Jessica Wigginton, Director, LCSW

Jessica attended Colorado State University where she received a dual degree in Psychology and Foreign Languages. While in Colorado Jessica obtained her Certified Addictions Counselor II license and worked with impoverished youth in a transition home. Jessica then moved to Kentucky where she attended the University of Kentucky and obtained her Master's in Social Work. After obtaining this degree Jessica went on to direct two different non-profit programs before beginning Danville Counseling in 2016 with the mission to help people heal and live the most meaningful life possible. Jessica continues to remain engaged in the academic community and has taught as an Adjunct at both UK and Campbellsville universities. She has obtained specialized training in Trauma becoming trained in EMDR, CPT and certified to provide TF-CBT for children. Jessica recently co-founded the non-profit 'Mend the Line' to specifically help first end the stigma around first responders seeking support for mental health. This mission is close to her heart as she comes from a family of first responders including fire, ems, dispatch and police; her sister currently serves as a police officer. [If you would like to see Jessica for counseling or licensure supervision, please contact the office.]

Talitha Fowlkes, LCSW

Talitha received her Bachelor’s degree in Social work from the University of Tennessee in 1991 and completed her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Louisville in 1992. Talitha began work at a local mental health center seeing clients of all ages while also directing the adolescent group programs. Talitha continued her work with children as a school social worker, setting up groups as well as curriculum for use in the classroom to help children develop coping and communication skills. Talitha began working in private practice in 1996, seeing a wide range of clients representing all ages. While in private practice, Talitha provided group education on parenting with a special emphasis on parenting children with special needs. Following work in private practice she became clinical supervisor for a private foster care program in South West Virginia. After moving to Danville in 2013, she worked for both Ephraim McDowell as well as Sunrise outpatient services.

Talitha utilizes play therapy in working with children and also sees teens and adults in her practice, utilizing a trauma informed approach in her work. Talitha is trained in play therapy, TF-CBT, DBT and EMDR.

Sonya Kirkpatrick, LCSW

Sonya works with children, adolescents, and adults, as well as some family-based interventions; focusing largely on those struggling with current or past trauma. Her therapeutic modalities include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma Play Therapy, Play Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Sonya joined the team at Danville Counseling Center in October 2019, following a previous career of working with children and families experiencing hardships due to abuse, neglect, poverty, and substance use. Additionally, Sonya served as an EMT and Paramedic in several Kentucky counties from 2001-2022, which has resulted in a passion to provide trauma-based therapy services to first responders and their families. With her Trauma Play Certification, Sonya can provide trauma therapy services to pre-verbal, non-verbal and verbal clients, starting as young as age one. Sonya obtained her Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Louisville after earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work at Eastern Kentucky University. Sonya is also a licensed Paramedic and co-founded the nonprofit 'Mend the Line' to help end the stigma that first responders face for seeking mental health services. 

Timothy Hurtak, LCSW

Tim has been working as a therapist since 2016, shortly after graduating with his Master in Social Work from the University of Kentucky. He worked for a non-profit organization as a therapist for several years and joined Danville Counseling Center in 2020. He works with kids and adults of all ages with a variety of needs. Tim has had training in CBT and TF-CBT, and has practical knowledge of DBT as well.

Teresa Salyers, LCSW

Teresa mainly works with adults, and has a special heart for those coping with grief and loss, trauma, later-life transitions, gender and sexuality exploration, or low self-worth. She is dedicated to providing a safe environment in which clients can discover their strengths while addressing life's difficulties without judgment. She is an affirming therapist who earned her degrees as a non-traditional student. Teresa has a BA in Human Services and Counseling from Lindsey Wilson College and a Master of Social Work from Campbellsville University. Teresa is also an Enhanced and Advanced trained therapist in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) which is an eye-movement therapy to treat a wide array of issues, but specifically efficient to treat trauma. Teresa passionately believes everyone could use a safe space to express what they feel; a place where strengths are identified and celebrated in a working alliance to combat anxiety, depression, and trauma responses. To learn more about ART, check out: https://acceleratedresolutiontherapy.com/

Rebecca Baugh, LPCC

Rebecca has over 20 years of experience working with children and families. She has worked in residential, foster care and community based settings. Rebecca received her master’s degree in counseling from Eastern Kentucky University in 2004. Rebecca is certified in Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and has specialized training in Biblical counseling. Rebecca has experience working with ADHD, anxiety, depression, defiance, attachment disorders and abuse victims.

Pamela Smith, LCSW

Pam has over 20 years of experience and engages in her work from a psychoanalytic approach. Pam was immersed in the psychoanalytic community for many years where she honed her skills. Pam has many additional areas of training including EMDR and CBT to engage clients in recovery from trauma, anxiety and depression. Pam is warm, open and accepting and can help with problems ranging from processing through a traumatic event to regaining sexuality in your marriage. She completed her undergraduate degree at Campbellsville University and her Master’s in Social Work through the Kent School of Social Work at University of Louisville. Pam has hiked part of the Appalachian Trail, enjoys travel and loves all animals from dogs to horses. Her warm heart and open mind create an atmosphere conducive to change.

