Driven by personal experience and a longstanding commitment to helping others, Kristian Harris discovered her true calling in mental health, working tirelessly to give voice to children, empowering emotionally exhausted families, and inspiring individuals to keep writing their stories, no matter the obstacles.

Kristian has over 12 years of experience in mental health, beginning in 2011 with providing community support services for an intensive in-home program, quickly ascending to Program Director. In 2016, she began volunteering as a Support Network Facilitator for the Federation of Families of SC and later joined its Board of Directors in 2018. That same year, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from the University of South Carolina Beaufort.

She is trained in Mental Health First Aid, an evidence-based program that significantly increases participants’ mental health literacy, reduces stigma, and boosts confidence and intentions to help someone in distress. This program is designed to teach non-specialists how to identify and respond to mental health and substance use challenges through a structured action plan.

Kristian is also trained in The Alert Program Model, equipping her to support individuals experiencing crisis symptoms like emotional dysregulation, aggression, or withdrawal skills that enhance her ability to respond effectively during tense emotional moments.

Inspired by both her professional path and personal narrative, Kristian founded Peace From Pieces, a non-profit counseling practice dedicated to helping individuals gather the fragments of their lives and regain inner peace. Her compassionate leadership and faith-informed approach set the stage for clients to feel empowered, supported, and heard on their healing journey.

With over two decades of experience in the mental health field, Nicole McKinney brings a wealth of knowledge, compassion, and expertise to her clinical practice. Nicole holds a Master of Science in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University in Arizona and has dedicated her career to serving individuals and families impacted by trauma, dual diagnoses, and complex behavioral challenges.

Nicole began her work in mental health providing care in a group home for sexually traumatized females, which ignited her passion for trauma-informed care. Her early career included roles as an addiction specialist in a detoxification center and as a case manager providing intensive in-home services, experiences that deeply shaped her holistic and client-centered approach.

Nicole is a Certified Sex Offender Treatment Specialist and a member of the National Association of Forensic Counselors. She is trained to conduct AASI Adult and Adolescent Psychosexual Risk Assessments and brings clinical precision and ethical rigor to her work in forensic assessment.

In addition to her certification as a Clinical Trauma Professional, Nicole is a Rostered Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Broker and has received training in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), further strengthening her work with children, adolescents, and families navigating the impact of early attachment disruptions and complex trauma.

Nicole specializes in working with adolescents, adults, and families experiencing dual diagnoses, including ADHD, ODD, depression, anxiety, and maladaptive sexual behavior patterns. Her extensive knowledge of trauma-informed care, combined with her forensic and clinical expertise, allows her to provide compassionate, evidence-based support to clients navigating life’s most difficult challenges.

Her professional orientation is grounded in using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Reality Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Person-Centered Therapy; however, other theories are incorporated to meet the needs of the client served.

Nicole takes the following insurance: Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare/Optum, Aetna, Select Health Medicaid, Molina Medicaid, Absolute Total Care Medicaid, Healthy Blue Medicaid, Humana Medicaid and Fee For Service Medicaid. She is also cash pay for insurances in which she is not in network.

Lori Kallio is a dedicated and compassionate mental health professional with over 20 years of experience providing therapeutic services to children, adolescents, and families. She holds a Master of Education in Counseling from the University of Missouri–St. Louis and has built her career around helping young people navigate the lasting impacts of trauma, abuse, and disrupted attachment.

Lori has extensive experience working with children and adolescents who have experienced abuse and neglect, those in foster care, and youth with histories of inpatient or residential treatment. Her clinical work is grounded in a deep understanding of trauma and its effects on development, behavior, and family systems. She also brings valuable expertise in working with individuals and families affected by substance use and complex trauma.

A passionate advocate for healing through connection and play, Lori skillfully integrates both directive and non-directive play therapy approaches to help children and adolescents develop vital social and emotional skills. She creates a supportive and developmentally sensitive therapeutic environment where clients can feel safe, seen, and empowered.

Lori is especially committed to supporting children and families facing trauma, attachment disruptions, and developmental delays, guiding them with empathy, clinical insight, and evidence-based strategies to foster resilience and long-term growth.

Her professional orientation is grounded in using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person Centered Therapy and various methods to meet the needs of the client she is serving.

Lori takes the following insurance: Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare/Optum, Aetna, Select Health Medicaid, Molina Medicaid, Absolute Total Care Medicaid, Healthy Blue Medicaid, Humana Medicaid and Fee For Service Medicaid. She is also cash pay for insurances in which she is not in network.

Cotaliana “Coco” Cunningham‑Hill is a compassionate and skilled clinical mental health counselor with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Over the past six years, Coco has dedicated her practice to supporting children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families who have experienced significant trauma, abuse, neglect, and disruption—particularly those involved in the foster care system.

She brings strong expertise in treating mood disorders, ADHD, anxiety, depression, trauma, and maladaptive coping strategies. Coco is trained in Trauma‑Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF‑CBT), an evidence-based intervention for trauma that has demonstrated significant reductions in PTSD, anxiety, depression, and behavioral symptoms.

She is also trained in supporting individuals with eating disorders, using both secular and faith‑integrated approaches. Coco offers, upon request, Christian‑faith-based counseling rooted in a holistic understanding of spiritual, emotional, and physiological healing—an approach grounded in Christian counseling principles that emphasize healing through Christ.

Coco’s therapeutic style emphasizes strengthening healthy communication and resolving conflict. She skillfully applies both directive and non-directive play therapy tools with children and adolescents to build social and emotional skills. She also works with adults and couples to enhance relationship dynamics through intentional communication strategies.

Her professional orientation is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and other various methods in order to meet her client where they are in the treatment process.

