Cy Leist is a Licensed Master Social Worker passionate about helping people acquire the skills they need to reach their goals. His aim is to blend evidence-based practices with an emphasis on building a strong therapeutic relationship. Cy sees his clients as the master of their stories and as their own agents of change. He hopes to create a safe space where clients are free to be their whole selves, free of judgement. Cy has a background working with college students and young adults and finds that to be a population of special interest to him. He also loves working with the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. While he tries to tailor a treatment plan uniquely to the client, he favors several therapeutic approaches. These include humanistic therapy, solution-focused therapy, and CBT. These modalities are particularly effective for those experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, and low self-esteem.

Cy graduated from Mississippi College with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2021. He then transitioned to the University of Memphis, where he received a Master of Social Work degree in 2023. Cy especially likes the “person-in-environment” (PIE) perspective upon which social work is built. Rather than simply looking at the individual person, Cy feels it is important to look holistically at the internal and external factors that may be contributing to a presenting problem. One of Cy’s core values is lifelong learning, and he is a strong advocate of cultural humility both in and outside of the therapy room.

As a professional cellist and tLPC-MHSP, Alisa believes in the unbelievable healing power of music and expressive arts therapy for all. As a certified rehabilitation counselor, Alisa believes in helping people with disabilities, whether mental, physical, or invisible to meet their full potential. She is able to help PWD with a variety of needs, including vocational rehabilitation counseling, career counseling, and adjustment to life with chronic illness. She views each client holistically and treats everyone with empathy, respect, humor, and compassion.

Alisa works with clients of all backgrounds and mental health diagnoses. She has experience with co-occurring disorders, substance use disorders, development disability, intellectual disability, re-entry post-incarceration, supported employment for veterans, and using music therapy for a variety of mental health diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Alisa is trained in EMDR therapy while other approaches include strengths-based therapy, music/expressive arts, Interpersonal Social Rhythm therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, solution-focused brief therapy, animal-assisted therapy, dialectical-behavior therapy, and cognitive behavior therapy.

Alisa is a native Midtown Memphian, but worked as a professional cellist in the New York City area for 15 years, mostly performing in Broadway shows. Since returning to Memphis, Alisa is thrilled to finally fulfill her dream of combining music and mental health to help people in the Memphis community.

Lauryn is a certified Physician Assistant with a kind demeanor and compassionate personality towards all clients, regardless of age, ethnicity, sexual orientation or self-identify.

Lauryn enjoys working with clients who are experiencing depression, anxiety, ADHD, issues with attention and alcohol consumption (Sinclair Method). She has a background working with children, adolescents and young adults who are dealing with ADHD and autism. She believes in spending time with each client to truly hear and understand their symptoms.

She has a passion for helping clients find the correct path to medication management, especially those who are new to medication or feel like they have tried a bit of everything without finding what works well.

Lauryn graduated from Christian Brothers University with a BS in biology in 2013 and a Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies in 2017. She has experience working in Emergency Medicine and neurology. She is eager to help clients from every background find a holistic pathway to their brain health and medical treatment.

Low self esteem, relationship problems, and communication issues can be incredibly frustrating to deal with. Nakicia is here to help clients on their journey to find and use their voices. She has over 10 years of experience working with children and families dealing with depression, anxiety, anger, behavior issues, and chronic medical conditions. She is here to work with clients in a variety of ways. Nakicia offers individual, couples, and family therapy.

Nakicia uses a variety of therapeutic process with an emphasis on Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy. She believes in partnering with the families to reach desired outcomes during therapy. Nakicia is also a Gottman Trained Couples Therapist offering couples sessions.

Katherine approaches therapy with the goal of helping clients feel safe and comfortable to explore their needs and wants from a stance of empowerment.

She utilizes empathy, authenticity, creativity, and humor to create a warm atmosphere where clients can work through past issues, productively plan for the future, and encounter themselves honestly as each moment unfolds in the present.

Katherine works with clients ages 13+ and is skilled in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, body image, self-esteem, anger management, and transition issues. She also has specialized training and experience working with older adults with dementia and other cognitive and age-related changes. She also works with teenagers and adults of all ages who identify as LGBTQIA+ and is well-versed in helping clients who are questioning their identities, beginning the coming-out process, and/or transitioning. She is included as a recommended specialist for transgender mental health in the local OUTMemphis Resource Guide and can provide letters of recommendation for gender affirming medical treatment and surgical procedures.

In practice, she integrates therapeutic modalities of narrative therapy, somatic experiential techniques, emotion-focused therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and attachment theory and inner child work. Her approach is heavily informed by Feminist and Queer theories.

She attended Hendrix College and received a BA with Honors in Psychology and a minor in English. She then attended the University of Memphis to obtain an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, after which she obtained her Doctor of Education in Counseling (EdD).

Tristan is a national certified counselor with a wide array of experience working with kids, adolescents, and young adults.

Tristan believes in meeting clients where they are, as everyone has a different and unique journey that has led them to where they are today. She offers an open-minded and judgment-free space so clients can feel safe to be their authentic selves through their journey.

She has experience working with clients who are in the midst of life changes, trauma symptoms, transitional/adjustment issues, identity development concerns, interpersonal difficulties, anger problems, mood disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety), and destructive behaviors/urges (e.g., suicidal ideation, non-suicidal self-injury) to list a few.

