East Memphis Team Gallery

Jamie Moses is a Nationally Certified Counselor with a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Memphis. She works with adolescents and adults to navigate challenges related to trauma, attachment-based issues, interpersonal conflicts, substance use, gender dysphoria, personality disorders, neurocognitive disorders, and emotional dysregulation.

Jamie often begins therapy looking for change and improvement, and maybe you’ve recently noticed increasing problems in your relationships, workplace conflict, or changes in your sleep patterns. With this awareness, you might be caught in a cycle of shame and emotional suffering.

What if we replace the feelings of shame and suffering with compassion, curiosity, and acceptance?

Her approach to healing is to create lasting transformation by bringing our unconscious beliefs to awareness so they can be transformed in a way that frees us from pain and allows us to live the lives we want to lead.

A phrase you’ll often hear from her is to “remain curious,” and that’s because she believes curiosity is a key ingredient to self-exploration and growth. Jamie looks forward to walking side-by-side with you on the journey to holistic healing.  

Tirra Rayford, a Licensed Master Social Worker, who is committed to guiding individuals on their journeys. She specializes in working with adolescents and young adults transitioning to adulthood, as well as individuals facing anxiety, depression, grief, loss, and life changes. Her passion lies in helping teens and adults navigate old wounds and discover their identities to find healing and clarity.

Tirra strives to create a safe, non-judgmental environment where clients are treated with respect and understanding. Her educational background and extensive work experience have effectively equipped her to address various challenges and traumas.

Using an understanding and empathetic listening approach, Tirra aims to foster a supportive space for clients to explore their emotions and experiences, facilitating growth and positive change.

She is a dedicated and compassionate therapist committed to helping her clients achieve their mental health goals. Her practice uses a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), person-centered therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, motivational interviewing, and psychoeducation. Tirra believes in creating a supportive and nurturing environment where clients can explore their thoughts and feelings, develop coping strategies, and build resilience. By integrating these evidence-based therapeutic approaches, she empowers individuals to overcome challenges, enhance their well-being, and lead fulfilling lives.

We all experience this world in different ways. Joshua’s focus is to assist in gaining awareness of how internal and external interactions shape the experience. Through a nonjudgmental and compassionate approach, he forms a relationship that encourages trust and safety. In this space, we utilize insight and different perspectives to encourage and challenge you to make your desired changes. His goal is empowerment in discovering authenticity and increased fulfillment with your experiences. With a background in multiple levels of care, he provides a variety of tools for the work you choose to do. Whether you are working through anxiety, depression, trauma, or multiple variations of grief due to life changes, you don’t have to walk alone.

Quinlan Rhodes strives to foster a nonjudgmental environment that encourages clients to feel safe and heard. She values authenticity and curiosity. Quinlan has experience working in outpatient settings that specialize in addiction treatment, and she has an interest in working with new parents and caregivers of young children, as well as individuals seeking meaning in their lives. She implements techniques that are reflective of each client's unique experiences and needs, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Internal Family Systems. Additionally, Quinlan enjoys exploring creative approaches to counseling that include visual art, poetry, dream work, and meditation. Quinlan believes that we each have the potential to live the lives we want by developing tools and practices that bring us closer to our goals and deeper purposes. Quinlan looks forward to joining clients on their healing journeys of self-discovery and personal empowerment.

Dr. Marissa Gray joins Forward Counseling as a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from The University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She teaches at the Loewenberg College of Nursing as a Clinical Assistant professor of Mental Health Nursing. She previously served as the clinical facilitator and clinician at Midsouth Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and has extensive experience in pediatric, adult, and recovery mental health, specializing in resilience, holistic wellness, and trauma-responsive psychiatric care with a focus on empowering self-efficacy, emotional regulation, and mindfulness-based stress reduction. Her interests lie at the intersection of advocacy, education, community networking, and program development. She intends to empower healthcare providers and leaders in interdisciplinary teamwork that promotes mental health, wellness, and resilience.

