Hope Grows Center for Counseling

Andrea (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Counselor Supervisor in the state of Alabama. She completed her master’s degree in Professional Counseling at Middle Tennessee State University and her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Alabama. Andrea is passionate about working with individuals from all walks of life and helping them along their journey with compassion and acceptance. Andrea takes an integrative approach to therapy that focuses on identifying strengths and empowering individuals to work through their established goals. Andrea accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance and private payments.

Andrea is not currently accepting new clients.

L.B. Brown (she/her) is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) licensed in the state of Alabama with a passion for supporting pregnant and postpartum individuals. She completed both her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Social Work at the University of Alabama and has over five years of experience working with diverse communities. L.B. has received her Perinatal Mental Health Certification through Postpartum Support International and is committed to closing the gaps in perinatal mental health care. 

She takes a holistic, person-centered approach to therapy, tailoring each treatment plan to the individual’s unique strengths, goals, and lived experiences. Her counseling style is warm, interactive, and rooted in respect, compassion, and sensitivity — all essential for supporting birthing people through the challenges of pregnancy, postpartum and beyond.

Perinatal mental health is a significant public health concern, with research showing that up to 1 in 7 people experience postpartum depression. Despite this common occurrence, many individuals face barriers to support. Her work also extends to those navigating pregnancy loss and adoption, recognizing the unique emotional challenges that come with these experiences. L.B. provides a safe, nonjudgmental space for individuals to process grief, complex emotions, and the significant life changes that accompany these journeys. Her approach emphasizes compassion, healing, and empowerment as she walks alongside individuals during some of the most vulnerable times of their lives.

Her practice is grounded in the belief that supporting maternal mental health is a community effort. She is an advocate for whole-person wellness, emphasizing emotional, social, financial, occupational and mental health as essential parts of maternal care. L.B. partners with organizations like Postpartum Support International (PSI) to increase access to resources for parents. 

L.B. accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance and private payments, ensuring her services are accessible to those who need them most. Her work is a beacon of support for pregnant and postpartum individuals seeking guidance, healing, and a compassionate space to grow.

Katie is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who believes the most powerful tool in therapy is a collaborative relationship that celebrates vulnerability and encourages deep self-discovery.

A 2019 graduate of the University of Alabama School of Social Work, Katie is an EMDRIA Certified Clinician and Consultant-in-Training. While she specializes in EMDR, she holistically integrates Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic work, and psychodynamic theory to help clients move past "stuck" points. She has a particular passion for helping college students and adults navigate attachment trauma, relationship patterns, and anxiety.

As a Consultant-in-Training, Katie also provides clinical consultation to other EMDR-trained therapists, staying at the forefront of the field's best practices. When she isn’t in the therapist's chair, Katie is likely tending to her ever-growing collection of houseplants—a testament to her belief that with the right environment and care, everything has the capacity to grow.

Katie accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance and private payments.

Kenzie (she/her) is a clinical mental health counselor with a Master’s degree from Indiana University. She is passionate about helping adults (18+) heal from distressing experiences and navigating life’s transitions with greater resilience and self-compassion. Many of her clients have faced challenges such as complex trauma, childhood trauma, grief, divorce, sexual assault, relationship issues, and coping with the stress of relocation and change.

In addition, Kenzie has a special passion for working with college students as they adjust to new environments, manage academic and social pressures, and navigate changes in relationships. She provides a supportive space for students to explore these transitions, build self-compassion, reduce stress, and develop healthy coping strategies.

Kenzie’s approach is empathetic and person-centered, meeting clients where they are while drawing from evidence-based therapies including Mindfulness-Based therapy, EMDR, and somatic therapy. She also integrates Attachment Theory, Polyvagal Theory, parts work, and inner child work to create a holistic and personalized path toward healing. In sessions, Kenzie collaborates with clients to reduce the impact of traumatic memories, transform negative core beliefs, and build lasting self-compassion. She believes healing is always possible, and that therapy can be a space to rediscover safety, confidence, and joy.

Kenzie accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield and private payments.

Kenzie will be exclusively accepting tele-health clients beginning May 8th.

Shirey Brown (she/her) is an Associate Licensed Counselor with a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Alabama. She is dedicated to helping individuals find their sense of purpose and offers an empathetic, meaningful, and client-centered approach to the therapeutic experience. She is passionate about aiding others in finding solutions to daily and lifelong challenges such as complex trauma, grief, stress, relationship difficulties, performance anxiety, and identity discovery. Her background in competitive athletics and performing arts also allows her to connect deeply with student-athletes and high-achieving, people-pleasing individuals who operate in intense, performance-driven environments.

Shirey integrates therapeutic techniques of Existentialism, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), trauma-informed practices, and Psychodrama to collaborate with clients and create personalized treatment plans that support growth, healing, and a renewed sense of direction.

Above all, Shirey believes that you are not just a face with a name, but a person with a purpose, and she is committed to walking alongside you through the pursuit of resilience, clarity, and fulfillment.

Shirey is currently practicing under the supervision of Andrea Whitten, Ph.D., LPC-S. She accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance and private pay.