Cotaliana currently takes the following insurance: takes the following insurance: Aetna, Ambetter, Select Health Medicaid, Molina Medicaid, Absolute Total Care Medicaid, Healthy Blue Medicaid, Humana Medicaid and Fee For Service Medicaid. She is also cash pay for insurances in which she is not in network.

Sylver Samuel holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. She is trained and certified in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), an evidence-based, trauma-focused intervention that utilizes guided eye movements and imagery rescripting to help individuals process and reframe distressing memories. ART has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety within a brief treatment period.

Sylver's clinical expertise encompasses trauma-informed care, neurodiversity, and the differentiation of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from co-occurring mental health diagnoses. She is passionate about utilizing play therapy techniques to engage children and adolescents who face challenges in processing emotions or who struggle to engage in traditional therapeutic settings. Play therapy provides a safe and nurturing environment where individuals can express their experiences and emotions related to trauma through activities such as drawing, storytelling, and role-playing. Her background in sports aids in her approach with teens, emphasizing resilience, teamwork and personal growth. In addition to her work with children and adolescents, Sylver enjoys supporting adult women who have experienced difficult life situations.

Sylver believes in the importance of psychoeducation for clients and their families to implement necessary skills for family wholeness. She strives to create a collaborative and empathetic therapeutic environment that fosters healing and personal development.

Her professional orientation is grounded in using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy and various approaches to other theories to meet the client where they are.

Sylver takes the following insurance: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Multiplan, Ambetter, Select Health Medicaid, Molina Medicaid, Absolute Total Care Medicaid, Healthy Blue Medicaid, Humana Medicaid and Fee For Service Medicaid. She is also cash pay for insurances in which she is not in network.

Adonis is a registered American Bully with both the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) and the United Kennel Club (UKC). As a service dog in training, he accompanies Sylver Samuel, during all therapy sessions. His presence provides emotional support and comfort to clients, enhancing the therapeutic environment.

Adonis's involvement in therapy aligns with the benefits of animal-assisted interventions, which have been shown to improve emotional well-being and support individuals in managing psychological challenges.

While Adonis is utilized in the therapy room, he is still in training and is guided by his instructor.

Elizabeth Emery is a trauma-informed licensed clinical social worker with a Master of Social Work from Tulane University in New Orleans. She has experience across outpatient and psychiatric residential care settings, working with individuals affected by dual diagnoses—such as ASD, ADHD, depression, and anxiety—as well as those impacted by early childhood trauma, attachment disruptions, foster care, and adoption.

In her therapeutic work with children and teens, Elizabeth employs play therapy, storytelling, and regulation-centered methods to help clients process emotions, strengthen insight, and nurture connection. She is passionate about supporting adults in healing relational wounds, reclaiming identity, and interrupting generational patterns of trauma.

She also specializes in co-parenting therapy and guiding families through divorce, custody transitions, and blended family adjustments—helping caregivers shift from conflict to collaboration by repairing relational ruptures and focusing on the child’s needs.

Elizabeth’s approach is grounded in connection, compassion, and curiosity. She believes every behavior tells a story—and that even the most challenging behaviors gain clarity when we explore what’s underneath. She offers a trauma-informed, neurodivergent‑affirming, and LGBTQ+‑affirming framework, integrating evidence-based modalities—including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Attachment-Based Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT (TF‑CBT), alongside creative and flexible strategies tailored to meet clients where they are.

Elizabeth takes the following insurance: Aetna, Ambetter, Select Health Medicaid, Molina Medicaid, Absolute Total Care Medicaid, Healthy Blue Medicaid, Humana Medicaid and Fee For Service Medicaid. She is also cash pay for insurances in which she is not in network.

Katelyn Da Ponte is a compassionate and client-centered mental health therapist with a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Southern Wesleyan University. With nearly a decade of combined experience in education and mental health, she specializes in working with children, adolescents, teens and young adults (age 5 to 20)—particularly those navigating trauma, learning differences, emotional regulation challenges, and academic pressures.

Prior to becoming a therapist, Katelyn served as a Special Education Teacher and 504 Coordinator, providing individualized support for middle and high school students through education plans, behavioral interventions, and trauma-informed care. This background has shaped her deep understanding of neurodiversity, family systems, and the complex emotional needs of young people.

Katelyn supports clients experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief, behavioral challenges, and trauma responses. Her professional orientation is rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and trauma-informed practices. She is known for creating structured, empathetic spaces where clients feel safe, understood, and empowered.

Trained in crisis response, grief support, and behavior de-escalation, Katelyn brings a steady, supportive presence to her work. She prioritizes building collaborative, strengths-based relationships with both clients and their families, tailoring strategies to meet each individual where they are. Her ultimate goal is to help young people build resilience, understand their emotions, and develop practical tools for long-term well-being.

Katelyn takes the following insurance: Aetna, Ambetter, Select Health Medicaid, Molina Medicaid, Absolute Total Care Medicaid, Healthy Blue Medicaid, Humana Medicaid and Fee For Service Medicaid. She is also cash pay for insurances in which she is not in network.

Teshia Alston is pursuing her Master of Mental Health Counseling at Grand Canyon University and provides direct clinical services under supervision of Lori Kallio, LPCS. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from ECPI in Virginia Beach and brings years of experience as a behavioral modification specialist working with adolescents. Teshia supports teenagers and adults in mastering essential life and relationship skills to improve mental health and overall quality of life, especially among individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, ADHD, and borderline personality disorder (BPD).

In practice, Teshia expertly integrates these modalities to create individualized support plans that meet each client's unique needs and strengths. Her collaborative and client-centered approach fosters resilience, self-awareness, and adaptive coping strategies.

Her professional orientation is grounded in using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person Centered Therapy and utilizing Dialectical Behavioral Therapy techniques to meet the needs of each individual in which she is serving.