Jessica Penot, LPC-S
Jessica currently has a waitlist.
Please contact the front office for more information. |
Jessica Penot is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in Alabama, a Certified Trauma Counselor, A Certified Safe and Sound Protocol Provider and A Certified Trauma Oriented Yoga Instructor. Jessica has over twenty years of clinical experience and enjoys working with those struggling with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), adults on the autism spectrum, gender dysphoria, and rape and incest survivors. Jessica is a neuroaffirmative therapist who has dedicated years to writing and researching about life on the Spectrum. Her treatment manual for autistic adults will be released by New Harbinger Press next year. Jessica has spent a considerable amount of time working with the LGBTQ 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 currently has a waitlist.
Please contact the front office for more information. |
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 currently has a waitlist.
Please contact the front office for more information. April is not currently accepting applications for LPC supervision candidates. |
The approach in my practice as a therapist is highlight individual strengths and personal goals for mental wellness. I aim to provide comprehensive treatment that encompasses all aspects of wellness by incorporating the
biological, sociological, and psychological factors that influence overall health. For clients that expresses interest, I also integrate the impact of spirituality, faith, or religion into the treatment process. Each session is designed to be a judgment-free space, serving as a place of safety and sanctuary. Throughout my nearly 20-year career, I have had the privilege of working with agencies in various settings, including outpatient, inpatient, in-home, and school-based environments across north and central Alabama, supporting clients of all ages and diverse needs. For four of those years, I had the opportunity to serve as a clinical supervisor at a substance use disorder clinic, collaborating closely with family and drug court programs. Additionally, I have experience providing trauma recovery services to survivors of the April 27, 2011, tornado outbreak, which paved the way for my role as a public safety researcher with the National Weather Service. In 2021, I embarked on my journey as a private practice therapist in Madison, AL. I am delighted to have joined the Tree of Life team in 2024. While I have training and experience in treating multiple diagnoses and concerns, I currently focus on providing individual therapy services to clients aged 14 and older in these areas:
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Charles Montgomery, LPC, MAC
Charles accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Specialties:
- PTSD - Anger Management - Addiction/ Recovery - Grief/Loss - Anxiety/Panic/Phobias Certifications: - EMDRIA Approved EMDR Therapist - Certified Mindfulness Specialist - Certified Anger Resolution Therapist (CART) - Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) |
I received my Bachelor’s degree from St. Edwards University, Austin, TX with a degree in
Liberal Studies with a concentration in Substance Abuse. Then, I received my Masters of Arts in Counseling degree. I hold two Licensed Professional Counselor licenses in Alabama and Texas. As your therapist you will find someone who will be present with you as you deal with past or present struggles. My job is not to change you but to help guide you through the changes you wish to explore. Anxiety, panic, depression, phobias...may be symptoms of struggles with future events or struggles with past events. Together, let’s work to find new meaning for past or present events. My therapy style is an eclectic approach utilizing Cognitive Therapy, Reality Therapy, EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and Mindfulness Meditation to learn healthy coping skills. “Humankind is affected not by events but by the meaning we place on them.” - Seneca |
Ja'Vae Parham, LPC
Ja'Vae accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield and self pay.
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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.” |
Nathan Beaulieu, LPC
Nathan accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield and self pay.
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My name is Nathan Beaulieu. I am an LPC in the State of Alabama, with additional TF-CBT certification and certified by NBCC. My primary focus areas are all types of trauma including sexual abuse, marriage and couples, anxiety, and depression. My therapeutic approach is rooted in empathy, compassion, and a non-judgmental attitude. I incorporate elements of evidence-based therapies, including CBT, Solution Focus, and Person-Centered Therapy. This integrative approach allows me to tailor my services to each client's unique needs and circumstances.
