Amy Alexander, LMFT
Executive Director, Therapist
615-260-7134
Amy Alexander, a Washington state native, is a Licensed therapist and is the Co-Founder of The Refuge Center for Counseling. She received her Masterʼs Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Amy worked as a domestic violence advocate and also with at-risk youth for six years before opening The Refuge Center. Her clinical background and areas of specialty include: Trauma, Domestic and Sexual Violence, Women's Issues and Addictions. Amy is trained in EMDR, Brainspotting, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor in training. Amy is also a current member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and also the Nashville Area Association of Christian Counselors.
Jennifer Gillett, M.M.F.T.
Director of Policy and Board Relations, Therapist
615-481-5901
Jennifer Gillett, Co-founder of The Refuge Center, grew up in Texas before moving to the Nashville area six years ago. She also received her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Trevecca Nazarene University and specializes in family issues, including adoption, marriage-building and premarital work, parenting support, and adolescent work. Jennifer enjoys helping families function more effectively as a whole, by identifying both individual and systemic opportunities to improve the health of the entire family. She is a member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists as well as the American Association of Christian Counselors. Jen is also a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 Trained Mediator.
Kyle Turner, M.A.
Faith Community Outreach Director, Therapist
615-275-7834
Kyle Turner has a Master’s degree in Counseling. His clinical background covers a wide range of issues including teenage behavioral issues, depression, anger, and conflict resolution, couples therapy, and work with families in crisis. Kyle integrates several theories of counseling in his work and believes working with the family as a whole (Family Systems) is one of the best ways to bring about growth and healthy changes. He is in the process of obtaining his license as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and has passed the NBCC examination needed to become a nationally certified counselor. Kyle enjoys working with individuals, couples, and families to not only help them deal with their current situation or crisis but also to realize their full potential. Kyle is also the Faith Community Outreach Director for The Refuge Center and builds programmatic relationships with Refuge and local faith communities.
Kelly Bourque, M.M.F.T.
Children's Program Coordinator, Therapist
615-594-2830
Kelly graduated from Trevecca with a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has particular interest and natural giftedness in working with children and families. She also enjoys doing individual work with women and marital counseling with couples. Kelly has specific training in attachment work and EMDR (eye movement desensitization reprocessing). Kelly uses an integrative approach for therapy – treatment plans and type of therapy are based on the individual needs and personality of a family. Kelly’s experience includes working with attachment issues, trauma, all types of abuse (sexual, physical and emotional), grief, life transitions, anxiety disorders and healthy parenting. She also has experience and interest in working with missionary families. Kelly is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.
Carol Wood, M.A.
Therapist
615-812-9664
Carol Wood has a special interest in working with women as they are confronted with life transitions and changes, especially the change of divorce. She utilizes empowerment and cognitive-baechniques to work with the client in gaining insight into personal underlying issues that cause distress and pain. Her clinical background includes working with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, and family violence. Carol is also trained in EMDR. She received her Master's in Counseling and has passed the NBCC examination to become a nationally certified counselor.
Alice Stricklin, M.M.F.T
Therapist
615-574-0474
Alice Stricklin is a native of Nashville. She has a BS in Psychology and Sociology, a Masters in Public Health, and a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has spent 10 years studying and working within the psychology and sociology fields. Her experience and gifts have lead her into working with women, children, and families. She appoaches therapy with a systems outlook and although at times she is working with an individual, often incorporates family and system dynamics in the process. She has a love and passion in helping children and families, but has also been blessed to work with adults in many different areas as well. Her training in EMDR allows her to work with all ages on issues ranging from trauma, depression, anxiety, and life adjustments. In working with children and families her experience lies in divorce adjustment, sex abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, behavior difficulties, healthy parenting, anxiety, depression, and life adjustments. Alice is also trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral therapy.
