LGBT therapists in Smackover, AR

I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor with 12 years of experience helping adults navigate some of the harder things life brings — anxiety, PTSD, OCD, grief, bipolar disorder, maternal mental health, infertility, eating disorders, and chronic illness, among others. I work with adults of all backgrounds and I'm fully LGBTQIA+-affirming. I see all of my clients via telehealth, which means if you're anywhere in Arkansas, we can work together — no commute, no waiting room. I'm warm and I'm direct, and I don't believe in keeping you in therapy longer than you need to be.

I'm M.J. I am an affirming ally who will support you on your unique path. I have been licensed as a professional counselor since 2012; obtained a Master of Science degree in Community Counseling from Oklahoma State University in 2007; worked with a variety of people in outpatient and social services settings.

Welcome and congratulations on taking this step! I work with individuals who struggle with self-image, anxiety, depression, and self-motivation. I have been practicing for over 8 years. I will work with you to find your strengths and aid in building with you from there.

When life gives you lemons...

My education gave me the tools to be a skilled clinician. But it was my own trauma that gave me the insight and depth I bring to this work. I know what it feels like to live in a body that doesn’t feel safe—to question everything, including yourself. I spent over a decade learning how to heal, reclaim my voice, and become the kind of guide I once needed.

In the midst of that long journey, I had a quiet moment of clarity: what I was going through wasn’t just about survival—it was about becoming someone who could walk with others through the dark. That experience grounds my work in both knowledge and deep compassion.

Learning to love the desert

I’ve come to believe that being lost isn’t a problem—it’s part of the path. Like La Loba, the mythical bone-gatherer who wanders the desert collecting what’s been buried and brings it back to life, I help others gather what they’ve lost along the way. That process is sacred, slow, and often surprising—but it’s how we come home to ourselves.

There are parts of you that haven’t died; they’ve just been waiting. And sometimes, when it all falls apart, that’s when the wild, wise parts of you rise again.

Welcome! Fourteen years in, this still moves me. ❤️ Let's see if any of this sounds familiar: You check the locks again on your way to bed. You reread the text nine times, send it, then apologize for sending it. You sit in the car in the driveway a minute longer than you need to. You are steady in the hospital hallway and you come apart in the cereal aisle. Your kid gets called defiant by adults who have never seen him tired. You know which friends stopped calling first. You have carried this well, and you have carried it alone, and both of those cost you something. This is for you. Children, teenagers, adults, people starting over at sixty-eight.

Kayla, a licensed Clinical Social Worker with a background in community mental health, recognized the profound disparities in access to mental health care within BIPOC communities. Inspired by a vision of creating a space where healing is both inclusive and affordable, she founded Helen’s Project with the belief that everyone deserves access to quality mental health support, regardless of their background or financial situation.​​Helen’s Project operates on the principle that culturally competent and empathetic mental health care is essential for holistic well-being. The organization collaborates with a diverse team of mental health professionals who not only possess clinical expertise but also understand the unique cultural nuances and challenges faced by the BIPOC community.

Are you on a journey of self-discovery and self-improvement? Or perhaps it has come to your attention that you are repeating patterns in your life that don't serve you anymore. In your work with me, I will teach you a variety of tools to use for finding the best version of yourself. I can help you understand complex emotions like shame, guilt, hopelessness, and lack of purpose. I will also help you look at deep-set core beliefs, how they may hinder you, and help you to learn how to change them. I also enjoy addressing spiritual and religious concerns.

Feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or seeking clarity? You're not alone—and you don’t have to navigate it alone. I work with individuals from all walks of life who are facing anxiety, trauma, identity exploration, or relationship challenges. My clients are often seeking a supportive and nonjudgmental space where they can process their experiences, build resilience, and find practical tools for change.

With over 16 years of experience, I take a warm, collaborative, and affirming approach to therapy. I use evidence-based methods like CBT, EMDR, and solution-focused strategies, tailoring each session to your needs and goals. My style is grounded, compassionate, and direct—focused on helping you feel more empowered, emotionally regulated, and connected to yourself and others.

I specialize in mood disorders, anxiety, and chronic pain — and I bring the same compassionate curiosity to every client I work with. I understand that reaching out for help can feel scary. Many of my clients come in worried they won't be believed, or anxious about how they'll be perceived. I want you to know that you are safe here — your experience is valid, and you will never be judged. Outside of the clinic, you'll find me knitting or tending to my freshwater aquariums, which keeps me grounded and reminds me to appreciate the slow, steady work of growth.

I am a certified cognitive behavioral therapist who is also mindful of the emotions we feel as humans. I believe therapy is holistic—mind, body, and well-being. My goal is to create a safe and judgment-free place to help guide and support you. I was previously an elementary school teacher. I am neurodivergent and enjoy working with the neurodivergent population.

Do you feel lost and broken? Does life seem hopeless right now? It’s not. Your trauma and pain can actually be an essential part of transforming your life. There is no substitute for painful life experience in moving you toward learning to experience life in the moment, with a greater sense of purpose and contentment.