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.

Ranise is dedicated to helping women manage stress and anxiety, process grief and loss, divorce, navigate through traumatic events, and complex relationship issues, and reunite after incarceration. She often uses solution-focused therapy. She applies a variety of different intervention and treatment approaches, including; Exposure and Response Prevention for the Treatment of GAD, Panic Disorder, OCD, Social Anxiety, and Phobias. Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Substance Abuse counseling to help with addictive behaviors, and Mindfulness Stress Management interventions focus on relaxing and releasing stress and anxiety. Expressive Arts Therapy to help clients who lack the ability to articulate their inner world with words alone, and Reunification Counseling, to help incarcerated mothers prepare to reunite and reconnect with their children.

Length of Sessions:

Typically, Ranise works with clients for 8 to 12 weeks, depending on their individual needs. In your first session, she will explore what brought you to therapy, which will include a brief assessment. Together, you will set clear, specific goals that can help measure your progress.

Therapeutic Models:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, solution-focused therapy, Exposure Response Prevention Therapy, and Relaxation therapy

Specialized Services:

Stress and Anxiety, Grief and Loss, Divorce and Relationship Issues, and Traumatic Life Events

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!

Denice considers herself a “functional, flexible, and fun” therapist. “I want the client to work on activities in therapy that will be important on a daily basis, to client and family. If it isn’t working, I change it, and if it isn’t fun, I change it.”

She specializes in providing speech-language therapy to children with and without developmental disabilities ages 12 months - 6 years.

Denice has also provided social communication services, in the form of social skills groups, to middle school-age children, teenagers, and young adults on the Autism Spectrum for the past 15 years.

She enjoys working with parents regarding IEPS, early intervention, behavioral issues, executive function issues, goals for independence, and daily living skills.

Unlike most traditional therapy that works with a patient’s “story” and using unique and innovative techniques, Dean works directly with their emotions that are the root cause of all “unwanted conditions”. Trauma, depression, anxiety disorders, phobias, and most other unwanted emotional conditions are often resolved with only a few sessions. After quickly resolving the major emotional road blocks, Dean continues to work with clients to resolve more esoteric existential issues that serve as a long term hindrance to life’s enjoyment such as feelings of being unfulfilled, over-burdened, constantly stressed, or, as Eric Fromm described it, the human condition that creates a perpetual “existential longing”.

Long term services available include guidance in mediation techniques, mindfulness, self-awareness practices, and day-to-day practical life-coaching to aid the patient’s development of overall awareness and increased capacity for continued personal healing outside of treatment.

Sessions are available in person or via Zoom so help is available anywhere in the world.

Dr. Wanderman is a health advocate and doctor who utilizes progressive and effective techniques and considers his clients’ health from a Holistic Perspective. He believes that healing occurs when the whole person—body, mind, and emotions, are considered.

Dr. Wanderman has been in practice for over 45 years. His philosophy of practice is that there must be a partnership between patient and practitioner with open communication going both ways. He uses conventional medicine as well as nutrition, vitamins and supplements, and incorporate other alternative modalities when needed. His concern is overall health, and his goals are to keep clients off of medication whenever possible, and to teach clients how to be and stay at their healthiest.

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.

Jessica is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LENS technician, and the founder/CEO of Forward Counseling. She has over 10 years of experience working in the clinical mental health field in various settings and is a leader in holistic mental health care. She believes in treating and curing the symptoms a client may be experiencing by looking at and treating their entire system as a whole.

Jessica does LENS neurofeedback sessions as well as trauma therapy. She oversees our Trauma IOP program, where she helps clients who have experienced trauma and PTSD receive proper diagnoses and outline treatment plans which integrate various sessions together into one course of treatment! Neurofeedback can address and resolve symptoms from issues such as ADHD, addiction, depression, anxiety, trauma, bodily pain, neurological issues, balance issues, and sleep problems.