Shirey is only accepting tele-health clients at this time, and will resume accepting in-person clients beginning August 1st, 2026.

Clint (he/him) is a counseling intern currently earning his Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of West Alabama. He is interested in creating a warm, inviting, and compassionate space where people can explore identity, cultural, and social ideas safely and collaboratively. Clint strives to help individuals empower themselves and reconnect with values-based living, utilizing his background in gender and race studies to integrate trauma-informed therapeutic techniques and modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Narrative Therapy.

Clint is currently practicing under the supervision of Andrea Whitten, Ph.D., LPC-S. He offers services through a community based pricing model, allowing clients to choose a rate that best fits their financial situation.

Jeffrey (he/him) is an Associate Licensed Counselor dedicated to helping individuals, couples and families overcome challenges, build resilience, and pursue meaningful, long-term well-being. Jeffrey holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Music Industry from Troy University and a Master of Arts in Counseling from The University of Alabama.

Jeffrey is committed to serving clients from diverse backgrounds and is especially passionate about expanding access to mental health services within underserved communities. His work is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to heal, grow, and experience an improved quality of life. Jeffrey’s professional experience includes work in private practice, school counseling settings as well as extensive experience in case management and family systems—roles that strengthened his understanding of trauma, behavior patterns, and the importance of collaborative, holistic care. He has a special interest in supporting adolescents, young adults, and men navigating emotional, relational, or identity-related challenges.

Jeffrey’s approach is trauma-informed, client-centered, and grounded in the belief that every person deserves the opportunity to heal, grow, and thrive. In addition to his clinical work, he is the author of Things We Needed To Hear, a self-published affirmation journal designed to encourage emotional wellness, mindfulness, and personal growth, available on Amazon.

Jeffrey is currently practicing under the supervision of Andrea Gregg Whitten, PhD., LPC-S. Jeffrey accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance, private payments and also offers reduced-rate sessions on a sliding scale based on your income. To apply for the sliding scale fee, email admin@hopegrowscenter.org after scheduling your appointment.

Hannah Beth is a counseling intern pursuing a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at The University of Alabama. She is dedicated to providing high quality care that honors each client’s unique story. Hannah Beth strives to create a compassionate space where individuals, couples, and families feel seen and respected as they work toward healing and balance. She approaches every session with intentionality, meeting clients where they are to help them build the emotional awareness and practical skills needed for lasting resilience.

Hannah Beth’s clinical interests include trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and relational concerns. Rooted in a systemic framework, she draws from evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Gottman’s Method of Couples Therapy, and Bowen Family Therapy.

Hannah Beth is currently practicing under the supervision of Andrea Whitten, Ph.D., LPC S. She offers services through a community based pricing model, allowing clients to choose a rate that best fits their financial situation.

Rebekah is pursing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The University of Alabama. She wants to provide a safe space for people to be themselves and somewhere they feel seen and heard. She wants her clients to feel as if she is walking with them on their path to healing and never want her clients to feel they are alone on their journey. Rebekah wants to use a person-centered approach that values genuineness and authenticity as well as Existential Therapy to help clients find their sense of purpose in life.

Rebekah Vaughn is currently practicing under the supervision of Andrea Whitten, Ph.D., LPC S. She offers services through our community based pricing model, allowing clients to choose a rate that best fits their financial situation.

Rebekah will start seeing clients the week of May 26th!

Alysia Johnson is a counseling intern at the University of Alabama who is passionate about supporting individuals and couples as they navigate intimacy, relationships, and personal growth. With a professional goal of becoming a sex therapist, she is especially interested in helping clients explore sexual wellness, relational dynamics, and deeper emotional connection. She strives to create a warm, safe, and judgment-free space where clients feel comfortable exploring their experiences, strengthening communication, and deepening connection within themselves and their relationships. Her clinical interests include relationship, marital, and premarital concerns, sexual wellness, postpartum challenges, and anxiety or depression related to intimacy and sexual concerns. Alysia believes therapy is a collaborative and empowering process rooted in self-discovery, mindfulness, and self-care. 

Her therapeutic approach is grounded in Person-Centered Therapy, Reality Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Adlerian theory. Alysia tailors her approach to meet each client’s unique needs, using these frameworks to help clients explore their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationship patterns while building practical tools for growth and healing.

She understands that taking the first step into therapy can feel overwhelming and feels honored to walk alongside clients on their journey toward greater self-awareness, resilience, and connection.

Alysia is currently practicing under the supervision of Andrea Whitten, Ph.D., LPC S. She offers services through our community based pricing model, allowing clients to choose a rate that best fits their financial situation.

Alysia will start seeing clients the week of May 26th!

Maya Martin is a graduate student pursuing her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Alabama. Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, she is passionate about mental health advocacy, particularly within underserved and minority communities. Her academic interests center on increasing access to culturally competent mental health resources and reducing stigma around mental health care. Outside of her studies, Maya enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her pet bunny, Snowball. She aspires to become a licensed therapist and make a meaningful impact by helping individuals in marginalized communities receive the care and support they deserve.

Maya is currently serving as our Office Manager. If you call the office to schedule your first appointment or have any concerns or questions, Maya will be happy to assist you!