Meet our Team
Jessica Penot, LPC-S
Team Bio’s
Jessica Penot is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in Alabama, an EMDRIA trained EMDR therapist, and a Certified Trauma Oriented Yoga Instructor. Jessica is the author of The Unmasking Workbook for Autistic Adults with New Harbinger Press and writer on the subject of autism for Psychology Today. Jessica has over twenty years of clinical experience and enjoys working with those struggling with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), gender dysphoria, survivors of rape and incest, and autistic adults. Jessica is a neuroaffirmative therapist who has dedicated years to writing and researching about life on the Spectrum. Jessica has spent a considerable amount of time working with the LGBTQIA+ community and enjoys working with people who feel like they don't fit in.
Jessica practices using cognitive behavioral therapeutic techniques and creative therapies such as storytelling therapy, art therapy, video game therapy, and Jungian Analysis. Jessica has written seven books and enjoys hiking, reading, watching movies, playing video games, painting and writing in her spare time. Jessica is the owner of Tree of Life Behavioral Health.
Ahna Ravan, MA, LPC, NCC
Ahna Ravan is a licensed professional counselor committed to providing strength-based, culturally responsive, and client-centered care. She earned her Master of Arts in Counseling from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and holds a certificate in Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling.
As a registered play therapist, Ahna has completed specialized post-graduate training in play therapy, a developmentally appropriate and effective approach for children to process their experiences and emotions. She integrates directive and non-directive play therapy, Theraplay, sand tray therapy, narrative therapy, and a family systems approach. She also incorporates a neuroaffirmative perspective, honoring neurodiversity and empowering clients to build self-understanding, confidence, and meaningful connections. Believing that caregivers play a vital role in a child’s growth and healing, she actively involves them in the process to strengthen emotional awareness, regulation skills, and family relationships.
Ahna primarily works with school-age children and adolescents, supporting them through challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional regulation, identity exploration, and family conflict. I work with individuals with ADHD and autism to help them build strengths, develop strategies for managing challenges, and embrace their neurodivergence in a supportive and affirming environment. Her approach emphasizes autonomy, connection, and self-discovery, helping clients develop resilience and confidence.
Understanding that cultural awareness is essential to effective therapy, Ahna takes a holistic view of each client’s background, including factors such as religion, ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation, to provide affirming and individualized care. She is here to listen, understand your experiences, and support you as we navigate your challenges together.
Additionally as a United States Army veteran, Ahna brings resilience, dedication, and a deep understanding of life transitions to her practice.
April McKee, MS, LPC-S
April McKee, MS, LPC-S, is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Counseling Supervisor with over 20 years of clinical experience. She is a graduate of Jacksonville State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Counseling. She has worked with clients of all ages in outpatient clinics, hospitals, courtrooms, residential homes, and schools across North Alabama. April has also held leadership roles where she developed therapeutic programs and supervised clinical teams.
April’s work as a trauma recovery therapist for survivors of the April 27, 2011, tornado outbreak ultimately led to a research partnership with the National Weather Service. This research was featured in news reports across the country including The Weather Channel.
In 2024, April joined the team at Tree of Life Behavioral Health, where she has created a therapy practice that leverages her extensive experience as a therapist, researcher, and supervisor into supporting clients and supervising Associate Licensed Counselors.
Current areas of focus include:
PTSD/cPTSD from Adverse Childhood Experiences, Adverse Religious Experience (including cults), Medical Trauma, Natural Disasters, Domestic Violence, and others
Anxiety – General Anxiety, Social Anxiety, OCD, and others
Autism/ADHD – Specifically late diagnosed adolescents and adults
The psychological components of health conditions such as Autoimmune Disorders, Neurological / Movement disorders, (Peri)Menopause, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and others
Primary therapeutic approaches include:
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, mindfulness and body-oriented therapeutic techniques (Polyvagal Theory, Somatic Therapy), and Person-Centered Therapy. Other approaches may be offered when deemed a better fit for a client. All services provided are individualized to support each client’s neurotype, culture, and identity and are tailored to support individual sensory and processing needs and abilities.