Daniel Stewart
(Master's Level Counseling Intern)
Daniel Stewart is a Tennessee native and graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a BA in History and Political Science. Daniel is a graduate student at Trevecca Nazarene University and is completing the process to obtain a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. His goal is to pursue licensure in the state of Tennessee in 2010. Daniel is passionate about working with couples and families undergoing life transitions. He is certified to administer the PREPARE/ENRICH program. Daniel finds it rewarding to work with individuals with depression, grief, abuse, and dependency/co-dependency issues. He is a student member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Daniel believes that it is never too late for an individual to change his or her life story.
Latonia Cox
(Master's Level Counseling Intern)
Latonia Cox, originally from Jackson TN, received a B.S in Sociology from Tennessee State University and is currently completing a Master’s degree in Counseling. Latonia plans to pursue licensure in Tennessee. Latonia is passionate about working with women and young adults with issues ranging from depression and adjustment issues to domestic violence and abuse. In addition, Latonia has written, reading and speaking proficiency in the Spanish language. Latonia feels counseling is her calling and is passionate about walking alongside those who are hurting and helping them along their journey.
John K. Hewitt
(Master's Level Counseling Intern)
John Kelly Hewitt, originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, graduated from Harding University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982. From 1982 through 1988, John owned and operated a building services company doing business in Little Rock, Arkansas and Dallas, Texas. In 1990 John completed a two year master’s level Internship in Ministry with the IPM in Dallas, Texas in association with Oklahoma Christian University. After graduation, he served as a licensed Minister until 1996. He currently owns a medical management company that builds and manages physician practices throughout Tennessee. John is completing his master’s degree in counseling at Trevecca Nazarene University. He intends, with a background in Business, Ministry and Counseling, to help people achieve spiritual, physical, emotional and financial well-being through his counseling and consulting practice. John is especially interested in assisting people in getting a “bulls-eye” on their life purpose and connecting that purpose to a dynamic career plan, which will provide for financial peace and personal fulfillment. Another specific area of counseling interest for John is assisting people through divorce recovery and other traumatic life circumstances. John intends to continue his education toward a PhD beginning in the spring of 2010. He resides with his lovely wife Julie of 19 years and their two wonderful children, Parker and Hannah, in the Middle Tennessee area.
Eleah Hyatt
(Master's Level Counseling Intern)
Eleah Hyatt, originally from Ontario, Canada, was raised in Kyiv, Ukraine where she became fluent in both the Russian and Ukrainian languages and gained many invaluable experiences from living in a foreign country and culture. These experiences developed in her a passion for helping those in need find peace and healing in their lives. Eleah received a B.A in Psychology from Harding University and is currently completing a Masters degree in Counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University, after which she plans to pursue licensure in the state of Tennessee. In regards to counseling, Eleah has a special interest in working with children and families who may be experiencing difficulties in regards to divorce adjustment, abuse, behavior difficulties, anxiety, depression, healthy parenting, grief and life adjustments. She is also a student member of the Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselors Association. Eleah looks forward to journeying alongside individuals and families, empowering them through life's hardships as they find peace and healing for their lives.
Jenny Black
(Master's Level Counseling Intern)
Jenny Black was born in Texas and is a wife and a mother of two. She graduated from Western Kentucky University with a degree in Psychology and is currently completing a Master's program in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has worked in ministry and education with women and children over the past 14 years. Jenny also has specific training in premarital and marital enrichment counseling. She and a friend have recently published Unwritten Travels, an activity book for real life that empowers a woman to give of herself without giving herself away.
Stacey Allen, Executive Administrative Assistant & Office Manager
Stacey joined The Refuge Center in early 2008 and is excited to be a part of this work! Stacey has 4 daughters from ages 5 to 11. She came from Baltimore, MD and graduated from University of Maryland, College Park. She has been happily married for 12 years and is a licensed realtor in MD and TN. Stacey enjoys travel, reading and entertaining. Stacey says, "I love living in Middle TN but will always be a Baltimore Ravens fan!"