Her theoretical orientation depends on the client's presenting concerns, as this process is individualized to meet the client's needs. Some approaches include Dialectical-Behavior Therapy, Strengths-Based, Mindfulness, Person-Centered, Solution-Focused, Adlerian, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and Trauma-Focused CBT.

She is a native Memphian and loves to serve this community. She earned her M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and B.A. in Psychology. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in the Counseling Education and Supervision program at the University of Memphis. Go Tigers!

Are you ready to grow mentally, emotionally and spiritually? Michael believes that every human being has the capacity and right to think, feel, learn, love, and to grow into one’s maximum potential. He helps clients develop the coping skills, motivation, self esteem, confidence, and perspective taking needed to face struggles within and outside of one’s self.

He utilizes a variety of therapeutic approaches, including but not limited to experiential, humanistic, person centered, cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavioral, solution focused, motivational enhancement, and acceptance and commitment therapies.

Krystle is a caring and friendly LENS Neurofeedback technician who takes pride in not only listening to her clients, but making sure they feel truly heard.

Krystle was certified in LENS Neurofeedback at Ochs Labs. While she has always had an interest in psychology and the functions of the human brain, she did not realize her calling in brain health until she began LENS Neurofeedback for herself, here at Forward Counseling.

After seeing the results of LENS Neurofeedback sessions on her own brain health, Krystal realized how much it could help others who are struggling. As a former Chief Financial Officer of a women’s shelter for domestic violence victims, she immediately saw the need for LENS Neurofeedback in communities like these that are suffering and may not have fair access to innovative resources to treat debilitating symptoms of trauma and PTSD.

Krystal works with clients with all backgrounds and mental health diagnoses. She is fascinated with how effective LENS Neurofeedback has been for a number of clients with a diverse list of diagnoses, including herself, and is passionate about spreading the awareness and accessibility of invaluable brain health services like LENS Neurofeedback. Click here to learn more about LENS Neurofeedback!

Liz is a therapist with a mission to guide her clients to self-healing through learning how to build a healthy relationship with themselves. She likes to utilize holistic approaches that create safety and trust within, and focus on the mind, body, and soul to help clients learn how to work with difficult emotions.

Liz works with adults who are struggling with life’s difficult experiences like anxiety, depression, trauma, and life changes. She enjoys working most with those who are motivated for change, ready to do the work, and are willing to learn more about their human experience in order to grow their understanding of their true selves.

She is trained in EMDR, Ego-state therapy, and TF-CBT. She also employs CBT, DBT-informed techniques, person-centered therapy, mindfulness, and integrative somatic techniques when appropriate. She ultimately aims to provide a safe and supportive space for clients to explore their own human experience.

Everyone has a story and experiences that they have learned to adapt to, and Liz aims to help clients understand that with guidance, it is possible to build a relationship with oneself to cultivate a life grounded in trust, safety, and habitual self-healing.

Rachel is an empathetic, innovative, and experienced counselor who believes that each person is unique and wonderful. She aims to help clients take an introspective look at environmental factors, familial factors, personality traits and more to comprise a treatment plan tailored to each client.

Rachel works with clients ages 15 and up who are dealing with depression, anxiety, anger, ADHD, family and relationship issues, trauma, or are looking to find their purpose in life. She has experience working with the LGBTQ+ community and helping clients discover and show their true colors. She also has experience working with those who are going through a breakup, divorce, or experiencing issues with family dysfunction and conflict.

She uses a number of modalities based on what is best for each individual, including CBT, DBT, MI, Femnist therapy, Gestalt, Narrative, and Solution Focused therapies.

Rachel began her education in Athens, Ohio with a BA in psychology. She gained her Post-Baccalaureate in Cincinnati, and began working at an outpatient treatment center adolescents and adults at an outpatient center in New Orleans. Her love of travel and desire for new experiences led her to Los Angeles, where she earned a Master’s in Counseling at Antioch University and worked at a prestigious inpatient facility as a facilitator at the West Hollywood LGBTQ center. After a small hiatus in which she traveled the world singing, she came back to her hometown to wait out the pandemic and finish her Master’s degree.

She finished her degree with a specialization in LGBTQ Affirmative therapy and interned at a non-profit that specialized in providing free therapy to LGBTQ youth. Her journey then took her to Memphis, TN where she continues to counsel those looking for a guide to finding success and happiness in life. Rachel is excited to use her knowledge to help clients obtain goals and manifest the best life possible.

Vaniessa has been a Mental Health and Behavioral Therapist since 1996. She is well rounded, easy to talk to, and works with both adolescent and adult clients. She specializes in helping adolescents find their voices and path in life, and is experienced in helping teens who deal with depression, anxiety, and substance abuse problems reach their best selves.

For more than 20 years, Vaniessa has worked with adolescents and their families. Even if some don’t recognize it anyway, everyone has the energy and desire to want to change and develop into a stronger individual. Especially as a young person, it can be be hard not to feel alone when struggling. Vaniessa understands that people want someone to listen to them without being judged or made to feel like something is wrong with them, and is happy to help clients realize their value and overcome any hardship.

Vaniessa’s hobbies include reading, crossword puzzles, shopping, and traveling. She has a fun personality and loves to laugh, especially with clients who will laugh with her.