Meet the Team
Dr. Travis Smith, LPC
Travis Smith is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Doctor of Counseling and Supervision (PhD). Travis received his Master’s in Marital, Couple and Family of Counseling in 2006 and his Doctorate in Counselor Education and Counseling in 2009 from Idaho State University.
Jody Petzoldt, LPC
Jody Petzoldt is a Licensed Professional Counselor who received her Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling in 2010 from Southeast Missouri State University. Jody is a Certified First Responder Counselor and works with First Responders. She specializes in relationship and recovery counseling. With a background in Emotionally Focused Family Therapy, Jody facilitates the counseling process with a holistic approach based on connection, emotions, and sense of belonging. This, combined with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques allow for healing and recovery for individuals and families presenting with various issues.
Dr. Jan Ward, LPC, RPT-S
Dr. Janice Ward is a licensed professional counselor who has worked in agencies, clinics, and schools in the Southeast Region for 20 years. In her counseling sessions, she uses Person-Centered and Reality/Solution Focused therapy. Dr. Ward also uses strategies and techniques from a variety of other counseling theories to meet the needs of clients. She is currently in the process of becoming a Registered Play Therapist. Dr. Ward has experience with clients of all ages. Her areas of expertise include but are not limited to; depression, anxiety, self-harm, suicidal ideation, personality disorders, mood disorders, PTSD, crisis, grief/loss, and a variety of childhood issues such as ADHD, reactive attachment disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and others. Dr. Ward also has extensive experience in completing educational evaluations for learning disabilities.
Leah Crask-Ellis, LPC
Leah Crask-Ellis is a Licensed Professional Counselor who graduated from Central Methodist University in 2013 with a Masters of Science in Clinical Counseling. Leah most often approaches therapy from person centered, cognitive behavioral, and mindfulness theories but draws on other theories and practices to best suit her clients. Leah has a variety of therapeutic experiences including inpatient and outpatient settings and addressing concerns such as substance use, serious and chronic mental illness, suicidality, relationship difficulties, grief, depression, anxiety, sexual and gender identity concerns in children, adolescents, adults and couples. Leah has specialized training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) which are both evidenced based practices for addressing both major and minor traumas, and WPATH Standards of Care for working with transgender individuals.
Dr. Andy Siebert, LPC
Andy Siebert is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). Andy graduated from the University of the Cumberlands in 2024 with a Ph.D., in Counselor Education. He also graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 2019 with a Master’s of Arts in Mental Health Counseling and in 2020 with an Education Specialist in Counseling.
Rhonda Hughey, LPC, RPT
Rhonda Hughey is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 2019 with an Educational Specialist in Counseling. She is also a certified School Counselor, Psychological Examiner and a Registered Play Therapist.
Morgan Murphy, LPC
Morgan Murphy is a licensed professional counseling (LPC) and received her Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling in 2020 from Southeast Missouri State University. In her counseling sessions, she uses Existential and Solution Focused therapy. Morgan also uses techniques from a variety of other counseling theories in order to best meet the needs of her clients.
Doris Irvin, LPC, NCC
Doris Irvin is a Licensed Professional Counselor who graduated from the University of Missouri – Kansas City (go kangaroos!) in 2012 with a Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance. She is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and certified Medication Assisted Recovery Specialist (MARS). Doris has spent much of her professional career working at community mental health agencies and with clients who struggle with severe and persistent mental illness, economic hardship, and substance addiction.
Ellie Stroder, LPC
Ellie Stroder received her Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling in 2020 from Southeast Missouri State University and is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). She also received her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Southeast Missouri State University in 2017 and has experience working in Law Enforcement. In her counseling sessions, she uses an Existential lens as well as a variety of techniques from other counseling theories, which include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy.
Kim Backfisch, LPC, RPT
Kim Backfisch is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) and graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 2019 with an Educational Specialist in Counseling. She is also a certified School Counselor.
Stephanie Gilmore, LPC
Stephanie Gilmore graduated with her Masters in Community Counseling from Southeast Missouri State University in 2005. She has had the opportunity of being a Licensed Professional counselor in the Southeast Missouri area for 17+ years.
Throughout her years of experience, she has worked with children, adolescents and adults. Stephanie uses Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT) to encourage clients to identify healthy and happy beliefs, thoughts and behaviors to improve their quality of life. She has also been trained in EMDR to encourage clients to navigate through past traumatic experiences, anxiety and PTSD.