Amy Carpenter, LCSW

Amy graduated from Campbellsville University Graduate School in 2015 with her Master in Social Work. Amy’s first job was with a counseling practice in Somerset where she served the public and provided them with individual and family therapy. Amy then went on to work for a hospice organization where she served families in the community with end of life care. Amy then returned to her passion in providing therapy services to the community and has been with Danville Counseling since January 2020. Amy knew from an early age that she had a passion for helping people who are hurting and has been able to provided support to many families in need. Amy works with all populations but has a heart for women with postpartum depression, anxiety and other related diagnoses.

Jeremy Owens, CSW

Jeremy is a graduate from Eastern Kentucky University in 2008 in Sociology and Criminology. He has worked at a psychiatric treatment facility, a community mental health center, and a Drug Court Program before graduating from the University of Kentucky in 2020 with a Masters of Social Work. Jeremy holds a School Social Work Certificate and Certificate in Developmental Disabilities. Post-graduation, he started working in a Methadone and Suboxone Clinic, where he helped people with multiple addiction issues, while also becoming a Licensed Clinical Alcohol & Drug Counselor (LCADC). Jeremy is currently a Certified Social Worker (CSW) and is working towards a License Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Jeremy has a passion to help others, with whatever adversity that causes personal issues, to gain a healthier overall well-being and function more productively in all aspects of life. He loves working with people that have Substance Use Disorders, PTSD, ADHD, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, OCD, anxiety, depression, and many more. His motivation in therapy is heavily grounded in self-awareness, acceptance, positivity, and focusing on personal strengths. His treatment intervention approaches include Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Relapse Prevention Therapy, Behavioral Modification, and Social Skills Training.

Karen Machal, LPCC

Karen joined the Danville Counseling Center’s team in 2022. She enjoys working with children and adults of all ages. Her previous counseling experience included working in addiction therapy and medically assisted treatment for substance use disorder and working with children as a school-based therapist. She completed her undergraduate degree at Colorado Christian University, and her Master of Education in Counseling and Human Services from Lindsey Wilson College.  Karen uses a variety of therapeutic modalities in her approach to counseling including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)  Person-Centered Therapy, and interventions in play and creative arts to assist younger clients. Her belief is that each client has a unique story filled with beauty, goodness, hardship, pain and just about everything in between. She enjoys providing a professional faith-based counseling approach to help those who are hurting, as they grow, develop resiliency and a capacity for living a joyful fulfilling and purposeful life.

Jenna Leathers, CSW

Jenna received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Eastern Kentucky University; later receiving her Master of Social Work from Campbellsville University. Jenna has passion for helping her clients find and understand thier strengths, resources, and resiliencies. Jenna utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) in her work with her chosen client base of adolescents and adults.  In her free time, Jenna enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, gardening, and volunteering.

Sharon Todd, LPCC-S

Dr. Sharon Todd is an Assistant Professor of Counseling at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, a certified school counselor, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC, Kentucky), board-approved supervisor (Kentucky), and National Certified Counselor (NCC). She is also certified in Choice Theory and Reality Therapy (CT/RTC) and is in the final phase of obtaining certification as a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). She has over 16 years of experience in the public school setting, where she has served as a special education teacher, preschool teacher, school counselor, and district mental health counselor. Additionally, she has clinical counseling experience in the private sector. She is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, where she received her bachelor's degree in child and family studies with a minor in special education and a master's degree in school counseling. She is a certified school counselor and licensed professional clinical counselor (Kentucky) and board approved supervisor (Kentucky). In April 2021, she completed her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision with a specialization in leadership from the University of the Cumberlands. Her love for ethical school counseling practices led to her dissertation topic, titled Understanding the Lived Experiences of School Counselors' Perceived Self-Efficacy When Responding to Ethical Dilemmas: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.

Samantha Wilson, LPCA

Samantha attended Eastern Kentucky University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and later an M.A. Ed in School counseling. Samantha has advocated for children and families in her past 7 years working for New Vista and in the public-school system. Samantha joined the team as an LPCA at Danville Counseling Center in November 2022. She has a passion for building a positive therapeutic relationship with her clients to help them heal from past traumas, develop healthier relationships, positive coping skills, and an overall healthier well-being.

Heather Cocanaugher, BA, PE

Heather is a Targeted Case Manager at DCC. She graduated from Western Ky University in 1993 with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Minor in Child Development and Family Relations. She has worked in the mental health field for many years in various roles with both children and adults. Heather has said case management is the most fulfilling role for her because she is able to help clients with basic needs, self advocacy, locating additional supports, and removing barriers of success. Clients are then able to focus on treatment and healing instead of other stressors preventing them from fully participating in services. She has substantial community connections and knowledge of resources to refer clients for additional support. Heather strives to provide services with compassion and respect for others. Her civic activities include: Helping Hands of Boyle and Mercer Counties- Board of Directors; Kiwanis Club of Danville; and previous board member of Citizen’s Foster Care Review Board in Mercer County.

Support Staff:

Sydney Phillips

Sydney is the bright face of DCC that you will likely meet at the front desk or speak with on the phone. She handles referrals, new intakes, scheduling appointments, and interpreter requests on top of greeting client’s and taking copays. Sydney is currently taking college classes to further her own education and enjoys spending time with her dog Millie.

Alexis King

Meet Alexis King, the warm and welcoming face at the Danville Counseling Center's front desk. As a customer service expert and people-person, Alexis is dedicated to making patients' experience at the center as positive as possible. She handles scheduling and insurance billing, and is always ready to help with any questions. When she's not at the center, Alexis loves spending time with her family and hitting the trails for a good hike.