April offers a peer counseling approach upon request for clients navigating Autism / ADHD diagnoses received in adulthood, addressing adverse religious experiences, or managing chronic illnesses.
April currently has a waitlist for clients and ALCs seeking supervision.
Audrey Smith, MA Ed, ALC, NCC
Under the supervision of Jessica Penot, LPC-S
“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” – Carl Jung
Welcome—I’m glad you’re here and taking a step toward a more authentic, fulfilling life. I bring over 15 years of counseling experience as a school counselor, substance abuse counselor, non-profit director, and founder of the social enterprise Grow Our Village. My work is rooted in a collaborative, holistic, and strengths-based approach that helps clients transform their experiences and become the authors of their own stories. I hold a Master’s in School Counseling from the University of North Alabama and a Bachelor’s in Humanistic Psychology from the University of West Georgia.
I provide neurodivergent-affirming therapy and especially enjoy supporting teens and adults with ADHD or Autism, as well as young adults in transition and new or expecting parents. As a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional through Postpartum Support International, I’m passionate about caring for growing families both in therapy and through Grow Our Village.
While I’m currently working toward full licensure, I bring extensive experience from diverse counseling roles and am grateful to learn under my supervisor, Jessica Penot, LPC-S. I’m in network with Alabama BCBS (ages 14+) and Alabama Medicaid (ages 14–21).
Charles Montgomery, LPC, MAC
Welcome! I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Substance Abuse from St. Edward’s University in Austin, TX, followed by a Master of Arts in Counseling. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Alabama and Texas.
As your therapist, my goal is to be present with you as you navigate life’s challenges—whether they stem from the past or concerns about the future. My role is not to change you, but to support and guide you through the changes you wish to explore. Symptoms such as anxiety, panic, depression, and phobias may reflect struggles with past or upcoming events. Together, we can work to find new meaning in these experiences.
My therapy style is eclectic, drawing from:
(EMDR) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
(DBT) Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive and Reality Therapy
Mindfulness Meditation.
These approaches help you develop healthy coping skills and foster personal growth.
“Humankind is affected not by events but by the meaning we place on them.” – Seneca
H.G. Hilton, ALC, M.Ed
they/them, under the supervision of Jessica Penot, LPC-S
“I want you to get excited about who you are, what you have, and what can still be for you. I want to inspire you to see that you can go far beyond where you are right now.” – Virginia Satir
H.G. works from a strengths-based foundation, highlighting individual strengths, autonomy, and community resourcing, as well as an existential viewpoint that we are all striving for meaning and purpose. H.G. enjoys working with clients that seek to better understand themselves, the world around them, and what is best for their life, free from the restraints of roles and expectations that don’t fit. The clients they work with best are those open and willing to dive deeper than traditional talk therapy, making meaningful changes in the way they navigate their world and the impact they have on it. H.G. sees individual clients 16 and older and holds an adverse religious experiences support group twice a month. They are neuroaffirmative, kink-friendly, and poly-friendly, and practice intentional awareness regarding culture, immigration, and disability. H.G.’s specialties include LGBTQIA2S+, late-diagnosed autism, and ADHD. H.G. also enjoys working with clients navigating changing religious beliefs.
When not working, H.G. can be found spending time with family, writing short stories, cross-stitching, and exploring cemeteries.
Ja’Vae Parham, LPC
Ja'Vae has been in the mental health field for over 4 years. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC05299). Ja’Vae received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Jacksonville State University and her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Alabama A&M University.
Ja’Vae enjoys working with teens and adults experiencing life transitions, high achieving individuals, and clients with mood disorders. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), as well as cinema and music techniques. Ja’Vae says, “I collaborate with clients in identifying how fiction and music can sometimes be associated with real life experiences and provide examples for how our thoughts influence our behavior. Relating to art and fiction can help clients see that they, in fact, are not isolated in their issues.”
Laura Benson, ALC
Under the supervision of Jessica Penot, LPC-S
I have a Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Southern New Hampshire University; my BS is in Psychology with an emphasis in child advocacy which I obtained from Athens State University. I have enjoyed gaining experience of working with a range of populations including children, students, athletes, and adults with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), sports performance issues, self-esteem issues, autism spectrum (ASD), and ADHD. I am pursuing licensure in counseling under the supervision of Jessica Penot LPC-S.
