Alisa Wheeler
Licensed Clinical mental health counselor-ASSOCIATE
Master’s Level Clinician, NC License #A20872
Alisa offers a supportive and encouraging environment where clients feel heard, valued, and understood. She believes every individual holds unique strengths and the capacity for growth and healing. Through a collaborative, client-centered approach, Alisa helps clients increase self-awareness, build resilience, and navigate life’s challenges with confidence. She is passionate about fostering holistic well-being by honoring the connection between the mind, body, and spirit while maintaining a space grounded in empathy, mutual respect, and unconditional positive regard.
Alisa earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a minor in Child and Family Development, as well as her Master’s Degree in Counseling, both from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her therapeutic approach is primarily client-centered, while integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and somatic techniques tailored to each client’s unique needs. She also incorporates play therapy techniques when working with younger children. Throughout her career as a school counselor(29+ years), Alisa has worked with children, adolescents, teens, adults, parents, and caregivers from diverse backgrounds. Alisa is an excellent fit for children experiencing academic concerns, anxiety, ADHD, attachment challenges, Level 1 Autism, behavioral challenges, depression, emotional dysregulation, family and parenting concerns, low self-esteem, social-emotional difficulties, and trauma.
Outside of counseling, Alisa enjoys time at the beach or pool, getting lost in a good book, and making memories with her husband, two children, and three dogs. Family, connection, and life’s simple pleasures are what she treasures most.
Alisa provides in-person therapy in Denver, NC, available Thursday through Saturday.
INSURANCEs accepted: Aetna & Blue Cross Blue ShielD
Emma Kelley
Licensed Clinical mental health counselor-ASSOCIATE
Master’s Level Clinician, NC License #A20958
Emma provides an empathetic, safe, and nurturing environment to help clients achieve their goals, address their problems, and heal. She supports and accepts clients, while encouraging them to become more self-aware. Emma’s therapeutic approach is from a person-centered framework. Emma believes every client is unique with individualized needs, and implements various techniques from Expressive Arts, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Gestalt therapy when appropriate.
Emma earned her Master’s Degree in Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with concentrations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Play Therapy. She has extensive experience supporting clients through grief, including miscarriage, infertility, child & infant loss. Her work at KinderMourn strengthened her expertise in grief counseling and deepened her commitment to walking alongside individuals and families during life’s most difficult seasons. Emma is especially passionate about supporting women through pregnancy, postpartum, and the challenges of early parenthood. She provides a warm, compassionate space for clients navigating perinatal and postpartum anxiety, depression, trauma, and the emotional complexities of parenting. She is an excellent fit for children over the age of 10 experiencing anxiety, ADHD, depression, grief/loss, and trauma.
In her free time, you can find Emma hanging out with her baby boy, husband, two kitties, and miniature dachshund, Moose. Her favorite pastime is trying new restaurants with her family, browsing the mystery section at Fred & June's Bookstore, and drinking a good cup of coffee!
Emma provides telehealth therapy for clients across North Carolina on Mondays & Wednesdays.
INSURANCEs accepted: Aetna & Blue Cross Blue ShielD
Katelynn “Katie” Canipe
Licensed Clinical mental health counselor-ASSOCIATE
Master’s Level Clinician, NC License #A19824
Katie is dedicated to creating a nurturing, safe, and non-judgmental therapeutic environment where children can thrive. Her approach is rooted in a person-centered/child-centered framework, incorporating techniques from Expressive Arts and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy when appropriate. Katie has experience treating children (ages 3 and up), adolescents, and teens in individual, group, and school-based settings. She is also passionate about supporting women, mothers, and veterans. Katie is a perfect fit for children experiencing anxiety, ADHD, behavioral concerns, depression, emotional dysregulation, and social skills deficits.
Katie earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from East Carolina University before pursuing a Master of Arts in Counseling at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, specializing in School Counseling and Play Therapy. Her passion for working with children flourished during her play therapy courses, where she realized the profound impact of connecting with children through developmentally appropriate therapeutic play.
Outside of her counseling role, Katie serves as a Navy Reservist. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and children, reading, solving puzzles, playing video games, and having dance parties with her kids.
Katie provides in-person therapy in Denver, NC and telehealth therapy for clients across North Carolina, available on Mondays, Thursdays & Fridays.
