Hickory
Gary Meosky, MSSA, LCSW As practice manager here at New Directions I would like to present to you a brief description of our talented clinical team. Eight years ago I was given the opportunity to join a talented group of therapist in building a counseling group. I have been fortunate to have the combined training and experience as a therapist and as a business manager. This combined knowledge base has helped me balance the 2 worlds. The following are but brief professional bios of our therapist. They are open to any questions regarding their experience, direction, or treatment that you may have. I am very proud and confident of the quality of services that New Direction’s provides.
Lynn James-Smith, MA, LPA Masters in Clinical Psychology from Appalachian State University Lynn has 20 plus years working with children, adolescents, couples and families ages 3-65. She enjoys working with families and systems, strengthening their relationships and successes. Lynn’s broad experience is with many disorders and issues. Her experience is much more over the age spectrum then the other therapist and she enjoys martial therapy. Lynn has special interest in faith based and Christian counseling and is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. Lynn has other responsibilities within the company that benefit from her experience as a manager and passion for the type of services New Directions provides. You will be hard pressed to find a harder worker and quality committed therapist.
Cindy Peters, Ph.D. Ph.D. Clinical Psychology/Developmental Biopsychology The addition of Dr. Peters has brought to New Directions significant expertise in psychological evaluations and psychotherapy. Cindy enjoys her work with relationship issues that exist within a family, including marital. With the addition of Dr. Peters, New Directions is developing and expanding its psychological evaluative capabilities offering practical, user-friendly interventions to help children, families, therapists, and others on the treatment team to work together to improve problem areas. She approaches cases from a strengths-based perspective. She believes that positive change is most likely when founded on hope, a respectful posture with clients, and practical solutions. She does excellent presentations to other professionals in her areas of expertise including pediatric neurophysiology with issues related to attention, organization, focus, learning disorders and pervasive developmental disorders.
Kay Bailey-Day, MA, LPC, NCC MA in Agency and Community Counseling Kay has many years working with clients ranging from ages 4 to 84. She specializes in working with school age children and adolescents. Kay also sees adults with parenting issues, families, and groups. Having a background in education, she works extensively with the school systems in developing treatment plans and behavioral interventions for children with behavioral issues in the school setting. Kay also works with issues such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, life stressors, loss/grief, Aspergers Disorder, Mood Disorders, and trauma. |
Kathy Young-Shugar, MSW, LCSW Kathy has over twenty years as an accomplished Licensed Clinical Social Worker in providing therapy to children from ages three to twenty-one. She provides ongoing individual, family, and group therapy to clients and their families. Kathy is well known in the community for her experience and advocacy with high risk populations, particularly children from chemically dependent families and physically/sexually abused children. She works with the various systems that impact a family’s life: court, schools, and social services. Kathy is also one of the clinical coaches for the team of therapist here at New Directions. Her compassion for her families and passion for her field of study exemplifies her as a licensed clinical social worker.
Hannah P. Alligood, MSW, LCSW Masters in Social Work Hannah has significant clinical experience in working with at-risk youth ages 3-21, survivors of traumatic events such as physical/sexual abuse, as well as treating children with ADHD, aspergers, anger issues and mood disorders. She is skilled at educating families, individuals, and groups about ADHD, stress reduction techniques, child development, affects of abuse on child development, and conflict resolution. Hannah really shines when she does presentations on her topics of expertise in dealing with children, adolescents and families with the above disorders. She does case/program oriented consultations. Hannah has EMDR training and provides this treatment to select clients. She plans on taking it to the next level involving certification.
Greg Shugar, MA, LPC Greg Shugar, M.A. is a Licensed Psychological Associate with twenty-three years experience providing outpatient psychotherapy to children, adults, and families exhibiting symptoms of mental illness. He has treated children as young as 4 years of age and adults in their seventies. Greg is familiar with the difficulties faced by children and teenagers including learning difficulties, developmental delays, and symptoms related to Autism spectrum disorders. His knowledge of psychological assessment allows him to truly understand a child’s educational potential. Greg Shugar, M.A. is available to provide outpatient psychotherapy to persons needing help with grief issues, past traumas, chronic pain, and the more common depressions and anxieties. He has experience treating persons with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Illness, disorders often thought to only affect adults, but becoming increasingly recognizable in childhood. Greg is able to work with persons individually as well as within the context of family treatment. He can also provide psychological assessments for persons from age 6 through adulthood. |
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