Stephanie specializes in working with substance use disorders, anxiety, depression, other mood disorders, personality disorders, relationships and PTSD.
Stephanie believes in focusing on her clients’ strengths and identifying alternative solutions for their continued growth.
Chelsie Boyd, LPC
Chelsie Boyd is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and is a certified School Counselor. Chelsie attended Southeast Missouri State where she obtained her Bachelor’s in Education in 2015, her Master’s in School Counseling in 2022, and her Education Specialist in Counseling in 2023.
Becky Bomar, LPC
Becky Bomar is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and received her Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling in 2021 from Southeast Missouri State University. She also graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Child Development. In her counseling sessions, Becky uses Gestalt therapy which is a humanistic and holistic therapeutic approach. .
KathAnn Willenborg, MSN, PMHNP-BC
KathAnn is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with extensive experience providing psychiatric care to adults and adolescents. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Southern Adventist University in 2016, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Regis University in 2014, and her Associate Degree in Nursing from Lakeland Community College in 2006.
Alli McKeever, LPC
Alli is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) completing her Education Specialist in Counseling at Southeast Missouri State University. She completed her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Southeast Missouri State University in 2023, and her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale in 2020. Alli uses a person-centered and cognitive behavioral approach to help clients achieve their personalized goals. She is passionate about holistic health and takes a special interest in trauma, self-esteem, relationships, and attachment.
Halle Matecki, LPC
Halle Matecki is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and minors in Criminology and Child Development, in May of 2021. She then completed her Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling in August of 2023. Halle uses a person-centered approach in counseling to assist clients with a multitude of concerns. She enjoys the outdoors, reading, and spending time with her cat, and with friends and family.
John Backfisch, LPC
John Backfisch is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and completed his Master of Arts in School Counseling in 2020 from Southeast Missouri State University.
Rhonda McClanahan, LPC
Rhonda McClanahan is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), National Board Certified Counselor (NBCC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC). She is also a certified School Counselor and Psychological Examiner. Rhonda graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1999 with a Masters of Arts (MA) in Community and Mental Health Counseling and again in 2011 with a Educational Specialist in Counseling (Ed. S).
Natalie Miller, PLPC
Natalie Miller is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC). She graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 2016 with a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies of psychology, management, and communication studies and in 2022 with an M.A. in Mental Health Counseling. She enjoys working with people of all ages and is passionate about facilitating growth and healing in the lives of those who are hurting, struggling, or facing life transitions.
Dani Dansby, Counselor-in-Training
Dani is a mental health counselor in training and will graduate with her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University in May 2025. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Sociology in December of 2019, and spent a few years working in integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders and psychosocial rehabilitation. Dani utilizes a cognitive-behavioral therapy approach with dimensions of person-centered therapy and dialectical behavior therapy.
Khloe Mize, Social Work Intern
Khloe is a social work student who will graduate with her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Missouri Baptist University in May 2025. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Criminology in December of 2023, and spent some time working as a child advocate for physical and sexual abuse. Khloe currently works in a non-profit transitional living organization as a shelter coordinator.
Kacie Hulshof, Intern
Kacie is a mental health counselor in training, set to graduate with her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University in August 2025. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business with a focus on Marketing and Sales from Missouri State University, earned in May 2016. With a background rooted in the agricultural industry, Kacie recognized a significant need for expanded mental health resources within her community, inspiring her journey into behavioral wellness. She integrates Person-Centered and Solution-Focused therapeutic approaches to support her clients’ growth and resilience.
Sierra Elliott Cotton, Intern
Sierra graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in December 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in child development. After obtaining her degree, she spent time working with children and young adults in mental health and social work settings. She will graduate with a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling in 2025 and is actively working toward becoming a registered play therapist. In her free time, you can find Sierra painting, eating tacos at La Luna, or relaxing on her couch watching movies and reading books.
Christina Cheek, Intern
Christina is a mental health counseling intern and will graduate with her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling in May 2025 from Asbury Theological Seminary. Christina worked in the business world before transitioning to non-profit work. It was in that non-profit work that Christina solidified her passion to work with individuals coping with substance use disorders, anxiety, depression, relationship and spiritual issues, and trauma…