I believe that therapy is a unique experience for each individual using an eclectic and collaborative approach that provides a place to foster growth and introspection. My goal as your counselor is to help you reach your goals or greater and build coping skills to use in everyday life challenges. My goal as your counselor is to utilize the most effective techniques such as Cognitive-Behavioral therapy (CBT), Dialectical-Behavioral therapy (DBT), and exposure and response therapy (ERT) that fits the clients needs and builds on their strengths. Together we will work to identify distorted beliefs or distressing emotions and work to introduce change and improved healthier thoughts and actions. I am a neuro-affirmative counselor and enjoy working with the client to gain introspection and greater self understanding and acceptance.
I have been a swim instructor for the past 4 years and worked with kids for over 10 years. During my free time, I love competing in triathlons, races, running, hiking, spending time with family, friends, and my two dogs Rocky and Pebbles.
Mary Kate Hunt, ALC
Under the supervision of April McKee, LPC-S
Hi, I’m Mary Kate. I am an Associate Licensed Counselor as well as a National Certified Counselor. I use a trauma-informed, person-centered approach to ensure every client feels safe, understood, and empowered throughout the therapeutic process.
I work with individuals navigating neurodivergence—including autism, ADHD, and OCD—as well as those experiencing anxiety, depression, and challenges with self-esteem. I also specialize in supporting individuals living with chronic illness, drawing from a peer-counseling lens to offer compassionate, lived-experience-informed care. My goal is to provide a space where clients feel seen while learning to navigate life with greater confidence and clarity.
Under the supervision of April McKee, LPC-S, I am committed to creating an inclusive and supportive therapeutic environment. I strive to meet each client with genuine compassion, curiosity, and respect, helping them identify what they need to feel grounded, capable, and connected. I consider it a profound privilege to hold space for clients as they do the courageous work of sharing their stories.
Outside the therapy room, I enjoy reading, coaching indoor and sand volleyball, and exploring coffee shops with friends. These moments of connection inspire me personally and professionally and remind me of the power of community and vulnerability.
Nathan Beaulieu, LPC
Nathan Beaulieu, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Madison, Alabama, focuses his practice heavily on both relationship counseling and trauma recovery. Specializing in areas such as Marital and Premarital counseling, he works with individuals, couples, and families facing relationship challenges. He is committed to helping clients heal, grow, and thrive, often finding success with those struggling with relationship issues and life transitions.
Furthermore, Mr. Beaulieu is a trauma-informed professional, incorporating this perspective into his therapeutic approach. his expertise includes supporting individuals and couples in overcoming trauma and PTSD, with his primary focus areas covering all types of trauma, including sexual abuse. He is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and integrates various evidence-based approaches like CPT and Solution Focus to tailor services to each client’s unique needs. This specialized training allows him to provide a safe, empathetic, and non-judgmental environment for healing.
Rachel Lee, ALC
Under the Supervision of April McKee, LPC-S
My proverbial "couch" is open to everyone. Life is tough. You don't have to go through it alone. If you're feeling overwhelmed or overburdened with life circumstances, relationship issues, or symptoms of mental illness, we can figure it out. Having worked in the field of mental health since 2017, I have observed people from all walks of life overcome hardship. I'm ready to listen, learn about you and the difficulties you're facing, and walk beside you as we figure this thing out together. Regardless of what you bring to the counseling space, you will always have a supportive ear; a warm, therapeutic relationship is key to the counseling process. Clients can expect a friendly, conversational atmosphere in counseling that lets us work as a team on the issues.
I use a blend of techniques from CBT, DBT, SFBT, Cognitive Processing Therapy, IFS therapy, and more to ensure we can tackle whatever's going on. Under the supervision of April McKee, LPC-S, I see clients adolescent and older at sliding scale rates starting at $50/hour and select BCBS of AL plans under Lucet (please call to verify). Teletherapy options are available by request.
Rose Pesca, LMT
Rose is returning to her hometown in Alabama with a full heart. She is excited to join Tree of Life, working alongside her beloved sister, Jessica Penot.