INSURANCEs accepted: Aetna & Blue Cross Blue ShielD
Lexie Stewart
Licensed Clinical SOCIAL WORKER-ASSOCIATE
Master’s Level Clinician, NC License #PO20560
Lexie is committed to creating a brave, encouraging, and welcoming environment for all clients. Taking the step toward therapy shows courage and a commitment to your well-being. Whether you're facing life transitions, relationship challenges, or struggling with mental health issues, she is here to walk alongside you in a collaborative partnership. Her therapeutic approach includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a focus on exposure and response prevention, as well as mindfulness techniques. Lexie encourages self-determination and helps clients self-identify their needs, wants, and goals. Lexie is a great fit for children over the age of 13 and women experiencing anxiety, depression, foster care/adoption-related issues, low self esteem, or women's health-related issues. Lexie believes in empowering clients with the tools they need to make positive changes for their overall wellness.
Lexie graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human and Community Services and Criminal Justice. She went on to obtain a Master’s in Social Work degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Lexie has over five years of experience working with children, teens, adults, and families in various settings, including juvenile justice, child protective services, integrated health, and outpatient therapy.
In her personal time, Lexie enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and beagle. You can often find her camping and exploring nature with her family. An avid lover of coffee, books, and animals.
Lexie provides in-person therapy in Denver, NC and telehealth therapy for clients across North Carolina, available Monday through Wednesday.
INSURANCEs accepted: Aetna & Blue Cross Blue ShielD
Lisa Donnellan
Licensed Clinical mental health counselor-Supervisor
Certified Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, Master’s Level Clinician, NC License #S7776
Lisa offers a safe, non-judgmental, caring environment for her clients and views the counselor/client relationship as a collaboration. Her theoretical approach is Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral, Cognitive Behavioral, and Person-Centered. Lisa is an excellent fit for children over the age of 10 with anxiety, depression, trauma, behavioral concerns, low self-esteem, social skills deficits, Level 1 Autism, changing family dynamics, ADHD, or obsessive-compulsive disorders. Lisa’s goal is to empower clients to make healthy changes for a happy, fulfilling life.
Lisa graduated from Northeastern University with a Bachelor in Science in Criminal Justice and a Masters in Counseling from Suffolk University with honors. She has over 18 years of counseling experience working with children, adolescents, and families. Lisa has experience working in a variety of settings to include private practice, public and charter schools, and managed care. In the school setting, Lisa was a behavioral interventionist and Autism specialist and is available for educational consultation.
Outside of work, Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband, two girls and dog, Wilmer, as well as Burn Boot Camp, running and skiing.
Lisa provides in-person therapy in Denver, NC and telehealth therapy for clients across North Carolina, available on Wednesdays.
INSURANCEs accepted: Aetna & Blue Cross Blue ShielD
Clarissa “Reese” Caskey
Licensed Clinical mental health counselor
Founder of Wild Hearts Counseling and Wellness, Master’s Level Clinician, NC License #13225
Reese’s therapeutic style is warm, engaging, and grounded in empathy, mutual respect, and unconditional positive regard. She is dedicated to providing a supportive environment where clients feel encouraged and empowered. Reese believes that a vital part of the therapeutic process involves helping clients find meaning, identify their strengths, and set achievable goals to overcome life’s challenges.
Reese began her work in the mental health field in 2010 and has since gained experience in a variety of settings, including residential group homes, intensive in-home programs, day treatment centers, K–12 schools, colleges, and outpatient therapy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Belmont Abbey College and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Montreat College.
Reese’s clinical approach is informed by specialized training in Expressive Arts Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Play Therapy, Sandtray Therapy, and trauma-informed care. She is a perfect fit for children (ages 5 and up), teens, and women experiencing ADHD, anxiety, depression, low self esteem, women's health-related issues, or trauma.
Outside the office, Reese enjoys traveling, arts/crafts, reading, staying active (she’s a former college volleyball athlete), being outdoors, and spending time with her husband and their 3 dogs—including Sage, her therapy dog! She is passionate about supporting small businesses, advocating for foster care and adoption, and living sustainably.
Reese provides in-person therapy in Denver, NC and telehealth therapy for clients across North Carolina, Monday through Thursday.
INSURANCEs accepted: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue ShielD, Medcost, & humana/tricare CERTIFIED Out of network provider
