Amanda Brown has 15 years of experience as a counselor and 10 years of clinical supervision. She lives in Columbia and works as a training director and therapist at the US Department of Veterans Affairs. She has experience in counseling children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of settings, including private practice, federally qualified health centers, and addiction treatment facilities. As a clinician, she uses EMDR, CBT, and person-centered theories with clients. As a supervisor, she draws from Bernard’s Discrimination Model and the Integrated Developmental Model. She is passionate about advocacy for the counseling profession. In her spare time, she loves to travel the world, spend time with her cat (Reepicheep), and bake. 

Marquita Heyward, MA, LPC, received her Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling from South Carolina State University in 2011. As a mental health professional, she has experience in a variety of mental health settings, including intensive outpatient, inpatient, and outpatient. Her focus is on treating trauma and anxiety collaboratively with her clients through a bottom-up approach. Furthermore, as the lead clinician at Firm Foundations Counseling and Wellness, she utilizes evidence-based therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Brainspotting to assist clients in achieving their treatment goals. Creating a safe and comfortable environment for clients to express their feelings and process their thoughts is important to her, and she strives to help them understand their innate resilience.

Karissa Rector is an LPC. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Furman University and her EdS degree in Counselor Education from USC. She specializes in treating eating disorders and is working towards her CEDS certification. Karissa works with clients from a systemic lens using Emotion-Focused Family Therapy and other systems approaches. She also works with individuals using various techniques, from CBT, ACT, narrative, and DBT. Karissa is an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University, where she teaches the group therapy course.

Vanessa Brown, LPCS has been a mental health therapist for approximately 25 years, working with children, adolescents, families, and adults. She has been with the Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center for approximately 20 years in a variety of roles. Ms. Brown currently supervises a team of therapists who work with adults, adolescents and children in the clinic, home, and school settings for the Dorchester Mental Health Clinic. She also provides training for clinicians in CBT, MI, self-care, and outcome measures, as well as training for the community on mental health. Ms. Brown is a Licensed Professional Counselor in South Carolina and obtained her Licensed Counselor Supervisor designation in 2017.

Latasha Brown Baird, LPCS, LCMHCS is the owner and founder of Brown Clinical Services, which is a group behavioral health private practice that offers counseling services. Brown Clinical Services’ mission is to provide quality counseling services that meet the holistic needs of individuals, families, and couples through addressing the emotional, mental, behavioral, physical, and spiritual well-being. Latasha earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina. She also earned a Master of Education in Agency Community Counseling from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. Latasha is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor in SC and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Supervisor in North Carolina. Latasha has worked in various clinical settings including but not limited to outpatient counseling, residential treatment facility, private, non-profit, and government settings. Latasha has worked with all ages, from children up to the geriatric population. Latasha has provided clinical supervision oversight to
Master Level student interns pursuing a degree in the counseling field. Latasha’s Vision is “No one has to do life alone, let a caring counselor help you during your difficult times.” Latasha’s Motto is “Teaming Together for Excellence” to offer “Quality Counseling” to the community. “A Healthy YOU is a healthy COMMUNITY!”

Barbara Melton, M.Ed., is an LPC and LAC Supervisor and Clinical Supervisor with the Addictions Professionals of SC. She has a private practice in Summerville and specializes in trauma, grief/loss, and self-injury. She is the Past President of the Board of the South Carolina Association of Licensed Professional Counselors. She is also a contract Supervisor for the Dorchester A&D Commission and the Fairfield Behavioral Health Services. She also teaches the Clinical Supervision & Consultation course for the South Carolina Clinical Mental Health Counselors Association.