Rose spent much of the past decade training extensively in the bodywork modalities she now brings home with her. She first studied at the Massage Therapy Institute of Colorado completing a 900 hour program that balanced both structural and energetic techniques. Her foundational studies included deep tissue, trigger point therapy, fascial release, acupressure and assisted stretching, among others.
She went on to complete advanced coursework in Craniosacral Therapy I & II and SomatoEmotional Release I & II through the Upledger Institute, as well as certification in Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapy with additional study in Neural Manipulation.
Rose’s work is compassionate and integrative—blending scientifically grounded modalities with intuitive techniques. She aims to create a space where each person’s story is honored and the body’s innate wisdom is supported.
Her areas of expertise were carefully curated to support others experiencing chronic and acute pain, to aid in recovery from injury or surgery, to alleviate psychological and neurological distress, and to release trauma stored in the body.
Outside of her practice, Rose finds joy in motherhood, and creative expression—values that influence her nurturing approach and inform her ability to restore balance through mindful, informed touch.
It is her passion to bridge the structural and the subtle, helping clients refind their equilibrium. She is honored to share these restorative therapies with her community, working alongside the talented team at Tree of Life Behavioral Health. She hopes to support each and every client on their path toward integration and well-being.
Rosemary Hilliard, ALC, MS.Ed
Under the supervision of Jessica Penot, LPC-S
I hold a Master of Education in School Counseling from Tennessee Tech University and a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Western Kentucky University. I spent nearly seven years serving as a school counselor in Tennessee and Virginia, experience that deeply shaped my commitment to supporting individuals and families. I am currently pursuing counseling licensure under the supervision of Jessica Penot, LPC-S.
My approach to counseling is warm, growth-oriented, and rooted in the belief that every person has the capacity to heal and thrive. I strive to create a safe, collaborative space where clients feel genuinely heard and supported. Using evidence-based methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy, I help individuals gently identify unhelpful thought patterns, reshape them into healthier beliefs, and build practical tools that support meaningful, lasting change.
I work with individuals ages 10 and up, tailoring the counseling process to meet each client’s unique needs. I am EMDR-informed and incorporate play therapy techniques when working with children to help them express themselves in developmentally supportive ways.
My goal is to walk alongside you as you grow, heal, and move toward a more grounded and fulfilling life.
Rishèe Paschel, ALC
Under the supervision of April McKee, LPC-S
I am dedicated to supporting children, adolescents, and families as they navigate emotional challenges, life transitions, and growth. With over a decade of experience in child- and family-focused settings, my work is grounded in compassion, connection, and a deep respect for each family’s unique story. My goal is to help children and families develop resilience, strengthen relationships, and build practical skills that support long-term well-being. It is an honor to walk alongside families as they work toward growth, healing, and meaningful change.
My approach is individualized and family-centered, drawing from evidence-based practices such as parent management training, family-based therapy, play-based interventions, self-esteem building, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I also hold specialized certifications in trauma-informed care and Mental Health First Aid for both youth and adults.
I believe that meaningful change happens when clients feel safe, understood, and actively supported. I strive to create a therapeutic environment where children, teens, and families feel attuned to, validated, and empowered to explore challenges at their own pace. Take the first step in healing today by reaching out for support.
Penny Radford, ALC
under the supervision of Jessica Penot, LPC-S
After three years at the Riley Center supporting children with learning disabilities and autism, I’ve built my practice around one core belief: young people thrive when their differences are understood, validated, and celebrated—not pathologized.
I specialize in helping kids and teens who feel misunderstood, overwhelmed, or “not enough” in school or at home. My approach is deeply neuroaffirmative, strengths‑based, and grounded in the idea that every brain deserves to be met with curiosity and respect.
I also work with clients navigating adverse religious experiences, offering a compassionate space to deconstruct harmful beliefs and rebuild a sense of identity, spirituality, and self‑worth on their own terms.
Whether we’re exploring learning differences, unmasking autistic identity, or healing from rigid religious environments, my goal is simple: to help young people feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow into their most authentic selves.

