children and adolescents struggling with ADHD and Anxiety. I am also certified in Triple P positive parenting modality and support parents in the management of children demonstrating difficult behaviors.

  • Charlotte Windley - MA, LCMHC-A

    I provide group and family counseling. My theoretical approach is cognitive behavioral therapy and person-centered, cognitive behavioral therapy techniques such as role playing, cognitive restructuring, meditation, play therapy, DBT and journaling.

  • Suzanne Jones - MSW, LCSWA

    Suzanne Jones is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate. She provides counseling to children, adolescents, and young adults. Ms. Jones helps address challenges related to relationships, anxiety, depression,  trauma, stress, transitions in life, and other concerns.

  • Charles Baskin - MA, LMFT

    He has a background in family and student ministry and he has served in various settings to assist youth, families, and couples to address a wide range of behavioral and relationship issues. He has significant experience in providing intensive in-home family counseling.

  • Michelle White - LCMHC-A

    My primary approach to counseling is an integration of person-centered, existential, and social justice-focused therapies. I work with adolescents and adults facing a wide variety of issues, including depression, mood disorders, anxiety, personality disorders, ADD/ADHD, eating disorders, grief and/or loss,

  • SAPHIRE HANNA - MA, LCMHC, NCC

    Hey there, lovely souls! I'm Saphire, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I believe that life can be incredibly difficult to navigate, and sometimes we struggle to figure out what direction to build towards. I hope that through therapy, personal effort, and hard work we can create a life that we feel proud of.  Let’s work together to create something beautiful! 

  • Jessica Agnello - NCC, LCMHC

    Providing therapy to school-age children (K-12), adolescents, parents, and young adults on areas related to ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Behavior Management, Self-esteem/Body Image, Emotional Regulation, Anger Management, Social Skills, Conflict Resolution, OCD, ODD, Adjustment Disorder, Learning Disabilities, PTSD, and Parenting Skills. 

  • Ariel Huntley - Sowell - MSW, LCSW-A

    I'm Arielle Huntley-Sowell and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate (LCSWA).  I work with children and adolescents, ages 5-17.  I utilize Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and play therapy to connect and teach children about their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. I absolutely adore what I do and look forward to working with your child and providing a positive change in their lives!  I also treat young & middle-aged adults

  • Melanie Roach - MSW, LCSW-A

    Melanie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSW-A). She holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from Louisiana State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Belmont Abbey College. While providing therapy for her clients Melanie’s priorities are safety, trust, and honesty. She is a passionate therapist and specializes in the areas of, complex PTSD, trauma, anxiety, depression, self-image, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and mood and personality disorders. She has over 13 years of experience working in outpatient, residential, crisis intervention, substance misuse, criminal justice and juvenile justice. Melanie is a 20-year Retired Army Veteran and started her mental health career by serving as the Suicide Prevention Senior-Advisor and the Resilience Coach within her Brigade. She uses Trauma Informed Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and is experienced in Mindfulness Meditation.

  • Jessica Herrera - MSW-LCSW-A

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  • Jessica Bravo - MSW, LCSW-A

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  • Keon Breeden - LCSW-A

    Keon Breeden is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSW-A). He attended South Carolina State University, earning a Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work from Winthrop University. He has seven years of experience in social services, including Intensive In-Home Services, Multisystemic Therapy, Individual Therapy, & child welfare.

  • RALPH A. TAMAYO - PSY. D. - LPA

    As a Licensed Psychological Associate with the NC Psychology Board, I specialize in psychological testing, educational testing, therapy, and program management, drawing on over a decade of experience. My expertise lies in working with individuals facing diverse mental health challenges, employing tailored approaches such as cognitive behavior therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, and positive psychotherapy tailored to address each client’s specific needs.

  • Michael Straw, - MA, LCMHC

    Michael Straw is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC). He has his Master of Arts in Counseling from Saint Louis University. Michael provides counseling to teens and adults helping them address life challenges related to anxiety, depression, grief, difficult transitions, career changes, and low self esteem. He has served in the mental health field for more than 25 years.