My client focus encompasses individuals, couples, and families from diverse backgrounds and age groups. I specialize in working with clients navigating life transitions, relationship challenges, anxiety, depression, and trauma. I am committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity, respect, and empathy, ensuring that each client feels seen, heard, and valued. My communication style is warm, engaging, and collaborative. I believe in actively listening to clients, acknowledging their emotions, and validating their experiences. Through open and honest dialogue, I want to empower clients to express themselves authentically without fear of judgment. |
Audrey Smith, MA Ed, ALC, NCC
Audrey accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicaid, and
self pay. |
Audrey brings to Tree of Life Behavioral over a dozen years' experience in counseling, serving previously as a school counselor, substance abuse counselor, and non-profit director. She received her Masters of Education in School Counseling from the University of North Alabama and her Bachelors in Humanistic Psychology from the University of West Georgia. Her background has given her the knowledge to help those who have experienced trauma or rejection turn their pain into purpose. Audrey works from a collaborative, holistic, and strengths-based approach; assisting and supporting clients to be the author of their own lives. Audrey has a passion for advocating for the underdogs, the disenfranchised, the misfits, and the weirdos. She has developed a niche in working with teens and adults to plan for their next phase of life, as well as pregnant and postpartum persons; to confidently arrive as their most authentic self. She also volunteers as a CAJA (Court Appointed Juvenile Advocate) and serves on the leadership team of Huntsville Women for Good. She is pursuing a certification in perinatal mental health counseling. She is completing her licensure in counseling under the supervision of Jessica Penot, LPC-S. “The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” - Carl Jung |
H.G. Hilton, ALC, M.Ed
H.G. currently has a waitlist.
Please contact the front office for more information. |
“I want you to get excited about who you are, what 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.
I love working with clients who are "just trying to figure things out" and who feel like they don't quite fit in. My areas of expertise are in LGBTQIA2S+ issues, life transitions, and neurodivergence. I am LGTBQIA2S+ affirming, sex-positive, and poly- and kink-friendly. I work collaboratively with clients to find what is best for them, and my best partnerships have been with clients eager to explore, expand, and discover more about themselves. I practice an eclectic approach focused on strengths, autonomy, and fostering connection. I approach every session with the belief that you have everything you need inside of you to have the life you want, but something or some things have gotten in the way of your wellness. It's my job to help you find ways to adapt and adjust so you can be your best self. In their free time, H.G. can be found exploring cemeteries, embroidering cryptids, practicing piano, and snuggling with their dog, cats, and bearded dragon. |
Laura Benson, ALC
Laura accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicaid, and
self pay. |
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. |
Rachel Lee, ALC
Rachel accepts self pay.
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My proverbial "couch" is open to everyone, with a specialized focus on LGBTQ+ and BIPOC populations. Life can be 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, help is available. 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, and I'm excited to offer that to you.
I use a blend of techniques from reality therapy, CBT, solution-focused brief therapy, person-centered therapy, narrative therapy, feminist therapy, and more to ensure we can tackle whatever you've got going on. Clients can expect a friendly, conversational atmosphere in counseling that lets us work as a team on the issues. Having worked in the mental health field since 2017, I have observed people from all walks of life overcome hardship. Teletherapy options are available on request. |
Rosemary Hilliard, ALC, MS.Ed
Rosemary accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicaid, and
self pay. |
I have a Masters of Education in School Counseling from Tennessee Tech University; my BS is in Social Work and that degree came from Western Kentucky University. I worked as a school counselor for almost 7 years in Tennessee as well as in Virginia. I am pursuing licensure in counseling under the supervision of Jessica Penot LPC-S.
I believe that counseling should be growth oriented. My goal as a counselor is to help my clients develop the coping skills they need to flourish and move forward in life. Utilizing techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy, I will help you with identifying once distorted beliefs and thoughts and change them to productive thoughts and create actions to progress to the new thoughts and ultimately a new healthier life. I am a neuro-affirmative counselor. I work with families as well as individuals of all ages. I use play therapy techniques with children. |
Mary Kate Hunt, Intern
Mary Kate is open for self pay clients at reduced, intern rates. Please contact the front office for more information.
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Mary Kate is a student counseling intern pursuing her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health from the University of West Alabama. She adopts a trauma-informed approach to ensure that every client feels safe, understood, and empowered.
Under the supervision of Jessica Penot, LPC-S, Mary Kate offers low-cost autism assessments and counseling sessions, dedicated to making high-quality mental health services accessible to individuals and families in the community. She considers it a profound privilege to offer a space where clients can courageously share their stories. When she is not in the office, Mary Kate enjoys reading a good book, coaching indoor and sand volleyball for a local club, and visiting local coffee shops with friends. These moments of connection and joy inspire Mary Kate in her personal and professional life, reminding her of the power of community and vulnerability. |